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I decided to come as far as Skagway, & I’m sure glad I did. The geology on the Yukon Hwy is stunning! Skagway itself is a tourist trap like so many towns up here. Without the cruse lines many of these out of the way towns wouldn’t exist. Can’t fault that.

The other night in Dawson I had set my watch back instead of ahead. I finally went to bed at 1am & the SUN WAS SHINNING IN MY EYES!!! 

The Hwy follows the White pass, one east of Chillkoot pass. Thats the one the miners took that became so famous. I can’t believe that each person had to lug one ton of supplies up & over these mountains. They are very steep that most horses died while trying to get their loads up.

 

Last night in Carmacks, YT I had dinner at a basement cafe in the only public house in the town. With me were 2 indians that were a little intoxicated. They were also trying to get a young 20 something to have coffee with them. The server who also turned out to be the cook, who turned out to be the manager finally told the men that the young’un was her daughter & both of the men were old enough to be her father! When they heard that they got louder until she asked them to leave. When the one got up & pulled his coat off the chair it knocked both settings on to the floor. Crash, bang…both cups shattered. They both laughted, she got mad & chased them both out. What a performance! Didn’t mind eating alone after that.

Back to the scenery. At the top of the pass is a valley. But it is covered by huge, rough metamorphic rocks & scrub spruce. It was other worldly:

Most of this area is covered in permafrost. But by Carcross there are sand dunes! On the bottom of the lakes you can see lighter swaths under the water

When I stopped for the night I don’t think I knew that I was next to the active railroad line. All the passengers waved to me as I was setting up the rig!

Tomorrow its back up to the Alaskan Hwy then South on #37 to Prince George, BC

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