Wandering from Tennessee to Alaska, and back, 2023

[Machinebuilder]

I've passed 10500mi in this trip so far.  :D

[aigheadish]

I meant to ask yesterday if you were sick of driving yet! 

[nativewolf]

Nordkapp Norway is as far north as I've been.  71.16.  Iff you kept heading north you'll beat that quickly.  

Thanks again for sharing all of these and GAB sounds like you didn't hit the coastal range.  That's where the timber is in Alaska.  Some of the most valuable trees in the world (if the bugs have not killed everything yet).

[thecfarm]

I have followed this thread with interest!!!

[Machinebuilder]

so it looks like Nordkapp, Norway is further north.

I have some more to post but I am really struggling with internet so it will have to wait

I got back to Fairbanks without any more issues, Then to Delta Jct down the Richardson hwy to the Old Denali Hwy and stayed several nights at Tangle Lakes Camp.

from there I stopped to see if a couple that had lost a wheel on their Airstream needed help, Much worse than my flat tire.

It has been a bit wet and rainy, the clouds have been low enough to block many of the views.
today things have cleared and I went into Denali NP, I did get to see Mt Denali briefly.

I hope to Find a good internet connection and post more pictures soon.

[OlJarhead]

Awesome thread!  We're heading to Chetwynd at the end of week (our 2nd trip this decade) and I was there back in the early 80's (Dawson Creek mostly) looking for work.  

Can't wait to get back to traveling!  Woot!  Now, about those campgrounds in BC lol -- they are cheap enough I actually book 1 or 2 extra just in case.  Seems easier and the $20 ea for them doesn't hurt the pocket book much if you decide not to use them after all.

Cheers and thanks for all the pics!  I'd love to make that adventure in the not too distant future myself!  Though I'm contemplating a Class A for it instead of the Truck camper just because of the luxury and room available.

[Machinebuilder]

I'm in Seward now. Once again my cell service is marginal and not usable for posting pictures 

I've got some great ones to share when I can. 

[GAB]

@Machinebuilder:
At the museum in fort Nelson there was a sign, may have been a bumper sticker, that read "when wearing spurrs do not squat.  Never having worn spurrs I'd never thought of it.
Maybe the docs can tell us if they have ever encountered such a case in their practices.
GAB

[beenthere]

GAB
Look up the book "A cowboy's guide to life" and you will see many quotes that include this one "don't squat with your spurs on". It's an old one, for sure. 

[barbender]

It is usually right next to, "don't pee into the wind" on the list.

[Machinebuilder]

ok lets give this a try, I'm borrowing someones Starlink, it hasn't been super impressive yet

7-9 Galbraith Lake to Coldfoot



 

I went up a side road that ended at a storage area, some interesting stuff




 

 

I was able to get my tire repaired in Coldfoot, they were able to patch the inside

The dinner buffet was recommended to me so I had it (very good food) and camped nearby

[Machinebuilder]

7-10 Coldfoot to 5 Mile Camp



 



 

I caught my first grayling in the Jim River



 

and stopped at 5 mile camp for the night. Named that because its 5 miles north of the Yukon River.
very nice artisian well for a water source

This is the old long closed roadhouse there



 

[Machinebuilder]

7-11 5 Mile Camp to Harding Lake

Stopped in fairbanks to resupply, no pictures

7-12 Harding Lake to Gulkna Glacier

Rikas Roadhouse near Delta Junction



 





Black Rapids roadhouse



 

I found an area that had been used aas a constrution camp for the pipline. I passed this "Overlanding"truck



 

and after several small water crossings like this



 

I got to the end of the road



 

at least it wasn't a car this time  ;)

Me and the dogs set out hiking until we got to this bridge, I wasn't going to try to get them across



 


Gulkana Glacier



 

and set up camp in a semi sheltered spot, it was really windy



 



 

[tule peak timber]

Great pics! Did you have any conversation with the folks in the overland truck? Loved the grayling pic.

[Machinebuilder]

I didn't see them to talk to. its one of the many that have been imported for folks to tour with. that one from Germany.

[Machinebuilder]

7-13 to 15 Gulkana Glacier to Tangle Lakes  Start of the Old Dalton Hwy



 



 







 


 



 



 

I decided I liked it enough at tangle lakes i stayed 3 nights i did some hiking, visited with several other campers and relaxed.

[Machinebuilder]

7-16 Tangle Lake to Cantwell

it was a rainy day so many of the views weren't there.

I saw some people from New York having a really bad day, the hub broke on thee mini Airstream trailer
They had to get a flatbed tow truck to come get it. I had stopped at the Cantwell RV park to shower and do laundry and saw them there also.



 



 



 

[Machinebuilder]

7-17 Cantwell to Healy, brief stop in Denali NP

it was a beautiful day, As I was driving up the Parks hwy I decided to make the stop in Denali NP.

the visitor center was disapointing, the displays have fiberglass replicas of animals.
You are only allowed to drive the first 15 miles of road, beyond that you have to ride a bus.
pets are not allowed on the trails.
parking is VERY limited



 

I am one of the 30% that got to see MT Denali



 

I got better pictures the next couple days



 

[Machinebuilder]

7-18 Healy to Petersville

AS I went through Cantwell again some views of Mt Denali opened up there are several spots with great views before I turned off at Petersville rd



 



 



 



 

You pass by an Alaskan landmark, built but never opened



 

here are a few pictures from Petesville rd, past the turn at the roadhouse the road is more of a trail
it is the worst potholed gravel rd I have driven, it is cool that you can see some of the logs used as corduroy in the 1920's



 



 



 



 



 



 

I spent 2 nights there and left on another rainy day

The morning was perfect and i spent some time trying different methods to get a better picture of MT Denali.
its a difficult shot as the contrast of sun on snow, clouds, and green plants is so great

I ended up doing some HDR (High Dynamic Range) combining .




 

 



 



 

I did some gold panning on the creek and did find a few flakes, its very hard o my back with very little rewards.

[Machinebuilder]

Hatcher Pass rd



 



 

proof there are crazier people than me



 



 



 



 

[Machinebuilder]

Alaskan wildlife center



 



 



 

Portage Lake



 





 

[beenthere]

the visitor center was disapointing, the displays have fiberglass replicas of animals.
You are only allowed to drive the first 15 miles of road, beyond that you have to ride a bus.
pets are not allowed on the trails.
parking is VERY limited

Denali Park would be a disaster if these controls and limitations were not in effect. i.e. like before these rules were in effect. 

[Machinebuilder]

A member near Seward had conacted me and offered a place to camp.

I've enjoyed staying here, and did some fishing from shore.



 



 



 

It's near 4th of July beach and the dogs really enjoyed running there



 



 
heres a piece of one of those trees GAB says aren't worth sawing



 

Otters came in each night



 

I went to the Alaskan Sea Life Center



 


 



 



 


and watched some shipyard activity



 



 

[Walnut Beast]

Good to hear and see the great pictures, it's time for more of your dogs in them. Seems like they been missing out in the photo shoots lately

[Magicman]

Thank You Dave for an awesome picture tour.