June 5, 2013 planned route, Day 19

Fairbanks, AK to Whitehorse, Yukon, CA. 395 miles for a total of 7308 miles. Today will be my official day to leave Alaska and setup my entry onto the Dempster Highway. It is another road that I read a lot about and do want to miss because odds of me never making it back this way again. My destination today will be Dawson in the Yukon Territory in Canada. It is a very small town laying on the Yukon River and from what I understand they still have a Can-Can show that I might want to see. It is suppose to just like it was during the 1800’s.

Whitehouse Cabins
Bag 2020
Dawson, Yukon, Canada

Dawson Weather Forecast, Canada

June 3 & 4th, Back tracking to Fairbanks, Day 17 & 18

Prudhoe Bay to Coldfoot to Fairbanks. This leg is the return trip and from my understanding the only roads to and from, so backtracking is my only choice. So, if you read blog post June 1 and June 2 and turn it upside down, this will be my track. Sorry, just having a bit of fun at your expense. Hopefully, anything that I saw on the way up that I missed, I will be able to catch on this return run. Based on road conditions and weather it is possible that I will make the entire run in one day. This will be specially true if it is sunny and dry. Total two day run should be 509 miles bring total trip to 6913.

June 2, 2013 planned route, Day 16

Coldfoot, AK to Prudhoe Bay, AK. 254 miles for a total of 6404 miles. Today will be 2nd leg of my Dalton Highway run. The plan is to safely arrive in Prudhoe Bay and stick my toes into the Artic Ocean just to say I did it. At this point of the trip you also have to realize that I will not see a sunset. This is going to weird seeing daylight almost 24 hours a day. I ‘m not sure, but I think by June 2nd, the sun will dip below the horizon but it will never get dark. I could be wrong because I have never been to Prudhoe Bay Alaska.

Want to see a write up of this leg with lot’s of pictures? Click me!

Prudhoe Bay Hotel

Prudhoe Bay Weather Forecast, AK

June 1, 2013 planned route, Day 15

Fairbanks, AK. to Coldfoot, AK 255 miles for a total of 6150 miles. This will be the first leg of two to the top of Alaska and depending on road conditions and weather, I may actually make the entire run in one day. The entire run is 509 miles and from what I read on the Internet if it raining like Hell, Cats & Dogs, and or in buckets, then this road will be no fun whatsoever. If it happens to be sunny and the road dry, I should be able to make very good time with this particular motorcycle with dirt bike tires. Since I will be so far from home and services, I will not be taking to many chances that I see above my normal riding skills.

This particular road that I will be traveling has quite the history and it’s name is, The Dalton Highway. Here is another link that gives a few more details about the Dalton.

Slate Creek Inn Coldfoot Camp

P.O. Box 81512
Coldfoot, AK 99708

I can stay in the motel for one night $199 or camp for free. Camping with a shower cost $14. Hehe, I find this funny.

May 31, 2013 planned route, Day 14

Mt. McKinley, AK to Fairbanks, AK. 339 miles for a total of 5895 miles. Today I plan to ride on what is suppose to be one of the most beautiful roads in Alaska, and that would be the Denali Highway. It’s 135 miles of mostly dirt but some of the views are suppose to be spectacular. I have read on many blogs and reports that this is a not to be missed road. Since at this point the motorcycle should be completely dirt/mud ready, I should have no problems traversing this road. Ultimately my destination for the day will be Fairbanks and it will be the entry point to Prudhoe Bay run which should take me 2 to 4 days to complete. Depends on weather and road conditions on how good a time I will be able make on that particular dirt road.
Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks
433 Harold Bentley Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
855-271-3622

BEST WESTERN PLUS Chena River Lodge
1255 TVSA Way
Fairbanks, AK 99706
800-568-8520

Fairbanks Weather Forecast, AK

May 30, 2013 planned route, Day 13

Anchorage, AK. to Mt. McKinley 488 miles with a total of 5556 miles
Saying that all the work on the motorcycle is done and nothing else physical or mentally is holding me back, it will time to get back to the adventure. First thing I would like to do is head south toward the ocean and Resurrection Bay. After visiting for a bit, it will be time to turn north and head back though Anchorage and to my next destination. Mount McKinley is the destination and my plan is to camp here no matter what unless the weather is so bad that it is ridiculous. Rain alone will not stop me, but 50 knot winds and thunderstorms just might.

Denali National Park (Click for reservation)
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK
1-800-622-7275

Denali Mountain Morning Hostel and Cabins

Mile 2241 Parks Highway

Denali National Park & Perserve, AK 99755

Denali Natl Park Weather Forecast, AK

May 29, 2013 No route today, Day 12

Today’s goal is strictly rest, service, and maintenance. I also need to switch from tires that are designed for 80% road and 20% dirt, to the other way around. The tires will be very hard and knobby and they are the same tires that were a causing factor in my broken collar bone. My over confidence in my skills last August 2012, was 90% of the cause, but it is moments like this that make you understand that your really are not as good as you think you are. I learned my lesson and now I move on with that knowledge. The tires used properly should be handle almost anything that I can throw at them, so let’s hope they service my motorcycle well.
I also plan to have all oil dropped and replaced and to take the time to fix and repair anything that needs it. I will also have to find time to do the little things like laundry, eat, and sight see. There is a chance based on service timing that I might be sitting a couple of days in Anchorage. If that happens, I plan on renting a car for a bit to see some of the sights.

May 28, 2013 planned route, Day 11

Valdez, Ak. to Anchorage, AK. 302 miles with a total of 5068. This will be the shortest leg so far with my adventure to Alaska at just 302 miles. This will also be a time of rest for me and service for the motorcycle. In Anchorage, along with seeing whatever I can find to see, I will have to change tires, oil, and fix anything that is broken at this point of the trip. In my mind, I feel the R1200GSA should handle this first portion of the trip beautifully and I expect the repair work to be zero. The second portion of my adventure, I expect to spend more time off-road in the dirt than I do on asphalt.

Hampton Inn
4301 Credit Union Dr,
Anchorage, AK 99503

Anchorage Weather Forecast, AK

May 27, 2013 planned route, Day 10

Tok, Ak to Valdez, Ak. 439 miles with a total of 4766. I decided that after reading a blog report that I would make a small change in my route to make sure that I lined everything up to do the Denali Highway. So today’s run will take into the Wrangell St Elias National Park and I would really like to take the scenic flight around the park using this SERVICE. After this adventure if it all works out, I will be doing my best to reach Valdez for the night. There is the possibility, depending on what I see and do, that I might not reach that goal.

Best Western Valdez

100 Harbor Drive
Valdez, Alaska, 99686-0468, United States
Phone: 907/835-3434

Valdez Glacier Campground

Travel South on the Richardson Highway (SR-4). About 7 miles before you arrive in Valdez, you will see a major intersection with a flashing yellow light. Turn right onto Airport Road and travel 3 miles to the campground.

 

Valdez Weather Forecast, AK