Here is our detour around the washout. They put us on an old section of the Alaska Highway, which has not been used in many years, but some asphalt was visible. When I arrived at the detour, the pilot truck was just taking off, so I wasn’t able to stop for more info. The woman who turned me around yesterday was there holding the flag. She recognized me, and we both waved. Since we came back out onto the highway well beyond the “issue”, I have no idea what happened or how severe it was.
For the most part I’ve been camping out on this trip, but I decided to splurge when I arrived in Watson Lake and rented a room at the Air Force Lodge.
Originally built in 1942 as a barracks for pilots flying during WWII, the building has been refurbished, although many of the barracks-like amenities are still to be found.
The owner is a blast, and we spent quite a bit of time talking Rovers, VW’s and life in the North.
A great place to stay along the Alaska Highway, and actually one of the least expensive. Highly recommended.
The Alaska Highway is closed due to a washout. I was given no info on time or severity. My only instructions were: “Enjoy Whitehorse.”
How much rain have we had up here in The North? Well, the picture above is of The Alaska Highway gone River. All roads leading to Alaska from the Yukon Territory have been blocked by washouts after more heavy rain and still melting snow.
Holy shit! The tourists were right all along… Alaska IS an island!
The Alaska Highway is closed from Destruction Bay to Haines Junction, and from Teslin to Junction 37. That’s roughly 220 miles of highway. The Klondike Highway is also closed due to washouts. It’s expected to take days to reopen The Alcan. One washout between Teslin & 37 is over 200′ wide and 20′ deep. That is a bit of a gully.
When asked when the roads were expected to open, The Yukon Territory’s Highways and Public Works spokeswoman Aisha Montgomery said, “We’re hesitant to give specific times.” Especially when the salmon are running…
To the 100 travelers who are stuck between a mudslide and a washout near the Rancheria Lodge I say: “Welcome to the Yukon!”
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“I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry.
Then I looked at the window and thought: Why, yes, it's just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and turned over, sadder still, and fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on.”
— Ray Bradbury from “Green Shadows, White Whale…”
