[Tracker]

Hey guys, I posted this over at ADVRider as well and want to put it here in case of some interests.

I'm advanced planning for a trip from Vancouver, BC to Tuk for summer 2023. It will be about 3 weeks all-in. I have a dear friend in Whitehorse that will join and be our guide heading up to Dawson City and the Dempster Hwy to Tuk. We will also make a side trip from Dawson City to Tok, Alaska, on the Top of the World Hwy before heading back to Vancouver.

I would like to hear from any riders who maybe planning a similar trip. My intend is to go at moderate pace to enjoy the journey. Probably a mix of tenting and staying in motels, perhaps more motels than camping, as I'm more a creature of comfort at my age. My ride is R1200GS, and I'm planning to change to more knobby tires in Whitehorse ahead of the Dempster Hwy.

Dawson City has Dust-to-Dawson annual rally that takes place mid-June, and I'm planning to fit it in to be there for the gathering. That means we leave Vancouver on or about June 8, 2023. That's the best guesstimate at this point. If any of you guys who have done this trip in the past and can offer advices, I'm all ear as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[BC Don]

Tracker, I'm interested although I still need to recover from a broken foot (offroad training ). As I'm in Calgary, and retired, no problem with me getting to Vancouver in a day although I'd likely take 2 or 3 and smell some flowers on the way. Were you thinking of 3 weeks there and back or 3 weeks to just get there - I'm assuming there & back but wanted to clarify. I like the planning you've done so far - camp & motel with mostly motels (and my perspective, the more I'm in bear territory the more I'm likely to motel it although I do backpack in the Rockies here so I'm around them). I'm on a 1250 GSA, currently with 90/10 tires that have lots of life left on them so would need to think about that.

From my perspective it is a ride I'm interested in doing and I'd much prefer to go with another person or small group.

PM me with your email address so we can chat more about this if you'd like.

 

[Tracker]

Don, I hope your foot heals up soon. We're still quite a way away from June next year, so hopefully, your foot will be fully recovered by then. I have a friend in Calgary that comes out to Vancouver periodically. He usually gets here in 2 and smell some roses along the way. I'm thinking 3 weeks there and back. Not tied exactly to that schedule as we may take opportunity to extend if necessary. My work gets antsy if I'm away for longer. I agree that the ride is long enough to reward our backs with some soft mattress. Camping sprinkling in under ideal condition is all good when the motivation is there. Glad to hear that we may be able to connect for the ride.

 

[Rick92040]

I was up there in May using the Dunlop Mission tires and they worked very well. They easily lasted the entire 10,000 mile trip. The rocks split in the winter and the sharp points will pierce the rubber between the blocks on the more aggressive tires. I had no problems but my buddy did using Motoz tires. We had to use a siphon hose to my ear to find the leak. We couldn't get all the way up to Tuc because the ferries were not running yet. We would not have made it to Tuc anyway because my back shock went out just past the Arctic circle. Ted porter two day air a shock to Fairbanks. We went up early specifically to avoid the Dust-to-Dawson.

 

[Glenn Charles]

I plan on leaving Maine the last week of April for a trek across the country and up into Canada/AK. Hoping to hit Montana by about the 1st of May and spend the entire month exploring, before I head back to Maine through Canada. A touch earlier than I would like but business issues are forcing me to get back by mid June. I too am in the process of building up route files with camp spots and POI. Look forward to seeing how your planning goes. I will be on my 1250 GSA.

 

[Hogges]

I am also planning an Alaska trip. If it happens in 2023, it would have to be mid May to mid June as I’d have to be back in time for my daughter’s high school graduation. My current GPX has me leaving Vermont to go straight up towards the Dalton Highway and do a bit of a counter clockwise loop on the way back via the Canadian Rockies and through Yellowstone. It might be a bit early for the Dalton highway in the third or fourth week of May though?

 

[Glenn Charles]

I am also planning an Alaska trip. If it happens in 2023, it would have to be mid May to mid June as I’d have to be back in time for my daughter’s high school graduation. My current GPX has me leaving Vermont to go straight up towards the Dalton Highway and do a bit of a counter clockwise loop on the way back via the Canadian Rockies and through Yellowstone. It might be a bit early for the Dalton highway in the third or fourth week of May though?

That is very similar to my timing. Like you, I need to be back mid June to open our pub & inn, so while it is a bit earlier than I would like, it should still be doable. I am also on the fence about coming back across Canada. I have read several other trip reports of folks that have done that and it looks really interesting.

 

[Tracker]

@Glenn Charles @Hogges, sounds like your trips will have an earlier start than my plan currently. We're looking maybe departing mid June and back early July from Vancouver, BC, Canada. We'll head up the interior of BC, towards Prince George, then up Hwy 37 towards Watson Lake just on the other side of Yukon. From there, it will be Whitehorse, Dawson City around summer solstice and onto Dempster Hwy to Tuk.

@Hogges, I might catch you on the road on your return leg.

 

[Hogges]

I was up there in May using the Dunlop Mission tires and they worked very well. They easily lasted the entire 10,000 mile trip. The rocks split in the winter and the sharp points will pierce the rubber between the blocks on the more aggressive tires. I had no problems but my buddy did using Motoz tires. We had to use a siphon hose to my ear to find the leak. We couldn't get all the way up to Tuc because the ferries were not running yet. We would not have made it to Tuc anyway because my back shock went out just past the Arctic circle. Ted porter two day air a shock to Fairbanks. We went up early specifically to avoid the Dust-to-Dawson.

Can I ask you about the weather you encountered in May in the northernmost parts and mountainous areas (if any) along the way?

 

[Rick92040]

Can I ask you about the weather you encountered in May in the northernmost parts and mountainous areas (if any) along the way?

We went through Canada the last two weeks of May. It was cold in Canada (around 40f) and all the rivers and lakes were frozen. It was not that cold on the Dempster highway but we only got about 50 miles past Eagle Planes. (bad shock) The border between Dawson city and Tok AK didn't open until June 1st so we sat in Dawson city a couple days. In the 70's in Alaska but when we got on the other side of Atigun pass it was in the low 20's. I suggest the warm and safe sweater, heated gloves and extra gas if your on a GS. Put the extra gas in when you reach the top of Atigun pass where it's warm. I froze my butt off trying to get the gas in the tank 20 miles from Dead Horse with 40-50mph winds and 22f. Don't know what the wind chill was. The Arctic ocean was frozen. They said two weeks earlier it was in the 50's. I think we were there around June 5th.

 

[Hogges]

We went through Canada the last two weeks of May. It was cold in Canada (around 40f) and all the rivers and lakes were frozen. It was not that cold on the Dempster highway but we only got about 50 miles past Eagle Planes. (bad shock) The border between Dawson city and Tok AK didn't open until June 1st so we sat in Dawson city a couple days. In the 70's in Alaska but when we got on the other side of Atigun pass it was in the low 20's. I suggest the warm and safe sweater, heated gloves and extra gas if your on a GS. Put the extra gas in when you reach the top of Atigun pass where it's warm. I froze my butt off trying to get the gas in the tank 20 miles from Dead Horse with 40-50mph winds and 22f. Don't know what the wind chill was. The Arctic ocean was frozen. They said two weeks earlier it was in the 50's. I think we were there around June 5th.

Dang that’s cold. Had hoped for the season to start a little bit earlier than in northeastern Canada.

 

[BC Don]

Dang that’s cold. Had hoped for the season to start a little bit earlier than in northeastern Canada.

As long as we don't hit ice on the road I'm a happy camper (well, moderately pleased).

 

[Rick92040]

Dang that’s cold. Had hoped for the season to start a little bit earlier than in northeastern Canada.

I thought the weather was great. I would do it in May again in a heartbeat. Next time I bring a pair of heated gloves

 

[BC Don]

I thought the weather was great. I would do it in May again in a heartbeat. Next time I bring a pair of heated gloves

You were fortunate to have nice weather. I live in Calgary and the mountains can be very capricious in May, often with snow at higher road elevations. I wouldn't "trust" heading up to the Arctic Circle in May unless I was prepared to lay over for a few days if I did hit snow on the road.

 

[vivek901]

I am planning a trip to Alaska from Toronto next summer, would be nice to meet few more folks on the way

 

[JMacd62]

Never rode a GS until day before yesterday.
Before I picked it up I booked motel in Dawson City, Eagle Plains and Inuvik. 20th 21s 22June.
Want to get to the Arctic Circle for the Solstice. For no particular reason other than why not. If I make it to Tuk bonus.
Now I just have to figure out a plan.
Might see you up there. Heading up from SSI.

 

[macca269]

Hi Everyone. My name is Mark and I am coming from New Zealand next year to ride from Vancouver to Tuk. Probably looking at leaving Vancouver mid June. Ideally try and get to Dawson City for Dust to Dawson then onto Tuk. First plan was to ride across to Banff then head up Eastern side through Fort St John/ Fort Nelson/ Watson lake etc. Then Return back down through western BC with stops at Salmon Glacier. and any other great spots I locate along the way. I will be possibly travelling alone so keen to meet anyone on the way especially the trip north to Tuk. I was going to hire a bike from BC Cycles Vancouver but if anyone has or knows of a bike they could rent or possibly sell me (which I could resell again after the trip) please let me know. Thanks and I am so much looking forward to this once in a lifetime trip.

 

[Daniel Major]

Hey guys, I posted this over at ADVRider as well and want to put it here in case of some interests.

I'm advanced planning for a trip from Vancouver, BC to Tuk for summer 2023. It will be about 3 weeks all-in. I have a dear friend in Whitehorse that will join and be our guide heading up to Dawson City and the Dempster Hwy to Tuk. We will also make a side trip from Dawson City to Tok, Alaska, on the Top of the World Hwy before heading back to Vancouver.

I would like to hear from any riders who maybe planning a similar trip. My intend is to go at moderate pace to enjoy the journey. Probably a mix of tenting and staying in motels, perhaps more motels than camping, as I'm more a creature of comfort at my age. My ride is R1200GS, and I'm planning to change to more knobby tires in Whitehorse ahead of the Dempster Hwy.

Dawson City has Dust-to-Dawson annual rally that takes place mid-June, and I'm planning to fit it in to be there for the gathering. That means we leave Vancouver on or about June 8, 2023. That's the best guesstimate at this point. If any of you guys who have done this trip in the past and can offer advices, I'm all ear as well. Thanks in advance.

Good day
Did ontario to white horse on a ural and my dog couple years back , then did tuk on my KTM 1290 the year they opened the hwy
This year going back for the solstice on my r1200 gsa with DMC sidecar and Yakira my dog,planning to do the hwy up through BC to Watson lake I believe
You can't miss me so if spotted chase us down and we can chat

 

[WayFar]

Planning the exact same trip, starting from Sequim, WA, at the end of June. I'll be heading over to Fairbanks and Anchorage after the Dempster round-trip. I'm planning for 6 weeks. I just hope the end of June is late enough to avoid sub-freezing temps.

 

[Tracker]

Hi Everyone. My name is Mark and I am coming from New Zealand next year to ride from Vancouver to Tuk. Probably looking at leaving Vancouver mid June. Ideally try and get to Dawson City for Dust to Dawson then onto Tuk. First plan was to ride across to Banff then head up Eastern side through Fort St John/ Fort Nelson/ Watson lake etc. Then Return back down through western BC with stops at Salmon Glacier. and any other great spots I locate along the way. I will be possibly travelling alone so keen to meet anyone on the way especially the trip north to Tuk. I was going to hire a bike from BC Cycles Vancouver but if anyone has or knows of a bike they could rent or possibly sell me (which I could resell again after the trip) please let me know. Thanks and I am so much looking forward to this once in a lifetime trip.

Hi Mark, we're planning to leave mid-June as well. If the date is very close, message me, and we'll coordinate to leave together.