Into the Yukon
Leaving Tok this morning, all fresh from showers and clean clothes, we headed toward the Canadian Border. The area around Tok is a wildlife preserve by the local First Nation people of Telin. I spoke with a local who was filling with fuel, he was heading out hunting with mates, but they need to go close to the Canadian Border for Moose.
The road to the Border was enjoyable, and in good condition, though got stuck at some road works, 30min wait, as they have a Pilot Vehicle escort each line of vehicles through, the road works were 14 mile long. Then we enter the Yukon Canada, metric again, lots of signs detailing 9k/h in miles.
This road was built by the American Army during World War II, when fear of the Japanese attacking from the north, meant gaining access to these wild areas. They took 8 months to clear some 1500 miles of road (dirt road) for military access. The reason a road had not been built was the environment is all liquid, water, a lack of solid surface, and the current road proves that.
This is the worst road (if you call it that) I have driven on. It is over permafrost, and on a base of water, so it heaves and ho’s, dips and the repairs are patches. You will gain elevation and find rock, nice piece of road, to then descend where it is full of potholes. You sort of line the RV up with what appears the smallest pot hole to hit, while also calculating subsequent potholes on your point of departure. You don’t actually steer through these, as the frost heaves take you where they desire, so you sort of set a course and hope. It feels like steering a boat in heavy surf. Then of course a truck or RV comes the other way, also “surfing” and murphy’s law prevails and as you point away from the oncoming, the road points the two of you toward each other, so, wide eyed you both struggle to ensure you pass safely, and as you pass, you note a mirror of your expression on the face of the other driver.
As evidence of this, the photo below was taken where it was safe to stop, this is not the best evidence, as those spots, it was not so safe to photograph, but I hope it gives you some insight. You will note the guard rail (not much in existence) has sunk into the ground and the road has been repaired around it. We potted along between 20-70 k/h in this 90 k/h zone.
Stopped in Beaver Creek, Yukon at Buckshot Betty’s for lunch and relax. She had free internet, so checked emails. Wonderful, in the middle of nowhere in the Yukon, well, not nowhere, Beaver Creek, and they have free internet, wouldn’t the early settlers have loved that. Along the route there is a series of Microwave Repeater Towers the bring communication this way. Initially each site had a small crew living at the station keeping power and service maintained, it was call the Cantell System.
Found another unusual type of RV, home made again, different quality. French Canadian I think.
We kept an eye out for a camp, and found Lake Creek. On the Koidern River. Very relaxing area. But note, we kept the bear spray out on the table handy while enjoying a beer by the camp fire.
Weather: Sunshine and rainy sots.
Low: low 40’s High: mid 50’s.
Wildlife: Nothing New.
O/N: N61 51.253 W140 09.176
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