Alaska 2023 - As it happens!

[Sgt Bilco]

Half way to Tok is Delta Junction which is the actual start of the Alcan Highway. There is a good museum here and also a good old fashion US drive in cafe and with coffee at $1 a cup what's not to love?





Round at the museum, they have some life size mosquitos to pose with and I'm only half joking.......!! The mossies seem to have taken a liking to Paul.......





Group pic at the start of the Alcan and as I said, the little museum here is really interesting and well worth an hour of anyones time learning about the building and history of the Alcan highway.





We head off through some more spectacular scenery which just keeps on coming!





Still plenty of Ice in the rivers




Just imagine having this view in front of you as you ride along.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

More construction a little further on but it's never a hardship to just get off the bike and look at the scenery all around.



We arrive at Fast Eddies in Tok where there are always a selection of bikes from all over. People are either just in the cafe eating or stopping overnight here as there ain't much else in the area.







Out of 17 bikes parked here, 15 were GS's so they are doing something right I guess.

Anyway, after some good food and an excellent pint of 49th state blonde, it was time for bed in our cabins. We'd been up graded from our usual rooms we use and it was a nice gesture from the owners.

 

[Jesim1]

Top write up, I hope everything goes to plan and everyone has a brilliant time

 

[wilbjr21]

Lovely photos as usual Chris.

 

[The Other PaulG]

A group of Tossers in the Hilltop cafe? I'd like to think there was a heated debate about their chips.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Up early on a crisp and windy morning we fuelled and headed out towards Chicken Alaska on the very excellent Taylor Highway which snakes it's way over the mountains. Generally good road conditions but the road crews do like leaving a bit of loose gravel on the off camber corners just to catch out the unwary!! The views are superb with the snow capped mountains in the distance and at least the wind kept the mossies at bay!






More fuel in Chicken because up here you never pass a fuel station without topping up.



A stop for coffee by the obligitory "I got laid in Chicken" sign before heading off.



From herte on, the road is hard packed dirt and yesterday it poured with rain so it may be a bit slippy in places but all was good as we snaked along the highway through stunning surroundings.

If you squint, you can see Paul and Steve coming down a mountain pass.




Road surface looks great.



And the views? Well, I'll leave it to you to work that one out.........

 

[Sgt Bilco]

View stopped by the river which was once a hive of gold mining activity. I was still going on here a few years ago but no signs now so I guess it's finally been mined out.

Nice spot though.




Then it was up the the US/Canada border at Poker Creek which only opened a week or so before. It opens between 6am and 8am daily from June 1st to the end of September so it you are every thinking of coming this way, take heed as it's a 1300 mile diversion if it's closed!!

The entry into Canada is painless and as usual, the officials up here are very friendly and engaging which makes a nice change from the usual border guards. They have to apply for this posting and as long as you have a love for the outdoors and don't mind working in a remote place, it's a great place to be.





It's then onto the Top of The World highway which snakes it's way across the mountains for around 6 miles. Once again, teh weather gods are smiling and the views are superb and the road conditions near perfect.




There is still a fair amount of snow up here and of course someone has to play silly buggers in it.







Again, views to die for which undoubtedly would happen if you ent over the edge as it's a long drop!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After a great afternoons riding, we drop down to the mighty Yukon River and catch the free ferry which runs across 24/7. They would probably charge you a fiver a go in the UK but here in Canada, it's free.









Check in at the hotel then it was down to the wonderful Westminster, I would argue it's one of the best original western bars up here, for a few well deserved scoops of Yukon Gold.

 

[Arsey]

 

[richardbd]

Anybody going to the Downtown Hotel for a sourtoe cocktail?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Anybody going to the Downtown Hotel for a sourtoe cocktail?

They weren't doing it which is bizarre. The hotel has been through a few owners so maybe it's come to an end.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Sorry for the lack of updates chaps but the Wi Fi is sketchy at best and I can't upload anything until I get to Anchorage on Friday.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

We always have a day off in Dawson but a visit to Dredge number 4 is a must. It's a hell of a machine which dredged for gold between 1911 and the mid 60's. Full history details here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredge_No._4

 

[Sgt Bilco]

And then we have a little ride up to the dome which over looks Dawson. Stunning views over the side of the original Klondike gold rush area and it hasn't really grown much since the early 1900's and it's great to imagine what it must have been like back in the day.





And then it was off into Dawson to have a great Thai meal. This is a superb little place and great food and a wonderful change from the usual fried crap dished out.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

The next day dawns nice and sunny so we loaded up and headed off.

---

Onto the little ferry which crosses the Yukon which is always a treat.





Back onto the just beautiful Top of the World Highway. It has to be one of the best rides anywhere on the planet in my opinion anyway.






Contemplating life......





Then we hit the border at Poker Creek to re enter the US. The attitude of the US immigration guys is in marked contrast with the Canadians. They are very efficient and a little surly unlike the Canadians who are really friendly and welcoming. Anyone who has visited the US will get it........



This big French registered MAN was being checked at the border. You see a lot of these over here and mostly German and Swiss registered but you can't help but think they are overkill.



Then it was off on one of the strangest roads. From the US border, there is about 6 miles of absolutely perfect tarmac and no one really knows why the US built it as it goes back to dirt. A Canadian told me it was a vanity project to show it was possible to build such a road in the harsh climate up here. Great to ride though......

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Back on the dirt and some lovely riding.






Mark just sitting there taking it in.....


We arrive in Chicken again and go to the little cafe which sells the worlds most expensive hotdogs. Cool little place though.





The cafe served up an excellent chilli and probably the worlds biggest Cinnamon rolls!!





And off again with a few storms appearing on the horizon. Up here, the weather can change very quickly and the temp dropped from around 20c to 4c in about a mile before rising again!!

 

[richardbd]

They weren't doing it which is bizarre. The hotel has been through a few owners so maybe it's come to an end.

Maybe somebody swallowed the toe

 

[Khulu]

Looking great.

Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk

 

[NRG-57]

Bringing back great memories from last year….. enjoy the rest of the ride Chris.

 

[SBD]

Enjoying this. One day, maybe…