The Great Yukon Adventure - Part 2 - Carmacks to Dawson

[Wishmaster]

AWPIREP AW640 DHC2 20250822 CEX4-CYDA 144

The Great Yukon Adventure - Part 2


Just a few hours later after we touched down at Carmacks the weather situation has improved significantly. Blue skies, warmer temperatures, calm winds. Perfect conditions for another VFR flight. This time our destination will be Dawson, second largest city in the Yukon territory, cultural capital of the Yukon, home of the Klondike Gold Rush and official checkpoint during the Yukon Quest sled dog race.

I have so many great memories of this place. So let's go again. Time to fire up the Beaver!



The Beaver is loaded, fueled up and ready to go!

After departure we are proceeding northbound, following the Yukon River. The Klondike Highway also leading in the same direction. Cruise altitude again 5,000 feet.



Beautiful weather. Amazing landscape!



Klondike Highway and the mighty Yukon River.

Passing McCabe Creek I think of some more great memories from the Yukon Quest. How different this landscape looks when it is not covered in snow and ice. Just a few minutes further to the north we are passing Minto landing (CML7). The Klondike Highway will diverge to the east until it joins the Yukon River again at Dawson.



Minto. Klondike Highway turning to the right.

Heading northwest now the next point of interest is Fort Selkirk, located on the southern bank of the Yukon at the confluence of the Pelly River. Once a trading post it is now a historic site with a camping ground and landing strip nearby. The site can only be accessed by boat or airplane.



Approaching Fort Selkirk, Pelly River merging from the right.



Fort Selkirk Historic Site and airstrip.



Blue skies!



Westbound.

Flying westbound now we are passing several small creeks that join the Yukon River. One of them caught my attention, not only because of its name, Coffee Creek, but also because there seems to be a small landing strip, which is not published on my charts. Might belong to a mining company, not sure. Clearly visible on Google Maps, it can be spotted in FS2024 as well. But I wouldn't recommend landing there, it is overgrown.



Approaching Coffee Creek. Airstrip can be seen.

Flying northbound shortly thereafter another river merges in the Yukon, the White River. It clearly changes the color of the Yukon River.



White River flows into the Yukon River.

Only about five minutes later we are approaching another confluence. Stewart River joins the Yukon River there.



Confluence of Stewart and Yukon River.



Northbound, on our way to Dawson.

Then finally, after about 1.5 hours of flight, the city of Dawson appears.



Descending towards Dawson.



Klondike River and Klondike Highway both join the Yukon River here. City of Dawson can be seen on the river bank. We are turning slightly right to get to the airport.



Descending further. Klondike River and Klondike Highway can be seen.



Airport in sight!



Preparing to land. Right-hand downwind for runway 21 at CYDA.



Coming in a bit high, no big deal for the Beaver. Can't wait to get to the city again!



And here we are! Taxiing in.



Welcome to Dawson!

Second leg completed. What an amazing flight! 

[JoaoPaz]

Louis Armstrong singing "What a wonderful world" in the background 

And what a wonderful day you got there, Markus!!

[Wishmaster]

Thank you Joao! And yes, this song fits perfectly!