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 20 - Aug 23: Yukon's Largest Lake

Today's AC'12 route continued down the Alaska Highway from Beaver Creek and past the Yukon's Largest Lake. It is Kluane Lake, and there are some fabulous view points along the way. The convoy spent some time at the monument for Soldiers Summit. This is where the Alaska Highway was dedicated, and opened for military use in November 1942.

The convoy stopped  for the night at Haines Junction. During WWII, the army created a road south from this point to the port at Chilkoot Inlet.

AC'12 Day 20 travel route

I read that Destruction Bay got it's name from structures being blown down during the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942-1943.

- Ellen