THE YUKON - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 703

DEMPSTER HIGHWAY
Dawson is the jumping-off point for the 741-kilometer (460-mile) Dempster High-
way, which leads across the Arctic Circle to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories.
Unpaved all the way, it traverses endless tundra and snowcapped mountain ranges,
crossing the migration path of the Porcupine caribou herd; and, in winter, you can
drive clear through to the Arctic Ocean on the frozen Mackenzie River. But it's also
one of the most remote public roads in North America, one for which you must be
prepared with a full gas tank and spare tires. You also need to turn around at the end
and return to Dawson along the same route.
DRIVING THE DEMPSTER
Request information packages from either of the territorial tourism bureaus before
leaving home, then make a stop at the Dempster/Delta Visitor Information Centre
(Front St., Dawson City, 867/993-6167, 9am-8pm daily mid-May-mid-Sept.). The
ferry crossing of the Peel River operates mid-June-October. For a schedule and gen-
eral highway conditions call 800/661-0750 or go online to www.dot.gov.nt.ca .
Numerous campgrounds and three lodges dot the route. The Arctic Circle is
reached at Kilometer 403 (Mile 250) and the Yukon/Northwest Territories border
at Kilometer 471 (Mile 293). Fort McPherson, 550 kilometers (342 miles) from
Dawson, is a Gwich'in Dene village of 800 with a visitors center and other highway
services.
CONTINUING WEST TO ALASKA
If you arrived in Dawson City by road from Whitehorse, you have the option of returning
the way you came or continuing to Alaska along the Top of the World Highway. From
downtown Dawson City, the highway crosses the Yukon River via a free ferry, with room
for up to eight regular-sized vehicles. Crossings are on demand 24 hours a day mid-May-
mid-September.
From the west bank of the Yukon, the highway climbs out of Dawson into the alpine tun-
dra of the lower White Mountains, with vast vistas in which you can see the road running
along the ridge tops in the distance. Civilization along the highway, however, is nonexist-
ent until you reach Poker Creek, Alaska at Kilometer 106 (Mile 66). With a population of
two, this is the northernmost border station in the United States. It's open 9am-9pm daily