The day began at Dragon Lake campground on the North Canol Road – one of the most remote roads in Yukon. I woke up to a frosty morning, made breakfast, packed up, and as always, I filmed myself.
One random thing I notice while editing this. Cold weather makes you speak like an Australian. My face was frozen and the minimum facial and tongue movement just somehow bring out the Aussie in ya.
You’ll notice my voice tighten up with more curl once I get warmed up inside the car later.
I’m heading to South Canol Road today. After one of the S curves, a Blue Ram showed up.
Remember this blue Ram 3500 with a Four wheel camper. For reasons that’ll come clear in a few episodes later.
But for now, just picture two solo travellers met on one of the most remote roads up North. There was no lack of stories to share. From road conditions to vehicle setup to future plans, We chatted for almost two hours on the side of the road.
Then I watched him drive away into the wilderness.
Sometimes that’s all we need. A dose of human interaction to feel alive in this world. I wish we could’ve shared a camp. Because everyone you meet on the road, each got a story to tell.
And I can assure you this was not the last time we cross paths. Surely not.
I caught the early afternoon cable ferry back to Ross River. Fueled up at this tricky gas station. You pay at the door on the right. It’s literally a giant fuel tank with holes for filling machines to be mounted.
Any guess how much the bill is? The funny thing is, my high petrol expense comes from the inefficient fuel milage, not the fuel price. In 2021, the fuel price per liter in Metro Vancouver is about the same if not more than in these remote places! Somewhere around $1.57/L.
Took a lunch stop at Lapie Lake campground. We are starting to see snow in this region.
Along this road, we transition from boreal forest to alpine tundra. This high country intercepts coastal weather systems to make this one of the first areas to receive snowfall.
Sure I wasn’t ready for snow driving. But just like all the important things in life, the timing always sucks.
Many of you say ” I wish I can one day do what you do”. My question is “what’s stopping you?”
Sadly, the traffic lights of life will never be green all at once. Conditions are never perfect. That “someday I’ll do this I’ll do that” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.
If it is important to you and you want to do it eventually, just, go ahead and do it. and correct course along the way.
My first snow camp of the season! We stopped at Quiet Lake lower campground for the night.
Again I want to emphasize the timing. You no longer need to pay at Yukon Government Campground once October comes. Because the sites are not serviced during winter.
It was near the end of September so I still had to pay. Just to give you an idea how early we get snow up here.
After October, you can come in and camp for free as long as you can get to the sites. Just know that there won’t be any firewood or toilet paper refill.
Checked in on ZOLEO sattelite message. Don’t worry. I’m fine.
Keep going south along the Nisutlin River.
Soon, we arrived at the end (beginning) of the Canol Road at Johnson Crossing. There are some equipment from building this road scattered at the crossing.
The info boards at Johnson Crossing explained the history of the Canol Road and the Pipline Project.
