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Dalton Highway Trip *feeler*

Discussion in 'Alaska' started by SnowroxKT, Aug 16, 2014.

  1. Aug 16, 2014 at 12:36 PM
    #1
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Aug 16, 2014
  2. Aug 16, 2014 at 10:10 PM
    #2
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    From Wikipedia:
    The highway, which directly parallels the pipeline, is one of the most isolated roads in the United States. There are only three towns along the route: Coldfoot (pop 10) at Mile 175,[3] Wiseman (pop 22) at Mile 188,[3] and Deadhorse (25 permanent residents, 3,500-5,000 or more seasonal residents depending on oil production) at the end of the highway at Mile 414.[3] Fuel is available at the E. L. Patton Yukon River Bridge (Mile 56), as well as Coldfoot and Deadhorse.[3] Two other settlements, Prospect Creek and Galbraith Lake, are uninhabited except for seasonal residents.

    The road itself is very primitive in places, and small vehicle and motorcycle traffic carries significant risk. The nearest medical facilities are in Fairbanks and Deadhorse. Anyone embarking on a journey on the Dalton is encouraged to bring survival gear.

    Despite its remoteness the Dalton Highway carries a good amount of truck traffic: about 160 trucks daily in the summer months and 250 trucks daily in the winter.[3] The highway comes to within a few miles of the Arctic Ocean. Beyond the highway's terminus at Deadhorse are private roads owned by oil companies, which are restricted to authorized vehicles only. There are, however, commercial tours that take people to the Arctic Ocean. All vehicles must take extreme precaution when driving on the road, and drive with headlights on at all times. There are quite a few steep grades (up to 12%) along the route, as well.

    As of July 2013, 109 miles (175 km) of the highway are sealed, in several sections, between the following mileages: 19 and 24; 37 and 50; 91 and 111; 113 and 197; 257 and 261; 344 and 352; and 356 and 361.

    Truckers on the Dalton have given their own names to its various features, including: The Taps, The Shelf, The Bluffs, Oil Spill hill, Beaver Slide, Two and a Half Mile, Oh Shit Corner,[4][5][6] and the Roller Coaster. The road reaches its highest altitude as it crosses the Brooks Range at Atigun Pass, 4,739 feet (1,444 m).

    The highway is the featured road on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth seasons of the History reality television series Ice Road Truckers, which aired May 31, 2009 to present. It is also the subject of the second episode of America's Toughest Jobs and the first episode of the BBC's World's Most Dangerous Roads featuring Charley Boorman and Sue Perkins.[7]

    Google Street View has coverage of nearly the entire highway, which can now be seen on Google Maps (imaging stops at the security gate leading to the Prudhoe Bay oil field). It is one of the most northerly routes of Google street view in North America.
     
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  3. Aug 18, 2014 at 12:29 PM
    #3
    chipnoreo

    chipnoreo Ready for snow!

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    Ive been wanting to do this. Just getting the time off work will be hard though.....
     
  4. Aug 18, 2014 at 12:45 PM
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    Large

    Large Red

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    How long is this highway? I get like 12 mpg so I should carry an extra 50 gallons lol
     
  5. Aug 19, 2014 at 12:02 AM
    #5
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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  6. Aug 19, 2014 at 12:19 AM
    #6
    ASUAviator

    ASUAviator Well-Known Member

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    I wonder why there is restricted access to the artic ocean??

    My time here in Ak ends in 2 weeks but if I had more time...

    Driving the Denali HW this weekend if anyone is interested. Leaving Thursday night
     
  7. Aug 20, 2014 at 6:42 PM
    #7
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So there are places to get gas along the way, probably fairly expensive though, :notsure:

    Also, if it is going to happen next year, about this time would be the best for me. Maybe a couple weeks before UAA classes start. That way I could quit my summer job and be a nomad for a little while.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2014 at 6:50 PM
    #8
    chipnoreo

    chipnoreo Ready for snow!

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    Hah. Gas will probably be $6/gal or more. I was up on the denali last week and found a gas station... $5.25 I believe. Cash only :p Gotta love alaska!!!
     
  9. Aug 20, 2014 at 7:03 PM
    #9
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nice! Yeah it shouldn't be too bad in Fairbanks, and I would fill up some gas cans there. :) Just checked Fairbanks gas, $3.93 is the cheapest right now, so not much worse than Anchorage. In between the two cities you will have to pay a ton though!
     
  10. Aug 24, 2014 at 8:50 PM
    #10
    ffirg

    ffirg Well-Known Member

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    Man I'd love to do this trip at some point. Unfortunately I use all my vacation time on other trips. One day I will do it though. And the Alcan.
     
  11. Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 AM
    #11
    Gitmo

    Gitmo Well-Known Member

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    Lets do it in October!!!
     
  12. Aug 26, 2014 at 10:12 AM
    #12
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    October... UAA doesn't have any good breaks in October :(
     
  13. Aug 27, 2014 at 9:35 PM
    #13
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Winter break would be interesting though... Meh, camping would suck. Nevermind.
     
  14. Aug 29, 2014 at 3:35 PM
    #14
    stvnshnn

    stvnshnn Active Member

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    I went up the road all the way to Deadhorse looking for caribou last weekend. The road is what it is--potholes and rough driving. Don't go crazy. I averaged about 45 mph on the road. Some driving was 15 mph through nasty fog pulling over each time a semi wanted to get past (in either direction) other times was 60 mph near Coldfoot where the road is in great shape. Animals, semi trucks, rough road conditions can be dealt with by driving slowly and paying attention at all times. Bring an extra spare tire and something to balance your jack on (piece of 2x10 works). I have an '01 dbl cab trd, stock. Came across two sets of guys each with blown tires, each going over 70 when they hit stuff (one was pothole, one was a big nail).
    I filled up in Fairbanks and filled 20 gallons to take with me. Topped off in Coldfoot, used the 20 gallons in Deadhorse, filled up again in Coldfoot, and made it back just fine. The tundra right now is worth the drive. Bright reds and the fall colors will be coming out soon. Possible to see caribou, moose, and bears. Go prepared, go slow, and enjoy the drive.
     
  15. Aug 29, 2014 at 3:38 PM
    #15
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    :jellydance:

    Do you feel it was worth the cost of gas? I would love to get to the Arctic Ocean though, even without the truck if needed. If :anonymous: / When I go I will bring a couple spares, having the same size winter/summer tires rocks! :D
     
  16. Aug 29, 2014 at 4:00 PM
    #16
    stvnshnn

    stvnshnn Active Member

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    I enjoy the Haul Road. The colors are going to really be getting good in the next week or two. You won't be able to drive all the way to the ocean due to driving through oil companies' private property, but you can get close and take the shuttle if you want to complete the journey. Being in Deadhorse sucked. To me it was a depressing place to be, but if you plan to camp a couple days and take your time, imo it is worth it. If you take a buddy and can split the cost of food and gas, it makes it even better. If I had more time off from work, I'd let you drive me up with my bow and drop me off with the caribou and split gas money and leave you with some caribou meat, but I don't think I could pull that off right now.
    The longer you wait, the less appealing it would be to me. It snows early up there, the wind gets nasty and everyone has a harder time driving, semis included.
    It might be a good idea too to bring a cb radio to contact the truckers in an emergency.
    Good luck.
     
  17. Aug 29, 2014 at 4:01 PM
    #17
    stvnshnn

    stvnshnn Active Member

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    I think it was like $5.25 in Coldfoot and $5.70 in Deadhorse. If that's not right, it was within a few pennies.
     
  18. Aug 30, 2014 at 12:19 AM
    #18
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the tips/details... One of the reasons I ordered all new ball joints is to run this more comfortably! And I would love some caribou meat, but I got school :eek:

    I am thinking next year around the start of August as a rough timeline.
     
  19. Sep 29, 2014 at 8:35 PM
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    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT [OP] Well-Known Member

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  20. Oct 3, 2014 at 10:59 AM
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    AK 08TACO

    AK 08TACO Well-Known Member

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    I was also up there in August hunting. It is worth seeing and I am definetly interested in making a group trip up there!

    image-9_d6632980389c32d78def5bdb33ca14bffc1590d7.jpg
     
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