09 Dalton Highway (Haul Road)

Dalton Highway Summary

A 5,424 mile journey to and up the Dalton Highway required only 3,710 miles on the bikes due to the ferry ride from Bellingham, WA to Skagway, AK. The ride spanned 24 days, took us through three states (WA, ID, & AK), two provinces (BC & AB), and one territory (Yukon).

The ride up Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay required me to rent a dual sport V-Strom in Anchorage for the ride to Prudhoe Bay. Norm rides an ’06 BMW Adventure on which he made the entire ride.

This completed number 50 of the 50 US states for me.

Things learned or reinforced on the Dalton Highway

• Don’t panic: bike trouble in Tok (Norm) and me between Watson Lake and Coal River, getting separated at the Arctic Circle
• Walking wounded can ride to Prudhoe Bay
• There are lots of ways to ride cheaper: change your oil on the road by draining it into plastic bags at a NAPA or other auto parts store which recycle oil, cook your own food, camp off the beaten path without paying (Brendan)
• Difficulties can be opportunities (Ben)
• Wool & Supplex nylon, not cotton (John)
• The best part of riding is meeting interesting people
• Hostels work Billie’s Backpacker Hostel in Fairbanks
• Biker friendly campgrounds usually are: Thompson’s Eagle Claw, Tok, Anchorage HD

Map

Stats

Start: 7/2/2009, Tri-Cities, WA
End: 7/26/2009, Tri-Cities, WA
Days: 24
Miles: 5,600
Provinces Total: British Columbia, Alberta
Canadian Territories: Yukon
States Total: Washington, Alaska, Idaho
Highways: South Klondike, ALCAN, Glenn, Parks, Dalton, Top of the World, Klondike, Bighorn Route, and Icefields Parkway
Cumulative States Traveled: 50