Some Northern Demographics

Over a 30 year period we have driven nearly every roadway in the 

Yukon and Northwest Territories and Alaska. 

All three jurisdictions are large but for most travelers much of each is only reachable by road. I realize there are other ways to reach the back-country. In the past, we have completed paddling, hiking and backpacking trips into the Canadian Territories.

This post is an observation on road tripping!

Stock photo

Driving the Dalton

" ... anyone embarking on a journey along the Dalton Highway is encouraged to bring survival gear ... "

The highway, which directly parallels the Trans Alaska Pipeline, is one of the most isolated roads in the UNITED STATES. There are only three towns along the route: Coldfoot (pop 10) at Mile 175, Wiseman (pop 22) at Mile 188, and Deadhorse (25 permanent residents, 3,500-5,000 or more seasonal residents depending on oil production) at the end of the highway at Mile 414. Fuel is available at the E. L. Patton Yukon River Bridge (Mile 56), as well as Coldfoot and Deadhorse. Two other settlements, Prospect Creek and Galbraith Lake, are uninhabited except for seasonal residents. The road itself is very primitive in places, and small vehicle and motorcycle traffic carries significant risk. The nearest medical facilities are in Fairbanks and Deadhorse. Anyone embarking on a journey on the Dalton is encouraged to bring survival gear. (Source: Wikipedia)
 

Homer

The sign reads 'Halibut Fishing Capital of the World'.

We spent four nights in the area. We had a mechanical issue with the Ford checked-out to our satisfaction, cycled along the Homer Spit and wandered around the harbour and marine graveyard there. The whole Kenai Peninsula is nick-named Alaska's Playground. If you're a 'Fisher of Any Stripe' you won't be disappointed in this region ... ' It Caters to You '. 
 

Nick & Bobby

' Journeymakers are the good folk who turn your trips into treasured memories. They are the people who elevate your travel experience with the passion and enthusiasm for the place they call home and for the interest and kindness they give you, the traveller. '

Into ALASKA ... New Roads

Our FIRST road trip to Alaska was in 1988. 

THEN, we only completed a short loop out from Dawson City, Yukon to Poker Creek, Alaska to Tok, Alaska then east and back into Canada at Beaver Creek, Yukon. We've wandered into Alaska a couple more times since then and have added some exploration around Valdez into our travels. 

This trip, we are venturing further southwest, then along the Kenai Peninsula to Homer at the southern tip.

  Route in Red

Talking With Americans

I have been reading a lot of travel blogs lately and a common thread runs through many of them ... that intense interest many Americans have in travelling to Alaska. We have been questioned so frequently during this current trip and over the past several years, about Alaska, that it has prompted me to write this post.

The Geography Student

Location: Yukon Territory, Canada - We're at the Mt Logan viewpoint about 50 kms north of Kluane Lake on the Alcan Highway, 150 kms south of the USA / Canada border.

The Alcan is the original name for the Alaska Highway and I prefer it. Mount Logan is the highest mountain in Canada and the second-highest peak in North America. The mountain was named after Sir William Edmond Logan, a Canadian geologist and founder of the Geological Survey of Canada.  Mount Logan is located within Kluane National Park and Reserve in southwestern Yukon. 

RAFTING : 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