TRAVEL | Destination Yamaha Took Us to The Last Frontier

I’d never been to Alaska before, let alone its southeasternmost tip, so the crew at Destination Yamaha could hardly press “send” before I responded “yes” to their invitation. Twenty-two hours of daylight, bears catching salmon in a river, icebergs off the shores of a forest-laden coastline…I’d dreamt up my version of this forbidden kingdom since childhood. It’s the stuff of fiction, feeding classic novels for readers who (like me) picture themselves as explorers, bold pioneers who run towards the unknown at full speed. At least in my imagination.

Certain parts of the world are often selected as quintessential backdrops for literature about adventure, not merely for the surroundings but for its magnetism. Ketchikan, Alaska is no doubt one of those places – and for good reason. A tempestuous climate controlling the fate of a widely virgin landscape. It’s the sort of town at the center of novels about hardship and perseverance. 

Founded as a salmon cannery site in 1885, the Yukon Gold Rush brought prospectors to the area from far and wide in hopes of striking it rich. By 1900, the sleepy town incorporated and became the port of entry for ships traveling to Alaska from the south – a crucial detail foreshadowing the curious fate of this state’s “First City” situated at the gateway where Canada separates them from the contiguous US. Tlingit people were the original anglers of the region, but as mining began to subside, fishing – and more specifically, canning – became the predominant trade for the newly planted residents.

By the 1930’s, this seaside village was packing 1.5 million cases of salmon a year [cite: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation], earning itself the title of Salmon Capital of the World. It had become the largest municipality in Alaska and over the following century, the population continued to ebb and flow as tastes changed and industries evolved. Today, while fishing, seafood processing, commerce, and government still provide occupation for many of the locals and seasonal denizens, tourism has secured itself at the top of the totem pole, so-to-speak.

A nice meal kicked off the festivities. It was intimate and cheerful and an excellent way to begin an expedition. The following morning wasn’t as cool as presumed, although it was a bit wet. Completing the customary safety briefing, the guides at Ketchikan AdventureVue led us to our chariots after suiting up for a long day at the wheel of Yamaha’s flagship Wolverine, the X2 850. After riding a couple of hours, we returned to basecamp for sandwiches and reindeer sausage (a specialty proudly offered by our guides).

Ours was a specially curated outing adapted from their Mahoney Lake Safari Tour in the Tongass National Forest, which winds through the mesmerizing George Inlet Fjords. First stop: a lookout above the Narrows, a Y-shaped channel separating solid ground. A light mist hovered over the trees in the horizon and I noticed a rogue boat sliced through the otherwise vacant water, disturbing the still onyx-colored glass with gentle ripples trailing the stern.

Tourists to the area swell the usual 8,000-or-so souls throughout the high seasons, with sea vessels bringing in upwards of 1.4 million additional people – at least according to Alaska’s News Source, who made that prediction in 2023. The folks at AdventureVue corroborated the estimate stating that the influx of travelers is enough to keep their doors open (and thensome, I’d guess). The owners and staff certainly fit the “hearty” character description from a story about resilience, overcoming hardships, and personal fulfillment. Kind, straight-forward, and tough as nails.

It was early to be stopped so soon, and I hadn’t quite found my rhythm with the X2 850. This was my first time at the helm of this particular platform, and with such a substantial impression from the RMAX echoing in my head, I was unsure how this more modest iteration might live up to the hype. Worse yet, for the safety of the general public, the outfitters cleverly set a governor on the machines so no one could make a getaway, should they be so inclined, at more than 25 miles per hour. 

I understand the need. But I’d be lying if I said my enthusiasm to drive the baby Wolverine wasn’t immediately deflated. At that point, the 847cc twin-cylinder powerplant was merely an ideal. Although my hopes of pushing the 850’s limits were dashed, I instead found its value as a backwoods, sure-footed mule. Precisely for this environment, riding under canopies along steep, narrow two-track with few turnouts to assist with wrong turns…it performed. 

We might not have won any races at our pace, but over obstacles, speed wasn’t a factor anyway. And the fully-adjustable KYB piggyback shocks were put to fair use as we crossed old bridges, climbed slick ridges, and crawled over rock gardens. Even this simplified version came equipped with the ultramatic transmission, on-command 4WD, and YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) we’ve come to expect from the brand. My initial impressions were positive. It was certainly a fun excuse to test drive this model, which I imagine was part of Destination Yamaha’s intent with this initiative.

It would be easy to dive into all the technical aspects of the Wolverine X2 850, but this voyage wasn’t about the vessel. And if you want to nerd out, you can check out our last review of the vehicle or even our thoughts on the 2024 X2 1000. But again, this wasn’t a First Ride; it was an expedition. One which Destination Yamaha has been working diligently to facilitate for all of us closet explorers who want to have an adventure but don’t have the time or know-how to plan and execute. This paradigm is simultaneously designed for consumers browsing vehicle options and looking for a pleasurable, effective way to give a Yamaha side-by-side or ATV a thorough spin. 

I fit into both groups. Just about every trip I take is for work. And I work a lot. The days I do have to treat myself to a vacation don’t often afford enough time for a substantial experience, nor do I have the energy to invest into hours of logistics. Having a reliable outfitter, known for enjoyable off-road excursions, devise my escape so I don’t have to…well, that’s the dream. And I don’t doubt the same for many other professionals around the world. Bonus if you can use these escapades as a trial run for a future UTV purchase.

Lake Mahoney was the perfect place to take a final pause. Our group shared only a few moments of this dynamic day on foot to be truly transfixed by the scenery. Granted, every time we were able to pause was made special by the spectacular environment unique to Alaska. Immense vistas of pine and firs blanketing the horizon with ombre shades of hunter, emerald, and evergreen. Liquid surrounded us, from the rivers and lakes to the droplets lingering in the air or lounging on the vegetation.

Quintessential for the area was this ominous gray pall clinging to the earth so tight you might think it was trying not to float away. Seattle has nothing on this gloom. But for Ketchikan, it somehow added intrigue, and we still had one more interesting juncture ahead of us before returning to the hotel to reset for a fishing trip with Reel Alaska Fishing Charters the next morning. It was an impromptu trip to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, which for the umpteenth time, rendered us all speechless. The quiet was booming.

Sounds of a shallow creek flowing beneath us, the wind rustling the leaves, or an ensemble of animals whose chatter was interpreted by onlookers like us as coos, caws, chirps, and whistles. Even those majestic bald eagles gave us a show, not with calls but with their claws. Three separate instances of different eagles diving off branches to surprise their unsuspecting meal. We watched closer as they devoured their catch, one after another, from so nearby we could smell the carcasses. A dinner and a show. 

The bear, however…was silent. It wasn’t the grizzly I’d imagined, but seeing an untamed black bear no more than 50 yards away was more than I could have hoped. I could go home satisfied. But a great Alaskan adventure wouldn’t be complete without dropping a line into the ocean, would it? So, the plan was to wake up at dawn to jump onto a pair of trawlers and cast for salmon, halibut, lingcod, and whatever else U.S. Fish & Wildlife would allow.

We couldn’t have had a better setting forth this “classic Alaskan tale” if I’d made it up myself. Thankfully, it was an altogether uneventful trip. Great conversations, solid snacks, epic vistas, and so many fish we could have tipped the vessel! Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it was a lot. And if that’s not enough, a small pod of whales ventured close enough to see them surface before plunging back into the depths, waving goodbye to us with their fins. 

I planned nothing, I knew nothing, and I went home with a sizable catch, some unforgettable memories, and a fresh perspective on a place I’d fantasized about since childhood. That’s a lot of value in one weekend-long excursion. And sometimes that’s all we need. Yamaha seems to understand, as if they know firsthand the burning desire to grab the wheel, stab the gas, and see the world, one destination at a time.

Follow the links if you would like to know more about Ketchikan AdventureVue, Reel Alaska Fishing Charters, or Destination Yamaha. Don’t let a busy schedule or a lot of responsibilities prevent you from exploring off-road. With customizable options like these available at your fingertips, there’s little excuse not to have an experience of a lifetime.

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