Earliest and best time of the year to ride the Dempster?

[Declan]

Hi All,
Hoping to ride the Dempster from Vancouver up to Tuktoyaktuk and just curious on the following:

About how early in the year can it become reasonable in terms of weather and road conditions etc to go up there and given also the fact that I'd like to camp on route.

Secondly, when is the most popular time of the year to go?


Kind Regards...

[m37charlie]

15 June to 15 August is best weather for riding and camping. Summers are short and intense, including bugs.

Charlie

[KLR at 54]

I am planning a similar trip.

A Northern contact has suggested July, June to be getting far North may be too early.

Originally I wanted to be in Tuk for the summer solstice, may not happen and planning still underway.

[msamsen]

I was on the Dalton in early June and it was fine. Of course what worked one year might not the next...

One advantage of going later is that you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Mid-August is likely your best bet for that IIRC.

Be sure to head across the Top of the World Highway to Dawson, YT if you have the time. Dawson is a great little town and there’s some nice riding around there.

[Bill Ryder]

I have rode to Inuvik 5 times and the weather changes to say the least. In august the mosquitoes can be froze out so they don't suck your blood. I june you can encounter freezing temps on the way there. I have been there at the solstice in june and at that time there were fun things going on. If you go much earlier you will see some snow and frozen lakes. Also if the rains are bad roads can be washed out with no traffic allowed.
Did i mention mosquitoes? I carry a headnet inside my jacket so incase I fall off and am incapacitated I can cover my face. They really can be life threatening at times. Once I slept along side the road and woke up with both eyes almost swollen shut due to the bites.
On one trip I saw no less than 10 bears, most with cubs on my one day ride up the dempster.
The dempster can be muddy and impassable with conti TK70's or so fast that people die from crashing.
Truly a excellent ride and one not to be missed, especially since the road to tuk is open.

[overlander-]

Since when can you drive to tuk in summer?

[Mogy]

I think there will be more of us up on the Dempster this year.

https://www.thestar.com/news/insight...ea-to-sea.html

[Wauschi]

My plan is to be in Whitehores by the end of May.
Once I get there I'll decide if I continue further to Inuvik in the first week of June.

It would be great if someone joined in.

Cheers,
Wauschi

[RTWbyBIKE.com]

Originally Posted by Wauschi

My plan is to be in Whitehores by the end of May.
Once I get there I'll decide if I continue further to Inuvik in the first week of June.

It would be great if someone joined in.

Cheers,
Wauschi

We will be araound somewhere there, arriving 19th May in Anchorage, 24th May going to Denali NP stay there for two three days going to Fairbanks, Artic Circle, TOW to Dawson... and then Dempster... ?? Dont know yet...

cheers

[Wauschi]

Great, I'll get back to you when I get there.

Cheers
Wauschi

[Tony LEE]

Don't forget that the road north is NOT open all year around and it is only open when the rivers are either frozen solid enough to make a road, or free enough of ice so the ferry can operate.
We will be up there this summer in a 35' Class A so hope the graders are out smoothing our path.

[mcphoocliff]

River crossings, Peel and MacKenzie both open in early June depending on when the rivers are clear of ice and debris. Road is open all the way to Tuk. Ferry crossings update can be found at NWT DOT.

[Bill Ryder]

The ferry crossing on the dempster can be exciting early in the year. TREES come floating down the river. BTW, don't drink the river water....