Alaska/Canada with Top of the World hwy

[Devils Paw 80]

At the end of Top of the World, with Dawson City in sight, lies one obstacle-the Yukon River. So there's a bridge, right? Wrong. Instead, a small ferry shuttles vehicles back and forth. I had read that it only operates between 8 AM and 8 PM, but in fact it operates 24/7 in the summer. Books will warn that waits can run 2-3 hrs for it in the summer, yet there was no wait for us.
Dawson City reminds me of Skagway, Alaska, which isn't surprising when you consider they were the beginning and end of the 1898 Klondike gold rush route.
It's much less "touristy" than Skagway though, due to its isolated location. Also not nearly as scenic, but I liked it a lot. It's amazing to reflect on how much gold has been mined in this area: 1.5 billion CAD, calculated by the value in each individual year. And, gold mining is still occurring here, on industrial and small scales. It's a great town for biking about, with little traffic on the dirt roads. There was a lifted, snorkeled diesel 80 parked on the main st. briefly, but it disappeared before I could get a photo. Also saw a big motor home towing a lifted, 4 door spanking new Jeep Rubicon. Wow, some folks really have the cash.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

One more photo of Dawson City, across the river. The next stop was Whitehorse, where we spent 2 1/2 days and I took no photos. The best photos are yet to come down the road, I believe, but first some impressions of Whitehorse.
It's my favorite place in Canada, so far. Very bike friendly town, and also has good trails nearby. A few really good restaurants for a town of this size (35K), and a great indoor/outdoor produce stand. An excellent aquatic center, tennis courts-they've got just about everything for those inclined to recreation.
A good place for Cruiser sightings too, with many JDMs lurking about. I saw a BJ74, turbo diesel 80 and Hilux Surf this time. The most impressive rig was a very large, 4x4 camper that looked like a jacked up dump truck with huge tires. The owners pulled up in a parking lot where I was loading the 62, so I got to take a look. The guy said it was manufactured in Germany, but they live in Britain. Actually, it appeared they lived on the road from the map painted on one side of the truck, showing everywhere in the world it has been. And, it has been just about everywhere, especially remote and challenging places. He downplayed his vehicle, calling it " a motor home with big tires", but it is quite the rig. The front pumpkin was enormous.

 

[tag3]

Wished I knew you were in Whitehorse, we(saughter and myself) were broke down there for 6 days. Stayed across from the airport at the Airport Chalet. Met many good people there.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I did see a rough looking blue 60 on our last day, but I doubt that was you. We were in the heart of town at Motel 202. Yes, many good folks there. I met a couple living in Atlin, BC during the summer and Tuscon, AZ the rest of the year. They were in town prepping for a trip to Italy, where they will be playing competitive volleyball. The man has been gold mining independently in Atlin for 35 yrs, making enough money to live the rest of the year elsewhere.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

The final driving leg of our journey was the short, 100 mile jaunt from Whitehorse to Skagway, Ak. This is the South Klondike hwy, while the North Klondike connects Dawson and Whitehorse. This route offers beautiful lake and mountain scenery, and is the site for a popular relay running race in September. Here's a shot near the top pass.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Here's the "blue canoe", one of the alaska state ferries, docking in Skagway to take us back home. It's dwarfed by the enormous cruise ships there. Skagway is a town of a few hundred, but every day during summer multiple cruise ships spill out thousands of visitors into the streets. It's a bit much, really.
I'll take a moment to give tribute to the mighty 3FE. With basic, routine maintenance, my truck has provided me now with over 10 years of dependable service. The engine ran like a top, as usual, during this trip. Gas mileage was in the 14-16+ range, which isn't bad for this 6. I didn't need to check the oil on this trip, because it doesn't leak or burn any of it. After returning home, I did check it and it's still golden in color, after being changed sometime in early spring. Toyota makes many other excellent engines, and I'm sure the later model Cruisers have great ones, but I'm satisfied with this one.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

A few shots of the trip home, on yet another nice day. This summer has been an epic one in SE AK. This is heading out of Skagway.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Here's Haines, not far from Skagway down a fjord and the gateway to the interior for SE Alaskans.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

A couple shots of what you will see travelling the Lynn canal. Hanging glaciers...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

More glaciers...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

OK,here's a real glacier.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

And maybe even a nice sunset. Thanks for checking out my thread.

 

[tag3]

I did see a rough looking blue 60 on our last day, but I doubt that was you. We were in the heart of town at Motel 202. Yes, many good folks there. I met a couple living in Atlin, BC during the summer and Tuscon, AZ the rest of the year. They were in town prepping for a trip to Italy, where they will be playing competitive volleyball. The man has been gold mining independently in Atlin for 35 yrs, making enough money to live the rest of the year elsewhere.

Yep, that was prolly us. The rough looking was from the Dalton Hwy during the rain you missed. Even after a rinse off in Fairbanks the dirt just doesn't seem to want to be gone. Unless you were talking about the diesel without the roofrack. Talked to him for a bit looking for parts for mine.

 

[crushers]

thanks for posting, i have enjoyed the pics.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Thank you. One more photo I forgot, of Emerald lake between Whitehorse and Skagway. Be sure to stop for a look, if you get this way. It's really much more beautiful that this photo.

 

[SIZZLE]

Thank you. One more photo I forgot, of Emerald lake between Whitehorse and Skagway. Be sure to stop for a look, if you get this way. It's really much more beautiful that this photo.

Photos never do justice. Guess I'll just have to see it for myself someday! Looks like an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mark W]

There's actually a couple more gas stations in Glennallen. Its still a fairly miserable little town.

The mosquitos are ALWAYS horrible at the Tolsana campground.

Sorry to great that you skipped the Denali Highway. Like I mentioned, I always carry a plug kit.

And I kinda think the guy that stopped in while your were there to pick up the springs for Alaska Ranger was probably telling stories to scare the tourists... Its a fun game sometimes (sorta like warning the motor home "campers"to be careful of bears in their paved roadside "campground")

Looks like you had a great trip. If you come up again, send word ahead and we'll try to get you off the beaten track a bit while you are here.

Mark...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Will do Mark. Updating my exhaust problems, I've now confirmed that both hangars securing the cats and related pipes are now broken.