Autumn in Yukon/ Alaska
 

We're now starting our delayed round the world trip in Vancouver in Late September.

As has always been the plan we are in the process of arranging jobs for the winter season in Whistler starting early November. Giving us approx six weeks of riding time before the season starts.

I would like to head north as far as maybe Fairbanks/ Dawson City but Liz is worried about the cold and riding in snow?? Maybe someone with local knowledge can tell us what we might expect at this time of year?

Also the website for the ferry up the inside passage doesn't have any sailings past the 24th september, does this mean that the ferries don't sail in the winter or that the winter timetable isn't published yet??? As I thought we take the ferry up most of the way and then we are riding away from the weather back towards whistler??

Winter comes early . . .
 

I remember entering Alaska from the Top of the World Hwy (all dirt and gravel then, now paved for big tour buses) from Dawson City on 3 September in '93.

In Anchorage I commented that we'd seen very few motorbikes. The local said, "they're all gone by now - this is Alaska". The Yukon, being inland is even colder. We spent 2 weeks in Alaska and were chased by cold (-20C) all the way to Prince Rupert where we boarded the ferry to Vancouver Island. We were riding a K75s and an old R90.

Beautiful and not too bad with heated grips, an electric vest but . . . that's pretty late in the year. BC will be much warmer . . .

FWIW, if you decide to go . . . skip the haul road to Prudhoe Bay and ride the Dempster. It's spectacular in the fall although a little greasy in sections if there's been considerable rain. The Tombstone Valley is mesmerizing.

I was in the Yukon last year. With the canoe instead of bike..

WOW !! One of my favourite places in the world. What amazing country. Take your time. Too many people rush right through and barely sniff the wild flowers.

I think it's a summer place only though. When it's winter it's REALLY winter and it only really warms up in late spring.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to ride up there in winter. It's all closed down and snowed in.

yukon
 

hello
came thru the Yukon last sept,set up camp for the nite woke up to 4-6 inches
not saying it couldn't be done.but would take some careful planning.maybe
holing up somewhere for a few days.
good luck
kevin

I am a former resident of Anchorage/Fairbanks. In Alaska the leaves on the trees fall during the first week in September. It usually snows before Oct 1. So I cant recommend the trip you plan, you could do the Canadian Rockies etc. but don't think you should go farther north.