Projects
Project list
- Whitehorse Copper Belt, Whitehorse
- White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, north half, Carcoss–Whitehorse
- Klondike Big Inch, near Dawson
- Real Thing, Porter Creek (Whitehorse)
- Old Dawson Road, Porter Creek (Whitehorse)
- Hepburn Tramway, near Whitehorse
- Takhini Posts, Takhini (Whitehorse)
Whitehorse Copper Belt
The Whitehorse Copper Belt (sometimes Copperbelt) covers an arc of geological significance about 30 km long around the west side of Whitehorse, Yukon. It stretches from the area of the Whitehorse landfill in the north, south along the Copper Haul Road past Mount Sima and Mary Lake, and to a point near the South Klondike Highway just south of the Carcoss Cutoff as shown on the interactive map below.
The Copper Belt has been the source of interest to prospectors and miners since the late 1890s. It provided the basis for several producing copper mines, many more mineral claims, and much exploration. Today, Gladiator Metals is looking for, and finding, more copper in the Copper Belt.
The old mines and traces of historical exploration make interesting hiking destinations especially for those who appreciate the historical, economic, and social aspects associated with them.
For the purposes of historical exploration, we separate the Whitehorse Copper Belt into four projects. You can explore them using the links below or via the interactive map a bit farther down.
Copper Belt North (CBNorth): War Eagle, Peublo, Anaconda/Rabbit Foot, CopperKing/Carlisle
Copper Belt Centre (CBCentre): Spring Creek, Empress of India, Grafter, Best Chance/Retribution, Arctic Chief, Little Chief (Whitehorse Copper), Valerie, North Star
Copper Belt South (CBSouth): Copper Cliff, Keewenaw, Cowley Park
Copper Mines Branch (CMB): railway spur serving North and Centre regions in early 1900s
WARNING: Old mine sites are former industrial areas that may contain dangerous features. There may be old machinery, sinkholes, vertical shafts, and crumbling edges of open pits that are not obvious until too late. Use extreme care when exploring these areas. You probably don't want to go alone. Some areas may not be suitable for children or dogs that are not carefully supervised.
You should never enter any old mine workings due to the possibility of cave-in or bad air.
THEN and Timothy Green are not responsible for any accidents that may occur to you while you visit any of the project areas described here. Your activities in any of these areas are at your own risk despite the presence or absence of any warnings on this site.
More Copper Belt info:
- The Whitehorse Copper Belt, Yukon Territory. In the summer of 1907, R.G. McConnell of the (Canadian) Geological Survey Office visited the Whitehorse Copper Belt. He prepared this report that was published in 1909.
- The Whitehorse Copper Belt: Mining, Exploration and Geology (1967-1980) Dave Tenney, 1981. Whereas the McConnell report (above) concentrated on geology, the Tenney report focuses on mining. Tenney was the chief geologist for New Imperial Mines and Whitehorse Copper, 1970-1982.
- A History of the Whitehorse Copper Belt. Helene Dobrowolsky and Rob Ingram, 1993
- Whitehorse Copper Belt virtual field trip. Yukon University. This gives more information on the geology of the area.
- McBride Copperbelt Mining Museum. This is an interesting place to visit not far from the Copper King/Carlisle mine sites. They have some old mining equipment, photos, and maps from the Copper Belt.
- Not in my Backyard... Already. Whitehorse Daily Star, 8 September 2023. This article provides a look at current Copper Belt exploration activities in historical context.
- Mineral Exploration and the Whitehorse Official Community Plan. Yukon Star, 21 June 2024. The Official Community Plan is quite clear. So why are people surprised and upset by mineral exploration inside city limits?
- Striking Copper: The past, present, and future of the Whitehorse Copper Belt. Yukon News, 20 and 27 June 2025. Understanding Whitehorse's mining past is important for making the best decisions today for our children tomorrow in the climate-changed world we are leaving them.
White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad (WPYR), north half
The White Pass and Yukon Route Raiload was completed in 1900. This project focuses on the north half of the WPYR, the portion between Carcoss and Whitehorse.
Klondike Big Inch (KBI)
One of the most-successful breakfast food giveaways ever was the Klondike Big Inch in the area of Dawson City, Yukon. Thank you, Quaker, for helping keep Yukon on the map!
Real Thing in Porter Creek (RTPC)
The Real Thing area is a wooded, undeveloped area along the south side of the Porter Creek subdivision in Whitehorse, Yukon. It is quite accessible by foot, cycle, public transit, and vehicle.
This project provdes more than 50 points of interest to help you explore the whole area.
Old Dawson Road (ODR)
A 1907 map shows the Old Dawson Road curving around Stinky Lake south of Porter Creek subdivision in Whitehorse, Yukon. Where did it go exactly? Are there any traces left?
Hepburn Tramway (HTW)
The Hepburn Tramway carried cargo around Miles Canyon for a brief period in the late 1800s. This project explores the route as it appears today.
Takhini Posts (TAKP)
Three wooden posts created from living rooted trees hide in the woods near frequently used trails in Takhini (Whitehorse). What are these? Where are they?
Other projects
The TimmiT History Exploration Notebook is a work in progress. Other projects will appear here in due course.
TimmiT History Exploration Notebook