We departed Haines, Alaska and headed north to The Yukon. On our way we stopped by the Chilkat River for some eagle viewing. What an absolutely beautiful drive.
We have the most recent edition of The MILEPOST 2024 as our previous version was from 2010. (We thought it was time to get a new one.) As we drove the Haines Highway from Haines, Alaska I read a section to my husband. Quoted directly from The MILEPOST 2024:
“Travelers on the Haines Highway pass through 3 time zones in 45 miles between the U.S. Dalton Cache border at Milepost H 40.2 and the British Columbia-Yukon Territory border at Milepost H 85.2: Alaska time, Pacific time, and Mountain time. Alaska observes Alaska Standard Time (AST) and Alaska Daylight Time (ADT). British Columbia observes Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Yukon Territory observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) year round. Yukon Territory does not observe daylight saving time.
Between March 10 and November 3, Alaska is 1 hour earlier than both British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Starting November 3, 2024, Alaska will be 1 hour earlier than British Columbia; British Columbia will be 1 hour earlier than Yukon; and Alaska will be 2 hours earlier than Yukon Territory.
Important: U.S. Customs is open from 7am to 11pm (Alaska time), and Canada customs is open at the same time, but due to the time zone difference, hours are 8am to midnight (Pacific time). You cannot drive south to Haines or north to Haines Junction at any time of the night that this border is closed.”
Got it? Yes, it is correct and informative….but their chart was easier.
As we proceed on we crossed the border into Canada. The border crossing is Dalton Cache, Alaska for the US side and Pleasant Camp, British Columbia for the Canadian side. We didn’t have any wait but stopped for a few minutes for passport check, a few questions, and some information about the area. It was smooth and easy and the border guard with friendly and effecient.
From there we proceeded up to the Haines Highway Summit in British Columbia at just over 1,000 m and stopped for a lunch break. It offered tremendous views.
We continued our drive north and it wasn’t long before we entered in the Yukon Territory and on to Haines Junction.
Haines Junction is a small village at KM 1,632 of the Alaska Highway at its junction with Haines Highway hence the name. The population is roughly around 1,000. It is surrounded by spectacular scenery and is known as the Gateway to Kluane National Park and Reserve. It is a perfect place to stop and soak in the scenery and maybe shop, eat, fill your tanks, etc. We saw a grizzly bear on the side of the road near Haines Junction. A couple we had met in Haines previously said they saw 5 grizzlies 2 nights previous near the Pine Lake Campground where we we stayed. We only saw one.
Just about 4 miles north of Haines Junction is Pine Lake and is our stop for the night. Pine Lake Campground is a Yukon Territorial Park with 42 sites. It is directly off the Alaska Highway and easily accessible.
Campground: Pine Lake Campground
Location: Haines Junction, Yukon (4 miles north of Haines Junction along Pine Lake)
Site: 29 (back-in)
Cost: $18 (CAD)
Services: dry camping
Comments: Another campground that now takes reservations!! Only 4 front country and 3 back country in the Yukon now take reservations for the 2024 summer season!! It was a lovely campground but we were only there for 1 night so we didn’t get to explore much. The sites were nice and level and flat. AND, as always in the Yukon, the firewood is free.
The Haines Highway from Haines, Alaska to Haines Junction, Yukon is stunning. We are so glad we choose Haines as our Alaska Ferry stopping off point. We have both been to Skagway a number of times and driven the road from Skagway to Whitehorse so this gave us a different road to drive. Excellent!
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