Day 14 - June 23, 2009 - Nugget City to Watson Lake to Stewart

Today took us back to Watson Lake to see the Sign Forest because we missed it the first time we came thru (to make a long story why it was Mikes fault). Good thing it was only 20 km back to Watson Lake. Then back to Nugget City YK to take the turnoff south down Hwy 37 (Stewart-Cassiar Hwy) down thru Good Hope Lake, Dease Lake, Iskut, Meziadin Junction, and finally to Stewart BC. Had about 30 km of gravel/mud/potholed roads just before Dease Lake. Rained off and on from Dease Lake to Stewart. Temps today 13 to 18C. Saw 4 or 5 bears off the road munching on grass. Mike didnt want to coax them closer while I took pictures. This would have been a very scenic ride down a winding road if it weren't for the low ceiling and rain. Total mileage for today was about 680 km.

Packing up at Nugget City.

The Sign Forest in Watson Lake. Its a lot bigger than I thought.

Medicine Hat is missing a sign.

A lot of signs from Germany.

Found a sign from Calgary!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dirt road just before Dease Lake.

Going down the Stewart Cassiar Highway.

Brown bear on shoulder of road eating grass.

Filling up gas in Iskut.

Here comes the rain.

Around a corner.

Yet another construction zone.

Getting the rain gear on.

Checking into our motel in Stewart BC

Day 13 - June 22, 2009 - Skagway to Nugget City (near Watson Lake)

Spent the morning looking around downtown Skagway Alaska (population about 900). 'This was one of the starting points for gold-seekers of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. They had to go up the Chilkoot Pass from nearby Dyea or the White Pass from Skagway. Very well done up gold rush town for tourists.....lots of cruise ships stop here. Pretty high end merchandise though with many jewelry, fur, and art stores.

We crossed alot of borders today as we went from Alaska to BC to Yukon to BC to Yukon. Todays route took us from Skagway AK to Carcross BC to Tagish BC to Teslin BC, to Nugget City (just outside of Watson Lake YK). About 530 km.......a short day.

Rode up to the old Dyea about 10 km from Skagway then rode up White Pass that divides US and Canada. Weather was overcast with sprinkles and cool (8 to 14C). Landscape from top of White Pass to first Yukon-BC border was very stark but scenic. Very scenic to Carcross. After Teslin there wasn't much so we openned up the throttle and burned it to Nugget City.

Wandering around downtown Skagway. Very touristy.

Our motel.

Loading up the bikes to leave Skagway.

Lookout over Skagway.

Two cruise ships came in overnight. Town was very busy this morning.

Dirt/Gravel road to Dyea.

Start of the Chilkoot pass at Dyea.

Chilkoot Pass thata way.

Mike heading back down from Dyea. Inlet on right where Klondikers sailed in on.

Bald eagle

Narrow dirt road with no guard rail.

Looking back at Dyea.

Heading up White Pass.

US border post before actual border. Canadian border post was another 12 away on other side of actual border. What happened to border posts at the actual border???

View from top of White Pass looking down valley below.

View other way.

Bleak and stark landscape on Canada side of border.

Canada border post 12 km from border. Mike getting grilled by the

customs agent. He had to go in after for a full body-cavity search............just kidding

Going down to Bennet Lake. Howling tail wind but at least it was sunny.

Road going down

Yet another river crossing.

Back at Nugget City. Hard to believe we were here over 10 days ago......seems like just a few days ago.