Miles Canyon, Basalt canyon along Yukon River near Whitehorse, Canada
Miles Canyon is a valley with steep basalt walls running along the Yukon River near Whitehorse. The rock faces display distinct layers of volcanic stone and rise more than 100 meters high.
During the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, the North West Mounted Police set up a checkpoint at the site. The location was strategically important for inspecting boats that passed through the treacherous waters.
The canyon is named after Miles, a location tied to early river travel, and stands as a landmark where visitors can see how the landscape shapes movement through the region.
A suspension bridge named after Robert Lowe allows access to hiking trails on both sides of the canyon. Visitors can explore the area year-round and choose routes based on their fitness level.
Construction of Whitehorse Dam in 1958 altered water levels and changed which parts of the rock formations are visible today. This means the canyon looks quite different from how it appeared in the mid-20th century.
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