Richardson Highway, Part II

Post date: Jul 22, 2016 4:49:23 PM

Another day on the planet, I woke up in the morning and had breakfast with my new friends. As a consequence, the train did not leave Fairbanks until almost noon. I spent some time blogging in the morning and took my time packing. Out on the road, I headed east on the Alaska Highway towards Delta Junction.

There is a sizable military present in the area judging by Eielson Air Force Base on the north side of Alaska Highway outside of Fairbanks as well as a Fort Greeley Army Post at Delta Junction.

About halfway to Delta Junction looking to the south you can actually see the delta. It's very sandy and rocky with swaths of water here and there. Peering across the landscape, I saw three Apache helicopters flying map of the earth. It was really cool.

Finally, I arrived at Delta Junction. It's a small town that is undoubtedly dependent upon Fort Greeley. I decided to fuel up the bike and get something to drink. While there I met three motorcyclists who had been to the Arctic Circle and we're heading to Tok. Tok was my final destination for the day, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to take a slight detour down the Richardson Highway. The MILEPOST says that the Richardson is the most scenic road in Alaska. That being said it was really a no-brainer the ride Richardson. At the Junction, I made a right turn and headed south towards what I think it's some of the most beautiful scenery and all of Alaska.

Beyond Fort Greeley, I encountered rolling hills for about 20 miles, and then, as I rounded a bend, the most beautiful view that I have witnessed during my time in Alaska presented itself. Overlooking the valley I gazed across the Delta with its sparse sandy and rocky patches, lush vegetation rising up the side of the mountain eventually turning to stark, scraggly rocks at the timberline, and ultimately, ending in snow capped peaks. It was beautiful.

The road twisted through canyons and the view continued to become increasingly amazing. Just north of Summit Lake, I saw a sign identifying the Richardson Monument, and I pulled into the wayside there. Looking back north, there is a large area of flatland that paves the way to a glacier that travels all the way to the top of the mountain.

A little further south, Summit Lake bordered the road to the west. There are several cabins in a private area adjacent to the road. It appears to be a favorite location to vacation. Further down the Richardson is a small area called Paxson that borders the Copper River Valley. I had already visiting that area so I decided to turn around and head back north the way that I came. The view was so good that had to see it again.

By this time it was well past lunch and I was starving. I stopped at the campground just south of Fort Greeley and had a really late lunch of Kung Pao Chicken from Backpacker's Pantry. It was really good but it could have been a little sweeter. I guess I'm giving away to my American taste buds craving sugar. It was definitely edible though.

The body fueled up I continued onward. Back at Delta Junction, I had to fill the bike up again and checked for cell service. The Richardson had some of the most beautiful scenery that I had witnessed in all of Alaska that I had to share it with my new found friends. I sent out a text message advising them to consider traveling the Richardson on their way to Tok because it was well worth the trip. I received a text message back from my Georgia friend saying that he and his girlfriend were camping and Thompson's Eagle's Claw Motorcycle Campground in Tok. I have planned to stay there that evening myself, coincidentally.

By this time it was getting late and I was starting to get a big tired so I twisted the wick and burned up some road to Tok. Once there, it didn't take me long to set up camp and locate my friends. We shared the story of our days venture and discussed the route in the morning. Again, we determine that we were all traveling the same road. We decided to have breakfast together in the morning and head out towards Haines Junction. At Haines Junction they would turn south, and I was to continue onto Whitehorse, YT.

After that I hit the sack.