Yukon Sights by Sue Thomas

Dawson Creek to Tetsa River, Alaska Highway

14 September 2015 - Monday

Our chores were done in Grande Prairie - time to hit the road towards home. We looked forward to getting back on the Alaska Highway today! 

Grand Prairie AB
Leaving the campground at Grande Prairie

Albert town

Welcome to BC sign
Welcome back to British Columbia!

Heading to Dawson Creek
Only 10 km to Dawson Creek and the start of the Alaska Highway

Arriving Dawson Creek
Welcome to Dawson Creek sign

Mile 0 Alaska Highway
The start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek

Leaving Dawson Creek BC
Back on the Alaska Highway and only 480 km to Fort Nelson

It doesn't take long to feel you are in the wilderness after leaving Dawson Creek. the next image is about 12 kilometres (8 miles) north of Dawson Creek.

Heading north on the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek
Fall colours as we headed north

Old Alaska Highway - Kiskatinaw
The Old Alaska Highway to the Kiskatinaw bridge historic site

The next image shows the new bridge over the Kiskatinaw River on the new Alaska Highway.

Alaska Highway northbound
Continuing northward on the Alaska Highway

It is a long descent into Taylor, beside the Peace River. It was a rough construction zone when we went through this year.

Under construction heading into Taylor
Down the hill in a construction zone - to Taylor B.C.

We filled with fuel in Taylor, because it was convenient. Fuel is cheaper in Fort Nelson but we decided to go with the easy in and easy out convenience of Taylor.

Alaska Highway scenery
More fall colours

Approaching Wonowon, there are numerous "open camps" along the Alaska Highway. These provide accommodation to the thousands of gas field workers in the area.

Camp for gas and oil field workers
These camps are everywhere! For the gas field workers

Alaska Highway fall colours
Love the fall colours this time of year! This is near km 175 of the Alaska Highway

Semi-trucks on the Alaska Highway
The semi-trucks are working with the gas fields - there are lots of them on the highway, near km 207

Nearing Pink Mountain, there are more Open Camps. The lodge in the following picture added the trailers in recent years, they weren't there our last time through in 2012.

Mancamp for workers
Another open camp for the workers - km 226

Not far past Pink Mountain, the Rocky Mountain Foothills become visible in the distance.

Fall colours on the Alaska Highway
The Rocky Mountain Foothills ahead

Distance sign to Fort Nelson
Another distance sign, about km 228 on the Alaska Highway

Bridge over the Alaska Highway - Sikanni Chief River
Sikanni Chief River and campground to the left

Ranchland in northern B.C.
Ranchland near Prophet River - km 360

Approaching Steamboat mountain
km 372

Alaska Highway distance sign
Distance sign, almost at Fort Nelson but another 600 km to Watson Lake YT

Alaska Highway scene
Mountain silhouettes - km 536

We'd put in a long day today. It was time to find a camp spot. We had never camped at the Tetsa River Regional Park (km 551) and took a look.

Campsite at Tetsa River
Campsite at Tetsa River Regional Park

Tetsa River hike
Tetsa River

Tetsa River regional park
More of Tetsa River

Tetsa River park sign
Sign at the Tetsa River Regional Park

Tetsa River - beware of bear sign
We didn't see any bears, or any bear sign 

It was quiet evening. Felt good to be back in the wilderness!

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