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  2. USA Nature Photography Travels
  3. 2017 Summer Alaska North to South Safari

Driving the Dalton Highway - Deadhorse to Fairbanks

Drove the Dalton Highway from Deadhorse to Wiseman, a distance of 240 miles with absolutely no services. Traveled through the Brooks Range, along the route of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Gorgeous weather, gradually warming to above freezing as we traveled south, even as we remained above the Arctic Circle. Enjoyed the beautiful landscapes with wildflowers, and finally the tundra gave way to trees. Also encountered a single Musk Ox in the brush close to the road in the middle of the Brooks Range. Cannot begin to imagine what the truckers endure on this road in the middle of winter with 24 hour darkness and subzero temperatures! After spending two nights in Wiseman, we continued on to Fairbanks, crossing the Yukon River at midday. The Dalton Highway ends north of Fairbanks, and after overnighting there, we went to Healy to be adjacent to Denali National Park
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  • Approaching the Brooks Range along the Dalton Highway (seen on the upper left). Further to the upper left, note the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

    Approaching the Brooks Range along the Dalton Highway (seen on the upper left). Further to the upper left, note the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

  • A nice view of a portion of the Brooks Range from the road. The lake is only partially thawed.

    A nice view of a portion of the Brooks Range from the road. The lake is only partially thawed.

  • A nice view of a portion of the Brooks Range from the road. The lake is only partially thawed.

    A nice view of a portion of the Brooks Range from the road. The lake is only partially thawed.

  • A close-up of a portion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The supports are designed to withstand earthquakes and prevent heat transfer to the permafrost. This road is not the highway, but is just for maintenance.

    A close-up of a portion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The supports are designed to withstand earthquakes and prevent heat transfer to the permafrost. This road is not the highway, but is just for maintenance.

  • A single Musk Ox in the brush close to the road in the middle of the Brooks Range. Got out for a while to stalk him through the brush and Paula got some of its fur (quiviat) that he was rubbing off on the trees. Amazing encounter!

    A single Musk Ox in the brush close to the road in the middle of the Brooks Range. Got out for a while to stalk him through the brush and Paula got some of its fur (quiviat) that he was rubbing off on the trees. Amazing encounter!

  • Starting to see some wildflowers as we make our way south through the Brooks Range. Again we see the TAPS in the background.

    Starting to see some wildflowers as we make our way south through the Brooks Range. Again we see the TAPS in the background.

  • The Dalton Highway approaching Atigun Pass at 4700 feet.

    The Dalton Highway approaching Atigun Pass at 4700 feet.

  • Rare oncoming traffic on the Dalton Highway (Atigun Pass).

    Rare oncoming traffic on the Dalton Highway (Atigun Pass).

  • Crossing the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line where the sun doesn't set on the summer solstice.

    Crossing the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line where the sun doesn't set on the summer solstice.

  • Our group celebrating the Arctic Circle crossing with a champagne toast.

    Our group celebrating the Arctic Circle crossing with a champagne toast.

  • Our group aving a champagne toast at the Arctic Circle Wayside.

    Our group aving a champagne toast at the Arctic Circle Wayside.

  • Forests are getting thicker as we push on further south.

    Forests are getting thicker as we push on further south.

  • Finally, some trees along with lots of wildflowers, close to Wiseman on the middle fork of the Koyukuk River (still 66 miles above the Arctic Circle).

    Finally, some trees along with lots of wildflowers, close to Wiseman on the middle fork of the Koyukuk River (still 66 miles above the Arctic Circle).

  • Sukakpak Mountain (elev. 4,459 ft.), a giant marble mountain with pingos (frost heave mounds) around the base.

    Sukakpak Mountain (elev. 4,459 ft.), a giant marble mountain with pingos (frost heave mounds) around the base.

  • Crossing the Yukon River.

    Crossing the Yukon River.

  • On the way to Healy from Fairbanks, stopped briefly at Nenana, the starting point for the historic 1925 dog sled relay over the Iditarod Trail to get diptheria serum to Nome in the middle of the winter after a serious outbreak.

    On the way to Healy from Fairbanks, stopped briefly at Nenana, the starting point for the historic 1925 dog sled relay over the Iditarod Trail to get diptheria serum to Nome in the middle of the winter after a serious outbreak.

  • Next to the visitor center at Nenana, this is the last commercial wooden tug boat that supplied the villages along the nearby Tanana River and Yukon River during summers after ice breakup. The Taku Chief began service in 1938.

    Next to the visitor center at Nenana, this is the last commercial wooden tug boat that supplied the villages along the nearby Tanana River and Yukon River during summers after ice breakup. The Taku Chief began service in 1938.

  • A partially thawed river branch near the road outside of Wiseman. Ice has broken up on the main rivers, but some small tributaries thaw much later.

    A partially thawed river branch near the road outside of Wiseman. Ice has broken up on the main rivers, but some small tributaries thaw much later.

  • Sampling Alaska brews at a restaurant in Healy.

    Sampling Alaska brews at a restaurant in Healy.

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    Forests are getting thicker as we push on further south.
    Finally, some trees along with lots of wildflowers, close to Wiseman on the middle fork of the Koyukuk River (still 66 miles above the Arctic Circle).
    Sukakpak Mountain (elev. 4,459 ft.), a giant marble mountain with pingos (frost heave mounds) around the base.