Name: Miles Canyon
Rating: 2

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Yukon

Miles Canyon

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Canada

Yukon

Miles Canyon

Recommended by 7 hikers

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Location: Yukon, Yukon, Canada

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Best Hiking Routes to Miles Canyon

5.0

(10)

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1. Schwatka Lake – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Whitehorse

17.3km

04:31

130m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(5)

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2. Schwatka Lake – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Canyon Crescent

12.0km

03:11

120m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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3. Miles Canyon – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Canyon Crescent

2.62km

00:42

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Hubert Trapp

July 24, 2023

The rocks in Miles Canyon are basalts formed by lava flows millions of years ago. The gorge was later formed by the traveling waters of the 'Yukon River'. During the 'Klondike Gold Rush' at the end of the 19th century, the 'White Horse Rapids' in the narrow gorge were a feared obstacle that prospectors had to cross by boat on their way to the gold fields further north. There are differing reports on the number of human casualties and damage to property while navigating the rapids. The North West Mounted Police intervened and prohibited passage; only qualified captains were allowed to undertake the journey. The people on the boats had to bypass the gorge on a footpath above.

In late 1897, merchant Norman Macaulay and a team built a streetcar on the east bank of the Yukon in just three weeks. Rails made of pine and spruce poles were laid on wooden sleepers on a bed of gravel. Horses were used to pull streetcars loaded with goods across the wooden rails. Boats could also be transported with the 'Macaulay Tramway' in order to avoid the rapids.

South of the (today's) suspension bridge, at the point where the streetcar started, Canyon City was a small town with a hotel, saloon, restaurant, stables, mounted police, cabins and tents.

yukon-news.com/letters-opinions/old-tramway-is-now-part-of-whitehorse-history

With the construction and completion of the 'White Pass & Yukon Route Railway' from Skagway to Whitehorse in 1900, both the 'Tramway' and Canyon City lost their livelihood.

With the construction of the hydroelectric power plant and the formation of 'Schwatka Lake' in 1959, the rapids of 'Miles Canyon' disappeared. Today, the 'Miles Canyon' and the suspension bridge over the 'Yukon River' are popular destinations in the Whitehorse area.

yukoninfo.com/whitehorse-info-miles-canyon

Translated by Google •

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Details

Informations

Distance 854 m

Uphill 20 m

Downhill 20 m

Weather

Today

Friday 19 September

12°C

6°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Location: Yukon, Yukon, Canada

Miles Canyon

1. Schwatka Lake – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Whitehorse

2. Schwatka Lake – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Canyon Crescent

3. Miles Canyon – Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge loop from Canyon Crescent

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