Dempster Highway Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk

[Overland A Far]

Over the last few months I have seen where several overlanders have talked about the new section of road connecting Inuvik with Tuktoyaktuk - the last section of the Dempster Highway. I too had a plan to run this route this summer and visit the Arctic Ocean and mark off another major overland route.
Well heads up! My cousin worked on this section and the 170 kilometer section was closed most of this spring due to terrible conditions. Currently vehicles under 5500 kilograms GVW are allowed by Lee said that vehicles were getting stranded with the mud sticking to and plugging up the wheel wells - gumbo clay - we call it. Dusty when dry, slippery when wet and sticky when it is not soaked with water. While they are trying to surface the road with gravel the poor weather and road conditions are causing major delays so it may not be the best time to try this new road. FYI - Ram Falls, Alberta

 

[Terry Pickens]

Thanks for the info, but my plan is to head up to Dawson and over to Tok and back home through Haines and Skagway. I want to get up to Inuvick at least so if it is open to Tuktoyaktuk I go, if not well I tried. I will be leaving my sons house in Washington State mid July and be up there about early August so hoping it will be open by then. I can deal with the dust I am an old Desert Racing Rat from here in the Southern California Mojave Desert and already have 2 back up air filters. AND MUD, I HATE MUD.

 

[canadianoverlanders]

Thanks for the info, but my plan is to head up to Dawson and over to Tok and back home through Haines and Skagway. I want to get up to Inuvick at least so if it is open to Tuktoyaktuk I go, if not well I tried. I will be leaving my sons house in Washington State mid July and be up there about early August so hoping it will be open by then. I can deal with the dust I am an old Desert Racing Rat from here in the Southern California Mojave Desert and already have 2 back up air filters. AND MUD, I HATE MUD.

Hey Terry,
We are headed to Tuk on the 15 July. It’s going to take us about 18 days to get there from home in eastern Ontario. We hope to see you along the way. Looks like we might run across each other. Safe travels! Marcus

 

[Terry Pickens]

Hey Terry,
We are headed to Tuk on the 15 July. It’s going to take us about 18 days to get there from home in eastern Ontario. We hope to see you along the way. Looks like we might run across each other. Safe travels! Marcus

I have had to postpone my adventure up there at this time. I am selling my house in SoCal and moving to Vancouver, WA the beginning of August so the trip and the move would just be to much. Have a great time, I hope to hear of the adventure and experiences along the way.

 

[canadianoverlanders]

Hey Terry, we just left Tuk 3 days ago. The new highway is fine. It’s a gravel road. It is actually better than the Dempster. I will be posting our trip to YouTube in October with tons of details. I will also put a trip report on here in the trips now and then once we get home sometime in September. FYI, no flats and no busted windshield. We are now in Dawson rejigging before we continue. No wifi but once we have wifi I will upload some picks. We spent a week up there between Inuvik and Tuk. The locals in Tuk love the tourists and welcome the uptake in tourism. You can camp at the point for $20 Canadian. Come self sufficient. It was awesome and worth doing again.
Cheers till we get home!

 

[Terry Pickens]

Hey Terry, we just left Tuk 3 days ago. The new highway is fine. It’s a gravel road. It is actually better than the Dempster. I will be posting our trip to YouTube in October with tons of details. I will also put a trip report on here in the trips now and then once we get home sometime in September. FYI, no flats and no busted windshield. We are now in Dawson rejigging before we continue. No wifi but once we have wifi I will upload some picks. We spent a week up there between Inuvik and Tuk. The locals in Tuk love the tourists and welcome the uptake in tourism. You can camp at the point for $20 Canadian. Come self sufficient. It was awesome and worth doing again.
Cheers till we get home!

Great report, just got into my new place Saturday. So sad I missed this adventure this year. IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT SUMMER. Thanks for the update. You had the same idea as I did drive the road then regroup and refresh in Dawson.
Cannot wait to hear more of the entire trip.
Take care and have fun.

 

[Lee Johnson]

Have the videos been posted? I’m in southern BC and we are planning a trip to Tuk last two weeks of August 2019. Looking for any and all info on trip planning. We are looking at 17 days for round trip.