Don't do it. Really. Unless you have a love of mud, goo, potholes, and mosquitoes.
We've driven the Campbell Hwy a handful of times, and this was absolutely the worse. 4 hours between Ross River and Frances Lake campground and then another 4.5 hours between Frances Lake and Watson Lake. 170 km (just over a 100 miles) in 4.5 hours. ICK. That beat our record 4 hours for the same stretch in 1993.
Between Frances Lake and Watson Lake it is one LONG construction zone. It's been rainy and wet, so the road is one LOOOONG mud bath. We needed 4x4 a few times to tow the fiver through the muck. Mostly slippery wet clay. And what isn't under construction, should be.
And don't plan on taking the South Canol hwy as a short cut through to Ross River either. A bridge is out just north of Quiet Lake and they're having some problems getting it fixed.
ALSO ... when we went through Ross River, they had no gasoline. Fortunately, they had diesel so we were able to stay on the go. Interesting that Pelly Crossing was also out of gasoline when we went through, but had diesel.
I will post pics when I get home. Not spending too much online ... only when I'm doing laundry in civilization. This is only our third night in three weeks with hookups in an RV park. Feeling antzy already. But need to clean truck, fiver, people and clothes. Will head out tomorrow to soak layers of dust off the humans in Liard Hot Springs. And just might make DH take me out for supper tonight.
BTW ... Downtown RV Campground in Watson Lake is clean with nice people here. It's just a parking lot with posts for utilities, but it has all you need in the real world.
* This post was
edited 07/10/08 09:22pm by sue.t *
We were at Laird Hot Springs, just a few nights ago. It's not much to brag about. We have been fortunate, except for one night, to have full hook-ups, although sometime only 15 amps. Only 2 nights w/o wifi. We have been traveling the Alaska hwy, it has been good, so far.
The visitor's center at Watson Lake advised us not to take the Campbell Highway because of the mining activity along the road. Sure glad we did not take it.
2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison
2004 Jayco Jay Flight 25RKS
Equal-i-zer Hitch, 3502 Ultra Fab Tongue Jack
Twin Honda 2000i w/parallel kit
In September 2007 the Campbell Hwy was in great shape, really. We drove Frances Lake -> Watson Lake, then back to Simpson Lake, then the next day we headed down the Nahanni Range Road to Tungsten. The Campbell Hwy was fine, we thought. Not sure why it is all under construction this year. The intersection at the Nahanni Range Road was barely recognizable.
If one has an adventurous spirit and really wants the road less travelled, it's still a good option. Just be prepared for construction, and mud if it's been wet. Most rivers/creeks are running high this year, it seems. Recent rains are keeping the waters high.
Also be prepared to wait for fuel at Ross River, if they're out. Note that Faro still does not have fuel available because their gas station burned last summer.
It was our first time visiting Faro this year. Must say it was a delightful place. We really enjoyed touring the small place. It was immaculate and well-kept for an ex-mining town. Reclamation of the mine site is well underway and the drive up to the site is very scenic. Would also recommend the RV campground at Faro. Very well maintained, clean, tidy, full services. If you're ready to retire into a small place, homes can be purchased for $45,000 there.
And the road from Faro to Carmacks is pretty much paved, with some good gravel sections. Once the road through the South Canol is open, it would make a great route ... Carmacks -> Faro -> Johnsons Crossing on the Alaska Hwy, or reverse.
The South Canol is a nice drive, but NO services for 220 km, and some single lane sections. It's all dirt road, but in nice shape. Great scenery, some fine boondocking spots, and you'll find yourself all alone in the great silence more often than not. We towed our 25' fiver through the section from just north of Quiet Lake to Ross River, no problem. Couldn't continue south of Quiet Lake due to a bridge out, but they were there driving new piles so work will be done soonish. Wouldn't recommend towing anything larger though. And just take your time. Enjoy the sights.
I took these pictures July 5, 2008 southbound on the Campbell Highway. No pilot cars on these two sections.
For the following section, the flagperson told us, "Go slow, stay out of the way of the equipment".
Note: the windshield crack was from our trip on the Campbell Hwy in September 2007
cewillis wrote: Damn, that's too bad. I thought it was a great drive in 05. I hope they get it shaped up by next year.
We also enjoyed the drive on the Campbell Hwy in 2005. With my wife and 4 kids and gear loaded to the rafters in our caravan. Took 5 hours from Watson Lake to Ross River. Gased up, bought some supplies and headed up the North Canol into the NWT.
I just checked out some of your pictures. Great job! I am also a big fan of the Yukon.
Did you guys ever camp at Little Salmon Lake? If so, do you have any pictures from there? That was a place I would like to camp and paddle across to the other side.
I also enjoyed your pics of the Muncho Lake area, another beautiful spot.
We didn't camp at Little Salmon Lake, but did camp at Tatchun Lake and Frenchman Lake, just west of Little Salmon. Also camped in at Lapie Lake again, on the South Canol.
We stopped at the Yukon Gov't campground on Little Salmon Lake and I took some pictures and also took some pictures of the area. Will post those when I've got the photos uploaded.
One of our next great adventures will be into Fort Simpson NWT and then across to Yellowknife and Hay River. Maybe next September.
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