Ice road trip to Tuktoyaktuk

Tactical Lever · #1 02-10-2017, 12:50 AM

Hi guys. Going on a little road trip in about a month. I will be going about mid March to and coming back around early April. I will be missing the festival down there, but looking for suggestions on stuff to do. No real hurry, taking my time, and more than likely going alone. Truck is pretty ready. Going to get NAPD to check the transmission that I bought from them (slight seal leak), and probably will be putting in a new rad.

Other than a few small details, I am ready to go. Will probably be doing a little wilderness camping along the way, and will be carrying a couple spare tires, extra gas, and stuff to self recover, and stay warm if needed.

Looking for suggestions on where to go, stop, and look at stuff there and along the way. Never been up there, so is there anything else I should bring? Probably some extra food, as I hear it is expensive up there. Would like to pick up some nice mukluks maybe. Sounds a little dumb out loud, but should I bring trading fodder??

How remote is it? Of course I will have extra fluids on the truck, and be ready to change a belt, filter, coil, or repair a tire.

omega50 · #2 02-10-2017, 01:09 AM

Drove it in 2000 on days off from a couple week chef gig in Inuvik for Western Artic Development corporation during Festival.

We were in a Suburban that was rented in Inuvik so our drive was relatively short.

Tactical Lever · #3 02-10-2017, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega50

Drove it in 2000 on days off from a couple week chef gig in Inuvik for Western Artic Development corporation during Festival.

We were in a Suburban that was rented in Inuvik so our drive was relatively short.

I'm leaving myself about 2 weeks to do it from Fox. I don't want to hurry. I'll be poking along, and getting out lots to look around. Stare at ice, check out the freezer carved into permafrost, watch the lights a little. Look at pingos.

omega50 · #4 02-10-2017, 01:39 AM

Last chance likely -end of an era
Saddens me deeply

Tactical Lever · #5 02-10-2017, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega50

Last chance likely -end of an era
Saddens me deeply

Yeah, that's pretty much why it's on right now. Took me by surprise to tell the truth. Picked up a 4x4 mag and it mentioned that the overland road should be done by this fall. So I pretty much decided right then and there.

Likely the last time I'll be on ice out on the Arctic ocean. I think I'll bring an auger!

Maybe a few years from now I'll do another out East.

coastalhunter · #6 02-10-2017, 05:39 AM

Shotgun and a fly rod.

Alcohol, it's not available everywhere.

Norwest Alta · #7 02-10-2017, 07:40 AM

Sounds like a pretty neat trip.

Tactical Lever · #8 02-10-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coastalhunter

Shotgun and a fly rod.

Alcohol, it's not available everywhere.

Thanks for the suggestions. I travel with a shotgun. I was think I would bring a little ice fishing gear. Any reason that I would want a fly rod over an ice rod?

What about game? Any opportunity for a non resident?

Norwest Alta · #9 02-10-2017, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

Thanks for the suggestions. I travel with a shotgun. I was think I would bring a little ice fishing gear. Any reason that I would want a fly rod over an ice rod?

What about game? Any opportunity for a non resident?

Ptarmigan I think.
Do you have a 2way? If not I can loan you one. I've got a spare.
Got a kerosene heater to if you want to borrow.

Tundra Monkey · #10 02-10-2017, 08:04 AM

Neat trip TL.......you be crazy dude

You can get a small game licence (ptarmigan/arctic hare basically). PM me and I'll hook you up when you want to go. Give me a week or two notice so I can get it mailed down to you in time. I've got a crap schedule right now and I'm working for 30 of the next 35 days so the easiest way to get in touch with me is through here......although I'm only here for 20 minutes today. I start back Sunday night.

bubba300 · #11 02-10-2017, 08:17 AM

Cool trip,I have bin to Tullita on the Mckenzie then into Great Bear Lake by river boat.People were friendly when ever we stopped at villages to get gas.
Not sure what there is for sights to see but should be interesting.

Tactical Lever · #12 02-10-2017, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

Sounds like a pretty neat trip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

Ptarmigan I think.
Do you have a 2way? If not I can loan you one. I've got a spare.
Got a kerosene heater to if you want to borrow.

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked about going. Never been that far up.

Thanks for the offers. I actually have a couple of white gas Coleman catalytic heaters, and bought a good lantern from MudBug a while back. I will be bringing one, and the lantern. I also have a couple Baofeng 5-UR radios. I was actually thinking of that last night. I will have to order an antenna for the truck yet. I was eyeing up a CB at Princess Auto, but it might not give me anything extra.

Tactical Lever · #13 02-10-2017, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tundra Monkey

Neat trip TL.......you be crazy dude

You can get a small game licence (ptarmigan/arctic hare basically). PM me and I'll hook you up when you want to go. Give me a week or two notice so I can get it mailed down to you in time. I've got a crap schedule right now and I'm working for 30 of the next 35 days so the easiest way to get in touch with me is through here......although I'm only here for 20 minutes today. I start back Sunday night.

Awesome! Thanks! Guess a .22 better come for a ride.

omega50 · #14 02-10-2017, 08:30 AM

Sorry you will miss the Muskrat Jamboree by a couple days. Skinning muskrats was a highlight for me.

We had a few days in the -20's C

We missed the reindeer crossing cuz we were working 20 hour days trying to cook while repairing gutted kitchen equipment and trying to source parts out of thin air in the Finto.

I was there as the protein specialist

Cooked and ate some stuff for the first time.

As a chef a good way to get run out of town is to trim fat from a Prime Rib. Everyone demands extra fat. Crazytown

I was happy to oblige.

Restaurant food is expensive, however was not costed like in the South. The price difference between Prime Rib and a plate of spaghetti was not that different. $30 for spaghetti-$35 for Prime Rib- and across the board portions were large.guess what we ate

Hopefully you see the Reindeer crossing

lmtada · #15 02-10-2017, 08:32 AM

Sounds like good trip. Drove up to Inuvik, Tuk couple times in the 80's. Working offshore for Beaudrill, back in the 80's. We flew up there on a scheduled flight every couple weeks.
Tuktoyuktuk-not much there. Check out Pongo's (huge frost heaves), eat Muktuk (whale blubber), have some Muskox, dip your foot in Beaufort sea.

Inuvik-played baseball in Inuvik one summer, we were flown all around territories, and Yukon for senior baseball. I felt like a pro player (funny). Fishing was great. Notice pile of snowmobiles prior to breakup on the Mckenzie river. They bet which sled will fall through first. Government buys them new sleds. amateur strip night (men vs women (most clapping wins cash prize)). Hilarious. Trees are not very high, many different languages in Inuvik from people all over the world. During winter 20+ hrs darkness, summer 24 hrs light. Take tinfoil for windows during summer.

Have fun.

Tactical Lever · #16 02-10-2017, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba300

Cool trip,I have bin to Tullita on the Mckenzie then into Great Bear Lake by river boat.People were friendly when ever we stopped at villages to get gas.
Not sure what there is for sights to see but should be interesting.

Different country, and a bunch of ice, anyway. I want to see the pingos and go to the park, but I am still figuring out what I want to see and do.

But I guess I could probably wander around aimlessly for a couple weeks, and still have a time.

trophybook · #17 02-10-2017, 08:36 AM

Swing into aklavik ice fish for some loche and head up the river you can drive from Inuvik and you can buy booze in Inuvik.( Could come in handy if you break down in a remote village as a Micky goes for 50-80$) or milk it cost about 17$ for a jug. Maybe check out reindeer station

Tactical Lever · #18 02-10-2017, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega50

Sorry you will miss the Muskrat Jamboree by a couple days. Skinning muskrats was a highlight for me

I was thinking of that, but it seemed that if I waited for that, I might be cutting it close on the way back. Not sure how early the road could possibly close.

I might end up changing the days a bit to take advantage of that. Also thought it might be more peaceful just avoiding the business, and traffic.

Tactical Lever · #19 02-10-2017, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmtada

Sounds like good trip. Drove up to Inuvik, Tuk couple times in the 80's. Working offshore for Beaudrill, back in the 80's. We flew up there on a scheduled flight every couple weeks.
Tuktoyuktuk-not much there. Check out Pongo's (huge frost heaves), eat Muktuk (whale blubber), have some Muskox, dip your foot in Beaufort sea.

Inuvik-played baseball in Inuvik one summer, we were flown all around territories, and Yukon for senior baseball. I felt like a pro player (funny). Fishing was great. Notice pile of snowmobiles prior to breakup on the Mckenzie river. They bet which sled will fall through first. Government buys them new sleds. amateur strip night (men vs women (most clapping wins cash prize)). Hilarious. Trees are not very high, many different languages in Inuvik from people all over the world. During winter 20+ hrs darkness, summer 24 hrs light. Take tinfoil for windows during summer.

Have fun.

I don't think there'll be any open water when I'm on the Beaufort. Heck, I'd probably try a dunk in the water, if someone was there to pull me out again...

wildwoods · #20 02-10-2017, 08:43 AM

Tire chains possibly as well. I'm sure you're well equipped....
Wow that sounds like a dream trip. Make sure to take lots of photos and post when you are back. Also be sure to stop in Liard hotsprings on the way out there. You won't regret that experience!

Norwest Alta · #21 02-10-2017, 08:48 AM

I'm excited for you. Lol. I want to invite myself along but the wife is gonna be away and I gotta look after the dogs.

Tactical Lever · #22 02-10-2017, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trophybook

Swing into aklavik ice fish for some loche and head up the river you can drive from Inuvik and you can buy booze in Inuvik.( Could come in handy if you break down in a remote village as a Micky goes for 50-80$) or milk it cost about 17$ for a jug. Maybe check out reindeer station

Yeah, I'm definitely going to bring some booze as currency, and for my own consumption beforehand. And for friends that I happen to run into/meet. Also plan on bringing some meat/sausage and stuff that I can heat up and eat.

I will go to Aklavik too.

Tactical Lever · #23 02-10-2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwoods

Tire chains possibly as well. I'm sure you're well equipped....
Wow that sounds like a dream trip. Make sure to take lots of photos and post when you are back. Also be sure to stop in Liard hotsprings on the way out there. You won't regret that experience!

I hear tire chains are recommended. Not sure if I need them though as I have a Detroit in the rear, an electronic locker up front, and 12.5" wide tires, that are decent. Though it probably isn't a bad idea to have them anyway. I was considering having a set made.

Bigwoodsman · #24 02-10-2017, 09:43 AM

The Dempster Highway is know to blow in North of Eagle Plains. It can be shut down for days or weeks. Be prepared! Check out Fort Mchpherson and Tsiiigehtchic, some cool history in that area, and you drive right past each of these on the way to Inuvik.

Take a good camera and post up your pictures. Driving across the Arctic Circle is a cool feeling the first time you do it.

Fly rod won't be much good to you in March/April and your auger better have a good long extension!

Enjoy your trip

BW

bubba300 · #25 02-10-2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

Yeah, I'm definitely going to bring some booze as currency, and for my own consumption beforehand. And for friends that I happen to run into/meet. Also plan on bringing some meat/sausage and stuff that I can heat up and eat.

I will go to Aklavik too.

You might want to be carefull with the booze,think most of the towns are dry and there are some people will do anything for a drink.
When I was up there we were always being asked if we had any .

trophybook · #26 02-10-2017, 09:50 AM

Oh and I forgot, the mad trapper is buired in the aklavik cemetery. I worked with the old fellow who dug the grave.

Tactical Lever · #27 02-10-2017, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

The Dempster Highway is know to blow in North of Eagle Plains. It can be shut down for days or weeks. Be prepared! Check out Fort Mchpherson and Tsiiigehtchic, some cool history in that area, and you drive right past each of these on the way to Inuvik.

Take a good camera and post up your pictures. Driving across the Arctic Circle is a cool feeling the first time you do it.

Fly rod won't be much good to you in March/April and your auger better have a good long extension!

Enjoy your trip

BW

The ice is built up too thick on the "road" portion, but any idea on how thick it is along the edges?

Kind of leads up to another one of my dumb questions. Does the whole Mackenzie freeze where it isn't road? Looking on the map I can get on the Mackenzie lower down to get to a few towns, and then the ice road ends. Would the section in the middle be possible to travel on with a decent 4x4?

Would be kind of cool if I could get across the middle part to the rest of the road.

Tactical Lever · #28 02-10-2017, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba300

You might want to be carefull with the booze,think most of the towns are dry and there are some people will do anything for a drink.
When I was up there we were always being asked if we had any .

Good point. Thanks.

Bigwoodsman · #29 02-10-2017, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

The ice is built up too thick on the "road" portion, but any idea on how thick it is along the edges?

Kind of leads up to another one of my dumb questions. Does the whole Mackenzie freeze where it isn't road? Looking on the map I can get on the Mackenzie lower down to get to a few towns, and then the ice road ends. Would the section in the middle be possible to travel on with a decent 4x4?

Would be kind of cool if I could get across the middle part to the rest of the road.

I would suspect the ice to be plus feet along the edges off the road. The locals used to say you can have 8-10 feet of ice. The winter in the far north is different then the winters around here. The Dempster can be ominous at any time of the year. You would want to carry two spares. It's a long ways between services up there.

As far as getting on the river sooner, there will be quite a few feet of snow. It would be good going with a snow mobile but you're better to stick to the road.

A good Satellite phone would be handy too.

BW

Tactical Lever · #30 02-10-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

I would suspect the ice to be plus feet along the edges off the road. The locals used to say you can have 8-10 feet of ice. The winter in the far north is different then the winters around here. The Dempster can be ominous at any time of the year. You would want to carry two spares. It's a long ways between services up there.

As far as getting on the river sooner, there will be quite a few feet of snow. It would be good going with a snow mobile but you're better to stick to the road.

A good Satellite phone would be handy too.

BW

Planning on having 2 full size spares, plus a couple ratchet straps along with a tire repair kit. I will also carry 50 liters or more of extra gas.

I would probably give the river a try if I knew it was solid the whole way. I don't mind putting it in low range.

I won't have a satellite phone, but I will have a radio.