Pathfinder II
Howdy Folks,
Wanted to share a recent adventure with you that took us to the Arctic Ocean:
The Dalton Highway is one of the most infamous and remote drives in North America: 414 miles of gravel and mostly broken pavement from just north of Fairbanks to Deadhorse on the Arctic Ocean, as far north as the public can drive in the United States. Built in just five months in 1974 to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it still carries 150 to 250 semi-trucks a day, and it crosses the Yukon River, the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Range at Atigun Pass, and the treeless tundra of the North Slope along the way.
The driving is easy for most vehicles, but conditions can degrade quickly with unpredictable weather and brutal potholes. Remoteness is the real challenge. There's very little cell service and fuel should be carefully monitored, especially the 240 miles stretch from Coldfoot to Deadhorse. We ran this route with a Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX460, aired down to 25 psi, carrying 5 gallons of reserve fuel, and pre-loaded onX Offroad with waypoints and offline maps, which I'd call mandatory out here. Give the truckers the road, keep your headlights on, and budget for multiple pilot-car waits through construction that can range from 10 to 40 minutes.
The highlights come steadily: the Arctic Circle at mile 115, biscuits and gravy at Coldfoot, Sukakpak Mountain, and the summit of Atigun Pass: 4,800 feet, 12 percent grades, few guardrails. Beyond it, caribou and musk ox roam the North Slope, and Deadhorse's pre-booked Arctic Ocean shuttle is the finish line the whole road builds toward. For the best experience aim for mid-July to late August, give it four days minimum for the round-trip, and come prepared for winter even in summer.
The Dalton Highway is one of those experiences everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime.
Check out the full route with camping waypoints folder here:
webmap.onxmaps.com
Stay Curious
Wanted to share a recent adventure with you that took us to the Arctic Ocean:
The Dalton Highway is one of the most infamous and remote drives in North America: 414 miles of gravel and mostly broken pavement from just north of Fairbanks to Deadhorse on the Arctic Ocean, as far north as the public can drive in the United States. Built in just five months in 1974 to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it still carries 150 to 250 semi-trucks a day, and it crosses the Yukon River, the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Range at Atigun Pass, and the treeless tundra of the North Slope along the way.
The driving is easy for most vehicles, but conditions can degrade quickly with unpredictable weather and brutal potholes. Remoteness is the real challenge. There's very little cell service and fuel should be carefully monitored, especially the 240 miles stretch from Coldfoot to Deadhorse. We ran this route with a Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX460, aired down to 25 psi, carrying 5 gallons of reserve fuel, and pre-loaded onX Offroad with waypoints and offline maps, which I'd call mandatory out here. Give the truckers the road, keep your headlights on, and budget for multiple pilot-car waits through construction that can range from 10 to 40 minutes.
The highlights come steadily: the Arctic Circle at mile 115, biscuits and gravy at Coldfoot, Sukakpak Mountain, and the summit of Atigun Pass: 4,800 feet, 12 percent grades, few guardrails. Beyond it, caribou and musk ox roam the North Slope, and Deadhorse's pre-booked Arctic Ocean shuttle is the finish line the whole road builds toward. For the best experience aim for mid-July to late August, give it four days minimum for the round-trip, and come prepared for winter even in summer.
The Dalton Highway is one of those experiences everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime.
Check out the full route with camping waypoints folder here:
onX Offroad
webmap.onxmaps.com
Stay Curious
