Tombstone Territorial
Park
 Tombstone
Park pictures
About the Park
Tombstone
Territorial
Park
was established through the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement. Encompassing
about 2,200 square kilometers, the park is situated about an hour and half drive
north of Dawson
City. The Dempster Highway
bisects the Park and provides visitors with an opportunity to view stunning
arctic tundra landscapes and wildlife, as well as access to some of the best
hiking areas in the Yukon.
Tombstone Territorial Park
includes a concentration of diverse ecological niches, which has resulted in a
diverse collection of flora and fauna, uncommon at this latitude. Aboriginal
people have been drawn to this area for centuries by its abundant wildlife
populations and other natural resources.
Visitor Information
The Dempster Highway runs through Tombstone
Park
for about 70 kilometres from the southern boundary to Chapman Lake. The Tombstone campground and interpretive centre
are located 71.4 kilometres north of where the Dempster meets the North Klondike Highway.
The Tombstone Campground and Interpretive Centre provide a base for explorations
of the park.
Nature
While Tombstone Mountain is the best-known landform in
the park, it is not the most unusual. The park contains a variety of seldom-seen
permafrost landforms such as pingos, palsas and patterned ground. Broad,
tundra-cloaked valleys form a stunning backdrop in this area. While the scenic
beauty of Tombstone Territorial Park
is immediately obvious. The biological significance is more subtle.
Tombstone's
unique collection of vegetation and wildlife is linked to the special geology
and geography of the region. The diversity of rocks and minerals in the area has
created a variety of soils which support a wide range of plant communities. The
variety of plants, in turn, provides habitat for many animal species. The
elevation and shape of the land funnels cold arctic air through the broad
valleys, influencing the plants as well as the permafrost landforms.
The arctic tundra environment, which is normally found several hundred
kilometres to the north, reaches its southernmost extent at the north end of the
Tombstone
area. Here, the vegetation and terrain is almost indistinguishable from the high
arctic - a treeless, windswept area of shrub tundra and ground-hugging plants.
At the south end of the park, dense boreal forests reach up the valleys of
the Klondike and Chandindu rivers. Small,
isolated stands of spruce trees are scattered throughout the rest of the area -
islands of trees in a sea of tundra.
The variety of vegetation and habitats in Tombstone Territorial Park
supports an unusual density of wildlife. Five large mammals make their home
here. The Porcupine Caribou Herd winters at the north end of Tombstone while the Hart River Herd uses the
region year-round. Moose are found in the major valleys and use the Blackstone
Uplands in the fall. Dall sheep lambing areas and important habitats are
included within the park boundaries. Grizzly bears and black bears both find
suitable habitat in the area.
Tombstone
Territorial
Park
is also rich in bird life, providing habitat for over 137 species. Raptors like
Gyrfalcons and Golden Eagles live in the park. Both arctic tundra and boreal
species nest within the park. Arctic tundra breeders reach the southern limit of
their distribution in the park while boreal species are at the northern limit of
their range.
Chinook salmon spawn in the Chandindu and North Klondike rivers on the Yukon
River side of the park while arctic char and grayling spawn on the Mackenzie River side.
Culture
For at least 8,000 years the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and other First Nation peoples
inhabited the Tombstone
area. The park shows a remarkable continuity of occupation with at least 78
known archaeological sites. The exceptional record of prehistoric habitation in
this region is due to the availability of raw materials for making tools, such
as chert, and the variety fish and wildlife resources.
The Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre in Dawson
City
is the focal point for interpretation of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in culture in the
traditional territory, including
Tombstone
Territorial
Park.
Activities
Tombstone
Territorial
Park
is a place where people can step into the natural world and experience the
awesome beauty of a northern mountain wilderness. Hikers and photographers are
attracted by tundra walking with dramatic views, unusual landforms and craggy
peaks. Wildlife viewers are rewarded by the diversity of species including large
mammals and a unique array of birds.
Exploring Tombstone Park can involve anything from short
hikes off the highway, to long backpacking and mountain climbing trips in the
back country. There is one established trail, Grizzly Creek. The trail head is
located at Kilometre 56 of the
Dempster Highway. This is the quickest way into the
core of the Tombstone Range. The trail
stops at Grizzly Lake
where tent pads, cooking station and an outhouse are provided for visitors. The
rest of the Park has no established trails into the back country. However on
some well-travelled routes, sections of trail can be found, but in general,
travel in the park can be a challenge to your orienteering skills.
Park Management
Although Tombstone Park is waiting for the official signing of its draft
management plan Government of Yukon is committed to managing the Park as a Park
under the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final Agreement.
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