Epic Alaska Adventure - Spring 2024

Leg 17 - 6/11/2024 - Whitehorse, YT (CYXY) to Watson Lake, YT (CYQH)

Leg Stats

• Time Enroute: 1.7 hrs
• Distance (direct): 189nm
• Distance (actual): 213nm
• Fuel Used: 18.6 gal

We slept in a bit since I expected the weather to be a bit cloudy in the early morning. Later in the morning I checked the weather and determined we should have good enough weather to continue all the way to Dawson Creek again. The forecast was supposed to improve throughout the day along the area of greatest concern (the Watson Lake area), but there was a risk of some thunderstorms down near Dawson Creek in the afternoon.

We checked out of the hotel and ordered a cab to the airport to prepare the airplane and get ready to go.

When we got to the airport, the weather in Watson Lake was still a bit too low (ceilings around 3000 feet, a bit too low for the mountainous terrain nearby), so I decided we would wait a bit. We claimed a few seats in the commercial airport terminal and I decided to order us lunch via Doordash.

While I waited for the food, I decided to take a short walk over to the Yukon Transportation Museum which is located right on the airport. Although the museum itself was unfortunately closed on that day, I was able to see the very unique DC-3 Windvane, which is a real DC-3 on a big moving pedestal (yes it really works!).

After lunch, I checked the weather again and the situation had improved quite a bit, so I filed a VFR flight plan for Watson Lake and we headed down to the airplane to depart.

We would be retreading our trip north on the Alcan all day, with the same fuel stop in Watson Lake. The weather in Whitehorse was actually pretty good and getting better, so we departed and started to make our way back down the Alcan.

Although the skies were overcast, it was plenty high enough to be above the peaks, and it was clear that the weather to the southeast was markedly better, I was able to see clear blue skies to the right of our route the entire way. As we approached Watson Lake (well past the highest terrain), I had to dodge a couple small showers.

Just a bit further on, the weather at Watson Lake was nice, just as the METAR had indicated on departure, so I entered a downwind and landed easily.

We pulled over to the fuel pump and Magic got out to investigate the wildflowers while I fueled us up.

We took a quick restroom break in the old empty terminal again, and I couldn't resist taking another look at that old WW2-era hangar.

Leg Photos

Trip Leg Navigation