Travelogue: Getting There from Jake’s Corner
Upon reaching Jake’s Corner, turn from Alaska Highway onto Hwy 8 West. The sign indicates Tagish is 22 km away, Carcross is 53 km away, and Atlin is 100 km away.
You'll encounter a spacious valley with white granite mountains on your left with evergreen vegetation at the base.
Continue on Highway 8 for about 2 km, then take a left onto Highway 7 (The Atlin Road).
Highway 7 runs along the East (left) side of Atlin Lake, offering varying scenic views and terrains over its 60-mile or 100 km length. The road is well-maintained year-round with a speed limit of 90 km (54 miles). The drive to Atlin might be the first and only time you drive a 100 km road with only a stop sign at each end.
At 22 km, is 12-Mile Hill. The road formerly ran straight up this long hill, although a new route has since been established. At the top is a plateau, an area with interior lakes, showcasing slow regrowth of trees due to a past burnover. Cell phone signals will be lost soon.
Tarfu and Snafu Lakes acquired their distinctive names in 1949 when this road was constructed. Evidently named with a World War II sensibility, "SNAFU" stands for "Situation Normal All Fudged Up," while "TARFU" stands for "Things Are Really..." Prior to the road's completion in 1949, the transportation of supplies and passengers to Atlin relied on ice travel over Tagish Lake, Marsh Lake, and other routes during the winter months.
At 32.5 km, you’ll spot a quaint log cabin, known for its "Affordable Housing" charm – a favorite for shutterbugs. It’s likely an original trapper's cabin, standing proudly (or standing at all) after all these years.
At 38 km, enjoy a scenic view of Mount K'iyán, formerly known as Minto, an old cone shaped volcano on the Yukon-BC border. Snap a photo for the road trip album.
Around 42.5 km, you'll approach the BC/Yukon border – look for the 'Super Natural BC' and 'Welcome to the Magic and the Mystery' signs. You’re crossing the 60th parallel.
At 52 km, be prepared for the grandeur of Atlin Lake unfolding before you – a picturesque sight for sore eyes.
At 61.3 km, you'll pass Base Camp Creek, named in 1949 with a WWII quality.
At 70 km, you’ll start to reach the Ranchlands on the outskirts of Atlin. One can observe a variety of fences marking the landscape. Horses were once allowed to free-range. At one time, many of these horses were used for summer expeditions or fall hunting. They were then let loose for the remainder of the year. This resulted in horses freely wandering throughout the town and along the roads. These roaming horses are dearly missed by many in the community, though sometimes the horses do sneak back into town and enchant all who reminisce about them.
Birch Mountain rising grandly out of Atlin Lake
At 82.6 km, behold Davey Hall Lake. And straight ahead, a snow-draped Birch Mountain on Teresa Island – the tallest peak in a freshwater lake globally. Quite the sight!
McDonald Lakes © Mike Johnson
At 86.2 km, the road to McDonald Lakes appears on your left. Brace yourself for World Class eskers(a long winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel), prime fishing spots, and camping havens.
At 88 km, you're closing in on Fourth of July Creek – a marker on your adventure.
At 95 km, a "Welcome to Atlin" sign appears with Birch Mountain visible directly ahead and Atlin Mountain visible to the Right.You can see the gravel glacier for which Atlin Mountain is known.
Atlin Mountain is on the west side of the lake; the community of Atlin is on the east side of the lake, directly across from Atlin Mountain. NOTE: Atlin Lake is 4 miles wide in front of town.
At 97 km, you reach the intersection of Highway 7 and Discovery Avenue, also known as Surprise Lake Road.
Turn RIGHT to go into Atlin Towncenter.
Or you can turn LEFT for 1/2 km to access Warm Bay Road.
Then turn RIGHT at Warm Bay Road.
If you have successfully turned onto Warm Bay Road, you will pass Atlin School on the left within the first half km.
NOTE: If you think you're lost, STOP. The farther you go, the more lost you will be, and the fewer houses there are. If you need directions, stop and ask. If you need a phone, you will have to knock on someone's door. Cell phones don't work in the Atlin area. If you are looking for someone who lives in the community, just ask. We're a small place; we know each other.
NOTE: Radio transmitter station - radio station CBC AM Whitehorse is transmitted to White Mountain near Jake’s Corner, and retransmitted on 90.1 FM to Atlin. We also get Christian Radio on 100.7 FM.
Enjoy being in Atlin!
Rough Map of the roads surrounding Atlin
