'22 GX460 on the ALCAN

[Rednexus]

An alternative to Prudhoe Bay is from Dawson City take the Dempster Hwy. to Tuktoyaktuk. There are hotels in Inuvik before Tuk. We drove that this summer, not in my GX but with friends in a Honda CRV and Jeep Rubicon. Walked into the Arctic at Tuk. Great trip, much less traffic than the Dalton, only a couple semis. No oilfield traffic.

When I picked up my Jeep rental in Whitehorse one of the few conditions they mentioned was "No Dempster highway ). If a CRV was going down it, it must just be a very, very long gravel road.

To be honest if we weren't settled/entrenched here I would very much consider moving to Whitehorse. It's an awesome town and there is quite a bit of work there in my field.

 

[Roody]

Looks like an awesome trip. @re_guderian did you camp or find places to stay?

 

[re_guderian]

Looks like an awesome trip. @re_guderian did you camp or find places to stay?

Motels. Too cold for me, and we needed good rest. Purpose of trip was daughter relocating to Fairbanks, so little time for sightseeing. And picking were slim, the further north you went. Plus we had dogs, but it seems the majority of lodging was pet friendly. My daughter used the "Bring Fido" app with good success for pet friendly lodging. Prices were very reasonable, and availability (at locations that WERE open) was understandably good this time of year.

 

[re_guderian]

Just such an epic drive. Can't wait to do it in summer. Feel the need to photo dump, even though virtually all of them were taken through the windshield...

 

[chapo19]

Alright! At long last, safely in Anchorage and able to provide an update.

We ended up driving from Haines all the way to Tok in one day (weren't ready to stop in Destruction Bay, and that was pretty much our last chance). CBP was *way* easier to work with than I'd prepared for.

Unfortunately, there was a low haze layer throughout pretty much the entire Yukon, but the drive from Tok to Anchorage was... astounding. Really grateful to have had the Blizzaks mounted on a second set of rims before leaving VA, as service in Haines was limited to say the least.

Mt Sanford in the background was too good to pass up.

Pictures will never do it justice, but this range was unbelievable.

Sunset down the 1 was breathtaking (pic taken about 100 miles north of Anchorage).

And, I know pretty much everyone in the lower 48 saw them the same night, but got to watch the Aurora Borealis develop from this to its full-fledged form (pic in next reply).

 

[chapo19]

What. A. Welcome.

Other notes from the drive:
- Though I didn't end up needing any of it, super grateful that I overprepared for the drive with a garage's worth of tools in the back, along with the battery jumpstarter/tire inflator, more lights than you can count, tire patch kit, inspected spare, fire starters (probably had about 1.2 billion of them scattered around), and wilderness first aid kit. If you break down on this drive in the winter, you're... a long way from help. Did pull over to do a once-over of the trailer after the door flew open, and a trucker stopped to make sure we were alright, so seemed like people were willing to lend a hand as long as you were lucky enough to have someone drive by. Seemed like there were caravans of 3-4 cars spaced out by 45 minutes to an hour.
- The stretch between the CBP station and US entry station outside Tok is no-man's land, and I'm 90% sure both countries have decided maintaining that road is not their problem. Nearly bottomed out on a surprise road drop, which is what I get for getting in a hurry to make it to Tok.
- Lodging options in Tok are pretty much all motels. Meter your expectations!

I'm sure there's more to cover, but that's what sticks out.

Maintenance performed on arrival:
- Oil change - went back to 0W20 now that I'm done towing for awhile - cold starts feel a little easier with the lighter weight on these 12º mornings.
- Diff fluid change
- TC fluid change
- Chassis bolt tighten IAW 100k service interval (1k away!)
- Spark plugs, also IAW 100k service interval
- Front end + windshield PPF scheduled (nobody warned me about the flying rocks out here. It's heinous.)

I know there's a lot of info out there about this, but can't seem to find a consensus - do I need to get the truck undercoated out here, even with the heavy use of gravel instead of salt?

 

[r2m]

Alright! At long last, safely in Anchorage and able to provide an update.

We ended up driving from Haines all the way to Tok in one day (weren't ready to stop in Destruction Bay, and that was pretty much our last chance). CBP was *way* easier to work with than I'd prepared for.

Unfortunately, there was a low haze layer throughout pretty much the entire Yukon, but the drive from Tok to Anchorage was... astounding. Really grateful to have had the Blizzaks mounted on a second set of rims before leaving VA, as service in Haines was limited to say the least.
View attachment 4036803
Mt Sanford in the background was too good to pass up.
View attachment 4036805View attachment 4036806
Pictures will never do it justice, but this range was unbelievable.
View attachment 4036808
Sunset down the 1 was breathtaking (pic taken about 100 miles north of Anchorage).
View attachment 4036814
And, I know pretty much everyone in the lower 48 saw them the same night, but got to watch the Aurora Borealis develop from this to its full-fledged form (pic in next reply).

Did ya see Santy Claus up there??

 

[MallCrl]

- The stretch between the CBP station and US entry station outside Tok is no-man's land, and I'm 90% sure both countries have decided maintaining that road is not their problem. Nearly bottomed out on a surprise road drop, which is what I get for getting in a hurry to make it to Tok.

That was the first place we sent our Sprinter airborne (happened plenty of more times throughout AK due to the frost heaves)... and also where I took a massive rock to the windshield from a passing pick up.

I don't think it can be stressed enough how bad the roadway is and how no one appears to care at all about it

 

[Devils Paw 80]

When I picked up my Jeep rental in Whitehorse one of the few conditions they mentioned was "No Dempster highway ). If a CRV was going down it, it must just be a very, very long gravel road.

To be honest if we weren't settled/entrenched here I would very much consider moving to Whitehorse. It's an awesome town and there is quite a bit of work there in my field.

Yeah, it’s a long road with a couple ferry crossings. Not that I’ve driven it yet. Flat tires are the biggest concern.
I definitely wouldn’t be in a rush to do either the Dempster or Dalton. Take it slow, stop a lot, do some hiking. Tombstone park along the Dempster would be a must see and go for a hike for me.
Whitehorse has had some growing pains in the last 5-10 years. Their population has increased by quite a bit-maybe 10,000? Can’t remember what the shopkeeper told me. It’s tough to find a place to rent now and prices are way up. Also, property crime has increased a great deal according to locals and Mounties. We had our bike stolen two summers ago in Whitehorse.

 

[Rednexus]

Yeah, it’s a long road with a couple ferry crossings. Not that I’ve driven it yet. Flat tires are the biggest concern.
I definitely wouldn’t be in a rush to do either the Dempster or Dalton. Take it slow, stop a lot, do some hiking. Tombstone park along the Dempster would be a must see and go for a hike for me.
Whitehorse has had some growing pains in the last 5-10 years. Their population has increased by quite a bit-maybe 10,000? Can’t remember what the shopkeeper told me. It’s tough to find a place to rent now and prices are way up. Also, property crime has increased a great deal according to locals and Mounties. We had our bike stolen two summers ago in Whitehorse.

Property crime and drug use are up everywhere. I had my garage broken into in my small town in southern Missouri, and all 4 of my bikes stolen. $11K insurance claim! This was a place where you could leave doors unlocked 10-15 years ago, but not anymore.

I'll definitely hit up the Dempster or Dalton at some point. To be honest it may be a trip I plan with my son for his HS graduation present. That's a number of years off, but it would be a bucket trip for both of us and a great thing to share with him before he leaves home.

 

[re_guderian]

Yeah, it’s a long road with a couple ferry crossings. Not that I’ve driven it yet. Flat tires are the biggest concern.
I definitely wouldn’t be in a rush to do either the Dempster or Dalton. Take it slow, stop a lot, do some hiking. Tombstone park along the Dempster would be a must see and go for a hike for me.
Whitehorse has had some growing pains in the last 5-10 years. Their population has increased by quite a bit-maybe 10,000? Can’t remember what the shopkeeper told me. It’s tough to find a place to rent now and prices are way up. Also, property crime has increased a great deal according to locals and Mounties. We had our bike stolen two summers ago in Whitehorse.

Watched a guy rush out of Walmart in Whitehorse with a cart full of unpaid merchandise. Right past the inert local "security guard". Bummer. So many immigrants there (and every small town in the Alcan). Had some great crepes at a French place downtown, though!

 

[folivier]

I've driven both the Dalton and the Dempster. The Dalton has lots of semi traffic since that road supplies the oilfield in Prudhoe bay. We stayed in Wiseman then drove over Aticun pass into the tundra but turned around there. If you want to see the Arctic from there you need to pass through a security stop and take a tour bus.
The Dempster has much less traffic since there is almost no oilfield up there. Used to be but not anymore. That road serves as the access for Inuvik and Tuk so it's either a few tourists or locals. Not much traffic but lots of adventure motorcyclists. Mosquitoes were horrible on most of the road until we got to Inuvik. And I'm from Louisiana where the mosquito is our state bird. It's 550 miles long so you need to stop at Eagle Plains which is halfway, has fuel, a restaurant, and a hotel of sorts. Think 70's decor. Don't think it's been updated since then but it's only a night stopover. Food is good. Inuvik is a nice town with more hotels and restaurants. We were fortunate to be there over the Summer Solstice. Our hotel room overlooked the baseball field where they played all night and day with no lights. I'd recommend the Dempster over the Dalton since the experience meeting the indigenous people was an amazing time.
I'd love to do it in the winter but don't think I'll go back. Too long a road trip for this 71 year old.
The road condition was much better than I thought it would be. Some sections were rough but most was just a gravel road. The weather on our trip was good. We were between rain storms so the dust and mud was not bad.

 

[Cold Iron]

I've driven both the Dalton and the Dempster. The Dalton has lots of semi traffic since that road supplies the oilfield in Prudhoe bay. We stayed in Wiseman then drove over Aticun pass into the tundra but turned around there. If you want to see the Arctic from there you need to pass through a security stop and take a tour bus.
The Dempster has much less traffic since there is almost no oilfield up there. Used to be but not anymore. That road serves as the access for Inuvik and Tuk so it's either a few tourists or locals. Not much traffic but lots of adventure motorcyclists. Mosquitoes were horrible on most of the road until we got to Inuvik. And I'm from Louisiana where the mosquito is our state bird. It's 550 miles long so you need to stop at Eagle Plains which is halfway, has fuel, a restaurant, and a hotel of sorts. Think 70's decor. Don't think it's been updated since then but it's only a night stopover. Food is good. Inuvik is a nice town with more hotels and restaurants. We were fortunate to be there over the Summer Solstice. Our hotel room overlooked the baseball field where they played all night and day with no lights. I'd recommend the Dempster over the Dalton since the experience meeting the indigenous people was an amazing time.
I'd love to do it in the winter but don't think I'll go back. Too long a road trip for this 71 year old.
The road condition was much better than I thought it would be. Some sections were rough but most was just a gravel road. The weather on our trip was good. We were between rain storms so the dust and mud was not bad.

You are a couple years older than me. A friend of mine that is 2 years older than you and I took the USS Coral Sea around the World in 83. He now lives in Spearfish, SD last year he and some friends did the Dempster on their bikes to the end and Arctic Ocean. How he did it on a bike at his age is beyond me, a few places they even pitched tents to spend the night. We call him Old Iron Butt now. If I did it would have to be in the 460 and even then know I'd be a bit worse for wear by the time I got home.

 

[r2m]

You are a couple years older than me. A friend of mine that is 2 years older than you and I took the USS Coral Sea around the World in 83. He now lives in Spearfish, SD last year he and some friends did the Dempster on their bikes to the end and Arctic Ocean. How he did it on a bike at his age is beyond me, a few places they even pitched tents to spend the night. We call him Old Iron Butt now. If I did it would have to be in the 460 and even then know I'd be a bit worse for wear by the time I got home.

I'm assuming "bikes" are motorcycles, not bicycles. I know there are some out there that are crazy enough to do it on their bicycles.
My wife's cousin, meaning, her Dad's first cousin, used to do cross country bicycle rides on a tandem with his wife when they were in their 60's.

 

[Rednexus]

I'm assuming "bikes" are motorcycles, not bicycles. I know there are some out there that are crazy enough to do it on their bicycles.
My wife's cousin, meaning, her Dad's first cousin, used to do cross country bicycle rides on a tandem with his wife when they were in their 60's.

I live near the Trans-Am Trail. We have several hundred cyclists pass through a year on their way to Yorktown or Astoria. Some are totally self-supported with panniers, others are on lightweight road bikes and have a van that follows the them. I've referred a number to places to stay and helped a few works on their bikes. It's said the Ozarks are among the most challenging part of the TAT as our hills are much steeper than those out West . Riding the TAT myself has always been a long-term goal (I used to be just as into cycling as I'm currently into GXs) but it's unlikely I'll have a year to train and 3 months to check out of work for the ride until I retire.

I showed some pics of the Dempster Highway to my son, and (as of today), he loves the idea of making the trip when he's of driving age. The Dempster and the TAT certainly provide a couple of attainable and relatively low-cost long-term bucket list goals to look towards.

 

[Cold Iron]

I'm assuming "bikes" are motorcycles, not bicycles. I know there are some out there that are crazy enough to do it on their bicycles.
My wife's cousin, meaning, her Dad's first cousin, used to do cross country bicycle rides on a tandem with his wife when they were in their 60's.

BMW

The 4 of us hunt SD phesants with the Admiral and Skipper. John isn't much for thick woods and grouse in Wi. Mn. or Canada and prefers the wide open spaces and big sky Country more, but we don't hold that against him LOL.

 

[r2m]

I live near the Trans-Am Trail. We have several hundred cyclists pass through a year on their way to Yorktown or Astoria. Some are totally self-supported with panniers, others are on lightweight road bikes and have a van that follows the them. I've referred a number to places to stay and helped a few works on their bikes. It's said the Ozarks are among the most challenging part of the TAT as our hills are much steeper than those out West . Riding the TAT myself has always been a long-term goal (I used to be just as into cycling as I'm currently into GXs) but it's unlikely I'll have a year to train and 3 months to check out of work for the ride until I retire.

I showed some pics of the Dempster Highway to my son, and (as of today), he loves the idea of making the trip when he's of driving age. The Dempster and the TAT certainly provide a couple of attainable and relatively low-cost long-term bucket list goals to look towards.

I too was really into cycling and used to do triathlon's and biathlon's as team events about 70 lbs ago.
Doing multi-sports as team events, I think is more fun as you get to enjoy the event sponsors, food, root for your team, etc., more than being on the course the entire event. Plus you're not as beat up at the end of the race!

 

[r2m]

BMW

The 4 of us hunt SD phesants with the Admiral and Skipper. John isn't much for thick woods and grouse in Wi. Mn. or Canada and prefers the wide open spaces and big sky Country more, but we don't hold that against him LOL.

That looks like you in the yellow and black suit on the left. Good to put a face to all your posts!