{"id":48553,"date":"2023-07-12T00:10:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T06:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=48553"},"modified":"2023-07-17T13:13:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T19:13:52","slug":"liard-river-hot-springs-muncho-lake-british-columbia-canada-9-8-22-to-9-10-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=48553","title":{"rendered":"Liard River Hot Springs & Muncho Lake, British Columbia, Canada (9-8-22 to 9-10-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 41, 42 & 1st part of day 43 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

9-8-22, 7:05 AM, 42\u00baF, Eldorado trailhead, Warm Bay Road<\/em>\u00a0–<\/p>\n

Yesterday’s West Sentinel Mountain and Sentinel Mountain adventure had just about done SPHP in.\u00a0 Worst leg cramps ever last night.\u00a0 Better now, but a rest day was clearly in order.\u00a0 SPHP turned the key, firing up the RAV4, before driving slowly N back to Atlin.\u00a0 On her pink blanket, Lupe gobbled down a bowl of Taste of the Wild.<\/p>\n

A brief stop in Atlin for a last look at Birch Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> across the lake, and the drive N continued, now on Highway No. 7.\u00a0 Several miles N of the Yukon border, SPHP turned W (L) off the highway at the ridge with the scenic view of the N end of Atlin Lake and Mount Minto<\/span><\/a> (6,913 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Oh, back at our favorite spot, SPHP!\u00a0 Want to go for a walk?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 Think I can manage to amble along a bit here, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Minto<\/strong> (Center) and the N end of Atlin Lake<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wind was out of the S, as Lupe trotted NW along a level dirt road near the edge of the ridge.\u00a0 SPHP hobbled after her, enjoying the fresh breeze and magnificent scenery.<\/p>\n

On the way back, we can look for squirrels in the forest, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo approved this message, and had a riot sniffing around in the forest, where spindly ground cover sported fall colors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the beautiful forest, looking for squirrels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest of the day shot by right here, most of it spent in the RAV4.\u00a0 After a while, the sky clouded over.\u00a0 Rained off and on, eventually quit, but the sky remained dreary.\u00a0 Food, naps, and SPHP worked on the trip journal.\u00a0 By evening, sunshine appeared far to the SW.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed another hour long romp in the forest.\u00a0 Through it all, the S wind blew.<\/p>\n

9-9-22, the wee hours, 3.5 km N of Atlin Lake<\/em> – Strange and disturbing dreams.\u00a0 SPHP woke to see a full moon shining through a thin layer of clouds W of Mount Minto, which wore a cap of cloud itself.\u00a0 Wrapped in a blanket on this cool, breezy night, Lupe was alert and watching.<\/p>\n

The moon crept W at about Mount Minto’s height, brightening as it got into the clear, yet not a star was in sight.\u00a0 Nights were longer now, the possibilities for this Dingo Vacation starting to narrow.\u00a0 Hours drifted by as the moon stole away.<\/p>\n

9-9-22, 8:34 AM, 53\u00baF, 3.5 km N of Atlin Lake<\/em> –\u00a0 Blue skies to the W and SW, with only a thin layer of clouds above.\u00a0 Mount Minto’s cap was gone.\u00a0 Pleasantly warm, but whitecaps were visible on Atlin Lake even from here.\u00a0 The wind was 20-25 mph out of the S, with higher gusts.<\/p>\n

Guess we’ve got our answer on what today’s going to be like, Loopster.\u00a0 Too windy to go climbing mountains.\u00a0 Any interest in a final romp in the forest before we head E?<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo was all for it!\u00a0 For more than half an hour, she had a great time in the woods, until she stepped on something sharp.\u00a0 Only a small spot of blood, but that put an end to the romp.\u00a0 Time to go.<\/p>\n

9-9-22, 10:45 AM, 57\u00baF<\/em> – The wind was out of SE, becoming a headwind by the time Lupe reached Teslin Lake.\u00a0 Waves rolled into shore, as the Carolina Dog enjoyed a sniff along the water’s edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dawson Peaks<\/strong> (Center) from Teslin Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the long drive E along the Alaska Highway continued into afternoon, the wind died away.<\/p>\n

9-9-22, 4:49 PM<\/em> – SPHP made only a couple of stops, one at a rest area just W of the junction with Cassiar Highway No. 37 to let Lupe stretch her legs during a brief stroll in another forest.\u00a0 The second stop was for fuel and a few supplies in Watson Lake.<\/p>\n

Lupe had left the Yukon behind, and was back in British Columbia, when SPHP finally let her out of the RAV4 again at a bluff overlooking rapids on the Liard River.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Liard River<\/strong> from a pullout along the Alaska Highway. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I suppose you’ll be wanting to stop at the Liard River Hot Springs<\/strong><\/span><\/a> again, won’t you, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

But, of course!\u00a0 Wouldn’t want to miss out on that!\u00a0 So much fun, such a bargain, and I’ll sniff a lot better, too, after a nice long soak, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

You are overdue, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll soon be there, Loop.\u00a0 You’ll have to wait in the RAV4, as usual.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s OK, SPHP, a hot pool doesn’t sound like fun to me.\u00a0 However, I’ve been hoping we’d see some wildlife along the Alaska Highway, and there hasn’t been any.\u00a0 Been a rather dull drive overall.<\/em><\/p>\n

A second rest day does us both some good, Loopster.\u00a0 Enjoy it while you can!\u00a0 Big adventure in store tomorrow, if this weather holds.\u00a0 Meanwhile, don’t give up on the wildlife, we’ve often seen buffalo along this stretch of the Alaska Highway.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, bison were soon providing plenty of Dingo excitement!\u00a0 Lupe’s enthusiasm wasn’t dimmed in the least by the fact that they paid no attention at all to the pipsqueak making all the racket in the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Unperturbed bison along the Alaska Highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9-9-22, 6:06 PM<\/em> – Liard River Hot Springs<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is an absolute must stop along the Alaska Highway, and a line of cars was waiting at the entrance.\u00a0 The RAV4 was 6th in line, which seemed no big deal, but for some reason, the line wasn’t moving at all.\u00a0 A man eventually came along and put up a “Campground Full” sign, at which point the line began to move.<\/p>\n

The fee for a day pass was still an unbelievably cheap $5.00 CAN, and Dingoes were free!\u00a0 SPHP was surprised to see a new feature, a serious anti-wildlife electric fence protecting the campground, but everything else seemed to be pretty much the same as the last time Lupe had been here 3 years ago.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Liard River Hot Springs<\/strong> entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lupe waited in the RAV4, SPHP went through a gate in the electric fence, and took the long boardwalk across a warm water swamp.\u00a0 The boardwalk continued beyond the swamp into the boreal forest where the change house and hot springs were hidden in a completely natural and unique outdoor setting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of the boardwalk leading to the hot springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The warm water swamp reportedly frequented by moose and other wildlife.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Entering the boreal forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at the change house less than 10 minutes from the start.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Posted information near the change house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Liard River Hot Springs<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hot springs were busy, but not overly crowded.\u00a0 SPHP chatted with some of the particularly friendly Canadians.\u00a0 The water was only 3 or 4 feet deep with a pebble bottom, which was deep enough to swim or float a bit.\u00a0 An underwater bench provided a place to sit other than the decks by the change house.<\/p>\n

You could choose your preferred water temperature by staying either close to where the springs flowed into the pool where the water was hottest, or farther downstream where the water cooled off.\u00a0 The water was coldest below a small concrete dam.\u00a0 The bottom was mucky in this lower section which drained into the channel leading to the swamp.<\/p>\n

After weeks spent climbing mountains with Lupe, soaking in the warm mineral water was wonderful!\u00a0 SPHP lingered for nearly 2 hours before reluctantly returning to the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
View from the hot end of the pool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How was it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Marvelous!\u00a0 \u00a0Look at me!\u00a0 \u00a0I’m a new person, clean clothes and everything!<\/em><\/p>\n

You’ve changed your scent for the better, too, SPHP.\u00a0 Almost like you’re in disguise!<\/em><\/p>\n

9-10-22, 7:59 AM, 55\u00baF<\/em> – Yesterday had been the warmest, sunniest day in weeks.\u00a0 Hit 71\u00baF at one point during the drive to Liard River Hot Springs, and it was surprisingly warm again this morning.\u00a0 Lupe was bright-eyed and alert as SPHP started the drive into the Muskwa Ranges.\u00a0 Soon the Carolina Dog was trembling with excitement, barking furiously at bison along both sides of the highway.\u00a0 A great start to any day!<\/p>\n

The long climb into the mountains continued after entering Muncho Lake Provincial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, but eventually leveled out.\u00a0 SPHP stopped at the first pullout with a view of Muncho Lake.\u00a0 Beyond the far end of the lake loomed a mountain that had been on Lupe’s list of possibilities for years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson<\/strong> (Center) from the N end of Muncho Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Used to be a sign here identifying that awesome peak as Mount Peterson, Loop, but it’s gone now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we going to climb Mount Peterson, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup, that’s the plan, Loopster, if we can manage to pull it off.\u00a0 No trails, though, so a lot depends on whether we can bushwhack our way above treeline, or not.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Northern Rockies Lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is the premier visitor recreation facility in the Muncho Lake region.\u00a0 Naturally, the American Dingo dropped by for a look around.\u00a0 The lodge’s massive log structure was impressive, and in excellent condition.\u00a0 A stroll down to the lake shore to led to the lodge’s float planes, and another view of Mount Peterson<\/span><\/a> (7,021 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The yellow float plane that Lupe had seen here before was gone, but the white one was still here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Northern Rockies Lodge<\/strong> at Muncho Lake<\/strong> is right along the Alaska Highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The white Liard Air float plane<\/strong> used in various adventure tours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson<\/strong> (Center) from the Northern Rockies Lodge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe waited in the RAV4 for a few minutes while SPHP checked out the lodge.\u00a0 The dining room was closed, but particularly impressive with its many big windows and 3 story vaulted ceiling.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The snazzy Northern Rockies Lodge dining room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing S, the Alaska Highway ran right along the E side of Muncho Lake.\u00a0 Several pullouts provided great views of the lake, and plenty of opportunities to gaze upon Mount Peterson as Lupe got closer to it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Muncho Lake<\/strong> from the Alaska Highway. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the S end of Muncho Lake, the mountains were farther E.\u00a0 Lupe was excited to see a herd of caribou out enjoying the morning air on a gravelly plain.\u00a0 Several caribou were tantalizingly near the highway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Caribou E of the highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Caribou.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond a campground at the S end of Muncho Lake, the Alaska Highway began climbing again.\u00a0 7 km farther, a huge gash on the lower slopes of Mount Peterson extended right down to the road.<\/p>\n

The highway had almost leveled out again here, and a big pullout was on the L.\u00a0 SPHP parked the RAV4 there, and Lupe leapt out.<\/p>\n

9-10-22, 9:48 AM, 54\u00baF, Alaska Highway pullout 7.5 km S of Muncho Lake –<\/em><\/p>\n

Think this is the spot we should try it from, Loopster!\u00a0 Clear, calm, and comfortably warm.\u00a0 Couldn’t be better!\u00a0 After all these years of dreaming about Mount Peterson, probably the best shot at it we’ll ever get.<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s do it, then, SPHP!\u00a0 Remember to bring a chocolate coconut bar, though!<\/em><\/p>\n

Better yet, Loop, I’ll bring two!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Liard River Hot Springs<\/strong>, British Columbia, Canada 9-9-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Peterson<\/strong>\u00a0from Muncho Lake<\/strong>, British Columbia, Canada 9-10-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adve<\/em>ntures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo<\/span> Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 41, 42 & 1st part of day 43 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska! 9-8-22, 7:05 AM, 42\u00baF, Eldorado trailhead, Warm Bay Road\u00a0– Yesterday’s West Sentinel Mountain and Sentinel Mountain adventure had just about done SPHP in.\u00a0 Worst leg cramps ever last night.\u00a0 Better now, but a rest … Continue reading Liard River Hot Springs & Muncho Lake, British Columbia, Canada (9-8-22 to 9-10-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48532,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1585],"tags":[105,79,30,106,26,1653,104,1164,898],"class_list":["post-48553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1585","tag-american-dingo","tag-british-columbia","tag-canada","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-liard-river-hot-springs","tag-lupe","tag-muncho-lake","tag-muncho-lake-provincial-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_6739-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48553"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49389,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48553\/revisions\/49389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}