Dawson City along the Yukon River

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Geo: 64.0633, -139.434

The sky was overcast, threatening rain and smoky from a nearby forest fire when we hit the road at 9 am for the 5 hour ride north on the Klondike Hwy to Dawson City, a Yukon gold rush town that hit it rich around 1898. Our late start was due to our quest to find some wildlife (of the 4-legged variety) along the Yukon River at dusk (11 pm) last night. We didn't have any luck, but we did enjoy the river views as the sun began to set in the west.

Leaving Carmacks, we followed the Yukon River north for a while, then headed through miles of timberland, with the clouds threatening overhead. We stopped for coffee at the Pelly River crossing, and followed that river for a time. At the Stewart River crossing we had traffic controls for bridge repair, then continued north under huge, billowing clouds that continued to fill the sky.

We arrived in Dawson City, where the Klondike and Yukon Rivers meet, without getting caught in any rain storms all day. Filling up the tank after entering town, we paid $6.43 a gallon for premium ($45 to fill the tank!), the highest of the trip so far. We had an hour to kill before we could check into our hotel, another Westmark Inn, so we decided to sample the fish stew and cod fish and chips at Sourdough Joe's, a local's favorite along the river. After finally getting the gear into our room, we walked around the charming town with its restored buildings and wonderful gold rush period architecture.

As we write this we are sitting in the hotel lounge, enjoying cocktails, watch the rain falling outside. By the way, we have a new appreciation for those wooden 'boardwalks' as this town has authentic old west dirt roads that gets slick and muddy when it rains.

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Photos

Yukon River outside Carmacks
Crossing the Pelly River

More heavy traffic
More heavy traffic

Klondike River near Dawson City
Still no wildlife

Comments

[Mary]

Be safe, love the pictures, would love to be there as well!

[Jayne Bullen]

Loved your Yukon adventure!!!! I expected to see a moose walking by the buildings, like "Northern Exposure!" Awesome! I enjoyed the start of your trip. Since living in WA for 26 years, I know eastern WA very well, and have been to Leave
nworth many times, especially to ski in the winter. If I ever moved back to WA, it would be eastern WA for sure! There's a history behind the success of Leavenworth, which I will share with you some time. Love Canada, but have never been to Alaska! You guys are living the dream! The only thing that could top your travels would be "Heaven itself!" Be safe, Be Healthy, Be Inspired! Wonderful pics, and I cannot wait to share this with Scott! Jayne