Friday, May 18, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 21–Whitehorse to Dease Lake

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

Apparently today is Friday. I had lost track of the days/dates a while ago, but didn’t realize it was this bad. I had no idea it was Friday until I got a #FF on twitter. I slept in again in Whitehorse. I meant to be on the road by 8am, but didn’t roll out of bed until 30 minutes after that. I planned another 400 mile day and wanted to be on the road early to give myself plenty of time. In some ways it worked out because there was a lot of frost on the road after Whitehorse that was just melting by the time I rolled through. An hour earlier might have been more interesting.

Breakfast Part 2 at Teslin Lake:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

The road towards Watson Lake was a repeat of the way up. Not very scenic and it was just as cold as when I was on it almost two weeks ago. I don’t think I saw the mercury creep past 40F until lunch time. It made for a chilly ride. I got snowed on several times, but no big deal. I prefer the snow to rain. Snow doesn’t get my nearly as wet and cold as rain. Then again, it could be warm and rainy. It was 95F in Minneapolis today. What a difference.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

I found a nice little spot for lunch that was all full of snow on the way up, so I pulled in to try it out. There was a guy sleeping in an orange car near the entrance, so I pulled into the back to give him some space. He woke up and left shortly after I started preparing my lunch.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

When I finished making my lunch, a large F350 super diesel pulled in. It looked like he was going to stop in the parking lot up front, but nope. He came to the back and parked less than 10 feet from me in a parking lot the size of a football field. He parked in the one spot blocking my view of the mountain from the picnic table I was at too. I switched tables. He sat in his truck rummaging around and let it idle for a few minutes before he got out, and walked to the front area to enter the walking trail. Really?! Gar. Why not park up there buddy?? I didn’t have any paper, or I would have left him a note.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

I eventually made it to the junction with 37, the start of the Cassiar Highway. I filled up at the gas station there, and also took the time to fill up my extra gas can. I didn’t think I would need it today to get to Dease Lake, but might as well fill it.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

The Cassiar Highway is far from a “Highway”. It is even less of a road than the Alaska Highway. For starters, it is much more narrow, mostly doesn’t have a shoulder, and there are no painted lines. The trees are also closer to the road. It felt like a small gravel road in the middle of northern Minnesota, but the Cassiar seems paved.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

My guide books say there is a bit of gravel, but the guy from florida said he didn’t remember any. The rest stops have little maps which show gravel. I went through one of those sections and saw none. I hope that the guy is correct, and they have finished paving it. I’m not scared of gravel, but I make much better time on a paved road than a gravel one.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

The Cassiar was a great road. From the north, it is very rough until about mile 70 and then it smooths out. It starts in the trees, but then turns into a mountain valley.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

As any good mountain road, it has plenty of corners and ups and downs.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

I really enjoyed the last 60 miles before Dease Lake.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

The scenery was great so far.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

I hope it continues all the way down to 16. I will probably make a detour tomorrow to visit Hyder, AK.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

Daylight shades are awesome up here when it gets dark so late:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

Provincial Camp grounds have free wood. I ate lunch in one of these to escape the wind as it was empty on my way up.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 21 - Whitehorse to Dease Lake

 

Day 21 – Full Flickr Album (39 pics)

 

Video: Teslin Lake

13 comments:

  1. Google says that your video is private. Great news about the Cassiar. I think I may take it down as well. Much more interesting than some parts of the Alaska Hwy. Frost the road, eh? That would have made things interesting. Beautiful photos, it doesn't look burned anymore as it was on my last trip. I wa wondering how far down the Cassiar you were going to get today.

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    1. Whoops! Thanks for catching that. public now.

      I thought the burned part was in the south? I guess we'll have to see.

      Yes, it is nicer than the Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson, but Fort Nelson to Watson Lake is quite nice too. Watson to Whitehorse is the worst I think.

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  2. Why is it that out of a whole parking lot people have to park on top of you? It is one of my pet peeves. Like being in a seat yourself restaurant and no one else is there, but the next guy that walks in sits at the table next to you. We've got up and moved more than a few times. End rant.

    More great pics. How many more days before you hit warmer weather?

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    1. I know right! I am so with you on. Most people up here give lots of space, but some are just oblivious.

      No idea when it warms up. Never been here before. Soon I suspect. South = Warmer. :)
      I did see green grass again today for the first time since Seward/Palmer.

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  3. Chris, the guy in the RV just wanted to be close to the "cool guy in the Ducati". He's obviously in desperate need of validation by being seen with the cool kids...

    dom

    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

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  4. What an awesome trip you are having! The pictures are incredible.

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  5. I can't decide how to feel about the Cassiar being all paved. On one hand, the clay/gravel sections were insanely slick when wet. on the other, getting through those sections was an adventure. I will probably never bother to ride the Pike's Peak road again, now that it's paved. In my mind, the road is ruined. "Pave paradise, put up a parking lot." Even worse, make it a road even cruisers can travel. There goes the neighborhood.

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    1. there are still other unpaved roads for you to enjoy.

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  6. Looks like you are having lots of fun Chris! --Bin

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  7. Was this road better than the Alaska Hwy?
    I think I will be returning the same way as you, all the way to Prince George

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    1. I would take the Cassiar again vs repeating the first half of the Alaska highway if I was going to Vancouver, problem is the "yellow head highway" aka 16 is complete junk, so...

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