Driving Line VOLUME IV ISSUE 4 | FALL 2018 | Page 49

Leaving Dawson City meant boarding a ferry that grounds. This magnificent show of radiance was particularly traveling the Dalton to bring survival gear with them, as the
crossed the Yukon River, adjacent to the old mining town. strong that night, coming in waves every few minutes. Before road can be treacherous to any kind of vehicle. With no cell
Three by three, vehicles were loaded, crossed and unloaded long, everyone was awake and outside with their eyes and signal or medical facility for hundreds of miles, an incident
until all teams made it across. The dash to the international cameras aimed at the sky. For many, this was the first time on the Dalton carries a very high risk.
border into Alaska was underway. Riding along a ridge for seeing the phenomenon, and the experience was clearly several hours, the dirt road called “Top of the World Highway” on everyone’s bucket list.
eventually led to the seasonally open customs office at Poker
Creek, offering an elk design on their passport stamp—a
must-have for collectors!
Luckily, JLs thrive on roads like the Dalton. With a
300-plus-mile fuel-tank range and spare fuel cans on the
Setting off again, past glaciers and waterfalls, the back, the Jeeps left at 0600 to take on the last road north
rallyers passed Valdez en route to the most dangerous along the Alaska pipeline, and enter the Arctic Circle. After
section of the journey. a quick stop to take a photo with the Arctic Circle sign, the
The first overnight stop in Alaska was in Copper River,
pack made way for the town of Coldfoot for lunch. This is
at the high-end Princess Lodge. As rally teams relaxed in Nicknamed “The Haul Road,” due to the many semi- the last stop for services such as gas, food and lodging
the “year-round Christmas” themed lodge’s lobby and trucks that make the dangerous voyage, the Dalton runs until the Dalton reaches the Arctic Ocean. Alas, this was
courtyard, enjoying the late-setting sun and epic views of alongside the Alaska Pipeline from Fairbanks, into the Arctic the turning-back point for the Jeeps, as time wouldn’t allow
snow-capped mountains, a special treat was bestowed Circle, ending in Prudhoe Bay. The Dalton also contains for a continued journey to Prudhoe Bay.
upon those who opted to stay up late. The aurora borealis, the longest stretch of road in the United States without fuel, or Northern Lights, made their appearance over the hotel 240 miles to its northern terminus. Experts suggest anyone
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