Skagway, Alaska

6/16/13

After a brief stop we departed for Skagway, Alaska.  This is our first stop in Alaska on our trip.  We departed the Alaska Highway at Jake’s Corner, traveled down Yukon Highway 8 (Taglish Highway) to Carcross where we stopped mid-morning to a little touring.  Joined the South Klondike Highway for the 65 mile journey to Skagway which sits at the northernmost terminus of the Lynn Canal.  After climbing to 3,400 feet at White Pass (where the 1898 Gold Rush prospectors made a perilous climb) we descended into Skagway at sea-level in 11 miles.  What views and what a ride.  Joy started breathing again near the bottom after holding her breath for several minutes.  Cleared US Customs and arrived unscathed mid-afternoon.  We are now at Pullen Creek RV Park in downtown Skagway right on the docks where today only one cruise ship sits quietly on Sunday evening.

We will remain here until Friday.  Monday is clean the motorhome day and doing laundry.  Tuesday is a whale-watching trip down the Lynn Canal to Juneau.  Wednesday and Thursday we will fly over to Gustavus, AK for an overnight in Glacier Bay National Park followed by a day long boat trip to see Glacier Bay and our return flight to Skagway in the evening.

Watson Lake Sign Post Forest

6/15/13

We departed under sunshine this morning continuing northwest bound on the Alaska Highway.  Reached Watson Lake stopping to refuel, put up signs showing our passage at the world-famous Sign Post Forest begun during WWII by homesick soldiers.  Continued our movement after lunch passing Teslin, Yukon about 20 miles to camp almost alone at the Timber Creek RV Park along the Liard River.

RV Report:

The Alaskan Highway is actually in pretty good condition.  Mostly good pavement surfaces and fair shoulders with passing lanes on grades.  Not much traffic beyond RV’s and a few commercial trucks.  Encountered minor delays on road resurfacing and one bridge repair thus far.  Frost heaves not a problem to day and roads marked with orange flags or cones where potholes and bumps are mostly located.  No one should fear driving this road.  Every hill and turn offer up beauty and majestic views.  We have encountered bears, moose, elk, caribou, buffalo, and deer thus far.

Fuel: $ 5.51 gallon / $1.449 liter at Watson Lake for diesel

         $ 5.08 gallon / $ 1.339 liter for gasoline

More Liard Hot Springs

6/14/13

Spent the day at Liard Hot Springs soaking (the ladies) and working on some minor cleanup on the motor homes (the guys).  Barbequed some steaks tonight and enjoyed our first campfire.  First mosquito’s of the trip began to appear.  Tomorrow will take us northwest again to Watson Lake and Teslin, Yukon.

Liard Hot Springs, BC

6/13/13

Got off to a late start today with guess what? More Rain!  Proceeded along the Alaska Highway and noticed traffic pretty much non-existent now.  This portion of the road climbs from 1,300 feet at Ft. Nelson to over 4,200 feet in the Canadian Rockies.  Fog and low clouds impeded vision for about the first two hours.  Nearing Muncho Lake the sun came out to permit some beautiful views of emerald Muncho Lake area.  Traveled about 200 miles today at an average speed of 37 MPH.  Winding climbs and descents never seem to end until north of Muncho Lake.  We saw Big Horn Sheep, several Moose, a Bison, and deer along the way.

Stopped tonight and tomorrow at Liard Hot Spring Provincial Park.  What a wonderful respite for weary drivers.   Just $ 21 per night (no hookups) for water, a dump station, and wonderful hot springs pools that are free with your camp fees.

Dawson Creek, BC on Alaska Highway

6/12

Departed Grand Prairie today headed west on Route 43’s smooth divided surface to Dawson Creek, British Columbia where we officially entered the start of the Alaska Highway at Mile “0”.  Toured the Alcan Museum watching the PBS film on the building of the road.  What a feat it was! 

Gentle rolling farm country and forests of Aspen, Spruce, and White Birch gave way to slowly rising terrain and two lane highway.   Overnighted at the Triple G RV Park on the west side of town.  It was full with a caravan.  Be sure to make reservations along the Alaskan Highway a day or so in advance and try to stop fairly early in the day to ensure campsites.

RV Report:

The highway was in generally good condition as we maintained about 55-60 MPH except for a few patches where we had to slow due to rough surfaces.  A few significant climbs and descents of 8-10% were encountered.  Rain off and on continued today as we traveled on a northerly course to Ft. Nelson, BC.  We covered 363 miles today.

Fuel Prices:            $ 5.51/gallon : $ 1.449L (C$) for diesel

                              $ 5.20/gallon : $ 1.369L (C$) for gasoline