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 12 - Aug 15: Why did the Chicken cross the road?

To see the AC'12 Convoy!

Ok, I'm sure that people in Chicken, Alaska, have heard about every chicken joke out there. The AC'12 convoy is probably dishing the chicken jokes out like crazy tonight, as this is their destination.

After leaving Dawson City, Yukon Territory, and the Yukon River behind them, the convoy headed up the Top of the World Highway to the Alaska/Canada border station. When we crossed in 1979, it wasn't much more than a shack.

From the border station, they continued to west to Jack Wade Junction. Here the convoy turned onto the Taylor Highway.

The distance traveled today was probably one of the shortest. It will give the convoy participants a chance to check out Chicken (pop 23).

- Ellen

Day 11 - Aug 14: Dawson City Sights

Today's SPOT report:

The crew is camping at the Bonanza Gold Motel and RV Park. That's on the western edge of those dredge piles image I posted on Day 10. Bonanza Creek (formerly Rabbit Creek) was where gold was discovered in 1896.

First sight for the day was a trip up to the top of Midnight Dome. At the top is a view point. It must have been an awesome view of Dawson City, and of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. The lower part of the drive passes through the gold fields.

The group headed into Dawson City next. They spend about 3 hours checking out the sights. I'm really looking foward to seeing pictures.

Late in the afternoon, they boarded the George Black Ferry, and headed across the Yukon. At this point, the highway becomes the Top of the World Highway.

That evening, they went back across into Dawson City. That made 4 crossings of the Yukon!

Big Brother's Eye in the Sky

(Information gathered from SPOT satellite and map data, the Milepost, and Dawson City)

- 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 9 - Aug 12: The Arctic Circle

Today the AC'12 convoy made it to the Arctic Circle in the Yukon Territory. Mike said it was very cold up there. Everyone had lots of chances to take pictures, and they photographed each and every vehicle.

Near the Arctic Circle, west of Dempster Highway

The terrain around there is rather interesting looking at it with SPOT satellite imagery. The rivers are very squiggly. The bright orange appears to be a recent fire. Along the top, the medium orange and gray is probably rock outcroppings. In the center, is an interesting rock outcropping that is nearly circular. It appears to be near the top of a mountain (perhaps an old volcano??). My photo interp skills are pretty rusty, though, so don't bank on this info. The Dempster Highway is Highway 5 on the right side.

After visiting the Arctic Circle, the convoy turned around and headed back down the Dempster Highway to Tombstone Territorial Park. This is about 45 miles north of the junction of the Dempster Highway with the Klondike Highway.

AC'12 Day travel route

Tomorrow the convoy will travel to Dawson City. Mike and crew headed down there today as they needed to get a tire repaired. They are looking forward to a fun couple of rest days in Dawson City, up on the Yukon River.

- Ellen