A THIRTIETH Anniversary Road Trip on the Alcan (Alaska) Highway

On The ALCAN Highway

Section: Dawson Creek BC to Whitehorse YT, CANADA

Sailing the INSIDE PASSAGE

Prince Rupert to Port Hardy

We sailed with BC Ferries on the Northern Expedition. We did the math and compared driving to sailing. 

The marine route covers a distance of approximately 525 kms in 16 hours; the driving route about 1500 kms over a minimum of 4 nights (our average travel day). We ran a budget sheet and compared the cost of driving from this location to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island that included vehicle fuel, camping and food costs plus the time required. BC Ferries charges by the foot and for our 'short' vehicle the costs are not that high. The slight upcharge for us was worth it; and a chance to sail a portion of the Inside Passage was just too difficult to pass up. But, the charges to ferry the longer Class A's, fifth-wheels and travel trailers can get quite expensive, $20/foot in excess of 25 feet ... yet another reason to travel in a truck camper!

South Through BC

This Rainforest Rains! 

CASSIER HIGHWAY

We first drove the Cassier Highway, south through British Columbia, in 1994. The highway (HWY37) begins in Yukon, just west of Watson Lake. In 1994 it was an all gravel, 724 km long road; now it’s fully paved. Driving south, the landscape along the initial 50 kms of the road was heavily damaged by a 30,000 hectare (74,000 acre) forest fire in 2012. 

After that burn zone, the Boreal Forest cover returns and even on a rainy day, like ours was this trip, the scenery is mountainous and memorable ... short grades of 8%, a twisty, narrow roadway, framed by several mountain ranges, intersected by creeks and rivers, peppered with small to large lakes ... and frequented by a few families of Black Bear. 

ONE From Atlin

ONE of the best things about travelling is the interesting people that you meet. Some are funny, some are kind, some have unusual histories or tales to tell and some are just downright unusual. We call these people Journeymakers because they help to make our journey more interesting, enjoyable and memorable.

There's a very nice, local museum in Atlin, B.C. (which as a point of interest, can only be reached from the Yukon and not from B.C.) that we wandered through on previous trips. Displays feature the towns' history, some local crafts-people present their wares and during our last visit we were given a nice talk by a very knowledgeable and pleasant member of the local historical society.

But, NOT this time! ... things have changed in Atlin! There's a new authority in town!

KAYAKING: Vargas Island Circumnavigation

Sea Kayaking

LOGISTICS (BC,  CANADA)

Outfitter: Wild Heart Adventures
Guides: Kim Crosby, Adam
Route: In Clayquot Sound, from Tofino > a circumnavigation of Vargas Island > Tofino
Kayak: Seaward Tandem F-glass
Accommodation: Vargas Island Inn
Photography: Scanned analog from journal pages
Purchase: $2900. Cost included shipping from BC to Ottawa, re-gel the hull, replace all deck bungees and detail. Trailhead in Ottawa, delivered the boat to our home in Kanata. We used the kayak for many years before selling it in 2014 for $1500.

CLAYQUOT SOUND Photography

BACKCOUNTRY: Tatshenshini / Alsek Rivers, YT & BC, CANADA and AK, USA

FIRST Rafting Expedition

LOGISTICS (BC,  CANADA)

Designation(s): TATSHENSHINI - ALSEK are Canadian Heritage Rivers, World Heritage Site
Canadian Heritage Rivers: TATSHENSHINI
Canadian Heritage Rivers: ALSEK
Air Travel: Vancouver > Whitehorse, YT

Vehicle Shuttle: Whitehorse > Shawashee (Dalton Post)

Outfitter: Nahanni River Adventures

Guides: Ron Morrison, Trent Abbott, Pepi Krajc, Jeff Faulkner
Rafters: Lesley Brooks, Tom Irwin, Mona Whitaker, Roger, Carol and Eric Pearson, US
Rafts: Commanche, Heffi and Hualapai

Put-In: confluence of Klukshu Creek 

Expedition Raft: Tatshenshini, YT > Alsek River confluence, BC > near Dry Bay, AK  - CIII, 11 river days, 255 kms
Elevation Drop: 2000 metres

Take-Out: Couple of kms upstream of Dry Bay, AK
Portage: Take-Out > Dry Bay, AK

Air Travel: Dry Bay, AK, USA > Whitehorse, YT, CANADA
Photography: Scanned analog

THIRD Road Trip NORTH of 60

Logistics: Kinburn, ON > MB SA AB BC YT AK MO WY SD WI MI

Vehicle: 1994 F350 RC LB SRW 4x4 7.3l diesel with 1988 Maple Leaf Camper

Days: 50

Dates: August - September

Activities: Overlanding, canoeing, biking, hiking, photography

Distance: 16000 kms (est.)

Photography: Old, poor quality, scanned images ... sorry!
CANADA Territorial Park: Tombstone YT
CANADA National Parks: Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho 
CANADA National Historic Site: Barkerville BC

Post Description: Read the photo captions, the story is in the photography and it's 'mostly chronological'.
Event: 24th Wedding Anniversary

We headed across Canada and met up with Mae, Earl, Sue & Chris at a Provincial Park near Prince George, B.C. We travelled together for a few days, then Sue & Chris headed back to Vancouver while the rest of us travelled on to Whitehorse. Mae & Earl headed back East from Whitehorse while we continued North. 

We did some of our best hiking ever in the Rocky Mtn Parks of Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho and Glacier. One of the most memorable trips was the Glacier Crest Trail in the Illcillewaet Glacier. This was a 9.6 km return trip and it took about 4.5 hours to complete - this included a lunch break at the 'emergency' cabin at the summit. A series of increasingly steep switchbacks to the top and a final elevation of a little over 2000 ft. We met several hikers from Holland at the top and during our lunch break we were scolded by the resident 'marmot' and 'pika' populations.

Photography

SECOND Road Trip NORTH of 60

Ontario to Alaska and Places In Between

Logistics: Kinburn, ON > in a north-westerly direction into ON MB SA AB BC NT YT AK

Vehicle: 1994 F350 RC LB SRW 4x4 7.3l diesel with 1988 Maple Leaf Camper

Travelling Companions: Mae & Earl in a Volkswagen Van
Days: 56

Dates: July - September

Activities: Overlanding, canoeing, hiking, fishing, photography

Distance: 16000 kms (est.)

Photography: Old, poor quality, scanned images ... sorry!

Post Description: This happened too long ago and I can't remember the details. Read the photo captions, the story is in the photography and it's 'mostly chronological'.
Designation: World Heritage Site
Event: 20th Wedding Anniversary

                     

Mid-July saw us packed up in our brand new 1994 Ford F350. Our new to us, 'used' truck camper was loaded up with food, wine, clothes, firewood and our canoe. Mae & Earl had loaded their VW van and together, the four of us set out on our first trip north 'by vehicle'. We were delayed briefly by the first of three flat tires that M&E would have. Earl had convinced himself that his tires would last until Edmonton ... they didn't. The adventure has begun.

Photography

FIRST Road Trip NORTH of 60

Logistics: Dunrobin, ON > flight to Whitehorse, YT 
Vehicle: Rental Ford F250 4x4 with a Maple Leaf Camper
Travelling Companions: Mae & Earl in a Volkswagen Van
Dates: 3 weeks in August / September
Activities: Overlanding, hiking, fishing, photography
Distance: 3000 kms (est.)
Photography: Old, poor quality, scanned images ... sorry!
Post Description: This happened too long ago and I can't remember the details. Read the photo captions, the story is in the photography and it's 'mostly chronological'.
Event: 14th Wedding Anniversary

Helen and I had always wanted to travel to the Canadian North, so when Mae & Earl suggested that we join them on a road trip they would be embarking on we couldn't resist. It was a short trip, we saw a lot in 3 weeks and it set the stage for several return trips and a life-long fascination with this part of our country.

Photography