Epic Alaska Adventure - Spring 2024
| << Leg 6 - Saskatoon, SK to Calgary/Banff, AB | Trip Home | Leg 8 - Dawson Creek, BC to Watson Lake, YT >> |
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Leg Stats
- Time Enroute: 2.7 hrs
- Distance (direct): 348nm
- Distance (actual): 354nm
- Fuel Used: 32.8 gal
On Friday morning, I had made my decision. Looking ahead at the extended forecast (the Windy app is amazing), it appeared we would have a nice window of good weather to fly the difficult Alcan route on Saturday and Sunday, as well as having the weekend available to fly anytime during the day. So to get a jump on this, I decided that we would work a half-day on Friday and leave Banff early, and head north to position ourselves closer to the Alcan. After researching ForeFlight comments and reviewing fuel prices (and availability!), I landed on Dawson Creek, BC. Dawson Creek also happens to be the official start of the Alaska Highway itself, and the hotels and town are walkable from the airport. I consulted the weather for Friday afternoon and decided it was fine, with the usual isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms near Calgary.
Windy claimed that this would stay isolated to the south and east of the Dawson Creek area. On the day of, we checked out early and I drove Katherine to a cafe in Canmore to work (she was unable to get off as early) while I walked Magic around Canmore town and we enjoyed lunch together.
Afterwards, we returned the rental in Springbank and Katherine setup in the FBO to finish her work day while I got the airplane ready.
I consulted the radar to see what the rain showers were doing.
As predicted, most of the showery weather was near Calagary and moving south and east, so I felt confident that once we got out of the immediate Calgary area we would be under sunny skies.
This turned out to be pretty much accurate. The route to Dawson Creek is fairly unchallenging, with generally low terrain (the route stays east of the mountains) and very little airspace to avoid, and after taking off from Springbank, we navigated around 1-2 small rain showers and were in clear skies. We enjoyed the very quiet flight to Dawson Creek and enjoyed a little SiriusXM music.
On arrival, I called Peace River Radio (my first experience with a Mandatory Frequency airport) and no other traffic was reported in the area, so we made a left base entry and landed.
No other traffic arrived while we were at the airport. A very quiet place. On landing we taxied directly to the self-serve and fueled, and searched the very empty terminal building for an unlocked door.
We found the pilot lounge on the side of the building, also unattended, but nicely appointed with a couch, a bathroom with shower, a fridge, and a computer. It was clear that pilots transiting the Alcan overnight here often. We saw a guestbook and signed it, and I enjoyed reading all the entries from the other Alcan pilots.
After, we booked a hotel 1.4 miles down the road and gathered our stuff to begin walking there, but a very nice local saw us walking and gave us a ride in his pickup truck. On arrival to the hotel, we stashed our bags and decided we would walk into town for dinner and to take a photo with the "Alaska Highway" sign.
People seem to bring bumper stickers from all over as part of a pilgrimage of sorts.
We got our photos and had some great roasted garlic hummus and beers for dinner.
Leg Photos
Trip Leg Navigation
<< Leg 6 - Saskatoon, SK to Calgary/Banff, AB
