Alaska: What's The Dalton Road Like In Winter? (Fairbanks: home, shop)

[clbomo82]

Or, for that matter, the Alaska Highway!?! This will explain why I'm asking: http://www.cliffbrody.com/files/0707...el_article.pdf ... and there's nothing new anyone can say about how lunatic the idea is of doin' it again but in winter, 'cause I've already heard it all, and everyone's right!

Thanks!

[Rance]

Not sure about the Alcan...but many have told me the haul road is much better in the winter. I drove the Alcan a year and a half ago...in April...and it was not bad at all.

[Arcticthaw]

It has been many years since I have driven either Highway. Winter driving the Alcan even though I believe all of it is now paved requires a good amount of planning, survival gear to stay warm if you get sucked into a snow bank. Plan your fuel stops around arriving at Watson Lake in the daytime. They used to roll up the sidewalks and you couldn't get fuel till the next day. Also not as many places are open during the winter so its farther between stops. Get a Milepost, it shows what may be open for your trip. My experience in British Columbia is that they plow the snow not onto the edge of the road as one expects but into the ditch so you don't know where the sholder ends. I rolled a pickup on my last trip. Roads tend to be icier too so have good tires for wet roads or icy roads.

The Dalton should be better in the winter as less rocks to dodge. but the wind and snowstorms can cause problems. State of Alaska Home Page has road info you might find interesting. Plan on being completely self sufficient. Have a CB radio to listen to the truckers. They used to monitor ch19. you can ask one of the local trucking companies what channel to monitor. This will keep you safe as you may hear them comming and not get blown into the ditch.
You will need good ARCTIC GEAR! If your vehicle becomes disabled you could end up being stranded for 24 or more hours. A spring trip may be a good idea, roads are tuned up and the weather tends to be warmer though there may be more snow. Late Feburary and Early March. A good time for Fairbanks winter carnival and the Yukon Quest sled dog race.

[mal_flisk]

The potholes and the dust are pretty much gone in winter, but as the previous poster suggested, take arctic gear and plan for the worst. It probably won't happen to you, but it happens to other folks on a regular basis. Plan like the white knight in Alice in Wonderland. If you don't need it, it's great, but when you do, and don't have it, it can be a tragedy.

[clbomo82]

You folks are GREAT for helping out! Thank you big time!

[Rance]

I'm planning on driving toward Deadhorse around the 21st of this month. I'll have pictures and up to date info. I talked with a trucker yesterday and he said the road is in the best shape he has ever seen it. Plenty wide, paved and chip sealed and even chloride dust control. He highly recommended it. I'm sure there will be mass hunters tho. I cannot wait to hit the Brooks Range. And Mal...we will stop at gobblers knob...just for you!

[mal_flisk]

Send pictures of the sign Rance, not every one believes me. PS, your shirt is still in the shop in my bottom desk drawer.

[Rance]

Sweden and I will look for Morels on the 16th. We will be up your way the 20th. We may very well stop by and say hi.