Day 23: On the Alaska Highway

We got an early start, both of us having woken up early with the time change.  Leaving Crooked River State Park, we headed north toward Dawson Creek.  The terrain was rolling hills with many beautiful small lakes and streams. For awhile we returned to some significant mountains, but nothing as rugged as the ones we saw last week.   At Chetwynd we stopped to look at some of the amazing chain-saw sculptures that line the streets of that town; then we picked up a few groceries and filled the gas tank before cutting through on Route 29, the Hudson's Hope loop.  

Much of this route was logging country so while there were some pretty areas, there were other sections that were clear-cut and fairly ugly. Once we got to the section along the Peace River, it was a bit nicer, and at the end of Route 29, we finally reached the Alaska Highway.

We had thought of stopping at a provisional park near that intersection, but it was early afternoon, so we pressed on.  Probably a mistake.  At the first place we stopped for the night, Pink Mountain, they were totally booked, but the woman suggested we try Sikanni River Campground about 20 miles further along.  And yes, we could stay there, but the regular sites were all taken, so we are parked behind the little office/camp store with a view out one side of the back of the building and a view out the other of the campground woodpile and shed.  The manager was kind enough to run a drop cord out the back so we have 15-amp electric, and yes, we finally have wi-fi, though our cell phones show nothing.  
The Alaska Highway is two-lane with none of the passing lanes found on earlier routes. There are many, many large trucks, including log trucks and--more common---trucks related to the booming natural gas and oil business up here.  In fact, much of this campground is taken up with "riggers" who are working temporarily on the oil rigs, leaving not much space for vacationers.  I suspect that will be the case for the next few days along the route.  Getting behind any of these big trucks slows down progress considerably.

We'll try for an early start in the morning, in hopes of getting a space at one of the provisional parks along the road ahead.

While I have wi-fi, I'll try to post a few pictures from the past week.

Lake Louise

Athabasca Falls, along the Icefield Parkway

Dan and Ranger on the Bow River Trail, near Lake Louise tent camping area

Lake Annette, outside Jasper