Tucked into the far northwestern tip of British Columbia, the remote and spectacularly beautiful community of Atlin graces the eastern shore of the mighty Atlin Lake, headwater of the Yukon River and named after the Tlingit word atlah, meaning 'Big Water' - very appropriate for the largest natural lake in the province.
This once-bustling centre was born during the Great Rush of 1898, when gold was discovered in nearby Pine Creek.
Most of the year-round residents of Atlin have stayed for more than one reason, but in general, they quite simply want to live in one of the quaintest and most colourful little towns, nestled in the heart of a valley that is simply stunning in its beauty and grandeur.
Along the lake's western edge, the majestic Coast Range stretched to the north and the south, as far as the eye can see. There, snow-laden peaks keep silent watch over the entrance to the Torres Channel, gateway to the incredible wilderness area which lies beyond. To the south, where rock combines with ice and water to form some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere, lies Atlin Wilderness Park, fully one-third of which is occupied by glaciers. One of the most prominent of these is Llewellyn, whose great tongues of ice melt into Atlin Lake, releasing the sediments that give the lake its incredible aquamarine hue.
This once-bustling centre was born during the Great Rush of 1898, when gold was discovered in nearby Pine Creek.
Most of the year-round residents of Atlin have stayed for more than one reason, but in general, they quite simply want to live in one of the quaintest and most colourful little towns, nestled in the heart of a valley that is simply stunning in its beauty and grandeur.
Along the lake's western edge, the majestic Coast Range stretched to the north and the south, as far as the eye can see. There, snow-laden peaks keep silent watch over the entrance to the Torres Channel, gateway to the incredible wilderness area which lies beyond. To the south, where rock combines with ice and water to form some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere, lies Atlin Wilderness Park, fully one-third of which is occupied by glaciers. One of the most prominent of these is Llewellyn, whose great tongues of ice melt into Atlin Lake, releasing the sediments that give the lake its incredible aquamarine hue.