Kluane National Park
- Kluane National Park Climate
- Kluane National Park Geology
- Kluane National Park Vegetation
- Kluane National Park Wildlife
- Kluane National Park Excursions
A gem in the family of Parks Canada's national treasures, Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada covers an area of 13,657 square miles. It is a land of precipitous, high mountains, immense ice fields and lush valleys that yield a diverse array of plant and wildlife species and provides for a host of outdoor activities. Kluane National Park and Reserve is also home to Mount Logan (19,545 ft), Canada's highest peak, Kluane National Park Reserve is located in the southwest corner of the Yukon Territory, bordering on both British Columbia and Alaska. The reserve was established in 1976, and protects Canada's Northern Coastal Mountains Natural Region. The park's mountains are part of the Wrangell - St. Elias chain. Kluane and its American counterpart, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, were jointly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Kluane's climate is a contrasting blend of moisture and temperature conditions due to its size, mountainous terrain, and proximity to the Pacific coast. Much of the park experiences a dry, cold, continental climate, being in the rain shadow of the St. Elias Mountains. The southern part of the park is subjected to a maritime influence, with generally higher temperatures and more precipitation. The summer climate can be in the 80's but average temperatures are mid 60's Winter average is OK.
Kluane features the highest and most massive mountains in Canada, including Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. The park has the most extensive non-polar ice fields in the world, covering nearly half of the park. Glacial movement can be sudden and astounding, and stream erosion and glacial scouring are evident everywhere. Steep slopes and cliffs, and outwash plains make up the remaining land forms.
Kluane National Park Vegetation
The flora of Kluane is a blend of coastal, arctic, western mountain, northern prairie, and steppe species. Grasslands of bluegrass, wheatgrass, sedges, and pasture sagewort are found in some valleys. Most lower valleys and slopes are covered by a mountain forest of white spruce, trembling aspen, and balsam poplar. Summer wildflowers include Arctic poppies, purple saxifrage, mountain heather, and moss campion.
Some of North America's finest animal populations are found in Kluane. Dall's sheep are the most common mammal, numbering about 4 000 animals. There are also mountain goats, caribou, grizzly and black bears, moose, wolves, wolverines, muskrat, mink, marmot, red fox, lynx, otter, coyote, beaver, snowshoe hares, and ground squirrels. Kluane's birdlife is equally diverse. Over 150 species have been recorded in the Kluane area. These include rock ptarmigan, magpies, hawk owls, mountain bluebirds, Arctic terns, golden and bald eagles, and peregrine falcons.
Kluane National Park Excursions
A few of the excursions available at Kluane National Park include hiking adventures through scenic trails, fixed-wing flightseeing over Kluane's most popular sights, an exhilarating whitewater adventure down the Tatshenshini River, or a relaxing, Scenic Kathleen Lake Cultural Cruise.