Banff to Whitehorse - 1,376 Miles through some spectacular country Friday June 14th - Monday June 17th

Banff to Whitehorse 1,376 miles

Brian and I had a proper start to our morning in Banff - Almost "Common Grounds" Quality

We left Banff on Friday Morning, June 14th, the weather was cool but dry, a few clouds.

First stop was Lake Louise

Then up the Icefield Parkway towards Jasper AB

Dog Head Lake - was beautiful

We stopped to put on Rain Gear when the clouds got grey ahead of us and rode through intermittent showers to Jasper where we fueled both bikes and humans.

Charlene ate the whole thing!

A couple of young Cow Elk watched us depart Jasper for Grand Cache AB

One of our companions, Randy Brazie, left us before Jasper, he rode West while we rode North.  Randy should have ridden North, he might not have encountered Bambi!

Bambi was the worse for wear

Randy's '14 GS will remain in Canada - Totaled

Thankfully, Randy wasn't hurt.  ATGATT!

We didn't learn of Randy's trials and tribulations until after our arrival in Grand Cache.

Stormy skies to the North West from our turn off onto AB 40

As we approached our stop in Grand Cache AB the skies cut loose, we headed for the nearest cover, a gas station where we all fueled and let the storm abate, hail, torrential rain lightning, and thunder were all quite dramatic.

We had a nice room, a good supper and a good nights sleep in Grand Cache.

Saturday, June 15th we had a 477 mile run to Fort Nelson BC.  

The first two hours to Grand Prairie AB were mountainous, twisty and filled with Oil Field traffic. The run from Grand Prairie to Dawson Creek, the start of the ALCAN was through open farm country on straight roads. 

We stopped in Dawson Creek at Milepost "0" of the ALCAN, visited the museum and visitors center before heading up the ALCAN, first stop was at the Kaskatinaw Bridge, Milepost 21, the first bridge on the ALCAN, a curved wooden structure still standing since 1942.

We then headed on towards Fort Nelson through wooded and rolling terrain, skirting a few Thunderstorms but never getting more than a sprinkle.

We arrived in Fort Nelson about 1700 and immediately celebrated at the local Pub.

An early night and 0800 KSU for the relatively short Sunday, June 16th run to Watson Lake/Nugget City.  When we left Fort Nelson it was nearly 70F, but by the time we reached our first fuels stop at Toad River we were cold, rain was falling, and temps were in the low 50's.  

A cup of coffee and a piece of Bumbleberry Pie restored our spirits.  

The weather remained cool but only a few sprinkles from random showers the rest of the way to Watson Lake and the famous "Signpost Forest" which was started in 1942 by a GI and has been improved upon by travelers ever since.

After a few photos at the Forest, we proceeded West to Nugget City and a well-earned beer

Internet sucked at Nugget City, you had to sit outside and fight the blood-thirsty moskies so we gave up after a couple of Father's day calls were completed.

Monday Morning, June 17th we made the relatively short 258 mile run to Whitehorse where we are currently situated.  We had a nice dinner at the "Alaska Salmon and Ribs" a few blocks from the wonderful "Elite" hotel where we are catching up on correspondence, facebook, email, and this Blog.

Tomorrow is a "Day-off-the-bikes" while we walk and explore Whitehorse gaining both knowledge and culture!.

Wednesday we will make the 331 mile trip up the Klondike Highway to Dawson City YT and the "27th Annual Dust to Dawson Gathering".  While in Dawson City we will rendezvous with several of our brave FJR compatriots from far-eastern Canada who having been to Alaska will be on their way home.