Day 7 (07/15) - Dawson Creek to Ft. Nelson

Mile “0”

Alaska Highway begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. I arrived here last night and visited Mile “0” marker at downtown business district. The Highway was built in 1942 (completed within 8 months) for the purpose of linking Alaska to lower 48 states as a military necessity during World War II. From here, the 1422 miles highway travels northwesterly to Yukon Territory then crosses border into Alaska. It officially ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. The Highway opened to public in 1948 and was named an International Historical Engineering Landmark in 1996.

For many people driving Alaska Highway across a great expanse of North America is an adventure all by itself. For me, vastness of wilderness along the highway is another pleasant surprise to a planned destination, Alaska. I really am glad I chose driving instead of flying North.

I have already traveled more than 1200 miles in 6 days before arriving Dawson Creek. My personal Mile “0” actually began at home in Washington State.

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This is the sign post outside of Dawson Creek's visitor center. The VC is very resourceful and friendly. A 30 minutes documentary film provides historical information about construction of the highway during WWII due to military necessity. Before leaving town, I take a self-guided walking tour in downtown area.

Behind this sign is the junction of
Alaska Highway and Highway 97. Alaska Highway begins here while the sign post is
located in downtown.

Downtown sign post in daylight

On my way to Ft. Nelson, I begin to see the dramatic weather change of Alaska Highway. From stormy thick and dark could to ...

... sunny sky in 15 minutes or a few miles of
driving.

Beautiful sky and fields.

More ...

and more ...