LAY OF THE LAND

[williamlayton]

Sourdough mentioned going hunting on the Yukon.
I have an atlas and I have been looking.
I think most of you folks are around Fairbanks---I think.
Where would he be going to the Yukon? I see two roads from your general area that lead too the Yukon, 11 and 6. Both unpaved, but that doesn't give me much of a clue, or how long, or the dangers (if any).
If you have the time and inclination, take me on a trip along one of these roads. What you do to prepare, what you take, how long.
Please put in stupid flatlander language.
Blessings 

[BBF]

William:
Don't tell us you are preparing for a last hurrah?  Say it isn't so.!!

[williamlayton]

I have always wanted to drive up too Alaska---In lieu of that I just wanted to get a feeling of the lay of the land from those that live there. No hype, just real conversation obout where they live and what they face/experience/see things.
Blessings 

[KP]

William,

I haven't talked to Rog in a few days, but I think he's out looking for a quality Bull Moose with Norm. They have an area that they haven't been to in a while. If he's on the Yukon, then they took a jet boat up river.

The roads north of Fairbanks turn into dirt/gravel at the Yukon. The problem is not so much the road condition, it's the lack of service stations. You can get truck and tire repairs done at the Yukon crossing or Coldfoot. After that it's, slim pickins until Deadhorse. So, we take two ready to use spares and heavy duty tire plug kits. Other than that, just do a normal vehicle check like you're going on a long road trip. Of course I'm talking about summer and fall trips. In the winter we pack small 2 stroke generators to get our trucks thawed out so they'll crank. As far as survival gear, you should have that with you anyway if you've been out on a hunting trip. I love hunting up there. I double lunged a 38 inch Bull Moose last year on the North Slope with my bow. I had nobody with me except my wife... it was her first field dressing experience. Believe it or not she helped me alot and actually liked the whole trip.   

The lay of the land has plenty mountain passes to get through. The roads follow river valleys as much as possible, but if your travels take you over a mountain range then you're gonna gain some altitude. Antigun Pass is the big one, but Gobbler Knob and the Finger Lakes area around the Coldfoot and Wiseman area are no joke sometimes.   

By the way, I'm from Dallas, Texas. I've been in the Army for 20 years and last 4 have been here in Alaska. Aren't you from Texas too?

Take care. 

[Dand]

Wm, If you really want to drive to Alaska,  you should make plan and try to do it- assuming finances and health allow. Seems like a lot of people are way to easily intimidated. A May to mid Sept road trip shouldn't be that difficult especially you're a hunter and outdoorsman. The simple basic "be prepared" type stuff should get you thru to the road system cities just fine. Now I haven't been off the pavement north of Fairbanks or to Eagle so I'll defer to others. But when I drive out of Anchorage to Fairbanks or to Copper Center or Tok say, I try to always have a sleeping bag, good warm coat hat gloves, boots, rain gear, a few basic tools in the car, spare quart of oil, tow line good spare tire and so on. Mostly  you could do fine in tennis shoes and a wind breaker but I've had a few instances where it was darned smart to go better prepared.

[Skunk]

Great info there, KP and DanD.

[williamlayton]

Good information given here and great conversation.
My atlas indicates that 6 & 11 out of Fairbanks too be unpaved, so that shows how much you can depend on an atlas.
I assume that they went up too one or the other places and then up-river. This makes sense too me as it is easier too come down river with a load, than up.
Are these areas of the Youkon River, river too flat plains or river bottoms and then too mountains or are they valleys with no river bottoms?
Yes, I live in the little Burg of Deer park on the S/E side of Houston, along the ship channel and galveston/trinity bay.
Thanx &
Blessings

[williamlayton]

deleted by author

[KP]

William,

I was confused with this Hwy 6 & 11 stuff. I had to check my Alaska Gazetteer to see that 6 is the Steese Hwy to Circle and 11 is the Dalton Hwy or sometimes called the Haul Road. DOT has been paving the Haul Road and it's pretty much done all the way to Deadhorse. There are still long stretches of gravel road. Of course that is Alaska standards in paving. They do good work but the winters here are so brutal that road maintenance is almost impossible. I've only been to Circle once and that was in December. I think the road is paved all the way there.

As far as Yukon information, you'll have to wait on someone with more experience than me. I've never even been on the Yukon. I stick to the smaller rivers south of Fairbanks. You know the ones full of Kings and Reds.

Take care. 

[williamlayton]

Thanks KP.
I like these conversations, they give accurate information.
I know the Galveston and trinity Bay system. I know what and how too prepare for fishing it---what kind of boats and equipment are needed. This area are youse guys back yard. You folks don't need a guide, it is first hand information.
On a post, many moons ago, I learned about gloves that ya'll prefer. recently I learned someting about tents.
I appreciate the inside information ya'll can and do give. It makes this forum come alive for us flatland touristers, and, we learn, wheather or not we ever get to use it--it makes us feel like we can see things more clearly.
I do so appreciate the time and energy it takes for you guys too explain tis stuff that you know and take for granite as being everyday stuff for you.
Blessings

[Sourdough]

Williamlayton:  The Yukon I refer to is the Yukon River.  The way we went is not by either highway.  We went cross country on 4-wheelers.  We make our own trail up on top of the mountains.  From mountain top to mountain top, riding the ridges.  Often times we have to come down into a valley, and those are usually chocked by swamps.  But one can usually find a way through.  Our main problem was the steepness of the mountains.  In three places the grades were so steep, I had to lock my front differantial to climb the slopes.

Saw lots of new territory, found lots of good places to go this winter after freez-up.  The place we went is not for the inexperienced.  We had no real problems, but a few years ago several people had to be rescued by the Army Helicopters in that area.  These people got in and could not get out.  We had an alternate means out if we had gotten stuck.  We had a raft and could have gone down the nearest stream to the Chena, Salsha, or Yukon rivers.  I have had to take that kind of action before and leave the 4-wheeler there.  Then go back after freez-up and bring it out on a sled.

KP:  The trip was a bust for Moose and Bears, too hot.  Also the road to Circle is only paved to mile 60 or somewhere around there.  It's gravel all the way then to Central.  Paved through Central then gravel again to Circle.  During the winter when it is frozen you can easily think it is paved because the hardpack (Packed snow that is plowed) is so smooth.

[williamlayton]

Thanks for the read and time to prepare it Sourdough---damn it made a fun read.
Blessings