Yukon Seasons

Yukon weather is heavily influenced by the Gulf of Alaska and the Yukon's geographic location north of the 60th parallel.
Our schedule of river trips, backpack trips and fishing trips is influenced by seasonal patterns.

River travel in the Yukon begins in early May as soon as the river ice breaks up and starts to move.  Great slabs of ice cling to the shores and gravel bars and booming noises echo off the hills as the slabs inevitably lose their tenuous grasp of the shore and come crashing down into the river.  Candle ice brings a melodious tinkle to the water's flow.  Deciduous trees are still without leaf and bearberry, crocus and new grasses are giving south facing hillsides the first blush of spring.  Bugs are nonexistent.   

Bears are just out of hibernation, seeking spring's first plants to activate their digestive tracts.  Opportunities to view grizzly bears and black bears are excellent!

The waterfowl and songbird migrations are in full swing and bring sweet music back to the land.  A breath of new life is in the air.

This is one of nature's most incredible moments, but is not considered by most people as a time of travel because of the cooler temperatures.  But for those with adventurous spirits, it is a truly wonderful time! (Yukon River)

The opening up of south facing hillsides creates all sorts of premium hiking opportunities.

After the ice breaks up and the river opens, the deterioration of winter's icy grip happens quickly.  In about ten days, almost all of the river's ice has disappeared and the bud of the aspen flashes across the land in a flurry.  A fresh source of food is now available to the bear and they can be viewed climbing trees to reach these new buds or simply bending the trees over or breaking them off.

Mosquitoes begin to appear in mid to late May - big, slow moving, lazy mosquitoes that seldom bite and for some reason rarely carry an annoying whine to one's ears.

By late May and into early June, all ice has rotted from the lakes and the Yukon's water systems are now wide open.  The snowy mantle hanging on the alpine peaks brings another element of nature's splendour to the discerning eye and it's prime time to see cow moose as they search river islands as safe havens to give birth.  Newborn moose calves, russett coloured and spindly legged are frequently seen at this time of year. (Teslin River | Pelly River)

By mid-June, rivers are nearing full flood, the Midnight Sun is brandishing the sky and it’s greener now than at any other time of year. Wildlife viewing opportunities lessen due to the increased leaf cover, but increased flora provides greater opportunity for those with botanical interests.

Fishing for lake trout is at its premium. (Fishing Trips)

Beginning in mid-July, river travelers can catch the salmon spawn which provides good opportunities to see bears and bald eagles.  Salmon fry hatched from last year's spawn draw the attentions of loons, grebes and merganser.  The alpine's snowy mantle is quickly giving way to summer's warmth and the time for backpacking is upon us.

The high country is now coloured with huge explosions of alpine flora and many wildlife species are now seeking higher ground where the wind and the cool snow packs hidden in Earth's folds afford them respite from the mosquito.  The time is upon us to find out Dall's sheep and mountain caribou, pika and marmot and a multitude of alpine dwelling songbirds.  Here also is where the grizzly sow takes up residence to raise her cubs. (Backpacking in the Coast Mountains)

In early August the human harvest begins - the Dall's sheep and the mountain caribou is sought for the winter larder and the alpine blueberry is now ripe.  Mountain sorel is picked for its rhubarb-like tartness and the rock ptarmigan is already starting to show white in its plumage.

Rivers are beyond the full flood season and their waters are running more clear.  Autumn colours are beginning to blush the alpine, the bug season is tapering off in selected areas and the season is ripe to share one's energy between time on a river and time on a mountain. (Wind River)

In early to mid-September, shorter days, frosted nights and the fall winds bring the beautiful colours of autumn, spectacular bird migrations, the breeding cycle of the moose and caribou, the Harvest moon and Northern Lights and the fervent scurry of all creatures great and small as they ready themselves for winter.

This is the time to see moose and wolves! Bull moose are gathering harems of cows and moose calls can frequently be heard in the early morning and evening hours. And because of the increased activity and movement of moose, wolves are also highly active and can often be heard howling out their hunt plans.  With the instruction of your guide, you can call moose and howl in wolves.  (Big Salmon River)

Northern Lights displays generally begin in September and can be spectacular.

Water levels have been consistently falling since early July and shallow bays in lakes now provide the best conditions for lake trout spawn.

By late September and into early October, the hunter's larder is full and attentions can be focused on a winter's supply of firewood.  

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