Dreaming of the Far North after mosquito season -- and I don't mind night-time temperatures in the twenties. Generally speaking, how late in September can we travel in the Yukon and Northern BC without running into major snowstorms? We have chains for our truck (have never had to use them) and chains for the trailer (ditto). I can tow in snow and ice, but that is not my preference.I understand that conditions vary from year to year -- but in general, when does driving (and towing) become unsafe?Thanks in advance for your advice!

I look at mid October as the cutoff for heading down the Alaska Highway with the RV, because of some of the high passes like Summit Lake. In Whitehorse I figure on the end of October as the date when the snow no longer melts away. While heavy snow does occasionally come even in early September, it's uncommon and melts away quickly.

In Sept. 2013, there was no problem driving most of the way to Inuvik on the Dempster. link

RE: MosquitoesIf you can stay out of the deep forests so that your campsite will get some air, that will really help.Also, although you can't really plan it but some summers have less rain than others and therefore less mosquitoes.On our all-summer trip to Alaska and lots of time spent in the Yukon, we didn't consider mosquitoes to be an issue for us. The weather reports that summer were also of it being a dry summer. Then, too, we had lived in Michigan and we've encountered more mosquitoes there than our Alaskan trip.

2gypsies, the problem with mosquitoes is that we do a lot of hiking in woods and brushy places and near streams -- and I have some sort of special blood that they just love. They don't like my wife's blood, for some reason. So when possible, we try to plan our travels so as to minimize the issue -- not to avoid it completely. Plus we like cold weather and fall color, and I am hoping to see the Northern Lights. During the summer months, the nights in the north are short and not very dark. September would be a better time for us, all around.

The last time we were up in the Yukon towards the end of August some of the stores and campgrounds were preparing to close (sales on store goods etc.) It would be good to check on campsite availability.

Yukon in September -- how late is too late for safe travel?

13 Replies

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2016
RE: Mosquitoes

If you can stay out of the deep forests so that your campsite will get some air, that will really help.

Also, although you can't really plan it but some summers have less rain than others and therefore less mosquitoes.

On our all-summer trip to Alaska and lots of time spent in the Yukon, we didn't consider mosquitoes to be an issue for us. The weather reports that summer were also of it being a dry summer. Then, too, we had lived in Michigan and we've encountered more mosquitoes there than our Alaskan trip.
cewillis
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
In Sept. 2013, there was no problem driving most of the way to Inuvik on the Dempster. link
explorenorth
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
I look at mid October as the cutoff for heading down the Alaska Highway with the RV, because of some of the high passes like Summit Lake. In Whitehorse I figure on the end of October as the date when the snow no longer melts away. While heavy snow does occasionally come even in early September, it's uncommon and melts away quickly.

Forum Discussion

Yukon in September -- how late is too late for safe travel?

13 Replies

About Bucket List Trips

Related Content

Travel Trailer

My Travel Trailer Fell Down

september trip

Oregon Coast in September

Travel trailer front lights stay on