The Alaska Highway :

Muncho Lake, British Colombia to the "Sign Forest", Watson Lake, Yukon.

ALL Photos © K. Dewey, School of Natural Resources, Applied Climate Sciences, UNL.

Day Two on the Alaska Highway at Muncho Lake A float plane ready for "flightseeing"
A float plane heading out for some "flightseeing" Looking across Muncho Lake as the float plane heads out
One of the original mile markers along the Alaska Highway One last look back at Muncho Lake
Nearby Alaska Highway scenery The Alaska Highway descends north toward the Yukon
More signs warning of wildlife (Buffalo) More signs warning of wildlife (Buffalo)
 2 miles later, a bear appears along side the Alaska Highway - just south of the Laird River. Stopping briefly, the bear then walks between the 2 cars
and then, looks both ways and crosses the Alaska Highway. Note the buffalo in the distance across the road. Buffalo along side the Alaska Highway
Along side the Alaska Highway traffic slowed and pulled over to observe the wild life
Buffalo along side the Alaska Highway Buffalo along side the Alaska Highway -  note the calves
Approaching the Laird River Valley with a fog bank Crossing the Laird River
Another abandoned motel, rest stop at the Laird River Looking back at the Laird River valley and fog bank
10 miles past the first group of buffaloes, more Buffaloes walking along the highway
young Buffalo calf  look carefully, hiding in the bush 
One of many road repairs along the Alaska Highway  The harsh winter climate  results in a lot of highway damage
   
and another patch  and another.  There were too many to count! 
   
Approaching the Yukon border on the Alaska Highway  The Laird River near the Yukon border
   
The Hilgren Lakes near the Yukon border  The "Sign Post" forest (with 4,000+ signs - June 2008)
   
   
The "Sign Post" forest  
CLICK HERE FOR A MUCH LARGER VERSION
The "Sign Post" forest 
CLICK HERE FOR A MUCH LARGER VERSION
  

History of the "Sign Forest"  

History of the "Sign Forest"

 The forest was started in 1942 by a homesick U.S. Army G.I., Carl K. Lindley of Danville, Il., Company D, 341st Engineers. While working on the Alaska Highway, he erected a sign here pointing the way and stating the mileage to his hometown. Others followed his lead and are still doing so to this day. On July 20, 1990, Olen and Anita Walker of Bryan, Ohio placed the 10,000th sign. Carl K. Lindley and his wife visited the site in 1992, 50 years after his first post was erected.

Today, the Town of Watson Lake maintains the site, erecting more posts as they are needed through the Adopt-A-Post Program. Located near the forest is the Alaska Highway Interpretive Centre. This is often the first Yukon stop for northbound travelers. Besides providing information on the territory, the centre interprets the remarkable history of the highway through photo murals, realistic displays and dioramas, a three projector audio-visual presentation and a unique winter night scene illuminated by northern lights

External Link to more "Sign Forest" photos

External Link to more "Sign Forest" Information