Faro, Yukon
Natural exploration
Rare mountain sheep are turning this ex-mining town into a tourist hot spot
Faro is in the midst of redefining itself. Once the home of the biggest open-pit lead and zinc mine in the world, the town suffered an economically devastating loss when the mine, which had been the Yukon’s largest private employer, closed down in 1998. A decade later, however, Faro has found rejuvenation in being a tourism destination.
Fannin-Tastic: Fannin’s sheep constitute a large portion of Faro’s population in the winter.-Photo courtesy Town of Faro
The new economic backbone of the community is Fannin’s sheep, a cross-breed of the pure white Dall’s sheep and stone’s sheep—though some naturalists will argue that Fannin’s sheep in fact constitute an entirely separate subspecies. Almost exclusively regionalized to the mountains around Faro, Fannin’s sheep are best viewed during mating season in the fall, when these great horned rams gather on the steep mountain slopes to battle it out for the attention of ewes. The battles are magnificent both to see and hear, as the crashing horns—which grow throughout a ram’s life and can weigh up to 13 kilograms—make a resounding clash that can be heard over a kilometre away.
While the sheep can often be seen right in town, several viewing decks are situated along hiking trails around Faro. A mineral lick, located up a trail about 10 kilometres from town, is one sure place to sight Fannin herds, as the sheep gather around the area’s exposed soil to lap up the rich mineral content.
Faro lies in the Tintina Trench, a massive land depression that divides the Yukon diagonally and that is particularly known for its abundance of wildlife. The trench becomes a birdwatchers’ paradise each fall and spring as thousands of migratory birds make a stopover along the trench’s waterways and marshy bogs. While many varieties of birds can be spotted, by far the largest of the flocks is that of the sandhill crane, which numbers an estimated 200,000 birds. Observant birdwatchers will notice amidst this throng that sandhill cranes travel in pairs, as the birds are lifelong breeding partners. Witnessing the initial courtships of these monogamous couplings is a fascinating experience; the cranes will flutter their wings, leap in the air and playfully toss sticks about. This stage of puppy love, however, is not the only time the cranes will exhibit their affection. Breeding pairs often engage in unison calling, creating love-felt duets with their rattling trills.
While Faro itself noticeably lacks in tall greenery—the result of a devastating fire in the 1960s—there are numerous hiking trails in the surrounding wilderness that offer lovely scenic views. The secluded destination Fish Eye Lake is a popular day trip among Faro locals. Before heading into the the vast Yukon wilds, however, hikers should visit the Robert Campbell Interpretive Centre, located on the edge of Faro, which provides a wealth of information on the area’s flora and fauna.
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