I decided to leave the old tires and some other things at the Campground as Mandeep said I could. I will be coming back this way to go down highway 37 on the way home and we can remount the old tires as the ones I have on now will probably be shot. I packed up in a light rain with a wet tent.
This was a very grueling day for me. If had it to do over I would have went through Whitehorse but that is hindsight. The Campbell Highway heads north out of Watson Lake and there really is a lake called Watson.
It rained lightly as I left then quit. I had only gone a few miles when I ran into construction. The next 100 miles were rough. I had one vehicle pass me and I met my first vehicle after 41 miles. The entire trip I probably only seen ten vehicles from Watson Lake to Ross River. After 100 miles then it started to rain and the roads were slick in places.
Not your typical Kansas construction zone.
What the road looked like.
Had it not been for the knobby tires I may have dumped it. I did not take many pictures due to the rain. One large area had burned several years ago and had lots of dead pines so it was not pretty. I did not see any wildlife which was probably due to the roads and rain. I had to pay very close attention to my driving to avoid potholes, washouts and ruts. The trees also grew right up to the road so in order to see something they would likely be in the road so I am glad I didn’t see any. There are actually a few shacks up in this area.
Wildflowers
There were a couple of campgrounds and at one place a landing strip. I think it was to fly moose hunters in because I seen many moose pies along the road.
I had to stop for gas at Ross River and it was about 8 miles off the main road. It is 212 miles from Watson to Ross River and I could have gone about another 30 miles on my tank then I am carrying 2 plus gallons. It was raining hard when I arrived at Ross River and I found the gas station. I couldn’t get the pump to work so had to go inside to have them turn it on. There is very little pay at the pump in these remote areas. I store and town was disgusting. It was about 3:30 PM and I inquired about lodging. I went to the hotel and it did not look very appealing and she said the price was $125 for kitchenette and after much discussion the upstairs rooms were $85 cash, no credit. The place had been shut down for three months and they were just reopening it. I told her I would pass, There were lots of Indians in the area and they said the grayling were really biting.
So I headed out of town and towards Carmacks which is 136 miles. The Lapie River runs through this area and there was a campground but everything was wet and I was in no mood for tenting again.
This road was much better and the scenery was very pretty. Again no pictures because of the rain. At Faro the road turned to pavement and I was in heaven. I was making good time until about 30 miles south of Carmacks I came to construction. I slowed way down probably to 25 or 30 mph and went into the quagmire. I was fighting hard to keep it upright but it was sinking in about three inches and very loose and slick. I went down in the slime. I tried setting it up and hurt my back. One of the construction workers, they only one there, came over to help. We set it up and promptly it fell to the other side. We got it up and I got on and thanked him. This was the worse stuff I have ever tried to go through. I had to keep my balance with my legs which is not good. It would hit one of the ruts and try to go over and if you got in the wrong place it was too deep. I would have to stop ever so often to breathe. This area was about a mile long and I was really thankful to get out of it without falling again. There was still construction for about 20 miles but it was about like the other roads earlier.
This area was so beautiful with Little Salmon Lake that was not very little. It went on for miles but no pictures. I finally hit pavement again for the last ten miles and crossed the Yukon River into Carmacks. I headed to the only hotel and got a room for $125 and darn glad to have it. I had mud caked to my boots and pants. I cleaned them off in the sink. These are all waterproof but I didn’t have the cuff tight enough and some had come up my leg and one sock was a little wet.
One dirty bike.
I got unpacked and tried the Wifi to contact Mary but couldn’t get it to work. My cell wouldn’t either. I went to the cafe and had a $20 burger and beer and again only cash. It was large enough for two people. I wish they would charge less and have smaller orders. I was at least able to Skype Mary and we seen each other, then lost connection.
June 17
I didn’t leave Carmacks this morning until 9 AM. I did some writing after I got up and called my wife Mary on Skype. It was sunny when I started out then rained a little. Then the day turned perfect with beautiful clouds and blue skies.
Yukon River
I stopped at Stewart Crossing at noon and had breakfast. I had some construction and one bad place where they had just graded the loose rock that were several inches deep. Very hard to drive in as the front tire wanted to sink it. I arrived here at Klondike River Lodge about 2:30 and decided I better stay here and start fresh in the morning. I am camping again tonight.
Could have had a small room for $89. Since it don’t get dark I could ride all night but not a wise thing to do. So in the morning I will start east on the Dempster Highway and head to Inuvik, 450 miles of gravel and then return the same route. I only rode 200 miles today.
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