Some reading and pictures for you. I thought someone esle posted a link to the Rover Expo, but could not find the tread.
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Canol Rd
- Thread starter Greg_B
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Looks interesting - wondering what fuel range would be necessary to do this trip?
From the website of the community of Norman Wells, NWT (for those who do not know about the road's history).
Travel the Canol Trail
The Canol Heritage Trail provides a walk through the nearly forgotten history of one of Canada's first mega-projects, in a landscape that is both captivating and intriguing.
The abandoned Canol Road winds its way for 372 km from the Norman Wells oilfield, across the broad plains of the Mackenzie River valley, through several mountain ranges, over the Mackenzie Mountain Barrens and up to MacMillan Pass on the Continental Divide, before passing into the Yukon and on towards Whitehorse. The route has now been designated the Canol Heritage Trail, and has been given National Historic Site status. Seasoned adventurers may want to tackle this route on their own, but guiding services can also provide tours along all or parts of the Trail.
The Canol Road project was conceived during World War II, when Japanese warplanes attacked petroleum installations in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. With Pacific shipping and coastal facilities at risk, the Norman Wells oilfield was of immense strategic importance. Thus began a huge undertaking, to bring Norman Wells oil across a vast expanse of rugged mountains to Whitehorse, Yukon.
Between 1942 and 1945, more than $300 million was spent, and 30,000 people were employed, to install 1600 km of telephone lines, lay 2650 km of4- and 6-inch pipe, and construct an accompanying road to provide access to the pumping stations which lifted the oil over high passes.
In an amazing engineering feat, the construction was carried out entirely during the winter of 1943-44. Native people along the Mackenzie were employed as guides and river pilots, but were never employed in the actual construction, which was essentially an American military operation. In April, 1944, the first oil reached Whitehorse.
By the time the pipeline was completed, however, the Japanese had been driven from the Aleutian Islands, and the project lost its strategic imperative. The refined fuel produced in Whitehorse was very expensive, so in April of 1945, after less than a year of operation, the entire project was abandoned.
Pump engines and most pipe was salvaged, but a lot of other equipment was simply abandoned. Now, 50 years later, the remains of pumping stations, road camps, bridges and trucks can still be seen.
The raised roadbed provides an opportunity to traverse many portions of the route with relative ease (although not recommended for biking). But landslides and washed-out bridges make some areas impossible or very difficult to ford.
It is important to note that this is a rugged and isolated wilderness area, and the dilapidated military structures along the Trail should not be relied on for accommodation. The weather can be severe even in summer. Anyone considering traversing the entire Trail should arrange food drops along the Trail before setting out.
Outfitters in Norman Wells can arrange boat trips and/or air charters to the eastern trailhead. A variety of shorter excursions can be booked to see parts of the Trail. The western trailhead, at MacMillan Pass on the Yukon/NWT Border, can be reached by a very rough road from Ross River,Yukon.
For all not using an outfitter,it is important to report your trip plans to the RCMP in either Ross River or Norman Wells, and to check in with the RCMP at your destination.
From the website of the community of Norman Wells, NWT (for those who do not know about the road's history).
Travel the Canol Trail
The Canol Heritage Trail provides a walk through the nearly forgotten history of one of Canada's first mega-projects, in a landscape that is both captivating and intriguing.
The abandoned Canol Road winds its way for 372 km from the Norman Wells oilfield, across the broad plains of the Mackenzie River valley, through several mountain ranges, over the Mackenzie Mountain Barrens and up to MacMillan Pass on the Continental Divide, before passing into the Yukon and on towards Whitehorse. The route has now been designated the Canol Heritage Trail, and has been given National Historic Site status. Seasoned adventurers may want to tackle this route on their own, but guiding services can also provide tours along all or parts of the Trail.
The Canol Road project was conceived during World War II, when Japanese warplanes attacked petroleum installations in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. With Pacific shipping and coastal facilities at risk, the Norman Wells oilfield was of immense strategic importance. Thus began a huge undertaking, to bring Norman Wells oil across a vast expanse of rugged mountains to Whitehorse, Yukon.
Between 1942 and 1945, more than $300 million was spent, and 30,000 people were employed, to install 1600 km of telephone lines, lay 2650 km of4- and 6-inch pipe, and construct an accompanying road to provide access to the pumping stations which lifted the oil over high passes.
In an amazing engineering feat, the construction was carried out entirely during the winter of 1943-44. Native people along the Mackenzie were employed as guides and river pilots, but were never employed in the actual construction, which was essentially an American military operation. In April, 1944, the first oil reached Whitehorse.
By the time the pipeline was completed, however, the Japanese had been driven from the Aleutian Islands, and the project lost its strategic imperative. The refined fuel produced in Whitehorse was very expensive, so in April of 1945, after less than a year of operation, the entire project was abandoned.
Pump engines and most pipe was salvaged, but a lot of other equipment was simply abandoned. Now, 50 years later, the remains of pumping stations, road camps, bridges and trucks can still be seen.
The raised roadbed provides an opportunity to traverse many portions of the route with relative ease (although not recommended for biking). But landslides and washed-out bridges make some areas impossible or very difficult to ford.
It is important to note that this is a rugged and isolated wilderness area, and the dilapidated military structures along the Trail should not be relied on for accommodation. The weather can be severe even in summer. Anyone considering traversing the entire Trail should arrange food drops along the Trail before setting out.
Outfitters in Norman Wells can arrange boat trips and/or air charters to the eastern trailhead. A variety of shorter excursions can be booked to see parts of the Trail. The western trailhead, at MacMillan Pass on the Yukon/NWT Border, can be reached by a very rough road from Ross River,Yukon.
For all not using an outfitter,it is important to report your trip plans to the RCMP in either Ross River or Norman Wells, and to check in with the RCMP at your destination.
... mas seguro en los paises Andinos seria - "dos cubetas de chicha por favor."
Who is interested in doing this one?
Interested, yes, I am definitely interested.
Time is a whole other issue, I'd have to know at least a year in advance to accomplish it.
So does this mean the Alexander MacKenzie trail will be post poned in favour of this or is this going to be the plan for the year after. We are going to be in the area, sort of. I would still think the MacKenzie trail run should be done next year and then this can be done the year after. That way we get an idea of what to expect as well, we might be able to get some more contacts in those parts that might be able to help us. Kim, 2 years, enough notice for you 
So does this mean the Alexander MacKenzie trail will be post poned in favour of this or is this going to be the plan for the year after. We are going to be in the area, sort of. I would still think the MacKenzie trail run should be done next year and then this can be done the year after. That way we get an idea of what to expect as well, we might be able to get some more contacts in those parts that might be able to help us. Kim, 2 years, enough notice for you
Yes, 2 years is good.
Macmillan Pass to Norman Wells
The South Canol Road is a designated Yukon highway, which starts at Johnson's Crossing (320 km west of Watson Lake) to Macmillan Pass. From Johnson's Crossing, it heads 220 km northwest and intersects Hwy 4 near Ross River and continues 232 km as the North Canol Road to the Yukon/NWT border at which point it the designated hwy ends at Macmillan Pass and the Canol Heritage Trail starts. So the trail actually starts at the NWT
From the Macmillan Pass to Norman Wells is about 372 km and three rivers crossings latter. The biggest river is at Milepost 131 Twitya River, which is reported to be 200 feet wide
"Swirling, unpredictable and occasionally frightening, the Twitya River is a fitting symbol of the Canol Heritage Trail, a 370 km portal to some of the most diverse and challenging geography in North America."
-Larry Pynn, Canadian Geographic, Jul/Aug 1992
Rumours are the Canol Trail maybe closed to motorized vehicles – same risk we run for the Alexander Mackenzie trail
The South Canol Road is a designated Yukon highway, which starts at Johnson's Crossing (320 km west of Watson Lake) to Macmillan Pass. From Johnson's Crossing, it heads 220 km northwest and intersects Hwy 4 near Ross River and continues 232 km as the North Canol Road to the Yukon/NWT border at which point it the designated hwy ends at Macmillan Pass and the Canol Heritage Trail starts. So the trail actually starts at the NWT
From the Macmillan Pass to Norman Wells is about 372 km and three rivers crossings latter. The biggest river is at Milepost 131 Twitya River, which is reported to be 200 feet wide
"Swirling, unpredictable and occasionally frightening, the Twitya River is a fitting symbol of the Canol Heritage Trail, a 370 km portal to some of the most diverse and challenging geography in North America."
-Larry Pynn, Canadian Geographic, Jul/Aug 1992
Rumours are the Canol Trail maybe closed to motorized vehicles – same risk we run for the Alexander Mackenzie trail
Not to rain on the parade, but traveling the Canol Heritage Trail from Mac Pass to Norman Wells by motorized vehicle is absolutely impossible. There are major river crossings, landslides, talus slopes and boulder fields, many sections completely overgrown by forest, endless boggy muskeg, crossing the Mackenzie river at the far end, and the list goes on - for 370 km. In essence, for all practical purposes, there is no road.
I was there just recently - not to try the CHT, but up the North Canol Road for other reasons. Many people follow a romantic notion (usually motorcycles), all with the same result - after a few tens of km of thrashing around, they return whipped and wet. Mention the idea of driving the Canol trail to anyone local and you'll get some chuckles. After the Roverlanders went through Ross River, the ferry operator just smiled and predicted they would be back in a few days, and sure enough, they were. No motorized vehicle has gone through since WWII.
Besides, there is a move afoot to designate the trail as a park reserve, prohibiting motorized vehicles, which would render the discussion moot.
I was there just recently - not to try the CHT, but up the North Canol Road for other reasons. Many people follow a romantic notion (usually motorcycles), all with the same result - after a few tens of km of thrashing around, they return whipped and wet. Mention the idea of driving the Canol trail to anyone local and you'll get some chuckles. After the Roverlanders went through Ross River, the ferry operator just smiled and predicted they would be back in a few days, and sure enough, they were. No motorized vehicle has gone through since WWII.
Besides, there is a move afoot to designate the trail as a park reserve, prohibiting motorized vehicles, which would render the discussion moot.
This makes one wonder if there hasn't been a motorized vehicle through since 1945, what's the point of making it non-motorized?