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View of Kluane Lake from Alaska Highway - June 2008
Kluane River, north of Kluane Lake - September 1995
Donjek River valley, looking north from the Alaska Highway - June 2008
Donjek Valley viewed from the Alaska Highway- June 1996
From the Alaska Highway looking towards the east along the Donjek River - June 2008
The summer of 2008, the new Donjek River Bridge was open and the old bridge remained in place to the west.
Southbound at the Donjek River bridges - June 2008
In June 2008 we saw 8 moose between Snag and Kluane Lake, including two sets of moms with calf.
Young bull waiting patiently alongside the Alaska Highway - June 2008
Two young bulls trotting into the bush - June 2008
The "old" White River bridge (historical milepost 1169), looking southbound - June 1996
On the Alaska Highway, looking east along the White River - June 2008
Snag Lake seen from the Alaska Highway - June 2008
Looking west from the Alaska Highway, between Snag and Beaver Creek - June 2008
According to Wikipedia, Snag was first settled during the Klondike Gold Rush. Later it was the site of a military airfield, established as part of the Northwest Staging Route, which closed in 1968. In 1947, the village of Snag boasted a population of 8 to 10 natives and fur traders. An additional staff of 15-20 airport personnel — meteorologists, radio operators, aircraft maintenance men — lived at the airport barracks. My Dad, Jack Stalberg, joined them in the early 1950s.
There is little left to see in Snag. The airfield is overgrown with trees, the federal government removed all remains of the base, and the road is a narrow, twisty road that required 4-wheel drive in 2008 due to the high water levels.
Snag also boasts the record-low temperature for North America, from February 3, 1947: −81.4 F (-63C).
Do not drive into Snag with anything other than a 4x4, unless you are certain the road is passable. In June 2008 the one-lane road was in decent shape but there were several deep ponds that would have been impossible in a car.
View from the road into Snag, looking west towards Nutzotin Mountains - June
2008
Snag Creek joining the White River at the end of the road, past Snag - June 2008
Truck amongst fireweed at the abandoned community of Snag - September 1993