LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
After spending a short stint in Dawson City, we were back on the road and headed south through the Yukon. Before the trip we’d both been told about the beauty of British Columbia, but we’d heard little to nothing about the Yukon. This made our experience there that much more incredible. With little expectations and knowledge, we were constantly surprised by the clear blue lakes, blankets of thick evergreen forest and sunsets that seemed to last all night.
We found Fox Lake Campground just off the highway, and as it was getting late, we decided to rest here for the night. That night the sky was incredible. We’d not seen a dark night while in Alaska, so the dim, dusk-like light was both a treat and a reminder that our time in the midnight sun was coming to an end.
TRAFFIC, FOREST & SPRINGS
In the morning we hit the road again headed for Liard Hot Springs. We’d heard that these were a must see from park rangers in Oregon and fellow travelers in Alaska.
We stopped at the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake. The number of road signs and licence plates was impressive and we spent some time searching for plates from our home states—Texas and North Carolina.
Back on the road, we were eager to make it to the hot springs, but we were slowed down by some bison traffic. These big guys were in no hurry to make it to the other side of the road.
Heading south, we started to see signs of the Canadian Rockies as hills turned into mountains.
On this stretch of road, we passed more black bears and bison than other motorists.
The springs did not disappoint. The setting was lovely, and although there was a deck and changing rooms, the pool felt natural and fed into a completely untouched creek, which we dipped into to cool off.
MUNCHO LAKE
Driving south from Liard, the landscape continued to become more grand, and we were blown away by our first sight of Muncho Lake. The water and surrounding mountains were beautiful.
We set up camp at the Northern Rockies Lodge. It was more money than we’d normally throw down for a campsite, but we had freelance work to do, and the lodge advertised wifi. After setting up camp we found out just how bad the wifi was, but we just used it as a excuse to spend more time walking along the lake.
While we were there we saw a group of burly Alaskan dudes set off in this single engine plane for a remote week-long hunting trip. We watched as they loaded up their gear. Given the weight limitations, they had to prioritize what to take and what to leave behind. We were surprised a case of Mike’s Hard Lemonade made the cut.
DAWSON CREEK
After Muncho Lake we set off for Dawson Creek, considered to be the official starting point of the Alaska Highway.
As we rolled into town we stopped at a visitor’s center to use their wifi, and there we saw travelers just starting on their journey north to Alaska.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We’d made plans with family to meet in Banff, so we had no choice but to move quickly through the Yukon and northeastern BC. Looking back now, we would’ve liked to have spent more time in both, especially the Yukon. For us, this region is so appealing because of it’s remoteness. Looking out from the Alaska Highway, the vast landscapes appear untouched and nature seems to still rule the land.
The places we were able to stop—Fox Lake, Liard Hot Springs and Muncho Lake—were beautiful. We both hope to find ourselves back in the land of the midnight sun again soon.
As for Dawson Creek, we enjoyed the free wifi and then kept on moving.
CAMPING
Fox Lake campground, $12 CAD
[61.16997, -135.38696]
Watson Lake campground, $12 CAD
[60.09505, -128.81781]
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, $26 CAD
[59.42261, -126.09712]
Northern Rockies Lodge, $40 CAD
[59.00948, -125.77329]
WATER
Liard River Hot Springs, Free entry with camping
[59.42261, -126.09712]
Muncho Lake
[59.00116, -125.77176]
SIGHTS
Watson Lake Yukon Sign Post Forest
[60.06322, -128.71391]
Dawson Creek Mile 0 Marker
[55.75986, -120.2273]