Alaska 2014 - Page 8

REF · 02-06-2014, 04:42 PM

As far as coordinating the drive up with anyone else, we have a pretty tight timeframe to get to Prince rupert with a 7 day window to catch our ferry north to Juneau. We'll be leaving Colorado on May 30th if anyone wants to tag along, we're going to have to do about 400mi/day but will be heading north from here, going through banff/lake Louise for a photo and then on to PR.
The drive down we'll be much more flexible, sort of....meet up in Eagle on July 27th?

4 months and counting!! OMG there is still a lot to do, once the van gets the new top, and the water tank and hot water system is in place I'll feel much better!!

REF · 02-10-2014, 08:59 PM

What ctb said, this is from the travelalaska website:

"Access to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean is restricted to oilfield workers and tour groups with special permits. For security and safety reasons, unescorted visitors are not allowed on the docks or on area roads. A number of tour agencies out of Fairbanks, Anchorage and in Deadhorse offer excursions to the Arctic Ocean as well as tours of the Prudhoe Bay oil facility. Most rental car companies won’t allow their cars to be driven on the Dalton Highway, but Fairbanks-based tour providers also offer bus tours north to Coldfoot and beyond, or fly-drive combination tours."

Anyone else looking at making the reservation at the hotel to stay a night/escort in. We would like to get up to waters edge, but not sure about staying a night? is that really the only way to get access to the Arctic Ocean/Prudhoe Bay? crazy! I guess that by the time we get up there it might be late enough to have to spend a night, what about staying in the van, anybody done that and still been able to have access?

Well, here 'tis....
http://deadhorsecamp.com/arctic-ocean-shuttles.htm

http://www.prudhoebayhotel.com

Ford_6L_E350 · 02-11-2014, 09:57 AM

It was worth it to spend a night at Deadhorse. Once past Atigun pass and Galbraith Lake there aren't many places to camp out. So, onto Deadhorse. There were two hotels, one mostly for tour buses (avoid it) and one by the airstrip mostly for workers (stay there). Room was pricey, but included all the food. 24 hour food service (for the workers) was available. And very good food prime rib, salmon the night we stayed. And pack a lunch bag before you leave.

We signed up for the oilfield tour at the hotel. First tour (8am?) and we were the only ones on the tour. Seems the bus tourists sleep in and take a later tour. We enjoyed the tour.

Mike

REF · 02-11-2014, 10:17 AM

great, it looks like the prudhoe bay hotel is the one near the airport.

We are looking at booking a room for the night of July 25th up there if anyone else wants to join, with a tour that afternoon or for the next morning, depending on when we think we'll arrive.

Ford_6L_E350 · 03-03-2014, 09:15 AM

FYI: The 2014 Milepost is now available. I got mine from Amazon.

Mike

Ford_6L_E350 · 03-03-2014, 01:46 PM

I also picked up 6th edition 'Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping'. Makes my 4th edition obsolete. Free, if you want to check it out before you get the current one.

Mike

Spenard · 03-20-2014, 03:17 PM

FYI For those hardy ready to go north trekkers: The Alaska Marine Ferry System allows the vehicle driver to ride for free for trips schedule before the end of April. The promotion starts again in late fall. Vans under 19 feet go for passenger car rates year around. When we went in mid May two years ago up the inside passage from Prince Ruppert to Skagway the ferries were only 30% full. The daylight hours will already be +16 hours for the road warriors. But, Weather will be chilly and likely wet with snow showers in April and most tourist locations, public campgrounds and many remote hotels and lodges will likely be closed till near memorial day.

ArcticDave · 04-04-2014, 09:19 PM

You should have a great time. If we have a summer like last year, you should have blue skies.

If you want to get the Arctic Ocean you will have to take a tour. The road to the ocean is on oilfield property and the tour is the only way to get to it.

Also, there is no cell phone coverage from the time you leave Fox, going to the Arctic Ocean (around 450 miles), until you get to about 10 miles from Deadhorse. They have 4G there depending on your cell service provider.

jamesc · 04-07-2014, 01:10 PM

We keep dreaming about our trip to AK. The hard part now is deciding when it is fair to take our 22 month old. What if we don't make back to AK for a long time, he'll grow up hearing about the time he was there. Anyway, we probably are not doing it this year, but soon.

Is everyone doing Alaska 4X4? Anyone have experience going 2wd?

**BroncoHauler** · 04-07-2014, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesc

We keep dreaming about our trip to AK. The hard part now is deciding when it is fair to take our 22 month old. What if we don't make back to AK for a long time, he'll grow up hearing about the time he was there. Anyway, we probably are not doing it this year, but soon.

Is everyone doing Alaska 4X4? Anyone have experience going 2wd?

Tough decision, but once he starts school, you're entire year will revolve around the school year and that makes planning much harder, and you're more or less forced into taking trips during prime tourist season.

I'd say go now.

Herb