luvavacation Posted November 16, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 16, 2006 This summer, we went out to Durango, CO, from the midwest, and we found out that my youngest daughter did not care for mountain driving, as there are no guardrails but many steep drops. However, we did not realize how frightened she was until dinner this evening, when I was discussing our planned drive out to Emerald Lake when in Skagway's port. I had shown my family the route (thanks to a link today!), and my youngest (11) became quite frightened at the prospect of more mountain driving! I won't let her fears hold us, or her, back, we are still planning on doing the drive, and DH is a very safe driver, but if I at least know what to expect, perhaps I can help her prepare better! So, are there guardrails alongside the road when you drive through the mountains to Emerald Lake? Or is it not really steep, no big drop-offs or perhaps nice wide shoulders? Oddly enough, my youngest is usuallly my fearless one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted November 16, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 16, 2006 The photos on my road log at http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html will show you what to expect. As you'll see, there are steep drop-offs, but there are also guardrails. Murray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dderm Posted November 17, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 17, 2006 my youngest (11) became quite frightened at the prospect of more mountain driving! I won't let her fears hold us, or her, back, we are still planning on doing the drive, and DH is a very safe driver, but if I at least know what to expect, perhaps I can help her prepare better! So, are there guardrails alongside the road when you drive through the mountains to Emerald Lake? Or is it not really steep, no big drop-offs or perhaps nice wide shoulders? DH and I did the drive to Emerald Lake last September. I am also terrified of heights and will honestly tell you that if I had know what the drive up to the pass was like, I would not have gone. There are VERY steep, long drop-offs and while there is a shoulder and guardrails, neither were enough to make me less white-knuckled. BUT, having said that - once we got over the pass, it wasn't nearly as bad (still pretty wind-y but I could live with it as the slow speed limit helped). And the views are absolutely spectacular!!!! Would I do it again? No way! Am I glad I stuck it out - you bet. Maybe there is something else your daughter can do while you take the drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIcruiser99 Posted November 17, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Wow, I didn't think it was that bad but then realized that the day we went over the pass, it was foggy! We didn't see much that scared us! Once you get over the pass, it was gorgeous and well worth the drive. Hope that you can figure something out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvavacation Posted November 17, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Thanks all for the information! Looking at the pictures on Yukon's website, it doesn't look as bad as the Rocky Mountain passes, and thanks do dderm and MIcruiser99 at least I know what to expect and can tell my daughter that is the worst of it. Perhaps I will allow her to bring along a favorite cd and we can sing along to it, that might help her to focus on something else. Either way, she will be joining us on this drive, because if (when!) we see one of her 3 top animals (bear, moose, wolf) or stop and see the dogs in Carcross, and she is not with us, she will be very, very sad. I can't let that happen, now can I? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisechick82 Posted November 17, 2006 #6 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Lots of guardrails and very wide shoulders. It's an amazing drive! However, I think the chance of seeing any wildlife on the drive is very rare although there are definately sled dogs at Caribou Crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHappyGal Posted November 18, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 18, 2006 We did the drive on our May 06 cruise. The drive is not as bad as going thru the Rockies. The part over the pass is right at the beginning and over very qucikly and then you are in much flatter countryside. Well worth it. However do print off Murray's guide and take it with you so you know what you are seeing. Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Cruiser Posted November 18, 2006 #8 Share Posted November 18, 2006 We did see a grizzly right on the shoulder of the road when we drove up the Klondike Highway from Skagway a few years ago. I agree that it is well worth the trip - if in doubt, have a look at the pictures we took on that drive last September (just click on my name, and a drop-down menu should take you to my home page where the pictures and some cruising tips for Skagway are posted). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalGal Posted November 19, 2006 #9 Share Posted November 19, 2006 The drive to Emerald Lake is nothing like driving on the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado (we've done both). Compared to the Colorado drive the road is much wider (with plenty of guard rails) and the drop-offs are not nearly as precipitous and it didn't seem as high in elevation. We drive mountain roads frequently all over the west and on a scale from 1 to 10, I would give the South Klondike Hwy a 2-3 and the Million Dollar Hwy an 8-9. I printed up Murray's guide before we left...it was very helpful and informative. The bonus was seeing a large gray wolf in the wild! We are already planning to do it again in May 2007. P.S. Perhaps your daughter should ride in the front seat if she is gets a bit dizzy...it helps a lot on mountain roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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