These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Muncho Lake, British Columbia

There is a section of the Alaska Highway that always captures my heart. The area between the Liard River and Toad River offers some of the best wildlife viewing ever. 

This time was no exception. Near the Liard River and Hot Springs, the Alaska Highway is known for its Wood bison, a different subspecies of the well-known Prairie bison. Wood bison are distinguished by their habitat and their squared-off shoulders. We even had to stop for a bison jam. One of the bulls showed recent scars from the last rut. Of course, the babies always get attention. 

Wood bison bull

Bison jam along Alaska Highway

Bull with scars from recent rut encounter

Wood bison baby

We saw at least nine black bears grazing along the roadside. These bears are in hyperphagia now, an insatiable hunger necessary to ready themselves for the onslaught of winter and their six to seven months of hibernation. Most were grazing berries. 

Black bear grazing berries

Black bear (probably first year on his own) grazing berries

We also saw a Golden eagle feasting on carrion. Later, we saw a small herd of Stone sheep. 

Golden eagle feasting on carrion on Alaska Highway

We camped at our favourite MacDonald Provincial Park on Muncho Lake. I have so many beautiful memories from this place. It is a homecoming of sorts. 

Even the rain didn’t deter. Although cloudy skies meant we would see no northern lights, it was still beautiful. And Sam loved swimming in the crystal clear, albeit cold, cold water. 

Panoramic of Muncho Lake, British Columbia

We awoke to frost on the pumpkin. A lady in the campground said her thermometer measured 28 degrees. Burrrrrrrr!

A frosty morning on the Alaska Highway

We took the drive to Toad River and spied a moose cow in a pond along the road. We laughed out loud… she was in the exact place I had photographed a moose cow during our first Alaska trip in 2010. Although the sun wasn’t in our favour, we still managed to take a few photos. 

Moose cow on Alaska Highway

Later, we spied a wayward porcupine. Their eyesight is poor, so I hopped out of the truck and photographed him at a distance. 

Porcupine on Alaska Highway

Then we spied some Woodland caribou. Sam was having a blast, smelling all the new creatures. This particular caribou was interested in her smell, too. 

Woodland caribou on Alaska Highway

The temperature was in the 60s by afternoon. We took a hike up the Mineral Licks Trail, enjoying the sunshine. It was a splendid day, indeed. 

David and Sam on Mineral Licks Trail

By evening, clouds rolled in again. It has rained every night for the past three weeks. This was probably our last chance to see the northern lights. I was a bit disappointed, but the reality is that we have already been blessed so very much this trip… and for that, I am forever grateful. 

Tomorrow we head even further south. We had planned on travelling to Yellowknife and Wood Buffalo National Park where we first saw the northern lights. But raging wildfires have evacuated the town, and we were discouraged from visiting there. When we discovered the road between the Alaska Highway and Yellowknife closed, we abandoned the idea completely. So we pray for the community’s safety and move on. 

Our next stop will be Jasper in Alberta, only about six hours from the US border. We have a date (I hope) with a bull elk at Whistler campground. The elk should be in rut and are always wonderful to see and photograph. And so we travel onward.