Alaska/Canada 2022-2: Klondike Loop 1 - Whitehorse to Dawson City, Yukon
July 25 we left Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway, aka the AlCan, headed northwest to Dawson City.
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Upriver from Carmacks is Five Finger Rapids, where Klondikers in their handmade craft met not just rapids on the immense Yukon but 5 rock formations as well. One has been removed to facilitate navigation for modern vessels.
We investigated a small independent campground on Tatchun Creek a little further down the road, but given the mosquitoes, opted to boondock in a large gravel pit we'd passed a few miles back.
Just past Pelly Crossing the next morning, we came to the first of many stops to wait for a pilot car. Aside from the usual maintenance required by upheavals caused by permafrost, this was a huge reconstruction project.
Next up: Dawson City.
The Alaska Highway, aka the Alcan.
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On this leg of our trip, we drove the Klondike Loop from Whitehorse to Dawson City. The next leg would take us from Dawson City to Tetlin Junction. Later, we'll drive from Tok to Haines Junction, where we may turn south to Haines. Even if we go to Haines, we'll have to return to Haines Junction to continue on to Whitehorse.
We'd thought to stroll the 1-1/4-mile-long boardwalk along the Yukon River in Carmacks, but it was flooded.
It is an interesting year, the rivers are flowing at flood stage while the land is dry due to a lack of spring rainfall. Unfortunately this will produce many fires this summer. In fact, they've already begun.
Wildflowers and flowers in pots and hanging baskets are everywhere in the Yukon. The growing season is short, about May 1 to September 30, and its color is evidenced in yards, businesses, and city streets.
Crossing the Yukon River from Carmacks.
Five Fingers Rapids was the demise of many a Klondiker's dreams, if not of the Klondiker himself.
The mosquitoes weren't quite as bad in the gravel pit.
11:30 PM. The sun barely sets this far north.
Just past Pelly Crossing the next morning, we came to the first of many stops to wait for a pilot car. Aside from the usual maintenance required by upheavals caused by permafrost, this was a huge reconstruction project.
Waiting for the pilot car.
New bridge under construction.
Who isn't awed and entertained by gigantic road machines?
Women drove numerous of the pilot cars and heavy equipment.
And that's why everyone's vehicle turns brown. But looking back, we realized our van was quite clean when we reached Dawson City.
You know you're almost to Dawson City when you see the bridge over the Klondike River.
The Klondike flows into the Yukon just south of Dawson City.
Next up: Dawson City.
Is the water in the Yukon opaque from the glacial wash? Steve
ReplyDeleteRight now all the rivers are very high and muddy from all the rain and snow melt. Our two previous trips it was also brown but not sure how it is other times of year.
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