Murray & Donna Swales

Murray and Donna Swales arrived in the Yukon in 1973 and spent many years operating various businesses in the territory. Their work involved a range of services that supported travellers and residents, and they became known for maintaining steady operations over long periods of time. Their business experience grew as they took on responsibilities that required consistent attention and reliable service.

They are best known for running Trails North, a motel/restaurant/convenience store/gas station, located along the Alaska Highway. They operated the business for more than three decades, providing lodging, a warm meal, and fuel to people travelling through the region. Trails North became a familiar stop for highway travellers who relied on the services the Swales offered.

Through their long commitment to operating Trails North, Murray and Donna contributed to the network of services that supported travel along the Alaska Highway. Their work helped maintain a dependable stop for those travelling and their business became part of the broader pattern of roadside services that developed during that period in the Yukon.