Days 7 & 8 – Liard Hot Springs
It was soooo cold last night. Dipped down to 3 degrees Celcius, our coldest night spent in a tent. Had coffee and breakie to warm up and continued on highway 37 towards Watson Lake, the Yukon, and highway 97 the Alaska Highway. Stopped for a break at a beautiful rest stop located along a creek……so peaceful.
As we went further north, the terrain switched from mountainous to rolling hills to flat land. Jade City is a unique place along the highway that all visitors need to check out. Some very unique pieces to purchase.
The Alaska Highway, highway 97, was in better condition and wider than we expected. Some travelers told us it was not. Traveling between Watson Lake and Liard Hot Springs, our next destination, we saw two bison and another black bear.
Our next campground was Mould Creek Campground located right on the Alaska Highway, 2 kms west of the Liard Hot Springs. It is a first come first pick campground. Campsites are huge and there is a very unique and clean bathroom/shower up the hill. In the evening the temperatures were dipping down again and we had to layer up on the clothing even sitting around the campfire. It was mentioned to us that the farther north we would go, it would stay lighter out until much later…..was pretty interesting that, even at 11:30 p.m., it was still light enough to see around the campsite. To do any star gazing, you had to wait until middle of the night……and when it was dark, wow, the stars were spectacular. No light pollution out here to drown any of the stars out.
Another cold night with the temperature dipping to 4 degrees Celsius……brrrrr!!!! Could actually see our breath in the cold morning air. Today was for exploring the Liard Hot Springs and the area. There is a set entrance fee of $5.00 per person to enter the park and the Springs. It is about a 10 minute walk on a raised boardwalk from the parking lot to the Springs. The raised boardwalk is to protect the delicate environment of the area, like the Chub Salmon minnows in the water below. And the Springs are apparently the only place that the endangered Hotwater Physa snail lives. Moose and bears frequent the area but we did not have the opportunity to see any. The pools vary in temperature with the hottest at one end where the natural water enters the pool, and it cools as it flows downstream to the cooler pool. There is a slight sulfur smell as you relax in the warm water enjoying the lush green ferns and vegetation right at the pools edge. A definite must visit and try when you are in the area.
After visiting the Springs, we did more exploring of the area, Liard River, and drove towards Muncho Lake on the Alaska Highway. Saw more bison and a couple of big horn sheep on our ventures.