May 28, 2025
Haines Junction to somewhere near Lake Kluane
Tough sledding this morning … literally. A few stray snowflakes were in the forecast for this morning. Instead it was a 35º wintery mix for quite a way up the road. I thought I was mentally ready for it when I left my cabin, but it was not to be. Spring in the Yukon!
Immediately after leaving Haines Junction, the road slowly climbs from 2100’ to 3200’. I knew it would be a challenge, but hoped that the snow would change to rain and slowly warm up (into the 40s maybe?). I even left late thinking it would warm up. Nope. I was fairly well-outfitted except for my feet. Before leaving Seattle I made a bet with myself that I wouldn’t need those heavy neoprene overshoes, and unfortunately I lost that bet today.
About 10 miles into the climb, I met an oncoming bicyclist, Russ from Maine. I think he may have been about 20 years old. Snow covered the front of his jacket and front panniers and he had a guitar case strapped to his back. He started this morning from my destination today, Destruction Bay. I still had 55 miles to go and he was almost to Haines Junction! We talked a bit about the details of our trips. He started in Fairbanks and wanted to reach San Ysidro by the end of the summer. I doubt he’ll have any problems with that goal. I’m meeting particularly optimistic young men on their bicycles and it’s refreshing to listen to them tell me what they are getting out of their adventures.
Once I reached the ”top” of the climb, the road leveled off. Quite frankly, at this point I didn’t want to look up very often because the rain and snow pelted me in the face each time I did. When I peeked I couldn’t see very far ahead or to the side of the road. If I passed bears, caribou, or moose, I wouldn’t know it. The shoulder was good, but the heavy precipitation created pools of water that served only to bathe my feet. There were two more gentle climbs before I stopped to eat lunch … quickly. Not more than 15 minutes after I resumed my ride, a van pulling a trailer passed me then stopped. The driver side door opened, and a guy wearing a forest green hooded sweatshirt with a familiar green and gold GB logo asked me if I wanted a ride.
”Yes”, I answered without hesitation. Go, Pack, Go?
He said I looked a bit distressed. Talk about an understatement. I’m a senior citizen pretending to be Russ and I probably should be more like him, driving a van pulling an enclosed trailer loaded with two e-assist bicycles. He pulled down the ramp in the back so I could walk in. I hastily loaded my gear and strapped my bicycle to the inside. Once I situated myself in the co-pilot seat, I never second-guessed my decision. I should arrive at my motel in about 45 minutes.
These kinds of situations are always a crap shoot. Turns out, Steve lived in Green Bay in the winter and Fairbanks in the summer. Green Bay? Really? There are a lot of towns in Wisconsin and he lived in the same town where my wife grew up and her parents are now living? Really? His first visit to Alaska was 1973 and he got bit by the bug. He and his wife decided to move there in 1974. He worked for the BLM and UAF, raised three kids who attended Lathrop High School, the school where I got my first teaching job. His second oldest daughter went to the University of Idaho, my alma mater. We shared crazy Alaska stories and next thing we’re suddenly at my motel. I think he really wanted some company for the remainder of his trip to Fairbanks. I’ll admit I would have liked that, too. Now it’s back to pretending I’m not a senior citizen.
Not many photos today. I tried to keep my phone out of the weather.
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Today's ride: 25 miles (40 km)
Total: 1,335 miles (2,148 km)
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