ALASKA HIGHWAY
Dawson Creek BC
to Delta AK
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THE ADVENTURES
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December 2001
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Alaska Highway -- Dawson Creek BC to Beaver Creek YT
15 December 2001 - Saturday
Departed Vancouver Island on the 7 a.m. ferry. We made it to Quesnel (Hwy 97 in B.C.) by 7:30 p.m. and discovered the Quesnel Airport Inn RV Park. Having electric for the night was nice as it was chilly and there was about a foot of snow.
16 December 2001 - SundayThe highway to Prince George was bare and wet, layered with salt. North of Prince George, Pine Pass was overcast but with no snow, which was odd for this time of year.
We arrived in Dawson Creek (mile 0 of the Alaska Highway) in the early evening and parked at a friend's house. We were able to plug in the block heater, but didn't have electric hookup for the RV as plugs were scarce because everyone needed to plug in their engine block heaters.
17 December 2001 - MondayThe morning was cold with clear skies. The beginning of the Alaska Highway was also in good condition. This rest area provided a good lunch spot.
Rest area along the Alaska Highway
Chaos, our big white dog who was 29" at the shoulder, was tall enough to enjoy the snow in the unplowed area ...
Chaos, the big white Kuvasz, wading through snow
The wildlife viewing was very good today. There were numerous caribou, including one herd of eight.
Also saw six moose, including these two making a quick exit left ...
Two moose running for the trees
The road conditions were good ...
Northbound on the Alaska Highway
Towards dusk two more moose caught us by surprise! They both popped out of the bush and onto the road in the blink of an eye. One cleared the front of the RV quickly, while the other decided to trot along in front of us. The loose snow on the road made braking a bit of a challenge and the moose-butt came ever closer to the windshield and my nose. It seemed contact was inevitable, then the moose made a quick dash to the side and out of harm's way.
Moose seem to not do well on the winter roads ... we saw four dead moose along the road today, with two wolves munching on one.
While it wasn't our destination for the day, Toad River Lodge (historical milepost 422) provided a comfortable overnight stop after 9 hours driving. For $5 the lodge provided a spot for us to plug in electric and block heater.
The outside temperature as we went to bed was -29C (-20F).
18 December 2001 - TuesdaySlept well at Toad River Lodge. On the road with light overcast skies.
By noon we arrived at Liard Hot Springs (historical milepost 497). We eagerly looked forward to soaking in the hot springs!
The parking lot at Liard Hot Springs
In winter, the springs are particularly wondrous.
The temperature today was
-35C (-31F) and clothing of choice was fleece!
Can't wait to go for a dip in the pool!
We changed in the unheated change rooms and enjoyed a 2-hour soak. From our previous winter trip we learned to have our dry clothes arranged in order for when we exited the pool, and to have a piece of styro foam insulation to stand on (so wet feet don't stick to the wood boards). I also knew my swimsuit would freeze solid very quickly!
Looking up while sitting in the hot springs!
Yeah, right!
Our previous winter trip we had boondocked in the parking area for the springs; however, this year the temperature was too cold. The lodge at the hot springs was the nearest electricity for $10/night. Even though we were parked roadside, we were happy to have electricity for the furnace AND the block heater!
Camping beside the lodge at Liard Hot Springs
The temperature reached -40 overnight.
20 December 2001 - ThursdayDeparted Liard Hot Springs with good skies, but COLD. The thermometer at the lodge indicated it was -35F. The motorhome was not too reluctant to get going, although the block heater was plugged in all night and we let the engine idle to warm up before we left. As the motorhome moved down the road, things creaked and groaned!
Northbound on the Alaska Highway
The gas line started to freeze up a short time after we hit the road. Every uphill the motorhome would slooooooow down, chugging to make the top. Steve thought we were in serious trouble. I hinted a few times that we needed to use the small bottle of gas line anti-freeze I had tucked away. Finally, with the motorhome about to stall, he pulled over and emptied the bottle into the tank, possibly just to shut me up. It was not the first time, and it will not be the last ... I said, "I told you so!"
At Watson Lake we hoped to refill the propane bottle. No success. They thought the valve was frozen. We carried on and at our next stop the attendant was successful in filling the tank.
After a long day on the road, we arrived in Whitehorse (historical milepost 918) and pulled into McKenzie's RV Park just north of the city. The weather was more mild and almost pleasant outside. Again we had electric for both the RV and block heater. Was also able to fill up the water tank. The black and grey tanks remained frozen solid.
22 December 2001 - SaturdayDeparted Whitehorse for our final destination, Beaver Creek (historical mile 1202), which is near the Alaska border. We looked forward to celebrating Christmas with family and friends.
Approaching Kluane Lake from the south
As we descended towards the Donjek River, a semi-truck was heading the other direction. We didn't realize it until about 15 minutes later, but that truck tossed a rock that broke window in the overhead bunk of the motorhome. Fortunately, our destination was less than a hundred miles away. It was a chilly drive!
Along the valley near Donjek River
The goal this year was Beaver Creek to enjoy Christmas with my dad. We drycamped in his yard with the engine block heater plugged in. Also made a temporary repair (Styrofoam, plywood and duct tape!) to the overhead window to get us back home.
27 December 2001 - ThursdayDeparted Beaver Creek for Whitehorse. We were on the road by 8:30 a.m. even though it wasn't daylight until about 10 a.m.
We had near whiteout conditions around Donjek River and Kluane Lake.
Passed an oncoming semi-truck
when we were climbing out
of the Donjek valley and despite my warnings, Steve was not
prepared for the total whiteout that surrounded us. "I told
you so".
After that, he pulled over and stopped for each oncoming truck.
Southbound on the Alaska Highway north of Haines Junction
There was sun and clear skies from Haines Junction to Whitehorse.
Departed Whitehorse by 8:30 a.m. Initially the snow was falling, although it cleared by Watson Lake.
As darkness approached, the sky took on a pinkish hue.
Our destination for the evening was Liard Hot Springs, historical mile 497.
29 December 2001 - SaturdayThe temperature was quite a bit warmer at Liard Hot Springs: -18C (0F). The pool was also busier, although that could be because it was also the weekend.
30 December 2001 - SundayDeparted Liard Hot Springs. The sky was clear and conditions were good.
Stone Mountain Provincial Park in B.C., approx. mile 370
Enjoyed our lunch while parked alongside the Blue Bell Inn in Fort Nelson (historical mile 300). Note the "No Vacancy" sign for the motel.
Lunch stop roadside after fuelling up at the Blue Bell Inn in Fort
Nelson
I didn't get any pictures of the nine moose we saw today.
Overnighted in Dawson Creek at Alahart RV Park, a commercial campground. The campground owners were nice people and very hospitable. We called ahead and they did not mind our late arrival and they also ensured we were well-tucked in for the night.
31 December 2001 - MondayNew Year's Eve and we hit the road. We were looking forward to the RV thawing as we head south.
We invested 12 hours on the road this day. New Year's Eve was celebrated at a quiet and deserted spot just south of Cache Creek B.C., at the Red Hill rest area.
1 January 2002 - TuesdayThe RV thawed and looked a little road-weary as we waited for the ferry to Vancouver Island. Note the snow shovel tucked under the ladder; didn't have to use it this trip!
At the head of the line waiting for the ferry at Tsawwassen terminal
- 6,300 km total (3,900 miles)
- 2,115 litres of gas (465 imperial gallons or 559 US gallons)
- 8.4 mpg average (7 miles per US gallon)
- $1,400 gasoline and propane
- $150 camping fees
- 80 hours driving
People often ask what we did about the grey and black tanks. Yes, we used the toilet in the RV when we needed to, usually in the middle of the night or early morning when other facilities were not easily available. As well, dishwater went to the grey tank. And it would freeze as the tanks were exposed. Nothing cracked or broke.
The fresh water tank was inside, as were all the water lines. Even so, we had slushy water some mornings as the furnace could not keep up with the winter chill. I tucked a handwarmer on the waterpump with fleece wrapped around it; that solved the slush problem.
Biggest problem was ice forming inside the cab. The truck heater simply could not keep up. I hung a fleece blanket between the cab and living area. During the day, the blanket helped retain the heat in the cab and at night the blanket helped keep the heat in the living area. The windshield and windows up front caused a lot of heat loss.
The RV windows all had styrofoam snug fit into them to keep the heat in and the cold out. It helped. Even so, the interior was often no more than 40 or 50 degrees F.