The name is Dalton...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,506
Likes: 7,809
From: Long Island, New York
No Coldfoot is the name of the town/outpost. I think is was MM 130 ish. Lots of ice and snow, it seemed like there was asphalt under the entire trip we took, but maybe it was just frozen.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 12
From: Hawai'i
We did the Dalton in February of this year, in a Suburban. Fuel is your big issue, you may want to bring a gas can with you. In the winter the only gas was Coldfoot. The beginning of the road is pretty straight forward to the Circle sign, big pull off etc for photo ops. We were staying in Fairbanks so we also did it in one day. We decided to go all the way to Coldfoot, gassed up there, got some snacks then turned around. The road was paved all the way there and was well maintained (for what it is). If you have the time I would suggest going the extra distance to Coldfoot, really get the wilderness vibe.
Out of Fairbanks there was nothing for fuel or food after you pass Hilltop Truck Stop. There was supposed to be gas around MM 60 (not sure check) but is was closed int he Winter. There is a website for just the highway, talks about MM's and what is available. Again we were there in the winter, maybe there is more stuff in the Summer. Fairbanks to Coldfoot and back took most of the day, in a truck. Have fun, it will be an adventure for sure.
Out of Fairbanks there was nothing for fuel or food after you pass Hilltop Truck Stop. There was supposed to be gas around MM 60 (not sure check) but is was closed int he Winter. There is a website for just the highway, talks about MM's and what is available. Again we were there in the winter, maybe there is more stuff in the Summer. Fairbanks to Coldfoot and back took most of the day, in a truck. Have fun, it will be an adventure for sure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,506
Likes: 7,809
From: Long Island, New York
The day before we made the trip I met a trucker at a shooting range. We were asking him all sorts of questions in between him asking me about my Winchester. Last comment from him (and he said he had been up the road two days before) was that we had enough truck and that the road conditions were as good as they were every going to be. We had no issues, but take the road seriously, you can see the dangers even when you are cruising along fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Bellmawr, New Jersey
Frozen I can certainly believe. The Yukon River is MP 56. Just across the wooden plank bridge is Yukon River Camp and your first gas stop. At the time I was there (2014) only regular gas was available. The Hot Spot Café is another 5-miles past the Yukon River. Great Burgers and Shakes and the Hot Spot was featured on Ice Road Truckers. Coldfoot Camp is at MP 175 and is your second gas stop along the Dalton. Good buffet-style meals but the rooms are Spartan but clean. If the roads are dry and you have the time, I recommend riding up to Atigun Pass (MP244). This is the road through the Brooks Mountain Range and the continental divide. On the other side is the tundra all the way to Deadhorse (MP414). The scenery at Atigun Pass is nothing short of spectacular. I was up at Deadhorse on June 21st - the summer solstice and their was snow on the mountains. Had to hang blankets over the windows in Coldfoot and Deadhorse to make it dark enough to sleep. I suspect Architect didn't have this problem as his trip up the Dalton was during what the locals refer to as "dark winter." If your a fan of "Life below zero" you will see signs for places such as Wiseman and Chandalar. By just riding up to the Arctic Circle Wayside sign, you are missing a lot. If you plan to stay at Coldfoot and make the trip up to Deadhorse, make your overnight arrangements well in advance. You can research Coldfoot Camp at www.coldfootcamp.com or call 907-474-3500 or 866-474-3400. Likewise you can research Deadhorse at www.deadhorsecamp.com or call at 907-474-3565 or 977-474-3565. I hope this helps!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
Frozen I can certainly believe. The Yukon River is MP 56. Just across the wooden plank bridge is Yukon River Camp and your first gas stop. At the time I was there (2014) only regular gas was available. The Hot Spot Café is another 5-miles past the Yukon River. Great Burgers and Shakes and the Hot Spot was featured on Ice Road Truckers. Coldfoot Camp is at MP 175 and is your second gas stop along the Dalton. Good buffet-style meals but the rooms are Spartan but clean. If the roads are dry and you have the time, I recommend riding up to Atigun Pass (MP244). This is the road through the Brooks Mountain Range and the continental divide. On the other side is the tundra all the way to Deadhorse (MP414). The scenery at Atigun Pass is nothing short of spectacular. I was up at Deadhorse on June 21st - the summer solstice and their was snow on the mountains. Had to hang blankets over the windows in Coldfoot and Deadhorse to make it dark enough to sleep. I suspect Architect didn't have this problem as his trip up the Dalton was during what the locals refer to as "dark winter." If your a fan of "Life below zero" you will see signs for places such as Wiseman and Chandalar. By just riding up to the Arctic Circle Wayside sign, you are missing a lot. If you plan to stay at Coldfoot and make the trip up to Deadhorse, make your overnight arrangements well in advance. You can research Coldfoot Camp at www.coldfootcamp.com or call 907-474-3500 or 866-474-3400. Likewise you can research Deadhorse at www.deadhorsecamp.com or call at 907-474-3565 or 977-474-3565. I hope this helps!
I think You gave Me a lot of Trip advise Prior to My leaving So. Jersey for th arctic circle 2 summers ago. Thanks It worked out very well. It was The best trip of My life! You were Planning a cross country ride to Alaska for 2015? How did that work Out?
I'm leaving tomorrow for Fla, Then To New Orleans, then Ark and any place else the road takes Me!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Bellmawr, New Jersey
My cross country trip is scheduled to commence 1 July 2017. Doing Route 66 West to East and 8 National Parks this year.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore, MD
Leaving June 30th from Baltimore, MD; north to Buffalo then across the Trans Canada Highway to the Alaskan Highway over the Top of the World Highway taking the round-about way via Denali to Fairbanks and north to Coldfoot if the weather gods cooperate. Returning through the Canadian National Parks back to just before Bike Week at Sturgis, then home by the end of July. I figure 11,000 miles before I'm home again. I know my bike (and me) is going to be beaten up, but I bought it to ride and ride it I will. I love the idea of riding up to Antigan. I have a meeting next with with the other two guys going, and I'll present them with this idea of another 70 miles north of Coldfoot till the pass. I am confident that if the weather holds out we would be willing to attempt to get to the pass.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
Leaving June 30th from Baltimore, MD; north to Buffalo then across the Trans Canada Highway to the Alaskan Highway over the Top of the World Highway taking the round-about way via Denali to Fairbanks and north to Coldfoot if the weather gods cooperate. Returning through the Canadian National Parks back to just before Bike Week at Sturgis, then home by the end of July. I figure 11,000 miles before I'm home again. I know my bike (and me) is going to be beaten up, but I bought it to ride and ride it I will. I love the idea of riding up to Antigan. I have a meeting next with with the other two guys going, and I'll present them with this idea of another 70 miles north of Coldfoot till the pass. I am confident that if the weather holds out we would be willing to attempt to get to the pass.