Arctic Circle

I had several destinations that I really wanted to get to on this trip up north to Alaska. Two of which were to get above the Arctic Circle and to poke into the Gates of The Arctic National Park. To do these, I needed to travel up the Dalton Highway towards Deadhorse and Prudeau Bay.

The highway is mainly a dirt and gravel road with a few paved sections. There are two types of gravel roads up here. One is like what we have in Idaho and my driveway, mainly gravel. The other has some sort of binder, like clay, in it so that it hardens like asphalt. Unlike asphalt though, it can be graded and made smooth again. On the gravel sections I found that I could go 15 to 25 mph. On the gravel with binder I cruised along at 45mph with almost no dust. And on all but the newly paved sections I had to stay below 35mph due to the frost heaves which tented to bounce the motor home all over the place.

The Dalton Highway was built by the oil companies for the Trans Alaska Pipeline. The pipeline is ever present, usually not too far from the road. Recreation and tourism were not on the radar screen when the road was build. There are two commercial centers, small truck stops, along the highway. One where the road crosses the Yukon River, about 100 miles in, and the other is at Coldfoot, around the half way point at 250 miles. Each has fuel, cafe, a service shop and a hotel, all of which are converted construction camp prefab buildings.

I couldn't resist having breakfast at the cafe in Coldfoot so I could mingle with the “Ice Road Truckers” or whatever they are called on that cable TV show. Funny how I never even heard of Coldfoot until I started up the highway, but my kids all knew about it from the TV show. Actually, one of the drivers and I had a nice conversation about Bristol Paylen. I should have asked for his autograph. Maybe he was famous.

The beginning of the highway

What is so impressive is just how vast everything is. Bush Pilots used to us this rock finger and the far point. Line them up and your on your way to Fairbanks.

Fireweed


Like I mentioned, the pipeline is ever present.


The gas pump at the Yukon Crossing. Don't spend over $900 at a time!



This is the only tourist shop along the highway. Dorothy makes jewelry from birch bark, porcupine quills, etc. When I asked for a picture of her and I, she ran an got her weasel purse. She lives alone in a cabin her deceased husband and her built five miles up the Yukon from the crossing. Her sister, a school teacher from Minnesota, was visiting. I can only imagine what she thinks of her sisters lifestyle.


Cross something else off the “Bucket List”. I'm not a fan of the phrase “bucket list” but since the movie, everyone knows what it is.