Arctic Travel - California to Arctic and Back in Winter

For sure. Not trying to be a dick; but as DoorDing said... Slow down. Salt and sand are virtually non-existent once you get to the "real road". As soon as I got north of Dawson Creek there was a plethora of cars and trucks towing 5th wheel campers in the ditches - the weather had turned to shit, and a recovery wasn't feasible until the spring thaw. Don't be one of those guys.

Another word of advice - be very careful traveling over the holidays. Most of the gas stations in the YT have no problem with closing for the holidays - especially after dark. I literally made it to Palmer Junction on fumes due to my own ignorance.

 

Yes, thank you. I filled up all 4 cans in Seattle( 18-20 gallons on stand by).

 

Travel times are the same but place were a bit ahead.

 

Totally botched that post - stay with me whilst I navigate these interwebs...






You're on the cusp of the snow covered section of the highway. Don't expect it to go away until June. That being said; I found that most of is has okay traction. Don't expect to stop within a reasonable distance, as it's not going to happen.

There were a couple of conditions I found that had absolutely shit traction; the one that sticks out most prominently was this:



Shit traction on top of an ice base. You'll become familiar with a highly scientific method deemed the "Pucker Factor".

Most of the road has good traction, though.

If I'm bugging you with my posts, let me know... Mostly you're making me want to do the drive again.

 

Hey team, It turns out my previous post came out all negative. But the fact is, Canada is just awesome, it's absolutely beautiful. I wish I could spend a week between Hope, BC and CacheCreek, BC( right along hwy 1). This is what vacations are made of....





On way to Prince George, BC

 

No, you are not bugging anyone...keep them coming.

 

We have been having a great warm winter ... Not allot of snow. it should be smooth driving through the Yukon ... Water is still open everywhere so expect some ice fog along the way if the temperatures dip. I'll PM you my info

 

The moose by MacLeod Lake are especially frequent!You will see the places they break through the snow bank to come out on the road to lick the salt. They are the same colour as the pavement so especially hard to notice at night with their head down on the pavement. If you are going to collide with a moose, get your head down onto the passenger seat; Those 800lbs are coming into your windshield!

Bijoux Falls is always a cool spot to stop, just before you climb up the hill into Pine Pass. In the Pine Pass be aware , even if the road is bare and wet in the winter there are several sharp corners that are shaded all day, and end up being very icy. There are two or three corners like that with the river on your left side, and the mountain side on your right as you are headed to Chetwynd. Heart Lake is a cool area, with a Forestry camp site. There are a few cabins on the short gravel road in, so sometimes it is kept open in the winter, but not always.

There are two routes outside of Chetwynd, one takes you via Hudson's Hope to Ft.St. John, and is actually shorter for you as it comes out on far NW end of Ft.St. John. The W.A.C Bennett Dam is right close by on this route, and is an impressive sight. The other route makes a big triangle route to Ft.St. John via Chetwynd North east to Dawson Creek, (a must tourist stop) then west to Ft.St. John and is the most common route. We always took a shortcut to cut that triangle off via Sunset Prairie Rd (gravel roads through rural farms, and oil patch) Side trip to Tumbler Ridge is cool, lots of wildlife in there.

 

Yup, they have the snowflake. I use them as my summer tire. LOL

 

I wish! but I have to get back to my kid. Now that I know places like this do exists not just in movies or fairytales, I will be coming back. This place is an absolute paradise.

 

That big rock in the Thompson River is called "the frog" I've been through that section when there is water coming onto the highway (one lane was closed , and traffic controlled) and the water pillow was pushing up against and pouring over the frog! They white water run that section of River from Spences Bridge to Lytton. Clinton through to 100 Mile House can be especially nasty in a winter storm! lots of black ice. Your last pic looks like just south of 100 Mile House. If that's right, there is a forestry lookout tower at the top of the hill on the right, called Begbie Mtn. It's a short 5-10min. hike for some awesome views from there, especially on a clear day.

 

Jealous.
Just started watching the expedition overland series on YouTube an it makes me want to go up that way so bad.

Stay safe Vijay

 

The best thread I've read all week!!
I live vicariously through others' adventures.

 

Looks like fun.
OP,please tell me you have a gun.
Be careful.

 

he drove through canada, if he had one when he started he probably doesn't have it anymore...lol

 

Its true , everybody I know is likely to die at any moment

 

Me too! Something about being an organism

 

Post of the year!

 

Great pics.

How long is this trip? Duration, was it ever touched upon?

 

You can bring your long gun into Canada, just not the assault carbine or handgun.
http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/bringing-weapons-into-canada.html

I know, amazing place Canada is, where you could die without your gun beside you. We prefer teddy bears.

I read that as 'orgasm' at first glance.