Day 22 - Aug 25: Whitehorse, YT

Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon Territory. The town got it's start from the norther terminus of the White Pass & Yukon RR that brought gold seekers up from Skagway, Alaska. It was here that the miners prepared to head down the Yukon River to the Klondike region and Dawson City.

The SS Klondike is one of the sternwheelers that traveled the route from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Today it is part of a historical interpretive site that I'm sure at least a few of the AC'12 participants will visit. This photo was taken of the SS Klondike back in 1982. We spent some time in Whitehorse as we waited to board the White Pass RR to Skagway.

Steve in front of the SS Klondike (1982)

Other sites that the convoy will take in include the Yukon Transportation Museum, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre (Ice Age), the Frantic Follies, and the MacBride Museum (history). I understand that the convoy will provide a static display (not sure just where and at what time) of the convoy vehicles.

- Ellen

Day 21 - Aug 24: A quick run to Whitehorse

From Haines Junction, Yukon Territory, to Whitehorse is only 95 miles, and SPOT showed they arrived before lunch. They will have a nice chance to check out Whitehorse, as tomorrow is also a rest day.

AC'12 Day 21 travel route

Whitehorse is on the Yukon River, and just north is the famous Lake Laberge that Robert Service talks about in his poem, 'The Cremation of Sam McGee'. (Service spelled it Lebarge.) Whitehorse is the northern end of the White Pass and Yukon RR that comes up from Skagway, Alaska.

- Ellen

Day 10 - Aug 13: Dawson, Service, London, and Gertie!

A short day brought the AC'12 convoy to Dawson City, Yukon Territory. Dawson City was a boom town during the gold fever era of the Yukon and Alaska gold rushes. It sits where the Klondike river empties into the Yukon river.

Dredge piles along the Klondike River, just east of Dawson City, YT
SPOT satellite imagery

Part of Dawson City's claim to fame is the famous people that it attracted. It is here that Robert Service wrote his poems. Jack London passed through here on his way home from the gold fields. Calamity Jane paid Dawson a visit.

The convoy will take a rest day in Dawson City. It will give everyone a chance to explore this fascinating city. It was once the capital of Yukon Territory, until in the 50's it was moved to Whitehorse.

Milepost.com image

When ready, convoy participants will take the ferry across the Yukon River, and reassemble for the dash to Alaska.

- Ellen

Day 7 - Aug 10: Klondike Loop

The AC'12 convoy is now traveling the Klondike Loop. Today's portion is on the Klondike Highway, which comes up from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to Carmacks, and on to Dawson City. The group will stop short of Dawson City at the junction of the Klondike Highway with the Dempster Highway.

At Stewart Crossing, there is a highway to the northeast called the Silver Trail.  It leads to Mayo and Keno City.  These are historic mining communities.  Today Keno City boasts of a population of 20, a mix of old-timers, miners, and artists (hmmm, sounds like St. Elmo, Colorado).  Too bad the convoy will not be traveling the Silver Trail.

Tomorrow the convoy will head up the Dempster Highway towards the Arctic Circle.

AC'12 Day 7 travel route

- Ellen

Day 6 - Aug 9: Ross River to Pelly Crossing

I found out today that due to the rough road conditions of the Campbell Highway between Watson Lake and Pelly Crossing, that most support vehicles stayed on the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. From there, the support vehicles will head north and meet up with the main AC'12 convoy. I would guess they will take Highway 2 to Carmacks, and then on to Pelly Crossing.

Some of you might be interested to know that Ross River is where the Canol Highway crosses the Campbell Highway and then the Pelly River. The Canol Highway goes way up into the Northwest Territories. The Canol (Canadian Oil) Highway was also a WWII construction project. The old pipeline bridge is now a walking bridge. Crossing in summer is by a cable ferry. Crossing in winter is by ice road.

Faint line across river from right to left is the ice road at Ross River
The cable ferry is next to the old pipeline bridge (far right)
SPOT satellite imagery

This morning the main convoy passed near the town of Faro. People in town were anxious to see the convoy and posted to Facebook that they would be out on the main highway ready to cheer them on.

AC'12 Day 6 travel route

- Ellen

Deja Vu III - One last look at Alaska and the Yukon

Matanuska Glacier - AK

Lily pond - AK

But, it says 'Turn Right' - YT

Whitehorse - YT

Pickup on the White Pass RR - YT

Lake along the White Pass RR - YT

St. Andrew's Church - White Pass RR - YT

In the fall of 1982, we had to depart Ft. Richardson, AK, for Ft. Belvoir, VA. We drove through Alaska to Whitehorse, YT. At Whitehorse, we loaded the pickup/camper on the White Pass RR, and headed south to Skagway, AK. From Skagway, we took the Inland Passage ferry down to Seattle, WA, where the Blue Mule (our first 1952 M38) was waiting for us.

We towed the Blue Mule to Leadville, CO, and had a nice visit with family. After leaving the Blue Mule in the trusted hands of Pepere, we headed out to Limon, CO, to see the rest of the family. From there, we hit the highway to Tennessee. We stopped at Knoxville at the World's Fair. Eventually we made it to Ft. Belvoir.

- Ellen