The Dalton Highway
The Dalton Highway is magnificent and always makes extreme enthusiasts happy.
From the forest into the wilderness, from the mountains into the glaciers, all the way to the Arctic Ocean, to the end of the earth, facing the sun that never sets.
I think it is very necessary to try a "Death Highway" self-driving in my lifetime, because this is also the "most beautiful highway".
The Dalton Highway, built in the 1970s, runs parallel to the oil pipeline that runs through Alaska, connecting the "Aurora Capital" Fairbanks and the "Oil Town" Dead Horse.
It happens to run through the northern land part of Alaska, which can be perfectly combined with the cruise itinerary to Alaska to have a complete north-south crossing of Alaska.
This road is 666 kilometers long, with 25% paved roads (asphalt roads) and 75% unpaved roads (gravel roads or other roads).
It is recommended to visit the Dalton Highway in summer (late May to late August).
The end of the Dalton Highway, Dead Horse Town, is a place where it snows in summer. If you drive the Dalton Highway in winter, the snow on the road can be up to 1 meter deep, and you can't even see the shoulder of the road. You will doubt your life every minute.
Once you pass the Arctic Circle, Alaska in summer is basically polar day.
The sun turns to the north at midnight and rises again just after it sets. One hour before and after sunrise and sunset, the setting sun dyes all the scenery golden. It's beautiful!
Secondly, if you drive the Dalton Highway in September, you will have the opportunity to see the aurora along the way.
There are high mountains in the distance, roads in the middle, pine forests on both sides, and aurora above your head. It's so beautiful.
The disadvantage is that there are no street lights along the way, so please be careful when driving by yourself.
The Dalton Highway is parallel to the oil pipeline. During the 666-kilometer journey, the two have always been inseparable.
There are only four towns along the Dalton Highway: Fairbanks, Coldfoot, Wiseman, and Deadhorse.
You can split the journey into two days of self-driving.
On the first day, go from Fairbanks to Coldfoot (the whole journey takes 6.5 hours by yourself).
On the second day, go from Coldfoot to Wiseman and then to Deadhorse (the whole journey takes 7.5 hours by yourself).
Fairbanks
The starting point of the Dalton Highway, the second largest city in Alaska, and the "World Aurora Capital". There are 243 days of the year to see the aurora, and there are aurora from September to March of the following year. There is a 90% probability of staying for 3 consecutive days and a 97% probability of staying for 4 consecutive days.
You can fly directly from Seattle to Fairbanks to start this expedition to the Arctic Ocean.
Coldfoot Town
It is said that the permanent population of Coldfoot Town is less than 10 people.
In the past, Frozen Foot Town was dedicated to serving passing truck drivers. Now, due to the booming tourism industry, it has begun to open to the public.
There are no service facilities between Fairbanks and Frozen Foot Town. Cars can only get supplies after driving to Frozen Foot Town.
The nights here are dark enough to ensure a high-quality aurora photography experience.
From Fairbanks to Frozen Foot Town, you will enter the Arctic Circle halfway. There will be a sign of the Arctic Circle, which will be the best place for everyone to take photos and check in.
In addition, you will cross the Yukon River on the way.
The Yukon River is one of the main rivers in North America. In his novel about the gold rush in the north, American writer Jack London called the Yukon River the "Mother River". There is a unique North American civilization there. White people and Indians once wrote the song of life together against the backdrop of the gold rush.
Wiseman
Wiseman is also one of the inns on the long Dalton Highway. There is nothing to do, so you can just refuel.
The most abundant thing along the Dalton Highway should be wild animals.
Dead Horse Town
The last section of the Dalton Highway is quite tiring, because it feels like the road goes all the way north without seeing the end.
This is the end of the highway, the frontier of the frontier. The average temperature throughout the year is below 0 degrees, a natural large ice storage.
Most of Alaska's oil is produced in Dead Horse Town, which makes Dead Horse Town the most industrialized town in the whole of Alaska. The Dalton Highway was built for the oil fields on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. The area closest to the Arctic Ocean is the private territory of the oil company and cannot be entered at will.
Fortunately, Dead Horse Town has a half-day tour to the oil field to satisfy your desire to take a peek at the Arctic Ocean.
Dalton Highway Self-driving Tips
1) Accommodation
Yukon River Campground and Coldfoot Town each have a hotel, Wiseman Town has a cabin, and Dead Horse Town has several hotels; remember to book in advance
2) Internet and mobile phone signal
There is no mobile phone signal along the Dalton Highway, but there is one at the end of Dead Horse Town
3) Self-driving time
Please make sure to drive in Alaska in the summer, from the end of May to September. At other times, you should really cherish your life and stay away from the most dangerous self-driving roads
4) Safety
75% of the roads are unpaved, so pay attention to self-driving safety.
Bears are everywhere, so be careful of bears when you get off the car to take pictures.
5) Car rental
The car rental service in the United States is quite comprehensive, including Fairbanks, Alaska.
The United States drives on the right, the same as mainland China. You can rent a car with a Chinese driver's license, which is quite convenient.
There are only two tips: you must rent an SUV and you must buy full insurance with roadside assistance.
Conclusion
This article is just a seeding article to give me a thought, one day I will return to Alaska and drive the Dalton Highway.
Perhaps, only by experiencing it yourself can you appreciate the danger and magnificence of the Dalton Highway.