Ice road trip to Tuktoyaktuk

[Albertadiver]

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

I don't think so? Refresh my memory. Where would I see those?

Was watching Gold Rush and he seemed to have them beached right in Dawson

[mgvande]

Not sure if it was mentioned but you can check out the mad trappers grave in Aklavik and also a bunch of RCMP graves in ft McPherson. I think those RC's ate there dogs too early or they would of made it. It was the Dempter patrol.

[Tactical Lever]

Headed out to Eagle Plains now.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Don't forget a "University of Tuk" shirt. Any northern store up there should have them. Spent a couple winters in Tuk and area. Should be able to see Esso's old "island" in the bay. Quite impressive. Was used to set up a rig on. Watch the booze up there.

Saw the old drilling platform, apparently it's a dry dock now.

Didn't find a Tuk U shirt; although one store had windbreakers. Passed on it, as I couldn't see wearing it a whole lot.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by Albertadiver

Was watching Gold Rush and he seemed to have them beached right in Dawson

Didn't see his barges, but didn't look too close. I did see Parker having a drink with his crew, I guessing; didn't bother trying to get an autograph..

[Tactical Lever]

At top of the world highway I believe. On the way down again, in Dawson, and some ice sculptures.

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[Sooner]

Loving the thread and updates, stay safe. Nice truck and Im a Ford guy.

[denied access]

Are you still up here? I missed your pm was away for a bit. Hit me up again if your still around.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by Sooner

Loving the thread and updates, stay safe. Nice truck and Im a Ford guy.

Thanks Sooner. I posted that one for you. Turned out to be an alright picture. The truck was the star of the trip, and ran like a champ. Kinda drinks like one, too...

Used to be a Ford guy myself. Still like the older ones. Now I'm not sure. The Dodges seem to be a good truck, as long as you don't mind throwing a little money at it, and are somewhat mechanically inclined...

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[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by denied access

Are you still up here? I missed your pm was away for a bit. Hit me up again if your still around.

Thanks, but I am back home now. I'll get you next time though!

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[Tactical Lever]

Up on the dome by Dawson; realized that I am not into raw fish as much as I thought....

And down the road and at Eagle Plains lounge.

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[DRE75]

Awesome. Ever since I moved up North, first to Dawson Creek and now Peace River, I've wanted to do a road trip up North. With the wife and kids it may end up only being to Whitehorse, but we'll see... these pics and the stories and info in the thread make me really want to try and push to go all the way up.

[omega50]

I would be interested on how many nights were spent in hotels-how many in the truck. Also total costs-fuel, food etc.

Things you would change or keep the same if you did it again-Not that that is possible

[Tactical Lever]

I will have to tally it up. I probably spent around $1600 on fuel. The way it sounded, I had the idea that fuel and services where in short supply.

I definitely travelled heavy. Too many clothes, guns, parts, heaters, etcetera.

Originally Posted by omega50

I would be interested on how many nights were spent in hotels-how many in the truck. Also total costs-fuel, food etc.

Things you would change or keep the same if you did it again-Not that that is possible

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[lmtada]

Drove up with friend to Inuvik in 40 hours, non stop in late 80's. We picked up brand new 1 Ton cube van in Edmonton. Drove steady, No stops. We switched every 6 hrs. Slept while other was driving. That was fun. Stopped Eagle Plains for breakfast, fuel. Beautiful country. Good Luck.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by omega50

I would be interested on how many nights were spent in hotels-how many in the truck. Also total costs-fuel, food etc.

Things you would change or keep the same if you did it again-Not that that is possible

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

I will have to tally it up. I probably spent around $1600 on fuel. The way it sounded, I had the idea that fuel and services where in short supply.

I definitely travelled heavy. Too many clothes, guns, parts, heaters, etcetera.



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Sorry, didn't give a very complete answer; was attempting, and then lost it.

I actually didn't camp very many nights. Camped a few, spent several nights with friends, and the rest in hotels.

I didn't know what to expect, and half prepared for catastrophic mechanical failures, camping in the middle of the ice, snowed in while white bears circled the camp...

Kind of comical how much I packed. To do it over, I would pack lighter. Probably about half of everything would have been around right. Having 2 full size spares was good for peace of mind, but in actuality, one spare would have been sufficient. Especially since I could have plugged a tire. The road was good. I would probably lean towards my original choice of 2 spares if I was on light duty car tires, or a more fragile truck tire. I could see how a little inattention and a sharp rock could slash a tire though.

2 sets of chains was a bit much also. Quite a bit of the road going up into the mountains was done in 2 wheel drive, even on a snow covered road. If I ran out of traction the road no doubt would have been long gated.

And a few towns I would bypass, to camp out. A bit better time management and knowing what's down the road comes into play.

Eagle Plains was expensive, with excessively warm rooms, so I would skip it. Nice to stop in and have an expensive beer though. The staff, or owners have a bit of a rep for being crusty. Beneath that crusty exterior though.... is maybe a little less crustiness. They were alright. Didn't make too many friends (I don't think) when I opined that I would trade Trulander for Trump when we were watching news.

If a person was so inclined, there is probably time to make the trip....

[Tactical Lever]

Passed on the "toe". ? In the Downtown Hotel.

On the Dempster, and Arctic Circle, and Eagle Plains.

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[Dean2]

Glad you has such a great trip and that the weather was so cooperative. It VERY much depends on road and weather conditions as to whether you over packed or not. If you are prepared to sit out bad weather you don't need near as much stuff. If you need to go no matter what, chains etc often make the difference. the one thing about the road now, is far more is paved, so not near as many flats, and the roads are far better maintained than they were even ten years ago. While remote, it isn't nearly as rugged as it used to be. Still pretty in places and worth a look see if you have the time.

For its age the Dodge is in great shape. Nice to have a reliable vehicle on these kinds of trips. Look forward to seeing more of the pictures you took.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Glad you has such a great trip and that the weather was so cooperative. It VERY much depends on road and weather conditions as to whether you over packed or not. If you are prepared to sit out bad weather you don't need near as much stuff. If you need to go no matter what, chains etc often make the difference. the one thing about the road now, is far more is paved, so not near as many flats, and the roads are far better maintained than they were even ten years ago. While remote, it isn't nearly as rugged as it used to be. Still pretty in places and worth a look see if you have the time.

For its age the Dodge is in great shape. Nice to have a reliable vehicle on these kinds of trips. Look forward to seeing more of the pictures you took.

Thanks Dean. From what I gather, the chains probably would not? have made much difference. There is a couple gates now, isolating the pass where it snows in. I suppose venturing off the path could change things.

Seems the road has changed quite a bit.

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[Tactical Lever]

The start of the Dempster, down the road a bit, and at looking over the edge of the Arctic Circle at Eagle Plains.

The road was good, relatively quiet other than a few transport trucks. A couple were fairly attached to the middle of the road. All told a nice drive. Got scenic pretty quick after crossing the bridge. Would have traveled a bit slower and pulled over more, if there were less trucks on the road.

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[Tactical Lever]

Terrain varied passing through some more 'skeggy looking areas to grass land plains, rocky areas and mountains. Some road was nearly clear and dry, while some was white as ever.

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[Tactical Lever]

Along the Dempster again. Had to have a chuckle, at the "fortune" for told by the cookie a couple days before getting on the road to Inuvik.

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[Tactical Lever]

Out at the first crossing of the Mackenzie.

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[lmtada]

Road looks good. Like being on moon. No other existence. Good trip. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

Along the Dempster again. Had to have a chuckle, at the "fortune" for told by the cookie a couple days before getting on the road to Inuvik.

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[wildwoods]

Great thread. Glad you had a good time.

[Tactical Lever]

Out in Inuvik. I believe this was some sort of old radio station IIRC?

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[Tactical Lever]

The first part of the ice road, when I rolled into Inuvik.

Where the ice was clear, you could plainly see cracks that showed the ice to easily be 6'+ thick.

Tried to capture it by camera, but you can't really see the depth.

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[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by lmtada

Road looks good. Like being on moon. No other existence. Good trip. Enjoy.

Road was good except the edges in some spots were not clear. Depending on the the oncoming trucks, you might end up a little closer to the edge than you like.

Just past Eagle Plains down the hill I met the trucker that went off the road. Another guy coming the opposite direction didn't give him a whole lot of room, so he ended up catching a tire, and it pulled his rig halfway off the edge. Hard packed snow and a slope made for a pull requiring some heavy iron.

While he was waiting for a cat and a winch truck, I stopped to shoot the breeze and we must have talked for 1/2 an hour. First vehicle that came by was a young lady in a truck, that I believe works in the area. She stopped to make sure we were alright. Great people up there.

On the way back through, the road had some good drifts. A few decidedly urban looking types were headed up; and I wondered whether they found it daunting in the small car.

[tundraltd]

Looks and sounds like it was a great trip and experience.

[Tactical Lever]

Ice!

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