I'm thinking about doing a run up to Yellowknife. Wondering if anyone has done the MacKenzie and what kind of hwy it is for bikes.

Also what kind of average speed do you think you could maintain along it?

 

I live in a small town southeast of high level, very familiar with the Mackenzie. I've never been to Yellowknife, and it's been a few years since I've crossed into the nwt. The road is usually in good repair, not a lot of cops on it either, although they do pop up now and then. Easy to stay at 115km/h for long stretches (higher if you wanna risk a ticket). Watch for wildlife early mornings and later in the evenings.

Not sure when you plan on going through, but the daylight hours go much later up here. For something different you could take the ferry across the peace river and ride the loop that takes you by la Crete and fort vermilion. These are my stomping grounds, very boring country to me but you might enjoy it. Feel free to shoot me a pm if I can help anymore.

 

Thanks for the info hdgeno.

There are roads and towns up there that I had no idea even existed. What's that #88 like from Slave Lake to Ft V?

Me and a buddy are planning an iron butt run to yellow knife. Always wanted to explore the northern half of my province.

 

Highway 88 is under construction, I think there's about 20km of the road that's still unpaved at this point. That stretch is supposed to be done sometime this summer, depending on the weather.

One other thing, I would suggest you guys make sure you pack extra gas, there are some stretches north of high level that might not have gas available.

 

I've heard others say that we should pack gas. When you say some stretches might not have gas, what kind of distances are we talking about? Just trying to get an idea on how much extra gas we would need to bring.

 

If it was me I would pack enough to travel 500-600km between my bikes tank and the extra, but I'm pretty cautious when it comes to that. Be prepared to travel from High Level to Enterprise, NWT (I would pack enough to continue on to Fort Providence if necessary). Keep in mind that it's been a few years since I've been north of the border, things are prolly better there now.

I've always wanted to see Yellowknife, hope you enjoy the journey! I will make it up there someday, seems like I always wanna go south when it's vacation time lol.

 

http://www.nwtra.ca/riding---edmonto...llowknife.html

Pretty good information at this link... not sure how current it it though. I've been thinking of doing this ride as well but the range on a 3.3 gallon tank is really making the planning challenging. Have a couple of places north of High Level i could set up some fuel caches for you if you plan on going.

 

that link looks pretty good, but never count on gas at Indian Cabins

 

Hey hdgeno, me and a buddy might do a loop up to High level. We're thinking of taking the #88 from Slave to Ft Ver. Then coming home via the #35 from High Level.

Maybe we'll stop by and drink some of your beer! j/k about that part.

We almost went this weekend but it's rainin like a btch here in Calgary. How's the weather up there right now?

 

The loop to High Level didn't pan out. Too much rain.

So I'm back on the plan to do Yellowknife within the next few weekends.


I may turn this into an iron butt run, or could end up spreading it over a few days. That part hasn't been decided.