Alaska Highway – The end of the trip

Factsheet 4×1

Date: 21/09/2012 to 24/09/2012

Saímos of: Seattle, WA

Destination: Fairbanks, AK

Distance: 3,660 km

Travel time: 4 days practically integers much road

Path: We follow the Cariboo Highway from Seattle to the city of Prince George, In Canada. From there we about 405km by BC-97 to Dawson Creek, It is a zero milha Alaska Highway. We crossed the road to his entire last mile in Delta Junction, onde tomamos a Richardson Highway em sentido à Fairbanks.

Where to sleep: We stopped in some parking lots of hotels and also in camping areas on the way. Although many establishments were already closed for the winter season, was still possible to find some accommodation.

What eat different: Natural and fresh salmon. The fish is really special there.

Tire cheio: Inspiration and beauty in wild nature. The tour road is like an open air safari. Animals frequently cross the road, full of really inspiring landscapes.

Tire murcho: Many road soon! We did not want to take the risk of taking care of the snow path, then accelerate our journey through Alaska Highway. Unfortunately, leave some interesting and historic towns along the way.

Alaska Highway – The end of the trip

Legendary, mysticism, wild. A single adjective would not be fair to describe what is the famous Alaska Highway. Aside from the symbolism of reaching one end of the Americas, Breathtaking landscapes, intense wildlife and cultural richness in the tone more than two thousand kilometers crossing the frozen north America.

With the delay for the removal of Tanajura Seattle (saw post here), time, what was already a very scarce resource for us, further shortened. September drew to a close, and with it the remnants of summer in Alaska. The sunny days of mild temperatures gave way to days closed more and more cold. The green vegetation went to yellow, typical autumn, and also Snow White, already gave the guys over there in some parts. All this would be less of a problem, A number of roads and attractions along the way not shut due to weather conditions more difficult.

In order to minimize the risk of lost something, between elas or giant Denali, main park area, decided to face the road ahead and cross it as fast as we could, within reasonable limits. Be driving almost straight: 3.660 km em 4 days, an average 915 km per day. There patience for both ground! It was a day after another lot of road, but also several surprises along the way.

Built to connect the isolated territory of Alaska to other states Americans, before the Japanese offensive in the region during the Second World War, a Alaska Highway (also known as Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, ou ALCAN Highway) reason is bliss for many travelers and adventurers on duty. The road crosses officially 2.288 km ou 1.422 corn between the towns of Dawson Creek, in the Canadian state of British Columbia, and Delta Junction, já not Alasca, crossing inhospitable part of the Yukon Territory, Canada's last frontier. Unofficial versions see the road as a continuation of the famous Pan American Highway, Crossing the continent from southern Argentina, or extend into the city of Fairbanks, which was exactly what our final destination.

Unlike the time it was inaugurated, no ano de 1942, the Alaska Highway has now completely paved roads and no longer represents a stretch of difficult and challenging direction, but an unforgettable tour through the northern tip of the Americas. We highlight several stopping points along any path, in what they call the historic mileposts (mileage or historical). The mileposts tell a little of the history and progress of the occupation of the region, maintaining their cultural heritage preserved in museums and centers that care for tourists. The City of Dawson Creek, na British Columbia, is the first one, mile zero of the road. We run around 1,500 km desde Seattle (entitled to a quiet passage by the United States-Canada border and a night's sleep in the city of Prince George, BC), before we reach the famous road. Dali, cruzaríamos every mile Alaska Highway, and extends to the city of Fairbanks, AK, where finally some time relaxaríamos.

Our first day marathon gave us an idea of ​​what the cold and things attached to it can do. The thermometer marked about 4 º C and fog took care of Prince George, BC, when we came in late night, after 900 km run. Our usual search for a place to spend the night was hampered by the closure of several RV parkings (trailer parks) and camping areas, that had already closed for the winter and only come back to work in May 2013! Happily, find um Bed&Breakfast next to the highway. Eventhough lotado, allowed us to sleep in the parking lot, dear in our tents. It would be our first experience with them in a low temperature. Not hot chocolate offered by the friendly owner of the place was enough to warm the morning, when the temperature must be lowered further. But we survived! We thought it was real cold, But the rest of the trip would show us that we still had much to suffer!

We leave early in the morning of Prince George, 406 km ahead towards Dawson Creek (mile 0). A small city in northeastern British Columbia is not the TV series of the decade 90, but the first milestone of our journey through Alaska Highway. We could not help but stop there to collect visitor information in visitors to the city center and also to take a picture on the signs to the entry into one of the most famous roads of the Americas. We also take for lunch at one of the few restaurants in town, trip before heading to Fort Nelson (mile 300), BC, 454 km at frente, where we found an RV parking for the night.

Another day road! The goal now was to get to Whitehorse (mile 918), Ja no Yukon. Incredibly, was the largest of the cities that would meet until the end of the road, Delta Junction em. We could not believe that this could pass the unbelievable 20 THOUSAND INHABITANTS! THAT'S IT, 20 MIL! A football stadium almost full days of classic. And it was actually bigger than its neighbors, passed by cities that did not reach 5 thousand inhabitants. To get an idea, Frosty the territory of Yukon holds just over 30 mil pessoas. From northern British Columbia small towns are relatively similar to each other in the sense that all have either restaurant, a gas station and a church.

On the way, a surprise. A black bear (black bear) crossed the road. For a few seconds he looked scared to Tanajura, As a child get busted on a frolic. Scared, ran into the woods before we could register a photo. We had passed by moose, reindeer, many exotic birds and sheep region. But that was the first bear we saw on trip. We were even more eager to find more of them on the path.

This was the last stretch we had more stops on the way. Recommended by several people we spoke to on the road, decided to make a quick stop at the Liard River Hot Springs (mile 496), where natural pools are surprisingly hot bath in the middle of the ice mountains. Despite the desire, maintained our focus and let the bath after, since the idea was to get to Whitehorse on the same day.

Another stop was in the town of Watson Lake, YT (mile 635). This was essential. During construction of the Alaska Highway, an American soldier homesick began one of the greatest traditions of the road: put a plate in your town in the woods, as a souvenir of their homeland. From dai, Travelers worldwide have done the same. Today the site has more than 75.000 plates of all kinds and origins, forming Sign Post Forest. Who had no plate, made any reference to its passage. Adhesives, pots, carved wood, Tables, all had. We also had to use creativity. Without any card in hand, seen in our beloved Havaianas, the object of the most unique that we could leave Brazil as the mark of the Expedition 4×1 by ali. Thereafter, went straight to Whitehorse, where we would spend our last night until our much desired arrival in Alaska!

Near 480 more road miles and finally arrived! Our first goal in Travel, the farthest and crazy American who would like to arrive by car, who originated the adventure was read, ahead! Arrives in Alaska!! It was an important point for us, since what we called "Gone" was (or at least seemed) coming to an end. All forward away, leaving Alaskan, would be considered our return home. Nearly four months of travel and an important part of the mission was accomplished. Curiously, The day was beautiful, sunny and mosquitoes, to remind us of home.

The border region stretches for some kilometers, and celebrates the peaceful relationship between the two countries, absence of police control in a large stretch of walkway between customs. Moreover, the official border is mark by a band without trees between the two countries. There must record output Canadian border and passed again to the land of Uncle Sam (again without problems).

A few more kilometers and reached the official end of the Alaska Highway, Delta Junction em (mile 1.422), and extend our route to Fairbanks, the real end of the road for several people. The four-day trip, although strenuous, landscapes and experiences have provided some very interesting and remarkable. The entire path, desde a British Columbia, Yukon or ate or Alasca, is permeated by beautiful scenery of mountains and coniferous vegetation. Not to mention the animals that crossed our path on the road! The will was stopping to take pictures all the time.

For those who also want to venture down that road in autumn, we leave here the famous Ten Commandments we just invent on the Alaska Highway:

1) There daytime piscarás! At a glance, Bears, Moose, reindeer, birds or any other animal that you never had the chance to see up close may cross your path. Not to mention the breathtaking landscapes. The icy regions are quite wild and inhospitable, and the nature appears that remains relatively untouched in the region.

2) Find Aurora overnight! Not got lucky with Aurora Borealis in this stretch of the journey, but we were always open eyes. From Yukon do, the chances of seeing this wonderful phenomenon significantly increase. Our friends 1000days recommend a great website to track forecasts (look here).

3) Do not lose a fuel station! It is common to pass over 200 km without any town with a gas to fuel, especially if running with diesel. Although more expensive fuel, mainly non Canada, do not let opportunities pass.

4) Parai on historical miles! Every mile has a historical story to tell or a great asset to meet. Unfortunately we were in a hurry and just go through some of them. We will in.

5) The early bird catches the worm will understand! Most services will close earlier than usual. You will hardly find a restaurant open after 9 night (we pass on that account some perrengues). Nothing that could not be expected to cities with less 5 thousand as most who are on the path.

6) Get ready for winter arrival! Many establishments close for the winter season in mid-September and October. These will remain closed until next summer (May to August). Thereafter, the cold floor and the snow takes over, hindering the circulation in the region (ou até impossibilitando!).

7) You will put a reminder in Watson Lake! Crossing the Alaska Highway and not leave a remembrance in Sign Post Forest it's almost like not having gone.

8) You will eat as much salmon as aguentares! Nas Já Redondezas do Alasca, fresh salmon in restaurants appears more often. Eat as you can!

9) Conduzirás cautiously! Ice and road can be a dangerous combination, therefore all cuidado is little in this case.

10) Will not think twice and you will put the road! The Alaska Highway is a unique experience for lovers of travel and adventure, and certainly should be included in most lists of best road trips around the world.

For more photos of our journey through Alaska Highway, click here.