The gravel up north is different than what you’d expect down here. It’s more like shards of rock rather than round water smoothed pebbles that we are used too. You 100% need to be prepared to change a tire if you’re planning on driving and not just a patch, cause it’ll tear a strip right off your tire lol
This sounds terrifying/potentially deadly in winter. I'd probably actually bother to put anti-seize on everything during tire changes if I was up there.
This sounds terrifying/potentially deadly in winter. I'd probably actually bother to put anti-seize on everything during tire changes if I was up there.
Ya, this is what some of the rock looks like, you can see how jagged it is. Wander over int that, and you are in for a slicing.
Spoiler!
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Was cell reception good, in case you lost two tires or something?
Hahaha...cell reception. Ya, no, none of that once you leave the paved highways, and even then I think it was pretty spotty. There isn't a lot between Whitehorse and Dawson City. You are at the mercy of fellow travelers, which is why we helped the German couple. But there are few places, like Eagle Plains and Fort McPherson along the way, so you aren't that many hours from help if you need it.
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Great timing for this thread, as we're currently considering a trip up to Tuktoyaktuk as well. Still in the planning stages, but our current plan is to drive up straight from Calgary in August as small group (Landcruiser/4Runner).
A few questions for those who have done the journey:
1) Our plan is to take two extra tires per car + patch kits. Are regular all-season tires ok, or would you recommend AT tires? Mostly want to take the gravel roads north of Inuvik into consideration.
2) What's the typical gas station situation once you get up north? I assume they are pretty sparse?
3) Are there decent campsites along the way, or is it more of a camp-by-the-side-of-the-road thing once you get up north? If campsites, any particular ones you recommend? Does it make sense to book hotels/campsites asap, or is that not necessary?
4) Anything to be mindful of in regards to wildlife/camping? We're planning to use our rooftop tents, but could potentially sleep inside the SUV if needed.
1) probably fine, if they are good quality AS. Though we did get some flurries in June, it was on the gravel roads.
2) Check google maps, but on the paved roads probably not more than 2-3 hours apart driving time. Once you get to the Dempster there is nothing until Eagle Plains, that's probably the longest stretch. From Eagle Plains you can get gas at Fort McPherson, so not too far.
3)They are good, Tombstone is fantastic. Further up the road there is Engineer Creek which is also nice. Neither were full when we went. Eagle Plains might be worth booking, and they have indoor showers and a restaurant. In Inuvik you probably want to stay in town at Happy Valley, also worth booking ahead. No idea further north as there was no road when we went.
4) The usual, be bear aware. I think you are fine in tents.
5) Tombstone. We did a hike up Angelcomb Peak, incredible views and pretty easy. Everything else you really just take in as you go, stop when you want. If you have more time Camp in Dawson City(the big campground is across the river, you probably want to book it), then drive to Chicken Alaska over the pass, it's pretty cool. Come back down to Kluane. Loads to do there if you are interested in that plan.
5a) car washes! Dempster City has one, and the cheap one in Inuvik is here I think(next to the cheap gas, don't buy at the first one you see, it's, like 30cents more for suckers!):
Camp here, relax in the hot springs, and just down the road is the wildlife park, so you can see anything you missed in the wild! It's actually really cool, loads of animals in large areas.
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I wish my wife was more adventurous. I'd love to do a long drive like that. I would imagine a pick up truck would be a good vehicle to take up there as you could camp literally anywhere with the tent attachment for the bed of the truck.
I wonder what percent of the Canadian population has seen the Arctic Ocean.
I wish my wife was more adventurous. I'd love to do a long drive like that. I would imagine a pick up truck would be a good vehicle to take up there as you could camp literally anywhere with the tent attachment for the bed of the truck.
I wonder what percent of the Canadian population has seen the Arctic Ocean.
That rental RV we had was great. Bit of a gas pig if you got over 100km/h, but that was rare anyway. It has everything you need, but easy to drive. It's nice to be able to just stop, grab some lunch, etc. And hitting the road is easy with not much to pack up.
I wish my wife was more adventurous. I'd love to do a long drive like that.
If it makes you feel better, my wife isn't into these types of trips either...which is why I either do them by myself, or with my dad/brother. While I'd prefer if she was into them too, nobody says all vacations have to be with your significant other!
You should definitely try something like it if you can. Personally I find that these types of driving adventures into the great unknown (at least relatively speaking) are often the most memorable. One of the best trip I've had was a solo-drive around Iceland...which was perhaps not the smartest idea from a safety perspective as I was alone in some really remote areas during some sketchy weather, but it was an amazing experience partially because of it. You also don't have to be some great adventurer...last year I did a trip around Mongolia with my parents, and that was 90% driving off-road in one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. If my 70 year old parents can do it, so can most.
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