Steve's 2014 Alaska Gold Adventure

[Steve Herschbach]

Whew, glad I got that done! 4-Runner is packed with camping and prospecting gear and three weeks supply of food, will resupply in Fairbanks when I pick Chris up in July. Got some extra stuff for my brother and Chris so it ended up being all I could shoehorn into the rig. Hit the road in the morning for Olympia so this forum will be about the only place I can be reliably found for the immediate future. The getting ready part is stressful so I will decompress when I finally hit the road.

[Steve Herschbach]

Good morning from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory! 41 degrees here this morning, partly cloudy.

Made trip from Reno to Olympia past Mt. Shasta, kind of hazy day but uneventful 12.5 hour drive. Normally I would try to make Hope, Canada just over the border but stopped to visit Mom and nieces. Then up at 4AM to beat Seattle traffic, which worked. Cleared customs at Sumas in maybe 5 minutes. Made last second decision to take western Cassiar route instead of middle Dawson Creek/Ft. Nelson route. I have only done Cassiar route once so decided it would be a nice change. That requires taking a left turn at Prince George and I overnighted in a rest area about an 85 miles past Smithers (nice little town). Seventeen hours of driving but I went further than planned to shorten up the next day. Saw a couple black bears and a moose.

Up at 7AM, sunny morning and Cassiar route fully paved now, was tore up last time through a couple years ago. Also in progress a huge high tension electrical transmission line project criss-crossing lots of southern end of valley so not so pristine anymore but still lots of pretty country. Reminds me of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska through Turnagain Pass. Lots of bears, mostly new cubs in pairs now on their own. Pretty drive but I prefer Dawson Creek route overall, more spectacular going over the mountains that way. This route you miss Muncho Lake, Laird Hot Springs, and the Laird bison herd. Also the Cassiar is a much narrower road with no shoulders, brush to edges; less safe for big rigs and more chance of hitting animals. But very scenic and lots of great camping and fishing along the way for people less hurried than I.

Back to main route and on to Whitehorse in only 14 hours total so had a little time to relax. There is a little rest area just shy of Whitehorse where I overnight. Also saw coyote, fox, porcupine, grouse, and quite a few rabbits. Typical wildlife tour! Anyway, I am posting this from Whitehorse McDonalds while I get coffee. Should be to my sisters place at Big Lake, AK before very late this evening since only a 12 hour drive. I run into Anchorage in the morning to Alaska Mining & Diving to visit and grab gear. My brother comes in from Phoenix so I will pick him up at airport and we will run back out to sisters. Then up and on way to Chicken day after tomorrow!

Steve's traveler tip - McDonalds is open 24 hours, has clean restrooms, good coffee, and free WiFi. I usually plan stops so that I can hit a McDonalds in the morning or at least on the way. They are in Prince George, Fort St. John if taking regular Alaska Highway, Smithers if Cassiar route, and Whitehorse.

Cassiar Mountains, June 12, 2014

[Reno Chris]

Very cool.

[Bob(AK)]

Great trip Steve, I have to do that again, been a long time. Have a good Summer,  Bob

[Jim Hemmingway]

I've done both routes to the Atlin area Steve and enjoyed the scenery either way. Smithers is beautiful, great skiing almost right in town. Always told the wife that if we ever move west, that's the place for me.

 

Thanks for the update, look forward to more when you can do so...

 

Jim.

[snakejim]

Thanks for the update. It's beautiful up there.

Have a great trip. I'm looking forward to future posts.

Jim

[El Dorado]

When I flew my little 1946 Cessna 140 to AK I followed the Cassiar Hwy Route. Smithers was a fantastic town with super friendly folks.  Most of my flight was at 500' or less so it was a continual wildlife viewing..... Thanks for the update an fantastic picture

[N2au]

Steve,

Thank you so much for taking us along with you ! This is so generous of you... :-)

We are all looking forward to reading about your trip , and all of the "wow" moments that you are bound to have... as well as anything else you have time to share with us ...

And if you get writers block...

... Maybe you could include some of the "un-fun" things that you encounter (rained 5 out of 7 days, sleeping bags got wet, truck got stuck, panned all day - didn't find squat, Mosquitos) ...

... Also, maybe some insights to your kit and pack items (the supplies and equipment you took with you), and then later on, a review of the kit list ( what you would do different next time)

Thank you Again, Steve

(You are the real deal )

:-)

[Steve Herschbach]

Arrived Chicken but will update tonight as heading up creek now. Internet access REALLY slow right now.

N2au my actual intent is to not put a shine on it but show how hard real nugget hunting can be. So yes expect to hear as much as I can relate to help anyone who might want to drive up and give it a go.

Here is a photo of sunset just outside of Smithers over the Seven Sisters.