"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, Wiseman (pop 22) at Mile 188, 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.
Fuel is available at the E. L. Patton Yukon River Bridge (Mile 56), as well as Coldfoot and Deadhorse. 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." Wikipedia
We were up early and out of the dorms. A mandatory stop for gas, at a Holiday Gas Station no less. I last saw one of these about 40 years ago, in my hometown, in Iowa. I thought there were extinct.
Well, we found it, now let's ride it!
The beginning of The Dalton Highway or as it's nicknamed, The Haul Road
There's a nice, pretty sign at the start of the Dalton, but don't be fooled. The Dalton is one of the more dangerous roads in the world. A couple of days preceding our ride, there were a couple of motorcycle accidents. One rider had to be airlifted out.
Here we go, only 189 miles of mostly potholed dirt and loose rock, until we get to Wiseman
There's a reason The Dalton is called The Haul Road. Semi's are constantly running equipment back and forth between Prudhoe Bay and the oilfields. They haul ass! As they come at and pass you, from the opposite direction, you are covered in a cloud of dirt, that obstructs your vision momentarily, rocks come at you ricocheting off your helmet...in the rain, it's worse, as the road is slippery slime, and as the trucks pass, you are covered in mud. Again your vision is blurred until you wipe the mud off your visor. It is exhausting.
In the distance you can see The Alaskan Pipeline, which parallels the road.
The pipeline really is an engineering marvel!
It seems to go on forever
The pipeline is supported by posts designed to keep permafrost frozen. Topped with fan-like aluminum radiators, the posts absorb cold from the winter air and transfer it to the soil. This also allows for the oil to continue to flow down the pipeline in the coldest of conditions.
I hope the 'feds' don't come looking for me. Some years back, even though the pipeline is mostly bullet proof, a drunk did happen to put a hole in it with a rifle. He was convicted, sentenced to 16 years and ordered to pay the $17M cleanup bill. 16, 000 gallons of oil leaked before they could shut down the pumps.
Gas is available in two locations up to Wiseman. This is Yukon Camp and IKRAN getting filled up.
Finger Rock out in the tundra. I have no idea how it got its name.
We made it! Scott and I at the Arctic Circle sign.
Not many Ducati's make it up here. The BMW GS 1200 is the weapon of choice for most.
The back of the sign is where you sign your name.
I'm now immortalized at The Arctic Circle
On we went to Coldfoot Camp for fuel and food.
I do not drink when I'm riding the bike, but I had to make an exception. We celebrated with dinner and a few of these tasty brews.
Met Martin here at Coldfoot. He started out 5 years ago on 1 1/2 year trip. At the year and a half point he said "screw it" and has been going ever since. He has literally traveled around the world.
After Coldfoot, it was on to Wiseman, and The Boreal Lodge. We had reserved a cabin months ago. This was the only reservation we had make for our whole trip. Everything else was 'off the cuff'.
Our humble abode for the evening. Electricity, running water (albeit a cold shower), and a flushing toilet. Heaven!!!
We went exploring our neighborhood. Here's an old trading company's cabin.
Inside is a reminder of how folks lived back then and in this harsh environment.
Then you come across something like this. Inside had a newer headset, radio, and avionics...it flies!
Here's our 'Deliverance' moment. A beat down cabin back in the bush with this pig pen out front, complete with electric wire around the pen to keep the critters out. Don't ask me how I found out it was an electric wire :-((
Beautiful scenery in this remote location
This pic was taken around 12:30 AM. You get about 18 hours of light this time of year.
Then of course, it began to rain. Does not bode well for tomorrow.
That's a great write up Dave - sorry I did not know you were doing this or I would have followed along live.
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