For the past two days we have been riding along the border of two of Western Canada’s most beautiful (and contiguous ) national parks, the Tatshenshini-Alsak in British Columbia and the Kluane in the Yukon. These parks contain a chain of glaciated mountains that rise off of the Pacific Ocean and accumulate massive amounts of snow in the winters. For almost 200km, we have been treated to one gorgeous snow-cappped peak after another, dense green forests, alpine lakes and wild flowers. And today is no different, as we follow the Kluane National Park to the north.

Our legs feel fresh after a good night of sleep. We have a steady tailwind and make good time past Dezadeash Lake, Dalton Peak and Kathleen Lake. At a stop overlooking Kathleen Lake, we learn that this area is home to the densest concentration of both grizzlies and big horn sheep in the Yukon. What’s most remarkable to us is just how vast this landscape is and how few people there are. Despite riding on what is designated a highway, we see fewer cars than we have on country lanes in Europe. It’s heartening to know that such vast tracts of wilderness still exist and we feel grateful for these experiences.

In Haines Junction (straight to Whitehorse, left to Fairbanks), the first town since we left Haines, we stop at the bakery. It’s clearly the place to be in this small crossroads and the food is delicious. Three other people on long distance bike trips come in and we chat about bear sightings and weather forecasts. These three are from Europe and are headed from Alaska to Argentina. We are inspired and tell them they are welcome to stay with us in Seattle if they come through.

We stop for the day at Pine Lake, which has a nice campground and walking paths along the shore, with views of tall mountains and granite rock faces across the lake. We watch dragonflies and birds by the water and enjoy the late afternoon sun, stopping to chat with a couple in their late 60s that comes to the Yukon every summer to compete in long distance multi-day canoe races. More people finding extraordinary ways to explore and enjoy this amazing world. And more inspiration for us.