Boondocking / Leaving Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
Last night we decided to boondock across the Yukon River from Dawson City. The only way to get to the Top of The World Highway into Alaska is to cross the Yukon River. There’s no bridge across. Only the free ferry service is available from Dawson City to get to the Top of The World Highway. Our RV fit on the ferry easily and took the entrance and exit from the ferry well but there are some warnings if your RV is quite big. If you come to Dawson City with a very large rig you might want to check the ferry restrictions in advanced. We took the ferry across and boondocked on the other side in an unmarked pull-off. We were not bothered during the night and woke to a temp, of 44 degrees F.
Top of The World Hwy. Adventure # 1
We started up the Top of The World road and immediately you can see why it got its’ name. The views were fabulous. Soon into the drive we came to a detour due to a huge avalanche that probably won’t be cleared for a week or more. We were the only ones on the road at the time. Followed the detour sign down a rather rough, dirt road that was a bit scary. It was a leap of faith to even take such a road but it was OK and it, too, had wonderful views. Of course, we went down this dirt road very slowly and were quite surprised to be passed by a car that was going very fast. Even though the car was gone quickly, we were reassured that the detour we were taking must be OK because (we reasoned) no one would drive a road like that so fast if they didn’t know where they were going. Sure enough, the detour came back up the mountain and rejoined the Top of The World road.
Top of The World Hwy. Adventure # 2
After our detour that returned us to Top of The World Hwy., we drove along enjoying the fantastic views. Then, another road closure. But there was a dirt road right next to the “Road Closed” sign. We followed a truck camper with Canadian plates down an adjacent dirt road. About ten cars had passed us so since the road was closed and we didn’t see anyone that had turned around and come back we figured they must have gone down the dirt road too. Uh, Oh, back up the dirt road detour came the camper. They (Mike and Janet from New Brunswick) asked us why we were going down the dirt road. Uh, we were following you folks on the detour road. Actually, there was no “detour” sign, they pointed out, and were concerned enough to turn around ask us. OK, well the last dirt road worked, so we all continued down this second dirt road. A bumpy ride was had by all but when we crossed that little wooden bridge (see picture) all bets were off. Luckily, there was a local there to ask (he was the only one we had seen and we were glad he was there). “Yes the dirt road we were on does lead up to The Top of The World Highway but there’s 12 feet of snow on it just up the way!” So back up the dirt road we went retracing our trip and by the time we got back to The Top of The World Highway it was opened. They had cleared the second, smaller avalanche. Well that was an interesting adventure. Don’t want to repeat it but we’re glad we had that experience. Yep! I know! We are nuts! But that’s part of the fun.
The Top of The World Highway is not too difficult to drive in good weather conditions like we had today. A sunny day, no rain, and a dry gravel/dirt road. The views are too wonderful to really capture in a photograph though we tried.
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