Silver Trail - Yukon Tourism & Adventure
The Silver Trail region of Yukon Territory, Canada is named after the silver and gold mining activity that thrived during the early 1900s. Silver and gold strikes attracted miners in big numbers. Mining activity continued to grow as more mineral strikes were recorded. It did not take long before the mining companies moved in and the sternwheelers were transporting ores to Whitehorse via the Stewart River.
The Silver Trail Highway explores the Stewart Valley. It is a scenic valley full of lakes, rivers and mountains best accessed via the Silver Trail (Hwy #11) or via a floatplane charter. There are three villages located in the Silver Trail region - Stewart Crossing, Mayo and Keno City.
From Stewart Crossing the Silver Trail Highway follows the banks of the Stewart River to the village of Mayo. From Mayo the highway continues as Duncan Creek Road to the village of Keno City. The road ends in Keno City therefore the highway loops back to Mayo.
The Silver Trail region is part of the traditional territory of the Na Cho Nyak Dun First Nation people (Big River People). In 1992 the Na Cho Nyak Dun First Nation people won the right to manage their own lands and the right for self government. Today, many of the First Nation Band offices are located in the largest village in Silver Trail - Mayo.
Mayo is home to most of the services important to travelers when exploring in the Silver Trail region. It is a small village located on the banks of the Stewart and Mayo Rivers. There are many heritage buildings in the village dating back to the early 1900s including the Binet Heritage House.
Keno City is a small village at the doorstep of nature. Sightseeing includes some heritage buildings from the early 1900s, a mining museum and a unique signpost on top of Keno Hill. Mayo and Keno City are close to a few backcountry gravel roads and recreation trails which lead to remote lakes and amazing wilderness adventures.
Stewart Crossing was established in 1886 as a supply post on the Overland Trail connecting Whitehorse and Dawson City. The Overland Trail was a major transportation route used by miners during the mining boom. As the regoin grew Stewart Crossing developed into a roadhouse.
Stewart Crossing is located on the corner of the Klondike Highway and the Silver Trail Highway. The service stop is Mile "0" on the Silver Trail Highway. There are services important to travelers in the village like a gas station, general store, a campground, accommodations and adventure tours.
Some of the summer activities enjoyed in the Silver Trail region include hiking, backpacking, wilderness camping, canoeing, fishing, swimming, atving, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking and rock climbing. During the winter months the activities enjoyed include snowmobiling, cross country skiing and ice fishing.
The Silver Trail region is remote wilderness. It is a wilderness environment with plenty of wildlife. Some of the wildlife sightings in the region may include black bears, grizzly bears, moose, lynx, beavers, porcupines, coyotes, wolves, marmots, caribou and deer. Birds include owls, eagles, loons, ducks, swans, hawks, falcons and more.