Day 18 Mt. Robson back to Vernon

Sunday morning and we are packing up the tent, sleeping bags and bed rolls for the last time. It has been quite a trip. Lots of scenery both landscape and wildlife. Now it's 9:00 am on our last day of travel together and we are heading back to Vernon - our starting and ending point.

Travelled a short distance west along the Yellowhead then turned south on Hwy 5 towards Kamloops and then southeast along Hwy. 97.

Arrived back in Vernon BC about 2pm local time on Sunday September 16th.



Thanks for sharing our trip with us. It was the trip of a lifetime.

From Vernon to the northern BC, to the Yukon, Alaska, back to the Yukon, BC, Alberta and back to Vernon - the trip was 4,271 miles. Sheila your Explorer made it with flying colours (that would be colors in Michigan). It has since had a wash and an oil change.

The Whitehorse to Vernon portion was 1,883 miles.

And we still have to get back to Ontario!

Day 17 Grande Cache Alberta to Mt. Robson Provincial Park via Jasper

On Saturday morning we were on the road by 8:30 and heading south down Hyw 40 to connect up with the Yellowhead Hwy. Turned west on the Yellowhead and arrived in Jasper about 11:00 am where celebrations were going on to celebrate their 100th anniversary. The National Parks staff had set up several displays to inform the public what they do.



After lunch and another gas fill up we headed back west along Hwy 16 to Mount Robson Provincial Park. The centre point being Mount Robson the highest mountain in the Rockies.After setting up our tents we took in some more sights including Rearguard Falls the last set of falls on the Fraser River that the Chinook Salmon can navigate over. Only the biggest and best make it that far. Unfortunately we missed the run. Brad had witnessed the run last August - too bad we missed it this year.

Another set of falls further up the Fraser are the Overlander Falls which the salmon can't make it over.

Mount Terry Fox is viewed from a beautiful park setting.








Our camp site was on a cliff above the Robson River. The park was busy with several family tenting. Another cool night with the sounds of the Robson River running down below. A family of deer were wandering around when we awoke.

Day 16 Fort Nelson BC to Grande Cache Alberta

Well it is now Friday September 14th and it continued to be cold overnight at -0'C. We left Fort Nelson about 8:30 am after gassing up @ $1.239 per litre and headed southeast. We were in Fort St. John about 1:00 pm and treated ourselves to lunch at McDonald's.

Continued to Dawson Creek - where the Alaskan Highway begins at mile Zero. Another leg of the journey has been completed.

We continued east into Alberta - stopping in Grande Prairie for some tourist info. Headed south from there along Hwy 40 to Grande Cache our stop for that night. We set up the tents at a municipal camping ground and a little while later a couple from Whitehorse set up their tent next door.

The campground was full of pipeline workers who all owned large trucks and 5th wheels - anything that wasn't at least a 3/4 diesel would be small. They started leaving for work about 5:30 am. - at least 25 of them. They moved out slowly, but how quiet can a 1 ton diesel truck be at 5:30 in the morning.

Day 15 Watson Lk. Yukon to Ft. Nelson BC

Well it is now Thursday and we got on our way from Watson Lake about 10:am. We had been advised to take it slow on this leg of the trip as there would be plenty of wildlife along or on the highway to view. We passed the Cranberry Rapids and came upon a couple of buffalo herds. One beside the highway and the second one pretty well on it.




We have left the Yukon for the last time at least on this trip, but plenty more to see yet.

Stopped in to Laird Hot Springs. Some of us soaked our feet others jumped in. After a hot dip we had lunch in the park - Laird Hot Springs Provincial Park that is.

Continued eastbound and viewed assorted mountain goats, and caribou.

Stopped at the Toad River Lodge for gas - and a view of the 1,000 plus hats hanging from the ceiling. Went onto Ft. Nelson where we camped for the night.

It was here that we decided on Brad's suggestion to alter our trip to head east into Alberta. After checking it out on my computer that it wouldn't add kilometres or in my case - miles onto the trip we agreed.

So off to bed with visions of Alberta dancing in our head.

Day 14 Tagish River to Watson Lake

Wednesday morning we were leaving the Tagish River area by 9:30 am. We decided to take a side trip down to Atlin which is in the northwestern corner of BC. The Atlin road isn't paved for the most part and the poor Explorer was covered in a dirt/oil mix until we could wash it off in Watson Lake. The scenery at Atlin was worth the trip.

At Watson Lake we stopped in at the Info Centre and had a tour of the Signpost Forest and then set up camp at a west end campground. Cost was only $10.00 and we got a further $2 plus off the next day from our gas bill as we had been camping customers.

A couple from Texas were also tenting there and shared the below zero temperatures with us. They also shared the camp cat who mooched food and attention. They had been over the Top of the World Highway and been a lot further into Alaska than we had.

There was also a power wash available to wash off the Explorer which by this point badly needed it. So with everyone washed up we got ready to head off to Fort Nelson BC then next day.

Day 13 Whitehorse to Tagish River Campgorund Yukon via Skagway AK

Tuesday - Got up early to have Explorer checked at Ford Dealers - abs light had been on for a while and I wanted to have them check that all the wheel bearings were OK. We had hit quite a few frost heaves along the Alaskan Hwy. They did this with no charge and I was out of there by 8:00 am.

Packed up our two new passengers along with some more luggage. Our vehicle is now full and I mean full! - and the cargo bag on top is full as well. All loaded up we head of to Skagway AK.


On arrival there we were in the middle of 4 cruise ships who had docked in town. It was a busy spot. If you are a railroad enthusiast then there is lots going on in Skagway. The White Pass & Yukon RR is a busy railroad with a potential of 8,000 passengers in town for a train ride up to Carcross and back.

After taking in the hustle & bustle of Skagway we got back on the road and headed back north through Carcross to Tagish where we camped again at a Yukon Govt. campsite.





We had two visitors who agreed to guard the campsite against bears if we gave them a little food. Had a nice fire, but the temp dropped - minus 1 or 2 by morning. Our campers thought that was a little cold, but we learned from that and dressed a little warmer the next night.





One section of the campground was flooded and as there wasn't any other water source so Brad waded out into the Tagish River to get some water to boil for our rice and farmer's sausage. We have seen at least one other tent in most campgrounds we have stayed in each night.
Another gourmet meal courtesy of Brad our Chef. Had a nice warm campfire with some new dry wood that was just dropped off - it's free in Yukon Government campgrounds and the cost is just $12.00 per night to camp

Day 12 Haines Juction to Whitehorse Yukon

Monday morning we attended at the Kluane National Park info centre and then headed off to Kathleen Lake for a bit of a hike. Conditions were extremely windy with large waves. After touring a bit more around the area we headed to Whitehorse.

Arrived in Whitehorse on Monday around noon. Brad & I had lunch then caught up with Chrissy & Mary who had been in Whitehorse since Saturday night. After seeing the sites we had dinner with Cary and Elaine who then gave us a tour of some of the more interesting sights. We went to the power generation station/fish ladder, a suspension bridge over the Yukon River and to a Eagle habitat where the adults teach their young how to fish.




We finished up the evening at an old watering hole where the odd beer apparently has been drank in Whitehorse.



We thank Cary & Elaine for their hospitality and interesting comments on the Yukon.

Day 11 Dawson City Yukon to Haines Juction Yukon

Sunday morning we left The Yukon River Campground after having crossed over by ferry Saturday evening from Dawson City. It rained most of night but stopped while we packed up and had a quick breakfast of our instant porridge. Started out on the Top of the World Highway towards Alaska.


About 20 minutes into our trip we were flagged down by two young Swiss girls who along with their boyfriends had a RV that wouldn't start. We were able to give them a boost and I received a warm coffee as a reward. Continued on taking many photos - you would think that you were flying in a small plan above the clouds. When it did clear - you could see for miles both to the left and right of the highway.



Crossed into US at furthest north land boarder crossing in the US. There is one other near Eagle AK on the Yukon River. This is a one man operation and checks only the odd canoe paddling down the Yukon river. Continued on the Chicken AK were we had a brunch.


Chicken has a pop of 10. You see a General Store with gas bar, a drinking bar and a restaurant that's pretty much it, but there is an airfield. Gas there was $3.49 per gal but we didn't need any. Lots of moose hunters in the area. Continued south back to the Alaskan Highway and gassed up in Northway AK at $3.51 per gal - more than in the middle of now where - that being Chicken.




Planned to stay in Congdon Creek Gov't campground but it was closed due to presence of bears. We tried for other cabins and B&B's along the way but most were closed for the season. Saw a coyote, then a lynx crossing the highway, and then finally one large grizzly bear right beside the highway - that kind of took camping in a tent out of the picture. We ended up travelling on the Haines Juction and staying at a motel - there goes the budget. Long day didn't check in to about 8:30 pm and then found a restaurant that closed at 9:00 pm for the season - got there with 10 minutes to spare.

Day 10 Whitehorse to Dawson City Yukon

We camped last night on the shores of Lake Laberg and listened for the ghost of Sam McGee. There were several other campers there, but we were the only tenters. We had a gourmet dinner as shown.

Packed up just before 9:00 after having our usual instant porridge and coffee or tea and hit the road west. Mileage at Lake Laberge was 68992. Temp in the tent in the am was 10'C and outside 4'C.

The lake is 30 miles long is part of the Yukon River system. We stopped in Carmacks for gas @ $1.259 l and continued northwest to Dawson City arriving mid afternoon. Walk around the town and found a spot to update this blog. Had a beer in Diamond Tooth Gerties but didn't gamble. Going to eat supper in town tonight before crossing the Yukon river by ferry to a government campground on the other side.

Day 9 Dease River to Whitehorse Yukon

Got underway at 8:05 and headed out north again on Hwy 37. Got to the junction of the Alaskan Hwy at about 10 am and gassed up again $1.299 and then headed west now on the Alaskan Hwy. Had lunch in Telsin and phoned Mary as there was cell phone reception for the first time in awhile. Gassed again at the Teslin River Bridge @ $1.299 and continued on to Whitehorse where we now sit in the parking lot of the local library. Will post more pictures later. The trip has been great. Right now it is sunny and 16'C in Whitehorse. Stay tuned.

Day 8 Tyhee Lake BC to Dease River along Hwy 37

Tyhee Provincial Park is beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone. It was a cool night though. In the am it was 10' C in the tent and 6'C outside when we woke up. It had flush toilets and oh so hot showers to make up for it. The scenery was spectacular blue skies and snow on the surrounding mountain tops. We were on the road by 8:40 - a little later this morning - the sun came up later and it was harder to get out of those relatively warm sleeping bags.

We gassed up in Smithers @ $1.149. Smithers reminds me of Canmore but not as crowded or busy. It certainly has an alpine look to it and the mountains are right in your back yard and follow on your left as you drive west.

We turned north at Hwy 37 the Cassier Hwy. (I will post more pics later but strapped for time today using the Internet in the parking lot of the Whitehorse library.) We had quite the adventure up the Cassier. It is one of those roads you wouldn't want to miss but you probably wouldn't drive it again. We gassed up again at Bell II along the Hwy - gas now $1.319. We saw two bears along the road one at mile 33 and the second at mile 163 - better there than at our campgrounds.

Continued north to Dease Lake - further than we thought we would get. Gassed up again @ $1.339 and bought some groceries and chicken for our supper. Went a bit further to Dease River - Campground and rented a cabin for $50. as the weather had been raining and didn't look promising. We stayed the night and in the morning it was 14'C inside the cabin and 5'C outside, but we were dry.

Day 7 Bridge Lake to Tyhee Lake near Smithers BC

We left Bridge Lake and were on the road by 7:30 am and off to 100 Mile House where we gassed up and had a Tims. Tims was the usual but gas is cheaper than Vernon at $1.10. Continued north on Hwy 97 now to Prince George were we bought somethings we had forgotten. Continued on to Cluculz Lake at a rest stop where we had lunch. Temp a balmy 14'C Gassed up again in Fort Fraser. We stopped at Tylee Lake Provincial Park for the evening - just east of Smithers BC.

Day 6 Vernon to Bridge Lake BC

Hello again. Up early this am to get a oil change and some groceries before heading out on the next leg of our trip. Left Vernon about 4:45 pm - mileage was 67,533. Weather clear. Headed northwest to Kamloops then north on Hwy 5 towards Jasper. Stopped in Barriere at the A&W for supper.

At Little Fort we turned west up Hwy 24 towards Bridge Lake. The elevation changes quickly and the temp dropped from 17' C to 8"C in just a few miles. Stayed at Bridge Lake Wednesday night in a heated camp (house) that Jane's family owns on a fairly large piece of land. Jane is Brad's girlfriend for those of you who do not know. We could hear wolves howling when we got out of the car.

Day 5 Calgary to Vernon

We got on our way at 9am local time (I think) and headed west. It isn't long before you are into the beautiful scenery of western Canada. We took this pic about 20 miles west of the city and it just gets better. Stopped for gas in Canmore @ 1.099 per litre. This town was busy as could been - but I guess it was Labour Day weekend.

We didn't go into Banff or Lake Louise this time as we had been there before.

We did take the drive into Lake Moraine. The scenery along that road was terrific as well. It was busy too - in fact we had to walk the last 1/4 mile as the parking lot was full. We took our time and took several pictures along with the other tourists before heading back to Hwy 1 heading towards BC where we had lunch along the highway just as we entered the province.

We drove through the really slow curving highway near Golden BC just like it was 12 years ago. They are working at it and when you see the landscape they have to deal with you can understand why it might take awhile.

Here is a pic of some of the construction in the area. It is amazing to see what they are doing.

Well we are getting near the end of this leg of the trip. Stopped at Tim's for a coffee in Sicamous and then headed south down 97A on the last leg into Vernon.

Arrived about 5 pm and gassed up one last time @ $1.149 after having driven about 362 miles today making a grand total of 1,991 miles on our adventure from Sault Ste. Marie to Vernon BC.

We are going to take a little rest now for a couple of days (and have some Okanagan Springs Beer) before heading out up through northern BC to the Yukon and Alaska so check back later.

Day 4 Moose Jaw to Calgary

We left Moose jaw after having a nice breakfast at the Comfort Inn. This was another great motel - no pool but otherwise very comfortable - large room. Gassed up again @ $1.129 before heading west across Sask. The landscape in this area was mostly grazing - not as much wheat farming as we had passed the day before. Lots of salt around small lakes and even some salt mining operations as seen here.

Hwy. 1 west was four lane but rough most of the way a new layer of pavement would be in order. Saskatchewan could use some better rest areas. The worst one which I am going to send into their local ministry or chamber of commerce is this one. By the way the lid was up, but the seat was down.

The scenery in eastern Alberta was much the same as Sask. with rolling hills and lots of farmland, mostly for pasture. Gassed up again in Medicine Hat Alberta @ 1.069. The drive into Calgary was at rush hour. Lots of traffic and lots of construction near the Motel Village area we were in. We were booked at the Econo Lodge through CAA. But guess what no reservation when I tried to check in - around the corner they said. Can you believe it another Econo Lodge lest than 1/4 mile away. This one was pretty old and with few services including a lack of internet - that's why not entry to the Blog last night. Maybe another email off to the CAA this time. Oh well we did get a good nights sleep for our last leg into BC.