Carcross Desert facts for kids
The Carcross Desert is located near Carcross, Yukon, Canada. Many people call it the smallest desert in the world. It covers about 2.6 square kilometers (1 square mile). Even though it's called a desert, it's actually a special area of sand dunes. The weather here is too humid to be a true desert.
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How the Carcross Desert Formed
The sand in the Carcross Desert was created a long time ago during the last glacial period, also known as the Ice Age. During this time, huge glacial lakes formed. These lakes left behind a lot of fine sand, called silt. When the lakes dried up, the sand dunes were left behind. Today, strong winds carry new sand from nearby Bennett Lake to keep the dunes growing.
You can find many different kinds of plants growing on these dunes. Some are quite unusual! For example, there's a plant called Baikal sedge (Carex sabulosa) and another called Yukon lupine.
In 1992, the Government of Yukon tried to protect the Carcross Desert. However, people living nearby did not agree. They wanted to keep using the dunes for fun activities. So, the protection plan did not happen.
Weather and Unique Plants
The Carcross Desert gets much less rain than the areas around it. It receives less than 50 centimeters (20 inches) of rain each year. This happens because of something called a rain shadow. The mountains around the desert block the rain clouds, making the area very dry.
Because it's so dry, some rare plants grow here. The Baikal sedge (Carex sabulosa) is one example. It's mostly found in Asia, and only in a few other places in North America. The Yukon lupine also grows very well here, even though it's unusual for the area.
Most of the sand dunes are currently held in place by these plants. But if there was a big event, like a forest fire, the plants could be cleared away. This would make the sand dunes active again, meaning the wind could move them around more easily.
Fun Activities at Carcross Desert
The Carcross Desert is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. Locals love to go sandboarding on the dunes. Tourists can also take special off-road tours to see the beautiful sandy landscape.
In the summer, people enjoy playing beach volleyball, hiking, and even skydiving. Some also ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the dunes.
When winter arrives, the area transforms into a snowy playground. It's a great place for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
Many tourists visit the Carcross area because of the nearby White Pass and Yukon Route. This historic railway brings lots of people who then explore the desert. You can also find orienteering competitions held here, using maps that include parts of the Carcross Desert.
See also
In Spanish: Desierto de Carcross para niños
