Journey from Calgary to the Alaskan Wilderness

Our adventure begins in Calgary, Alberta, a city where the urban meets the wild. From here, we embark on a journey north, a trek through some of North America's most untouched and spectacular landscapes, leading us into the heart of Alaska.

The Start: Calgary to Yukon
Leaving Calgary, we drive towards the border, with the Bow River accompanying us for a while, its waters gleaming under the morning sun. The transition from the prairies to the foothills is subtle yet profound, with landscapes changing from flat expanses to gentle rises. Crossing into British Columbia, the scenery becomes dramatically alpine. The road through the Rockies is a symphony of towering peaks, dense forests, and occasional glimpses of wildlife. The journey through Banff, with its famous hot springs and the ethereal Lake Louise, sets a majestic tone for what's to come. Further north, we enter the Yukon. Whitehorse, with its gold rush history, offers a quaint stop. Here, the Yukon River flows mightily, whispering tales of old adventures. The landscape around Whitehorse is vast, with the boreal forest stretching endlessly, occasionally broken by clearings where wildflowers paint the ground in summer.

Into Alaska: A Land of Extremes
Crossing into Alaska via the Alaska Highway, the landscape transforms once more. Here, the wilderness feels more primal, less touched by human hands. The drive through the Tanana Valley, with Fairbanks as a potential stopover, introduces us to the midnight sun in summer or the shimmering aurora borealis in winter, each a spectacle of nature's artistry.

Denali National Park
Our first significant stop in Alaska is Denali National Park, home to North America's highest peak, Denali. The park is a testament to nature's grandeur, with its tundra, glacial rivers, and wildlife. Here, we might encounter grizzlies, moose, or the elusive wolf, all against the backdrop of endless, rugged beauty. The park's road, mostly accessible by shuttle, winds through valleys where the air feels crisp, and every view is a masterpiece of earth and sky.

The Kenai Peninsula
Next, we venture to the Kenai Peninsula, a place of serene lakes, dense forests, and fjords. Seward, our gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offers boat tours where we can witness massive glaciers calving into the sea, sea lions basking on rocky outcrops, and whales breaching the surface.

Further North: The Arctic
For those bold enough, the journey can extend towards Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), the northernmost city in the U.S. Here, in summer, the sun doesn't set for weeks, creating an otherworldly experience of perpetual daylight. The tundra, vast and flat, blooms with life, a stark contrast to its frozen winter state.

The Return via Yukon
Heading back, we might choose the Top of the World Highway, a scenic route offering panoramic views of the Yukon Territory. Dawson City, with its preserved gold rush era charm, provides a historic detour. The Klondike Gold Rush's spirit still lingers here, in the wooden buildings and the tales of gold seekers.

​This journey from Calgary to Alaska and back through the Yukon is not just a trip; it's a passage through time and nature. From the lush forests to the stark tundras, from bustling wildlife to serene solitude, this route offers a glimpse into the raw, unfiltered beauty of the north. Each mile traveled is a chapter in a story of exploration, where every turn presents a new wonder, a new reason to pause and reflect on the vastness and beauty of our planet. This adventure, under the endless skies of Canada and Alaska, is a reminder of how small we are in the face of such monumental landscapes, yet how deeply connected we are to this wild, beautiful world.  

• These are just a few of the pictures we took along the way, full length videos will be coming out on our YouTube channel in the near future.  www.youtube.com/@kassdays