North to Alaska: Day 10

Welcome! Day10/11 (Aug 18/19) of North to Alaska

Quote. “Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation.” – Elizabeth Drew

I am combining day 10 and 11 since we did little except sightseeing.

Sunday on to Atlin today, the “Switzerland of the North”. Atlin is a former mining town from the 1898 gold strike. In its heyday about 10,000 people occupied Atlin. They arrived from traveling by boat to Alaska then across mountains and thru several lakes. The road to Atlin was not created until 1950. Even today the road is part gravel. Atlin British Columbia is unique in that it can only be reached from the Yukon Territory. One road in about 62 miles from Alaska Highway and the same road out.

Four years ago the population was down to about 450. Today it is estimated to be 250. While the town in going downhill the area is still very beautiful.

The trip from Nugget City was very uneventful but a pleasant drive. First 3 hours was on Alaska Highway the next two was on the road leading to Atlin. There was little traffic on the Alaska Highway and even less going to Atlin. The hotel we are in is located on the Atlin Lake.

On Monday morning we drove down as far as the road would allow. We saw several camp sites along the lake. The road was gravel. A grader was active today. This reminded me of my early years as we lived on a gravel road in south Tarrant County. When the road was graded for little kids it was a site to see.

There are three places to eat in town each has a limited menu. Today we ate at all three. Only one has breakfast so we ate there for breakfast. Another opened at 11 for lunch so we had a hot dog there. The hotel we are at opens their bar at 5 and serves food. We had fish for supper and it was good. Of course none of the places were busy. We were told that 4 years ago there were 7 places serving food.

We also heard that while the post office is open 5 days a week mail is only delivered three days a week. It is shipped in from Whitehorse YT. Yukon has a holiday today so no mail was delivered. No mail was delivered so the post office here was closed. Also the town has one gas station connected to one of the cafes. There is also one general store. The school had 8 students last year but 40 this year.

In the afternoon we just relaxed and rested. It felt good. The low this morning was 44 the high was in the low 60s.

Tomorrow on to Alaska for one night via Skagway and Haines.