Top of the World Hwy

We leave Dawson government campground as early as we can to time our arrival at the US border crossing shortly after it opens. We are both anxious about the road conditions after hearing all the stories about the difficult and dangerous Top of the World Hwy.

Dawson and the Yukon below us

Looking towards Tombstone Yes - we should have stopped there

After the first incline, we find ourselves snaking along the tops of ridges with wonderful views all around.

Road snakes one direction

and then another along the ridge tops.

Since we are mostly above the tree lines, we can see in all directions.
Although theoretically this part of the road is paved, large sections have reverted back to gravel from the hard winters. We quickly learn to watch for the orange and black striped posts on each side of the road indicating a change in road surface.

Our shadow on gravel road

Going from pavement to gravel

The road keeps twisting and turning along the ridges going ever higher towards the summit.

Road curves along ridges

until the summit.

Crossing the border back into the U.S.A.

After reaching the summit and crossing the border, we're officially back in the good old U.S.A. and we've finally reached Alaska!

At first the views are the same at the higher elevations, but as we descend, we start seeing streams and rivers. Several smaller private gold claims dot the area as well. In one stretch of the Jack Wade Creek signs announce public gold panning is allowed. Hummm... maybe we should have packed that old gold pan after all.

Views into Alaska

The Jack Wade Creek with public gold panning

The next section of road is the infamous "Goat Path," where the road is very narrow with a steep drop-off and no guard rails. Constant red warnings in the Milepost, don't do much to calm my anxiety:

"CAUTION: Sections of rough road, soft shoulders, hairpin turns, steep drop-offs and narrow road south to Chicken. Do not risk a tip over by putting a wheel into the soft shoulder! Stop for oncoming traffic at narrow spots."

I try to keep myself distracted taking photos while Peter negotiates the road. Fortunately this section is only a few miles long.

River valley views

from the "Goat Path"

As we near Chicken, we cross over the beautiful Walker Fork river. By then we've also caught up to some of the early bird big rig caravans.  It's slow going following them over the narrow road. Fortunately, they all turn off to the "town" of Chicken. Even though we'd like to stop as well, we decide to take advantage of having them behind us.

Crossing the Walker Fork

Following a big rig caravan

turn off to Chicken

On the final descent, we see the Alaska Range. YES - we really are in Alaska.

The Alaska Range - first at a distance

then closer

and closer still.

We follow the Tanana River,

stop at Delta Meat for great sausage

and then camp at the Clearwater State Park

the Delta on Clearwater River

Top of the World Hwy wasn't as bad as it's hype. We've driven much worst roads -

• The road down into the Gila River Gorge on the way to Gila Cliff Dwellings was steeper with higher drop-offs and no guard rails
• The Sonora Pass for it's 12% downgrades (east bound)
•  The Black Range Pass in New Mexico is the winner for the number of tight hairpin curves

However, we were lucky with the weather when we drove Top of the World. It had rained two days before and partially dried out, making the road surface less dusty and the clay sections hard and compacted. Under different weather conditions and with even more big rig/bus traffic, it could be brutal.