Road Trip 2012 - Top of the World - logo

Day 06: Tok, AK to Dawson, YT

Trip Log for 31 May 2012

  • Miles Driven: 204.6
  • Sunrise: 03:43 AKT / Sunset: 00:16 PDT

Today's trip took us into Canada. We got an early start in Tok, awaking at 06:00, realized we heard little rain drops and did a mad scramble to throw our stuff into the car and get the tent put up. It was only a little drizzle but good practice. Our path today took us slightly down the Alaska Highway to the Taylor Highway, heading north. We stopped to get a few geocaches including one in the town of Chicken, Alaska. We didn't figure out how it got it's name but they sure like to play up the phrase "I got laid in Chicken" all over the place.

Close to the border with Canada, the Taylor continues on to Eagle, but that is where we picked up the Top of the World Highway. This is not a good road. Most of it is gravel, it has lots of potholes and almost no guardrails with steep drop-offs and spectacular views. As we got through customs, it even started to sleet a little bit since we were up around 3,800 ft. And very soon after getting past the border, I hit a pothole that made me think we might have gotten a flat, which was scary, but all was well. Driving this road got me feeling adventurous and after speaking with a couple of locals in Dawson who said the Top of the World is worse than the Dempster, we are going to try to drive to the Arctic Circle tomorrow after all. If we do, we will likely not have Internet access so tomorrow's log will be delayed.

To get into Dawson from Alaska, you have to cross the Yukon River on a small, free ferry boat which we happen to time just perfectly. Dawson has a really nice visitors center with all kinds of information (I think we picked up at least 10 maps, brochures and guides) and some very helpful people who can tell you anything you want to know about the area. After stopping in there, we grabbed some dinner at Klondike Kate's which I was afraid was going to be some tourist trap of a place as most of the town really plays up the whole gold rush theme, but it was maybe the best meal we've had on the trip and uses locally sourced food.

Following dinner, we went to find a geocache that was placed nine months ago at the beginning of winter and had yet to be found. We had to make our way up some steep, gravel back roads and were thankful for the four-wheel drive capabilities of our travelling companion. We found the right area and it was an amazing bluff with a forest fire watch tower that had the most incredible views we've seen all trip. Just being up there made travelling here worth it. We both agree that was the best part so far. To top that off, we got a FTF (first to find) on the geocache which is one of the best accomplishments for a cacher.

Coming back into town, we stopped by the big tourist attraction, Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall dubbed Canada's oldest casino. It has a throw back atmosphere and decor but it was really entertaining. We got in just after the evening cabaret show had started which had live music, a singing host, dancing girls and great costumes—well worth the $10 entry fee (which is good all season). Tonight we have settled into a room at the Whitehouse Cabins which is comprised of several buildings from the late 1800s including a cabin that was newly renovated. Everyone has been really friendly and as always, I am enjoying Canada. Tonight we enjoy the midnight sun literally as sunset will be at 00:16.

RV driving down a road in front of a mountain

Taylor Highway

log cabin building

Post office in Chicken, Alaska

valley landscape

Caribou migration area

couple standing in front of a 'Yukon' sign

We made it to Canada!

mountain range

Looking toward the Tombstone Mountains north of Dawson, Yukon

city across a wide river

Dawson, Yukon across the Yukon river to the east

wooden two story building

Heritage House at Whitehouse Cabins

river across a valley

Yukon River

river across a valley

This was the view from the forest fire lookout. Pictures can't do it justice.

gambling hall

Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall