6/29/09We then left the 5th Wheel in Fairbanks at Pioneer Park for a couple of days while we drove the Dalton Hwy (formerly the “Haul Road”). It follows the Alaska pipe line. This is the road that is featured on the “Ice Road Truckers” this season.
Well worth it though as the scenery is spectacular, especially going over Atigun Pass, the gateway to the Arctic tundra where the wildflowers are breath-taking and the mountains are unbelievable.
The mighty Alaska pipeline
What not to do! this trailer went over the edge.
We didn’t see the wildlife that we hoped, but did see a cow/calf moose and lots of snow-shoe rabbits.
Over Atigan pass looking north to the Artic Tundra
When we stopped for a picnic dinner on the Tundra about 75 miles from Prudoe Bay we had to hide in the truck while giant mosquitoes tapped at the windows wanting in to have us for lunch.
We of course crossed the Arctic Circle, where the sun never really sets this time of year. See the pictures of the amount of daylight at noon
and at 2:00 AM.
We passed through a burn area, the Erikson Fire of 2002 which was started by several lightening strikes. It was amazing to see all the blackened tree trunks surrounded by the beautiful fields of fireweed, the first plant to reseed in a burn area, earning its name.
We were glad we did not take our trailer, as it took nearly $40.00 of quarters to get the mud cleared off the truck when we got back. This is before!
And this is after!
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