Plant Walks

Come, explore the Wildwood, and let the magic of plants heal your body and soul…

Join me for plant walks through the beautiful Yukon wilderness, right here, at the base of the majestic St. Elias Mountains, and discover the multitude of edible and medicinal plants growing in the woods and meadows of Kluane country.

The boreal forest abounds with nourishing and healing plants, which we will discover together on our walk. You will learn about more than a dozen plants, their medicinal properties, which parts to use for medicine and/or food, when the best time to harvest them is, and how to use them. We will discuss how to identify these plants, how to practice ethical wildcrafting, and how to connect to the plants and the ecosystem in which they grow. And even if you do not live in a boreal environment, don’t hesitate to join us, a lot of what you’ll learn will be useful to you back home too. You’d be surprised how many plants can be found all across the Northern Hemisphere!

The walk will end with some samplers of the herbs we met on the trail and I strongly encourage you to bring a travel mug or other drinking container, to help keep the amount of waste down.

The trails we’ll go on are not challenging, but require sturdy footwear. Also, make sure to come prepared for changing weather conditions, as we will go meet the plants rain or shine. Walks will only be cancelled in case of extreme weather. Bring some water, light snacks, and a can of bear spray if you have one.

A handout will be available listing some of the plants we discovered on our walk, their medicinal and energetic properties, and how to use them, and of course you can also bring a pen and paper to take notes of your own. There’s always so much to learn when it comes to herbs!

Plant walks can be booked in advance for groups up to 12 and adapted to your group’s needs. Walks that are booked in advance can also be given in German or French. Please use the Contact Form or email me at sylvie@wildwoodpsirit.ca to make a group booking.

Dates & Locations

Plant Walks on the Spruce Beetle Trail – Monday July 1st, 15th, and 29th from 1:15pm to 3pm

Participation is by donation.

I will be at the trailhead at 1pm to meet and greet everyone and make sure we are ready to go at 1:15pm.

The Spruce Beetle Trail is located 15km west of Haines Junction on the Alaska Highway. Note that there is an outhouse in the parking lot and the trail is not wheelchair accessible.

A shuttle service to and from the Spruce Beetle trailhead is available with Adventure Time.

• From Whitehorse $110 return trip: depart from Whitehorse Visitor Information Center at 10:30am, arrive at Haines Junction Visitor Information Center at 12:30pm and depart from there at 1pm to arrive at the Spruce Beetle trailhead at 1:15pm. Pick up at the trailhead is at 3:15pm to be dropped off at the HJ Visitor Centre at 3:30pm and depart to Whitehorse from the Little Green Apple at 5pm.
• From Haines Junction $32 return trip: depart from the Haines Junction Visitor Centre at 1pm to arrive at the Spruce Beetle trailhead at 1:15pm. Pick up at the trailhead is at 3:15pm to be dropped off at the HJ Visitor Centre at 3:30pm.

To book the shuttle service or for more information, visit www.yukonadventure.net and ask for the Wildwood Spirit Plant Walk Special.

Plant Walks in Haines Junction – Friday July 5th, 19th, and 26th from 4pm to 5:15pm

Participation is by donation.

Meet up at the Village Bakery & Deli by the outdoor clay oven and from there we’ll go on our plant discovery walk. You’ll be back in time for delicious food and amazing music! For more information on the Bakery’s Music Series, visit: https://www.villagebakeryyukon.com/live-music.html

Meet Your Guide

My name is Sylvie and I am a trained herbalist and plant biologist and have over 20 years’ experience wildcrafting and using medicinal herbs. I have worked for Parks Canada in Kluane National Park & Reserve for several years and have called the boreal forest home for the last 15 years. I am fluent in English, German, and French, and will be able to answer your questions in any of those languages. I am very much looking forward to meeting you and talking plants with you!