Ice Road Trucker
Driving down the Yukon River Updated June 2022
I went for a drive to West Dawson, which is on the opposite side of the Yukon River from the Klondike Highway. Usually, the road goes straight across the frozen river at the shortest point. But this winter, the ice was not thick enough in that area, so a new road had to be made. This new road involved driving for about one kilometre (0.62 mile) down the Yukon River.
It was kind of scary at first. It is just not normal to be driving down a deep river. But, by the return trip, I was getting used to it, and it seemed safer. Several other vehicles were doing it.
Many people said I must be crazy to take a holiday in northern Canada during the winter, and I guess they are correct. But being crazy is fun. I am having a great time. Who would want to be normal? Where else can you drive down a frozen river, see the sky light up at night with a spectacular light show, drive a dog sled down the river, see a Lynx crossing the road in front of you and have other great experiences? The cold can sometimes be brutal, but dress warm and come on for the memories of a lifetime that you can get nowhere else.
I’m glad to hear you had a fun time!!