Mac Pass, NWT August 26-Sept 2, 2006

[dogsled]

Heading up to Macmillian Pass, NWT in a few weeks. I'll be leaving Edmonton on the 24th, booting it to Watson Lake, YT, and then heading up to Ross River, cross the Pelly by cable ferry, and then it's about 200 km on North Canol Road to the NWT border, where the road effectively becomes a trail, with several significant river crossings before I get to my destination, a lodge operated by the Kaska Dena called Dechlinla, about 20 miles or so into the NWT. The trail is pretty much impassible (for my Land Cruiser, anyway) after Dechlinla, but that's just fine by me...it's really one of the most beautiful places on the planet...

Interesting history to this route - it was built in 1944 for the construction of a 4" oil pipeline from Norman Wells, NWT to Whitehorse, YT in WW II - in advance of what war planners feared would be a Japanese invasion of Alaska. Oil only flowed for a year - after what must have been an absolutely incredible effort to lay that much pipe in what was--and still is--some of the most rugged country on earth.

Here's a link to a map of the area, and a few photos, at least as far as the NWT border:

http://www.outbackimports.ca/news.html#CanolRoad

A few of my own photos from my trip there last year:

[Scott Brady]

Larry,


This sounds incredible. I am looking forward to the reports

I am starting to plan a short adventure into Alaska and Canada for next summer (in addition to the Arctic trip). I am interested to hear your thoughts on the route as it develops.

[BajaTaco]

I'm not sure how I missed this. Please let us know how the trip is/was when you have time.

[dogsled]

Ok...I'm back from Dechlina (MacMillian Pass), NWT and a side trip into the Muskwa-Kechika (Wokkpash Valley) on the way back down the Alaska Highway...I will write-up both when I get a chance.

A few teaser photos below - #1 - North Canol Road by Pinz; #2 - first crossing old Churchill Mine Road, off mile 400 Alaska Highway, in the Muskwa-Kechika, BC; #3 - view of Wokkpash Creek, BC.

Stay tuned!

[Lost Canadian]

I'm glad I seen this post. My wife and I are thinking of doing a cross county trip in the spring and we were hoping that old Canol Rd would be one of the highlights of our trip. If you have any udates please post. I also have some questions as to the road itself. How much further can you go after the Macmillan pass, or can you go much further? From what I understand there are several rivers that may need to be crossed if you want to push on? Can this be done in the spring by truck, or would the water levels be too high? I would love to hear about this trip some more. So if you catch this please post.

[dogsled]

Well, the Canol road through the Yukon is fine - bridges may be a bit manky in places, but at least it is maintained. It's not maintained on the NWT side, as it's a designated heritage trail.

So...here's the low down: once you cross into the NWT, there are three small rivers to ford. No worries about any of them. Then there's the main event - Boulder Creek - about 10-15 km in. It's very likely impassible in spring - and a challenge even in low water in the fall. Lots of rocks high enough to hang up on. With a spotter or chasing someone in the know, I'd say no worries. Last stop would be the lodge. That's about as far as a Cruiser can go...it's foot, bikes, horses or ATVs beyond that point.