Arriving in Tok on the ALCAN
......and each step is only the beginning. The opening lyrics from the movie 'First Blood'. Very nearly apropos for a journey of this length. Welcome to Alaska and the 'Coldest Inhabited Community in North America'. We arrive in Tok, Alaska after 14 days on the road and 1200 miles from Dawson Creek, B.C. We weren't in much of a hurry this time. Although we did have to contend with 2 forest fires which made us wary of our routing at times. Through which we stayed at Fort Nelson, Tetsa River, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Haines Junction, Haines, before arriving in the 49th state. It is still 90 miles once we arrive at the border of Alaska till you arrive in the first community of Tok. Port Alcan does not offer anything, but customs. The Bordertown Truck Stop is closed. Either gas up at Beaver Creek, YT (18 miles before US Customs) or Northway Jct. (40 miles inside Alaska). Cell phones ON, although service in Alaska can be spotty. www.tokalaskainfo.com
But, I digress...…..leaving Dawson Creek we traveled 281 miles to Fort Nelson. A pretty basic one stop overnight. Nice community with all the amenities. Triple G Hideaway RV CG full hookups here CA>US $35.
Triple G Hideaway Fort Nelson
The next day was a short one (70 miles) as we wanted to stop over at the Tetsa River Area. 5 years ago we camped at the Provincial Park by the river near here, which was very scenic. No services; much like a State Forest Campground. This year we wanted to stay at the campground at Tetsa River Lodge. A quaint, scenic setting in the forest behind the lodge. 25 campsites with water and electricity (supplied by generator 5 a.m. till 9 p.m.), WiFi, showers, laundry, and a dump station. The WiFi is spotty at best. CA>US$25.96 The lodge contains a small café, gift shop, and gas/diesel available here as well. We enjoyed our peaceful overnight and the next morning made our way back to the café early for some coffee and their WORLD FAMOUS CINNABUNS OF THE GALLACTIC CLUSTER. 
Cinnabun of the Gallactic Cluster
Leaving here we traveled west and UP. You cross the tallest pass in the Northern Rockies Canadian National Park that is also perhaps the most scenic. There is an incredible rustic campground on top at Summit Lake, but this time of year it is still frozen with LOTS of snow on the ground. Later in the summer it is a great overnight opportunity. Views, vistas, summits, and hiking. The area supports a large population of Stone Sheep.
Canadian Northern Rockies, Summit Lake, B.C.
Coming off the pass we head NW along Muncho Lake. It is VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO STOP FOR GAS DURING THIS STRETCH. It has the highest of prices for the entire highway. If needed gas up before here at Toad River Lodge or after at Liard Hot Springs. My cousin warned me about this 5 years ago and I still tripped up and stopped in...…….CA>US$7.98 gallon for diesel. Sometimes I still sit gingerly when I remember it. Nonetheless it is important not to let your tank get much below half before you start looking for gas during this stretch. I gassed up at Toad River and it was still $4.58.
Liard Hot Springs
At Liard Hot Springs there is a campground here for overnight (or longer) guests and the main attraction, the Liard Hot Springs are a delicious distraction to all the road miles either coming or going. From here it is a short distance further to our overnight at Watson Lake, now in the Yukon Territory. This is another small sized town with all the needed amenities, including their main attraction, The Sign Post Forest. This was started in 1942 by a homesick GI stationed there helping to build the Alaskan Highway. He put up a sign post pointing in the direction of his hometown, Danville, IL 2348 miles. From there it just grew with every passing motorist. As of summer 2018 there are over 88,000 signposts snaking back through the forest for several acres. Every visitor is encouraged to add one of their own, including ours from 2014.
Watson Lake, YT Signpost Forest
We stayed at Downtown RV Park, a large graveled off parking lot with 80+ large side by side back in or pull through sites with full hookups. They offer full hookups, showers, laundry, and WiFi although the WiFi is only good for about an hour tops. It is next door to the Sign Post Forest and within walking distance of anything else you night need while here, including a grocery store next door. CA>US $37. The Alaska Highway undergoes nearly constant roadwork in order to keep up with the demands of the weather. We ran into a 5 mile patch of one lane work just south of Teslin. Not bad, muddy at the end.
Waiting in line...ALCAN Road Work
From here it is a 271 mile journey to Whitehorse, YT. At 28,000 population, this is the largest city in the Yukon. We stayed 2 days for chillin' and a grocery stop. This was supposed to be a 'boondock' stop with us setting up our local settlement in the Walmart Parking lot along with about 3 dozen RVs per night enroute either to or from Alaska. However, it was NOT meant be as Walmart abruptly changed their long standing policy. They caved into pressure from locals saying there is too much noise, partying, and trash. It is RV Park camping ONLY in Whitehorse from now on. So for us it was back to the Pioneer Park RV Park, just south of town. Simple, large park (not fancy) with laundry, showers, propane, garage & maintenance services, gas pumps with a 3 cents per liter discount, and anything else you might want for CA>US $24.75/day. On our way back from Haines we boondocked along the shores of Kluane Lake so as to lessen our final day distance into Tok.
Pioneer RV Park Whitehorse, Yukon
Black Bear (by BJ Hilts)
Wood Bison (by BJ Hilts)
During this leg of the trip I prepared The BABS with Tomato Soup, Cajun Crawfish Green Bean Casserole, Southern Shrimp Salad, MISO South & Lumpia, and BBQ Beef Sausage with Beans & Mac Salad to name a few.
Tomato Soup & the BABS (Bacon, Apple, Blue Cheese, Swiss) grilled
"I go to seek a great perhaps"
John Green
WiFi courtesy of Sourdough Campground
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