When one thinks of road trips images of country roads and autumn colours enter our minds. Few have ever imagined a road trip through the Canadian arctic. And for those that have, without the actual experience there is nothing that can prepare you for the glimpses of heaven this remote region of Canada can offer.
There are few places I have visited in my life that have left me completely speechless. I’m a blabber mouth with verbal diarrhea so speechless for me is like a bird that can’t fly. But recent good fortune allowed Q and I to witness this ethereal location via the Dempster Highway. This gravel road snakes its way up through the Yukon tundra and to the shores of the Arctic ocean in the North West Territories.
Unfortunately for us, the rain had washed the highway out and the repair was going to take days preventing us from reaching our destination. But as luck would have it, we were able to travel the Dempster to the northern edge of Tombstone Territory park, which offered us views second to none in this world.
This highway requires the patience of a Saint and an iron clad stomach. Kilometre after kilometre we bounced around from the numerous potholes that plague the highways in the North. A casualty of the 400 Ft deep permafrost, driving the Dempster is slow and calculated.
Along the southern portions of the Dempster is home to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. They have lived off this land for centuries and their presence is dotted throughout the landscape. Off the Dempster there are several hiking trails, camping and lookouts. This area is home to caribou, Dahl sheep, bears, wolf and Gyrfalcon to name a few and none of which we saw. What we did see was a lone Golden Eagle flying high among the mountain peaks, so large its wing span had to be at least 6 Ft across.
If going off-road to hike or remote camp it is imperative you are an expert in navigational skills with maps and a GPS. And driving the Dempster is also not without risk. Extra gasoline, a spare tire, proper clothing and extra food are all recommended. Without extra gas once you pass a certain point on the Dempster there is no turning back – you must make it to the town of Eagle Plains for services including gas and food.
For those looking for an incredible adventure you will find the Dempster approximately 40 km east from Dawson City on the Klondike highway.
~True North Nomad
Where was the most incredible road trip you have ever taken?
Calling all ice road truckers – enter your email address top left, bottom right or bottom centre of this post and click “Follow” and never miss an impassioned tale again!
Beautiful photos! Looks like a great trip. I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
https://rothpoetry.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/versatile-blogger-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah thank you very much.. it is much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I am actually going to travel the Dempster this summer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you are going to love it!!! It was the best road trip of our lives and the people of the north are fantastic!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am really excited and looking forward to it! 🙂
LikeLike
Sooo cool! I’ve only read about it. Thanks for the pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad y0u enjoyed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was beautiful there!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous country. I’m nervous to take a beater with that sign tho
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is ethereal honestly, it is so beautiful. I don’t think I’d take too old of a beater – although beautiful, you wouldn’t want to be stranded there its so remote!
LikeLike
Loved our trip to Denali and the following drive through Chicken, Alaska and the dirt road that eventually brought us to Dawson City in the Yukon. Miles & miles of miles in the wilderness…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We too stopped at Chicken Alaska. It is all so beautiful up there. Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
This looks stunning – I’ve always wanted to do something like this but may have to wait until the kiddies are bigger xXx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was an awesome trip. Ya I’m not sure I’d want to do it with little ones… but you should add it to your bucket list!!
LikeLike
I must tell you that in Chicago is a road called Dempster, and it is also pothole ridden. There the similarity ends! I doubt very much that it was named for the same man, which makes me wonder then what its history is. I am so thankful that there are still places like this on earth. Thank you for sharing it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the Yukon it is named after a RCMP officer who was a hero of the area. Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We toured the Great Northwestern Canada and Alaska regions last Summer. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime. We were on our own time table and considered heading up the Dempster Highway but because we had only one spare tire we decided to pass. We have a truck camper. She’s heavy weighing in at 15500 lbs. The truck & camper when loaded gets about 10mpg. It’s a diesel dually. Can you please speak to us about your experience in finding fuel stops along the way? Did you folks boondock all the way up and back or did you find campgrounds? How about the availability of propane? Thanx for the information. Your photos are brilliant! Best to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Hank! I wouldn’t attempt the Dempster with a big truck camper. In fact, other than our Class B RV, we never saw anything larger. Most people with larger campers leave them at a campground in Dawson or the Gas cardlock at the mouth of the Dempster. Dawson is about 20 – 30 minutes from the mouth of the Dempster where you can get gas, food etc before you attempt the road. You can also gas up right at the Dempster at the aforementioned Gas cardlock. There is a campground at around 100 km marker on the Dempster in Tombstone Territory park. It is beautiful and costs $12 a night. There are no emergency services on the Dempster in the Yukon at all and from the entrance of the Dempster to the next stop is only around 500km but the road is so bad it can take you upwards of a day to reach it – it is called Eagle Plains. This tiny town has gas, food and lodging. Once you pass Eagle plains and head north the next stop is in the North West Territories at a town called fort McPherson – they too have services for food, gas and lodging. It is a few hours between the two. Next town is Inuvik and is the last town you can reach by car in the summer. It is advised to bring extra fuel with you and extra tire. You’re tires should also be 10 ply to handle the pot holes and rocks. Stock up on propane in Dawson and again at each of your stops. And yes, you can boondock not only on the side of the road on the Dempster, but some people setup up directly on it in the night if you can believe it! I hope you get a chance to drive it – it is spectacular! Take care and thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
Hi Mr. TrueNomad! Appreciate your comments. Question for you please. I see that you made the Dempster Highway trek with your Class B Van, which from the pictures looks like a Rear Wheel Drive vehicle. If so, then can you please elaborate on why you think making the journey up the Dempster Highway with a 4×4 dually diesel would not be a good idea? We took our truck camper rig over the Top of World Highway with no issues and I’m sure the Dempster trek is more daunting task, but I am really interested in your comments about why you think anything larger than a Class B 2WD Van would be the limit. Best to you and thanx again for sharing your pictures and data. And if there’s anyone out there reading this blog that has journeyed the Dempster Highway in a larger RV, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience.
LikeLike
Hi Hank,
We also drove the Top of the World highway and it was in pristine condition compared to the Dempster – at least when we did it. Had the Class B RV been our own, we may not have taken it on the Dempster, maybe. The Dempster is remote, hilly and riddled with potholes, cracked shoulders threatening to give way and at times wash outs all along the highway. You are forced to drive very slow – which is why it takes so long to go so few kilometres on it. If you drive too fast, you can literally bounce right off the road and in fact people do it all the time. While we were there two cars had bounced off of it and were stuck 20ft down into some brush. If you are towing a trailer it becomes very difficult to navigate the potholes while keeping your trailer from bouncing one way while your truck bounces another. Plus you’re trying to outpace a snail. Everyone we know and everyone we met who owned a large truck trailer setup would not bring the trailer up on the Dempster (think 5th wheel, travel trailer etc.). I have only seen one larger Class C that had driven up to the Tombstone campground but I never saw anything beyond Tombstone other than trucks… and of course us. If you have a 4×4 dually it will traverse the Dempster no problem. If you have a truck camper that sits in the bed of your truck – that is the best solution. You have the power of the truck, camping in your sleeper and space to bring extra gear. Hope this helps!
LikeLike
Ah! Right! Agreed! I would not drag a trailer of any type up the Dempster. We do in fact have a truck camper. I appreciate your info. We are thinking about returning to that area next Summer. This time we will definitely cruise the Dempster Highway. Just got to find a place in our rig for a couple extra tires and spare fuel!! Now that will be most challenging! Best to you. Happy Trails!
LikeLike
Oh one other thing I should mention, the road is not paved and when it is wet or damp the dirt is like grease on ice – you just slide every where. Another reason you have to drive so slow! Take care.
LikeLike
We drove the Dempster as far as the Arctic Circle in the summer of 2015. It was a highlight of our 3 1/2 month trip to Alaska. We loved Yukon and especially enjoyed the Dempster. It is hard to describe to someone who has never been there. Mother Nature at her finest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I said the exact same thing. How do you describe something where there are no words to define it. It definitely is nature at her finest. We heard on our trip most people don’t do the circuit on less than 30 days (Alaska/Yukon). We did it in 10 but would I ever love to spend 3 1/2 months out there!!! Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
Your photos put the word ‘grand’ back into the language
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah thank you, i’d like to take credit but the subject was perfect!!!
LikeLike
I am adding this trip to my bucket list! So pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is definitely bucket list worthy!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful place.🏔🏞
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is quite literally heaven on earth! Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That is stunning! Even the roads appear to be harmonious with nature…I’ve been to the Canadian Rockies which are beautiful and in many ways the Yukon seems even more spectacular as it looks so unspoilt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Canadian Rockies but there was something about the Yukon that even surpassed them. Southern Yukon looks very much like British Columbia but once you get into the arctic where these photos were taken it is surreal!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many beautiful places in our world. I hope they stay that way for a long long time. Thanks for sharing the pictures and the narrative. I love seeing things like this on WordPress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I love to see other corners of the world as well! That is a great thing about WP – it makes the world that much smaller 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Breathtaking: story, description and pictures, everything so interesting, fresh and attractive.
LikeLike
I would love to take credit but honestly its so beautiful in the north you’d be pressed to try and make it look bad. Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
My parents took a trip to Alaska and they both loved it and both still say that trip was their favorite. Beautiful photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Alaska and the Yukon are amazing. The scenery, the people are great. It was our best trip ever to date!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s what I keep hearing! I’m so going to have to make a trip out there! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I keep hearing. Guess I’m going to have to make a trip out there! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knew? Nice! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your very beautiful trip, which gave me possibility to see this part of Canada 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoyed the trip 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the trip very much 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly stunning photos of an immeasurably beautiful corner of the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed (about the beautiful corner). Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
What an amazing trip. It is hard to believe that places in these photos are really exists. Some of the photos could be from northern parts of Norway by the Arctic see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol I see pics from you all the time and think the same thing. So funny. It was an amazing trip really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice pictures!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey! I had no idea Canadas Yukon looked so beautiful. I’m sure its because civilization has not had the wherewithal to develop it … hopefully that time will never come. I want to put a trip to the Acrtic in my plans. Why do they call it the Dempster? I’ve been to Crows Nest pass and it so far is my favorite part of Canada.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I believe the highway is named after an RCMP officer named Dempster who was a hero of the north. Crow’s Nest Pass is beautiful and one of my favourite parts of Canada as well.
LikeLike
Now this is an epic road trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was totally epic and highly recommended!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really beautiful country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is gorgeous! Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike