After leaving Prince George, we arrived in Dawson Creek, the official “Mile 0” of the Alaska Highway. We couldn’t resist taking a group photo at the famous highway sign, marking the beginning of our journey.
The Alaska Highway is approximately 1,387 miles (2,232 km) long and runs from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada to Delta Junction, Alaska, United States. It was built during World War II as a means of connecting the lower 48 states to Alaska, in order to defend against the threat of a Japanese invasion. The highway was constructed in just 8 months, from March to October,1942, by a combination of American and Canadian soldiers and civilians. It was officially opened to the public in 1948.
While in Dawson Creek, we made sure to take a drive out to see the Kiskatinaw River Bridge. This bridge, which is now located off the current highway, was an important part of the original Alaska Highway. The Kiskatinaw River Bridge was built in 1942, this three-span timber bridge has an amazing nine-degree curve, but it was soon replaced by a more permanent steel truss bridge. The steel truss bridge was in use until the 1960s, when it was replaced by a newer, wider concrete bridge. The steel truss bridge was then moved to its current location next to the Kiskatinaw River.
We spent the night at the Mile 0 Campground, located next to the Pioneer Village Museum. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the history and construction of the Alaska Highway. The Pioneer Village Museum had a lot of interesting exhibits and artifacts from the early days of the highway. The next morning, we would begin our journey on the Alaska Highway. Click on thumbnail to view image
Dawson Creek – Mile 0
Fort Nelson BC – Mile 300
The next morning, we left Dawson Creek headed for Fort Nelson, British Columbia. Fort Nelson is a small town located in the northern part of the province, and has a rich history dating back to the early days of the fur trade. After a long day of driving, we stopped for the night at the Triple G Hideaway RV Park
Fort Nelson was established in 1805 as a fur trading post by the Hudson’s Bay Company. The town grew and prospered in the early 20th century, with the arrival of the railroad and the discovery of oil and gas in the area. Fort Nelson is now known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities and as a hub for the oil and gas industry.
We visited the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum to learn more about the town’s history and culture. The museum is located in the heart of Fort Nelson and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the area. The museum featured a variety of exhibits that covered different aspects of Fort Nelson’s history, from the early days of the fur trade to the recent development of the oil and gas industry. Click on thumbnail to view image
Muncho Lake BC – Mile 462
After our visit to Fort Nelson, we continued our journey on the Alaska Highway and headed towards Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake. On the way, we stopped at the Tetsa River Services for their world-famous cinnamon buns, which were just as delicious as we had heard.
As we drove further north, we reached Summit Pass, the highest point on the Alaska Highway at 4250 ft. The views from the top were breathtaking, and we were able to see for miles around. We also saw a bighorn sheep along the way, which was a nice surprise.
We finally arrived at Northern Rockies Lodge on Muncho Lake, which was a beautiful and secluded spot surrounded by spectacular scenery. The lodge offered comfortable accommodation and delicious meals, as well as a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Muncho means “big lake” and is one of the largest natural lakes in the Canadian Rockies, it is 7.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. The beautiful green and blue colors of the water are attributed to the copper oxide leaching into the lake.
That night, we had a fabulous group dinner at the lodge and enjoyed the delicious food and the company of our fellow travelers. We also took the opportunity to enjoy the area and take in the breathtaking views of Muncho Lake. Click on thumbnail to view image
Watson Lake YT – Mile 635
From Muncho Lake, we headed further north to Watson Lake in the Yukon. Watson Lake is a small town located in the southern part of the territory, and has a rich history dating back to the gold rush of the 1890s. The town was named after Frank Watson, who discovered gold in the area in 1887. Watson Lake is also known for its connection to the Alaska Highway. The town was an important stopover for the soldiers and civilians who built the highway during World War II, and it played a key role in the construction and maintenance of the highway.
On the drive to Watson Lake, we saw several black bears and a herd of buffalo, which was a thrilling experience. We also passed through beautiful landscapes, with mountains, forests, and crystal-clear lakes.
Once we arrived in Watson Lake, we went to the famous Signpost Forest. The Signpost Forest is a unique attraction that began in 1942 by a homesick US soldier, named Carl K Lindley of Danville, IL, who put up a sign with the name of his hometown. Today, it has more than 88,000 signs from around the world. The Signpost Forest was designated a Yukon Historic Site on August 30, 2013. We also hung our RV tour sign, it was a fun and unique way to commemorate our journey on the Alaska Highway. After hanging our sign, we went to the Northern Lights show, which was truly amazing. We were able to witness the colorful and mesmerizing display of the aurora borealis. It was an unforgettable experience and something we won’t forget. Click on thumbnail to view image
Whitehorse YT – Mile 918
After our visit to Watson Lake, we left for Whitehorse, the capital of the Canadian Territory of Yukon. Whitehorse has a rich history dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century, when thousands of prospectors flocked to the area in search of gold. Today, Whitehorse is a modern city with a population of around 25,000 people, known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, cultural attractions, and vibrant arts scene.
On our way to Whitehorse, we crossed the continental divide, which is a geographical term that refers to the point at which the direction of water flow changes from flowing towards the Pacific Ocean to flowing towards the Arctic Ocean. We also stopped at Rancheria Falls Recreation Site to view the picturesque waterfalls that were a short hike from the road, the views were stunning.
We also crossed the Nisutlin Bay Bridge, which is the second longest water span on the Alaska Highway, at 1,917 feet, and offers great views of the surrounding area. The bridge is one of the most impressive engineering feats on the highway, it was built to cross the Nisutlin River. Finally we arrived at Pioneer RV Park, where we would be staying for the next three days.
The next morning, we all jumped on a bus to tour the city of Whitehorse and its surrounding areas. One of our first stops was the SS Klondike, one of Cananda’s few remaining steam-powered paddle-wheelers, which is a National Historic Site of Canada and a prominent part of Whitehorse’s history.
The SS Klondike was built in 1929 and was used to transport goods and passengers on the Yukon River during the Klondike Gold Rush. The boat was in service for over 30 years, and played a vital role in the development of the region. The SS Klondike was retired in 1955 and was later restored to its original condition and turned into a museum. We were able to explore the different decks and cabins of the boat, and see the artifacts and exhibits that were on display. We also had a chance to learn about the life of the people who worked and traveled on the SS Klondike, and the impact that it had on the development of the region.
The next day, we drove out to the Muktuk Adventures, a rustic wilderness lodge, home to over 100 Alaskan Huskies, to learn about dog sledding and the famous Yukon Quest challenge. The Yukon Quest is an annual 1,000-mile (1,600 km) International Dog Sled Race that runs between Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, and Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, every February since 1984. It is considered one of the toughest sled dog races in the world, and is known for its challenging terrain and harsh winter conditions.
Muktuk Adventures is a dog sledding tour company located in Whitehorse, Yukon. They offer a variety of dog sledding experiences, including tours of the local trails, training runs, and even the opportunity to participate in the famous Yukon Quest challenge. We also got to see the dogs in action, as they were being trained for the Yukon Quest. It was an exciting and educational experience, and we learned a lot about the sport and the dedication and passion of the mushers and their dogs.
After our tour, we were treated to a lovely barbecue lunch, where we enjoyed delicious food and great company. It was a great way to end our visit to Muktuk Adventures, and it was a highlight of our trip along the Alaska Highway. Click on thumbnail to view image
Delta Junction AK – Mile 1422 (End of the Alaska Highway)
After leaving Whitehorse we continued north through beautiful landscapes with wildlife sightings to Destruction Bay where we spent the night before continuing on towards Tok, Alaska. The road from Destruction Bay was quite an adventure, due to the permafrost and road construction. Permafrost can cause problems for road construction and maintenance because as the ground thaws, it can cause the road to heave, or rise and shift. This can cause the road to become uneven and damaged. It can also make it difficult to build and maintain a road that can withstand the changing conditions. At Tok we had a nice group dinner and shared our “war stories” about the road.
After leaving Tok the road improved and the scenery remained spectacular. We stopped in Delta Junction the official terminus of the Alaska Highway to get our certificates and explore the museum. Delta Junction is a small city of about 900 people, and it serves as the northern terminus of the Alaska Highway. The city is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, and it is known for its excellent hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as its proximity to the nearby Chena River State Recreation Area and the White Mountains National Recreation Area. It was then onto North Pole outside of Fairbanks and our three day stay in the area. North Pole Alaska is also an interesting place to visit, known for its Christmas theme and Santa Claus house, a tourist attraction that is a one time must see. Click on thumbnail to view image
