Liard Hot Springs

Posted on 6/15 from Whitehorse, Yukon

Today was a rest and no travel day. It rained much of the night and we awoke to very overcast skies with clouds way down the mountains. We motored up the highway about 20 miles to the Liard River area and checked into the private campground. We did not think we could get into the Provincial Park because of our size, but perhaps we might have made it. The private campground had 30 amp power and water, but no sewer hookups or even a dump station. We had hoped to do laundry, but that will have to wait.

The primary attraction here is the Liard Hot Springs. The pools are just a short hike out a boardwalk. On the way out a cow moose crossed the walk just a few yards ahead of us. Fortunately, she was not headed for the pools. The springs are very hot and very popular. We went for a soak before lunch, then back to the trailer for a bite. Then we all took naps. After our naps, Nana and the kids went back to the pools again while Papa worked on nap number two. By this time the skies had cleared and there were only a few puffy white clouds. The temperature had soared to 67.

Just for the sake of interest I checked some of the prices in the little camp store. Hamburger buns, hot dog buns and a loaf of bread were each 4.89. I spoke with the lady running the store and she told me that two of the resorts at Muncho Lake had gone out of business this year and would not reopen. Their owners just could not make a go of it. This place is open year round and barely survives. There is a sense that traffic is down this year due to the high cost of fuel, especially in Canada. I will probably have to get some diesel fuel before we cross back into the US, and expect to pay between $4 and $5 a gallon. Once back in Alaska the price is under $3.

We had pork chops for dinner and then watched three episodes of “Sgt. Preston of the Yukon” with his wonder dog King. Of course, I grew up on these shows and our grandkids had never seen them. Dom really liked them. I was amazed at the poor production quality, horrible acting and inane story lines. Even kids shows have changed dramatically over the years. It was fun though, and appropriate since we will be entering the Yukon Territory tomorrow.