Mileposts

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Mile 635 Watson Lake
During the early years of W.W.II, the existing Watson Lake airfield was upgraded to accommodate the steady stream of fighter aircraft en route from the U. S. to Russia. The aircraft flying along this Northwest Staging Route were the result of a lend - lease agreement between the two countries to assist in the Soviet war effort.

Mile 710 Rancheria/Highway Lodges
For a number years after W.W.II, travel along the Alaska Highway was restricted and services for the casual traveler were few and far between. Highway lodges sprung up along the route to serve travelers' needs. A few of the original lodges, like Rancheria, are still in operation today.

Mile 804 Telslin/Deisleen Aayi
The construction of the Alaska Highway brought a new way of life to the Yukon's native people. The impact on the people of Teslin is a good example of the benefits and drawbacks associated with development.

Mile 836 The Canol Project
The Canada Oil Project was conceived to provide a secure oil supply that would support the Northwest Staging Route and transportation along the Alaska Highway. Oil fields at Norman Wells were developed and a refinery was built in Whitehorse, while 600 miles of pipeline and related support facilities were constructed in-between.

Mile 910 McCrae
McCrae originated in 1900 as a flag stop on the newly constructed White Pass and Yukon Railway. During W.W.II, this area served as a major service and supply depot, a major construction camp and a recreation center.

Mile 974 Champagne
When the American army soldiers pushed the pioneer road for the Alaska Highway through the Village of Champagne in 1942, they were crossing ground that had been occupied for over 5000 years

Mile 1016 Haines Junction
The Haines Road is a 160 mile link connecting the Alaska Highway at Haines Junction, Yukon with the seaport of Haines, Alaska. Today the road is well known as a scenic attraction and along with the coastal ferries, forms a major route through the Yukon.

Mile 1053 Silver City/Lake Freighting
Long before the Alaska Highway was built, there was a wagon road between Whitehorse and Silver City. Once travelers reached this point at the end of the road, they took boats to various locations on Kluane Lake. The American soldiers building the highway tote road in 1942 also used boats to freight their construction materials.

Mile 1061 Soldiers' Summit
Near this site on November 20, 1942, a ribbon-cutting ceremony in -35 weather was held to officially open the Alaska Canada Military Highway. Follow the path from the parking lot to the original signing site to see and learn more about this ceremony.

Mile 1083 Destruction Bay/ Relay Stations
Driving the early Alaska Highway was difficult and often dangerous, causing wear and tear on both man and machine. Destruction Bay was one of the many relay stations spaced at 100-mile intervals to give truck drivers a break and a chance to repair their vehicles.

Mile 1093 Burwash Landing
After months of rough camp life, American soldiers were surprised and delighted when they reached this prosperous little settlement which seemed like an oasis in the wilderness. Bruwash also became the home of Father Eusebe Morisset, an Oblate Missionary, who served as an auxiliary chaplain with the American Army.

Mile 1117 Lieutenant Small Memorial Site/The 18th Engineers
The members of the 18th Regiment built over 300 miles of road from Whitehorse to the Alaska border. They marveled at the spectacular scenery and cursed the arduous conditions. First Lieutenant Roland Small died in a jeep accident near this site in 1942.

Mile 1130 The Donjek River Bridge
Glacial rivers, like the Donjek, posed a unique problem for the builders of the Alaska Highway. These braided mountain streams would flood after a heavy rainfall or rapid glacial melt, altering the waters' course and often leave bridges crossing dry ground.

Mile 1202 Beaver Creek/The Final Link
Near this Yukon community, American soldiers encountered extensive permafrost. When builders scraped off the insulating layer of overburden, they transformed the permafrost into an ice-bottomed mud bog. On October 28, 1942, the 97th Engineers met the 18th Engineers here, forming a continuous link between Dawson Creek, B.C. and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Mile 635	Watson Lake During the early years of W.W.II, the existing Watson Lake airfield was upgraded to accommodate the steady stream of fighter aircraft en route from the U. S. to Russia. The aircraft flying along this Northwest Staging Route were the result of a lend - lease agreement between the two countries to assist in the Soviet war effort.
Mile 710	Rancheria/Highway Lodges For a number years after W.W.II, travel along the Alaska Highway was restricted and services for the casual traveler were few and far between. Highway lodges sprung up along the route to serve travelers' needs. A few of the original lodges, like Rancheria, are still in operation today.
Mile 804	Telslin/Deisleen Aayi The construction of the Alaska Highway brought a new way of life to the Yukon's native people. The impact on the people of Teslin is a good example of the benefits and drawbacks associated with development.
Mile 836	The Canol Project The Canada Oil Project was conceived to provide a secure oil supply that would support the Northwest Staging Route and transportation along the Alaska Highway. Oil fields at Norman Wells were developed and a refinery was built in Whitehorse, while 600 miles of pipeline and related support facilities were constructed in-between.
Mile 910	McCrae McCrae originated in 1900 as a flag stop on the newly constructed White Pass and Yukon Railway. During W.W.II, this area served as a major service and supply depot, a major construction camp and a recreation center.
Mile 974	Champagne When the American army soldiers pushed the pioneer road for the Alaska Highway through the Village of Champagne in 1942, they were crossing ground that had been occupied for over 5000 years
Mile 1016	Haines Junction The Haines Road is a 160 mile link connecting the Alaska Highway at Haines Junction, Yukon with the seaport of Haines, Alaska. Today the road is well known as a scenic attraction and along with the coastal ferries, forms a major route through the Yukon.
Mile 1053	Silver City/Lake Freighting Long before the Alaska Highway was built, there was a wagon road between Whitehorse and Silver City. Once travelers reached this point at the end of the road, they took boats to various locations on Kluane Lake. The American soldiers building the highway tote road in 1942 also used boats to freight their construction materials.
Mile 1061	Soldiers' Summit Near this site on November 20, 1942, a ribbon-cutting ceremony in -35 weather was held to officially open the Alaska Canada Military Highway. Follow the path from the parking lot to the original signing site to see and learn more about this ceremony.
Mile 1083	Destruction Bay/ Relay Stations Driving the early Alaska Highway was difficult and often dangerous, causing wear and tear on both man and machine. Destruction Bay was one of the many relay stations spaced at 100-mile intervals to give truck drivers a break and a chance to repair their vehicles.
Mile 1093	Burwash Landing After months of rough camp life, American soldiers were surprised and delighted when they reached this prosperous little settlement which seemed like an oasis in the wilderness. Bruwash also became the home of Father Eusebe Morisset, an Oblate Missionary, who served as an auxiliary chaplain with the American Army.
Mile 1117	Lieutenant Small Memorial Site/The 18th Engineers The members of the 18th Regiment built over 300 miles of road from Whitehorse to the Alaska border. They marveled at the spectacular scenery and cursed the arduous conditions. First Lieutenant Roland Small died in a jeep accident near this site in 1942.
Mile 1130	The Donjek River Bridge Glacial rivers, like the Donjek, posed a unique problem for the builders of the Alaska Highway. These braided mountain streams would flood after a heavy rainfall or rapid glacial melt, altering the waters' course and often leave bridges crossing dry ground.
Mile 1202	Beaver Creek/The Final Link Near this Yukon community, American soldiers encountered extensive permafrost. When builders scraped off the insulating layer of overburden, they transformed the permafrost into an ice-bottomed mud bog. On October 28, 1942, the 97th Engineers met the 18th Engineers here, forming a continuous link between Dawson Creek, B.C. and Fairbanks, Alaska.