I did a thing.

Have driven on a few bucket list highways now:

The Dempster Highway (from mile zero to about km 116)

The Alaska Highway (Dawson Creek, BC (Mile Zero) to Haines Junction, YT (Approx km 1600) - only completed about 2/3 of it, didn't have time to go into Alaska on this trip)

Top of the World Highway (not very far, spent most of the time in the area exploring an abandoned dredge, the Goldfields, The Dempster, etc)

Have about 4,000 photos to go through from the two weeks I spent up there. Flew into Edmonton, AB and picked up a rental, and then drove up to Dawson City, YT and back. It was about 6500km on the rental (doubled the mileage we got it with). I'm already planning my return. The Yukon is the most amazing place I've ever been.

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The Dempster:

Vaguely ominous one-lane bridge commemorates the beginning of the Dempster highway where it intersects with the Klondike Highway in the Yukon, warning potential travellers that there are no emergency services on the highway (and no cell service).
It is recommended that if you would like to attempt it, that you bring food/water/2+ spare tires/your vehicle is mechanically sound/etc). There is only one service station, about halfway to Inuvik, NWT at Eagle Plains.

I can't say enough for how beautiful this highway is. It is absolutely amazing. If it wasn't a rental vehicle and we had spares, I absolutely would've pushed to at least the Arctic Circle (about 400km). The highway is 1.5m off the road, built to be insulated from the permafrost so that the road does not sink into the ground. It's driven on and treated like any other highway in the area - people who have driven it and the transport trucks coming up and down from Inuvik drive at over 100km/h, leaving behind a trail of dust and the sharp rocks with which the highway is built.

The first 100km of the highway takes you through the Tombstone mountain range, and then opens up into tundra as you approach the Ogilivie mountain range.

I will absolutely be back with my own vehicle to complete the highway.

YOU DIDN'T MENTION WHAT KIND OF CAR THE RENTAL WAS

Posted by bandi YOU DIDN'T MENTION WHAT KIND OF CAR THE RENTAL WAS

2018 Ford Escape.

The booking was for a "Rav4 or equivalent." When I got to the rental company in Edmonton they gave the option of a Rogue or Escape.

It wasn't as terrible as I anticipated, but I wouldn't buy one. 6500km in one was enough for me. The thing where cars turn off and restart at lights/stop signs/whatever is also -incredibly- annoying.


One more because I'm in love with this place:

This is the stretch between the Tombstone and Ogilvie mountain ranges.. We pulled out the BBQ and had sausages in the tundra. Pretty amazing place. Photos really don't do it justice, and don't describe how huge the mountains and landscape are.

Yeah, as someone who generally drives old crap, stop-start systems always catch me off guard. "WHY DID IT STALL?!"

The new Tiguan has it, and I just know starters will start failing and people will be left stranded at traffic lights.

Looks like it was an awesome trip!

Posted by bandi Yeah, as someone who generally drives old crap, stop-start systems always catch me off guard. "WHY DID IT STALL?!" The new Tiguan has it, and I just know starters will start failing and people will be left stranded at traffic lights. Looks like it was an awesome trip!

this is one of the reasons I don't really want a new cruze… my friend David has a 2016 Cruze that has the stop-start feature and it's flamingly annoying. Also, how much wear and tear is that adding to the starter. On a Chevy, you can defeat it by putting the transmission selector into manual mode... that disables it, but what a pain in the ass every time you come up to a stop light.

Posted by bandi Yeah, as someone who generally drives old crap, stop-start systems always catch me off guard. "WHY DID IT STALL?!" The new Tiguan has it, and I just know starters will start failing and people will be left stranded at traffic lights. Looks like it was an awesome trip!

Between that and not having a clutch pedal, I was pretty confused for the first few days. You can disable it, but you have to hit the button every single time you get in the car. I really do wonder about the longevity of the starter! The transmission in the Escape also reminded me of my black wagon's transmission (but it might've just been confused that it was driving around the Yukon and not taking the kids to soccer practice).

The trip itself was one of the single best things I've ever done in my life. The Yukon is where my people are (or lack thereof - 33,000 in the entire territory). Not to mention the number of cars that have long since rotted away here - I lost count of how many Tercel and Corolla wagons I saw for example. Dawson City was one big Toyota truck show. I certainly know where I'm going when I'm licensed in two years, and they also offer crazy benefits and incentives for people to move up there.

Sam - I plan on driving 2003 JettaWagens for the rest of my life, haha....I don't like newer VWs, and obviously I can't get a new TDI. 2003 is the only year they had the wagon here with the ALH engine as well. Thankfully in the Yukon, everyone seems to have collections of cars (SO MANY RUST FREE WAGONS ALSO), so I will just start hoarding them up there.



I don't know if any of you are familiar with the Sour Toe Cocktail - but I also did that while I was up there. You have to.



https://dawsoncity...toe-cocktail-club/

I'd like to do the James Bay road and Transtaiga road in Northern Quebec.

The terminus of the Transtaiga road, at the 55th parallel, is the farthest point from any town (745 kilometres (463 mi)) via road in North America.

Quebec does have a lot of power generating stations in the north. If you can get there, they'll give you a tour for free.

Posted by Mickael I'd like to do the James Bay road and Transtaiga road in Northern Quebec. The terminus of the Transtaiga road, at the 55th parallel, is the farthest point from any town (745 kilometres (463 mi)) via road in North America. Quebec does have a lot of power generating stations in the north. If you can get there, they'll give you a tour for free.

This is actually on the list for next year, and to see the James Bay Project.

If you're into hydro dams, this one was pretty neat: https://www.bchydr...T.mc_id=rd_bennett

I checked it out while I was in the Northern Rockies last week.

Just got back from a 3 day/1200 mile classic car rally, and was chatting with the organizer (a good friend of mine) about his idea for a possible 18 day classic car rally starting in British Columbia and going through the Yukon to Alaska. Sounds like a lot could go wrong, but my attention has definitely been caught.

(Also, regarding the thing I just got back from, I need a DeTomaso Pantera now. I always liked them but after getting up close and personal with one, I think need to sell the house.)

Posted by bandi Just got back from a 3 day/1200 mile classic car rally, and was chatting with the organizer (a good friend of mine) about his idea for a possible 18 day classic car rally starting in British Columbia and going through the Yukon to Alaska. Sounds like a lot could go wrong, but my attention has definitely been caught. (Also, regarding the thing I just got back from, I need a DeTomaso Pantera now. I always liked them but after getting up close and personal with one, I think need to sell the house.)

my father has wanted one since the day they came out... that's a long time to lust a car (he's 68)

He's a smart man. What a neat car.





I've driven higher end vintage stuff with some pretty cheap feeling interiors (aircooled 911s are guilty of this, although I love them unconditionally, I feel like the interiors leave a lot to be desired, ditto with the Esprit, Mondials, 308, etc), but the attention to detail in this thing was amazing. And that gated dogleg shifter? Perfection.

Lots of trunk space, too!

18 day classic car rally starting in British Columbia and going through the Yukon to Alaska. Sounds like a lot could go wrong, but my attention has definitely been caught.

The big thing would be making sure you're self sufficient. There's very long stretches between everything, and not a lot of cell service. Which I found really nice - not having my phone bother me all day, every day - but if you needed help, you could be waiting a while.


Sounds like summer 2019's plan is the Trans-Labrador Highway.

https://www.newfou...s-labrador-highway

Apparently they lend you satellite phones. The first 80km is paved, then it's just gravel.





If all goes well, 2020 will be a cross-country adventure to the Yukon.