The Alaska Highway was constructed in 1942 to connect the contiguous United States with Alaska to provide defence support during World War II. It was initially 2,700km in length, but has been improved and paved over the years and currently stretches 2,232km. The highway starts in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. It is considered one of the most scenic drives in North America and provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wilderness and wildlife.
Tag: hiking
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park is located in the largest freshwater archipelago in the world and is the smallest national park in Canada. It contains 63 islands that are scattered around the southeastern part of Georgian Bay. The largest of the islands is Beausoleil Island, which was protected for its rich ecological diversity. The southern end of the island contains dense deciduous forests while the northern end features rugged granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield.
Algonquin – Grand Lake to Squirrel Rapids
Algonquin is considered the crown jewel of Ontario’s provincial park system. It is one of the largest parks in the province and contains hundreds of interconnecting lakes, ponds and rivers, creating endless opportunities to explore the backcountry by canoe. Every summer we plan a different route into the interior. This year we decided to explore the eastern section of the park through Barron Canyon, which is reputed to offer the most scenic paddling in Algonquin.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is situated in northeastern Ohio along the Cuyahoga River. The Ohio and Erie Canal travelled through the Cuyahoga Valley in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which helped put Cleveland on the map. The park provides plenty of opportunities to learn more about the history of this human-made waterway and contains several hiking trails to enjoy the scenery.
Killarney Provincial Park in the Spring
Killarney Provincial Park is nestled in untamed wilderness near Georgian Bay. It is open all-year round and provides plenty of opportunities to soak in the scenery of La Cloche Mountains, as well as many wetlands, and lakes. There’s also a range of trails from multi-day backpacking to short and strenuous day hikes.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge is an incredibly scenic canyon that has been carved by the Columbia River and features several waterfalls, viewpoints and hiking trails. It was designated a national scenic area and is the largest of its kind in the United States. It’s located just east of Portland and provides plenty of outdoor recreational activities and stunning views, including of the Cascade mountains.
Portland
Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It has a vibrant art scene and is well known for its gardens and green spaces. It is located on the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers and provides easy access to many hiking trails and other outdoor activities to appreciate nature.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The coastal redwoods are among some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. They can live for more than 2,000 years and reach a height of over 90 metres (or 300 feet). Redwood forests only grow naturally in a narrow band along the Pacific coast from southern Oregon to central California. They depend on stable temperature and moisture, which is often provided from the wet winters and frequent fog in the summer.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The coastal redwoods are primarily found along the coast in California and are home to the tallest trees in the world. They were extensively logged to the point where today only 5 percent of the original old-growth redwoods remain. Thanks to conservation efforts, the Redwood National and State Parks were established to protect large sections of old-growth forests from private logging companies.
Oregon Coast
The Oregon coast showcases breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean including dramatic scenery of the rugged shoreline and windswept sandy beaches. There’s a paved highway that spans nearly 585 kilometers along the coastline, creating perfect conditions for a road trip with plenty of opportunities to explore.