Kayla and I wanted to make one last trip out to the Kluane area before travelling back to Ontario for some friends’ weddings. We chose the Auriol Trail as a good, long hike but without too much elevation. The weather for the weekend was initially looking good, but as seems to be the case up here sometimes, it is always subject to change.
After a quick (but always necessary) stop at the Village Bakery in Haines Junction, we made our way down to the trail. A low-hanging cloud was covering the Auriol Range of the mountains, from which the trail gets its name. Following the recommendations of others, we travelled clockwise on the trail (turning left at the loop).
As we hiked our way along the trail, the clouds cleared for brief moments, with little glimpses of the mountains behind. This picture was taken around where the campsites are. The fall colours were gorgeous.
We decided to take a little hike in towards the mountains. The clouds seemed like they were trying to clear, so this would give them some time and let us take a lunch and crowberry picking break. We hiked along the start of the Mount Martha Black trail, climbing up out of the creek incision into an area with some gorgeous views looking to the east. In the distance of this photo you can see Dezadeash Lake.
After our lunch and picking some berries, we headed back to the trail.
Overall, the trail is quite easy, if long. The grades are never too long or steep, and the main consideration is watching your step over the tree roots. You can travel at a good pace, we were averaging about 4 km per hour when on the main trail.
Towards the end, there is a small vantage point which lets you look back toward the Auriol Range. The clouds were clearing a little more by this point.
The viewpoint also gives you a look out over Haines Junction, with Paint Mountain in the distance.
By the time we got back to the trailhead again, the clouds had cleared even more. We should have slept in and started the hike later!
