HansRygXit Day 2

Wow. It's finally here. Really our first full day on the road and forever extricated from Anchorage and its woes.  This feels like the first day of our new life.  Heading home.  After arriving in Tok about 1:30 AM on Tuesday, 29 June 2020, we got up fashionably late, walked Rosebud, fed everyone and hit the road.  The Canadian Border is 83 miles away at which point we enter the Yukon Territory.  

                                                                Tilly enjoying the view!

With COVID-19 raging all around, the Yukon had pretty strict limits on those like us that are considered "essential" (moving) but not Yukon or Canadian residents.  We must stop only for gas (pay at the pump only) and drive through food.  NO stopping in Whitehorse unless for gas and we cannot exceed 24 hours in the Territory.  The road was pretty rough.  Frost heaves dipped and rose causing a roller coaster effect that was not too popular with Rosebud and Tilly.  Most were marked but many were not.  30-50 mph was the max speed we could drive until we hit Destruction Bay at which point the road got better.

                                                                A motel on the route... 

The frost heaves and gravel were totally worth it though. I had no idea that the Yukon was so stunningly beautiful!  Don't get me wrong... Alaska is an amazingly beautiful place that will take your breath away at almost every turn... but the vastness of the lakes, mountains and forests were awe inspiring.  We first hit Kluane Lake; a 50 mile long Y shaped lake surrounded by mountains.  Other than a couple small towns of maybe 50 people each, I don't think more than a couple hundred live in that entire area. Lucky them!

                                                                            Kluane Lake

                                                                Wandering the beach

                                                                            Beautiful!

                                              Lake Kluane selfie. A little chilly... and breezy

We next hit the first real town of note, Haines Junction.  At just under 300 miles from Tok, it was time for gas and a chance to get out of the van and stretch and shake off the stress of the road behind us.  

                                                                        Haines Junction

                                                        Main junction in Haines Junction

Heading almost due east now, we sped through Whitehorse with great dispatch.  Rumor was that they were ticketing vehicles with US plates at the Walmart and anywhere off the main road through.  We passed over the Yukon River and about 100 miles later hit Lake Teslin.  The distant rain clouds over the lake made for a jaw dropping drive.  My favorite picture of the trip so far is of Lake Teslin.

                                             Yukon River crossing just outside of Whitehorse

                                                                    Yukon River Dam

                                                                          Teslin Lake

                                                       My favorite pic so far.  Teslin Lake

We started seeing more wildlife near the roads so we decided to stop for the night.  We boondocked at a rest area near Swift River, Yukon Territory.  What an amazing day!

Wildlife count: 5 sandhill cranes and 11 black bears.  The mosquitoes were thick and relentless.  

Comments

  1. Beki PJuly 7, 2020 at 3:18 PM

    I went to the Yukon a few years ago. The area around Kluane is awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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