Yukon Sights by Sue Thomas

Heart Lake Recreation Site to Kiskatinaw Provincial Park
on the Alaska Highway

4 August 2010 - Wednesday

Today the truck would reach Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway! There was some haze still in the air from the forest fires to the west, but otherwise a great day.

Highway 97 British Columbia
Fields south of Dawson Creek along Highway 97

Approaching Dawson Creek, the landscape is flat and farmed.
Highway 97 is also easy driving through this area.  

Highway 97 British Columbia
Highway 97 northbound south of Dawson Creek

In recent years these wind turbines were added to the hill tops.

Highway 97 British Columbia
Wind turbines south of Dawson Creek along Highway 97

Finally, the Alaska Highway! I remember when the signpost was actually at Mile 0 and feel it just wouldn't be the same seeing it where it is now.

From Highway 97 we make the left turn to start the trip up the Alaska Highway.

Alaska Highway BC
Heading north on the Alaska Highway on the outskirts of Dawson Creek

A half hour drive north of Dawson Creek, and on a side road called the "Old Alaska Highway" is the Kiskatinaw Bridge located at N55 57 26.2 W120 33 51.3. The bridge is located in the Kiskatinaw Provincial Park and is a historic site.

The campground in the park is walking distance to the bridge. The campground is also well-maintained and quiet during the week.

Kiskatinow Bridge Provincial Park
Approaching the historic Kiskatinaw curved bridge on the old Alaska Highway

The bridge may have been the first curved wooden bridge for vehicle traffic but I know it was not the first curved wooden trestle built in Canada...the Kinsol Trestle (located on Vancouver Island) was built decades previous.

Kiskatinow Bridge Provincial Park
Info sign at Kiskatinaw River Bridge, alongside the footpath from the provincial park campground

It is easy to hike around the bridge to see it from all sides.  

Kiskatinow Bridge Provincial Park
The Kiskatinaw bridge viewed from the southeast, located at N55 57 26.2 W120 33 51.4

Kiskatinow Bridge, Alaska Highway, BC
The Kiskatinaw bridge viewed from under the northwest abutment

Kiskatinow Bridge, Alaska Highway, BC
The Kiskatinaw bridge viewed from the north side


Kiskatinow Bridge, Alaska Highway, BC
The Kiskatinaw bridge viewed from the south side


Kiskatinow Bridge, Alaska Highway, BC
The deck of the Kiskatinaw bridge ... all planks!

It was a pleasant evening. Tazz thoroughly enjoyed playing in the water! Steve tried some fishing with no luck, other than sighting a beaver family nearby.

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