July 24-27, 2008 -- Back on the Alcan Highway

We reconnected with the Alaskan Highway in Whitehorse.  From Whitehorse we headed south.  Traveling along the road, it was amazing to see the types of terrain that the crews had to work with while building the highway -- waterfalls, rivers, mountains.

We stayed in Watson Lake. We saw a movie on the Northern Lights. Guess they are predominant in this area, but because of the long hours of sunlight, they cannot be seen this time of year (late Aug-spring is the best time).  We stayed at the Air Force Lodge.  It is a 1942 renovated building that was used as a barrack for pilots during WWII.  It has been modernized, but there are community bathrooms for males and females. Couples had their individual rooms. 

We hung our license plate in the Signpost Forest along with 70,000 other signs before heading to Liard Hot Springs for a quick soak. The Signpost Forest was started by a lonely soldier when he was based here during WWII as a reminder of home and the place has grown from there.

 
 
 
 
 
We made another 300+ miles today from Watson Lake to Fort Nelson.  We believe this is one of the most beautiful sections on the Alcan Highway (and it didn't have any construction, just some short gravel breaks).  We left the Yukon behind.
 

After crossing into British Columbia, we started seeing the first of the wildlife (deer and black bear).  After leaving Watson Lake, there were signs that warn travelers of buffalo on the road for the next 72 miles.  After seeing the black bear, we saw one buffalo along the side, then a small group in the field.  Then for many miles we didn't see any others.  We stopped at the Hot Springs for a quick soak (felt good!) and then off again.  We encountered two buffalo crossing the road; and then, thankfully we were following a semi, when we met the remainder of the herd on the road.  The semi was having difficulty getting them to move out of the way.  We tagged along behind the semi as if we were part of it.  They walked on past, but were within 3 feet of the motorcycle.  They were HUGH!!  We talked to a couple later in a truck and fifth wheel.  They asked how we did with the buffalo. They told us that when they went through, the largest male rubbed up against their truck (probably trying to show them who was boss).  This is one time we were thankful that there was a semi on the highway!

The Stone Sheep Provincial Park is located along this road.  We encountered both Stone Sheep and Caribou.  Then we saw additional deer, a wild turkey, small black bear, and another moose!  Quite a day for wildlife!!  We were traveling largely through the Canadian Rockies.  Mucho Lake is located along here, and when the sun shines, it is a beautiful jade color.

The last part of the Alcan is probably the best part onf the highway.  Because most of the travelers begin at this end, we are beginning to believe that it is maintained as well as it is so travelers get a comfort level in riding on it, and then when they are committed, they move on to the remainder of the highway.  Permafrost does play a major part in the desstruction of the highway, and we are sure that causes more damage to the road in the higher elevations.
 
Over these few days we traveled over the longest and 2nd longest bridge span on the highway, the last remaing suspension bridge, and a culvert that had been one of the largest in the world when it was installed.  The more you ride this road, the more amazed you are at how the road was constructed, and the purpose of having it constructed to bring military supplies and equipment to Alaska during WWII.
 

Towards the end of the journey, we crossed the lowest section of the highway (elev. 1,000 feet).  We are now in Dawson Creek -- Mile Zero if you were going north.  We took a side trip on the Old Alaskan Highway to see one of the original wooden bridges.  If the original road was in the condition as that one, we never would have made it as far as we did. 
 
At Dawson Creek, we visited the Alaskan Highway museum in the old train depot.  If you even take this highway, this a MUST stop so you can get a feel and appreciation of what went on in creating this route.