The
Top of the World Highway connects
Dawson City, YT and Chicken, AK. There are two ways to drive there. Take the
Taylor Highway 80 miles from Tok through Chicken or the Klondike Highway 323
miles from Whitehorse to Dawson City.
We
considered driving the Top of the World
Highway and decided that towing a trailer over 5 hours at 15 mph on a
broken or gravel road with no services was cruel and unreasonable punishment. Thanks
to Carl and Vickie Eckert, we can enjoy Dawson City, Dredge #4, the ferry ride
and the exceptional scenery vicariously through their 2015 travel pictures.
Today
we set out to prove we weren’t too chicken by at least driving to Chicken.
The Route
It was a 155 mile round trip from Tok to Chicken and return on the
Taylor Highway.
About the Day
It was cloudy with a light breeze at the lower elevations. Rain
showers greeted us as we neared Chicken. The temperature ranged from 45 to 60
degrees.
About Chicken
·
It’s
not a town per se. It’s a community consisting of three business entities
owned by three families, surrounded by mining relics. Downtown Chicken, Chicken
Gold Camp & Outpost, and Town of
Chicken all woo the same customers.
·
Population: 27 in summer and 7 in winter.
·
It’s called Chicken because early miners couldn’t spell Ptarmigan.
·
There is no city water, sewer, electric or cell phone service.
·
Residents provide their own water and generate their own
electricity.
·
Gas was $3.099 per gallon (we passed)
Scenes along the way …
 |
| Obviously, this is a wilderness |
 |
| Except for frost heaves and patches, the highway was in pretty good condition. |
 |
| There’s rain ahead |
 |
| We drove in and out of sunshine |
 |
| The highway just goes and goes |
 |
| Is it a dip or a frost heave? |
 |
| Lots of fun color along the berm |
Greeting …
The last 2 miles into Chicken from the south are gravel.
 |
| Even Chicken doesn’t call itself Chicken |
 |
| Really? It’s a 2,500 long gravel runway. |
Downtown Chicken …
 |
| This is Downtown Chicken |
 |
| We had lunch here |
 |
| Inside Chicken Creek Cafe |
 |
| It’s chicken pot pie … what else? |
 |
| You can shop, too. |
 |
| They have all the amenities |
Chicken Gold Camp & Outpost …
 |
| Gold panning |
 |
| There are chickens all over |
 |
| Pedro Dredge (a.k.a. Dredge No. 4 and Chicken Dredge) |
 |
| The Chickenstock Festival has an interesting stage |
Town of Chicken …
 |
| Eye-catching |
 |
| Fuel, food, gifts, cabins and camping |
 |
| Oh, look. More chickens! |
Other Stuff
Traffic was light.
24 southbound vehicles passed (7 were RVs) as we drove north.
10 northbound vehicles passed (4 were RVs) as we drove south.
 |
| Mileages where Taylor Highway returns to the Alaska Highway |
The Campground
Has excellent Verizon service.
Restrooms and showers are immaculate.
Tomorrow
We’re heading for Delta Junction, North Pole and Fairbanks.
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