Alaska and Yukon
 

Hi all,
I am planning a trip to the North this Summer. I am looking for someone that has ridden the Dalton and Dempster Highways. I have heard that the Dalton is more of an industrial road and that the Dalton is a little more friendly to travellers. I have ridden in Northern Quebec and acrossed Labrador/Newfoundland so I am familiar with travel in the North. I will be riding a KLR650. I could do either, but if I did the Dempster I could also do the Canol road. Any opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Doug

I rode up from montana to Inuvik in june 04. Great ride and I was going to do the last part of the canol but the ferry wasn't running at ross river. The cambell loop was worth the trip, nice wide open country and nothing for 200+ miles. I personaly like the Dempster and towns like Inuvik. Lots of sunlight and mosquitoes. Spend some time in Dawson city if you get a chance.

When are planning on leaving. I am planning on leaving for S America in July possible via Alaska first.

Thanks for the replies,
I am leaning towards the Dempster and the Canol, if for no reason than the Canadians are a lot friendlier than the Alaskans. There are a lot of Newfoundlanders in the north of Canada so that probably explains it. Newfies are one of the few people with the endurance and patience to survive the arctic winters. I may still go to Alaska via the Top of the World Highway and down to Mccarthy. I missed it on a previous trip and would like to see it. The Wrangel Mountains are awesome too. Also possibly the Denali Highway. As with anything that far north the weather will probably guide where I go--you have to be flexible. The good thing is if it is raining you can get some sleep and continue on later since there is 24 hours of light.
I will be going mid July to mid August. I will probably throw the bike in the back of the truck to Edmonton so I will have a fresh bike/tires so no real (planned) maintenance will be necessary. Not too meantion aircon and cruise control are nice too http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/cool.gif!
Thanks again,
Doug

hiya,
I rode both roads last June and the folks were great on either side of the boarder. Dawson city is really fun but the road to Innuvik was in worse shape at the time, than the Dalton. 6 inches deep of marbel size, loose gravel at some points for miles. The weather was alot better in Inuvic though..really hot and sunny. I think that may have been unusual but it rained everyday in Deadhorse. Innuvik is an interesting town and there is stuff to do and camping is pretty cheap.

There was not much to see at Prudo Bay unless you shelled out the 35$ to go on the bus tour. You do get a chance to go swimming in the artic ocean though. That was the seller for a couple of folks on the trip. The hotels are very expensive. Of course you can just camp outside town.

They are both gorgeous but where ever you decide, bring the bug dope.

Hope that helped.
Happy planning
Susan

I forgot to mention the cariboo at deadhorse. Hundreds and hundreds of them and one really curious fox.

I have lived in Inuvik for the past 28 years. I have a couple of BMW's, so if you have any questions for this area please email. Road is always great.