Very easy answer. If you want to see the oil industry and take a bus to the Arctic Ocean for $69pp, the Dalton. If you want to ride right up to the Arctic Ocean, walk the last 20 meters and jump in, the Dempster. Speed vs conditions is the key. There where spots on the Dempster I was doing 100 km/h, there where spots I was doing 10 km/h (and praying to various deities). Whitehorse is the place to sort out tires, order and book ahead for the least delay. 👏👏👍👍
I was watching some other videos of people doing the Dempster - it doesn't looks as horrible as I heard/imagined. I wonder if my off road practicing is finally paying off. But I did watch what the last stretch up to Tuk looks like... makes me a little anxious!!!
I drove on the Dempster in June 2022, on my Toyota Sequoia SR5 SUV. Camped in Tombstone, Rock River, and Zak&Happy Valley on the way up, Rock River and Engineer Creek on the way back. Was in Tuk from 20th to the 23rd for the the summer solstice. Definitely recommend this challenging route to the Arctic Ocean.
I did both...they both were amazing, challenging because of the rain and I felt like an OMG moment when I survived. I made it from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks on the way back on one day. Never made it to end of the Dempster due to construction around the river.
I cycled the Dempster a couple of months ago-flew into Inuvik, cycled to Tuk then down South to the US Border. Saw lots of M/C, spoke to many and all had positive comments regarding the road. The section from Inuvik to Tuk is thick gravel making things a little more interesting. Many did comment on the fact that actually dipping your toes or going for a swim in the Arctic is what its all about! Beautiful scenery, remote, but a trip of a life time-I'd say go for the Dempster!
I rode to Coldfoot in 2018 on a BMW R1200rt, a street bike. There were plenty of gas options and I never went below a half a tank. I tried to go to top but it snowed 2 feet of snow on the pass two days before I got there. It was a rough road but even a street bike on street tires can make if you drive at a reasonable speed. I enjoyed your video. Keep it up. Oh by the way I was 65 at the time.
That's an great accomplishment and daunting to tackle. We ultimately did the Dempster with 50/50 tires and I'm sure glad we had them. Tackling it with street tires is valiant!
I would love to ride it again on my latest bike, a Vstrom 650 with better tires. I really admire you going 2 up. My wife rides with me on short trips not 3 weeks at a time. Be blessed
Hope you'll find the opportunity for the Dempster. I can't provide a comparison but we found it to be absolutely incredible and especially wonderful to arrive at a native village on the Arctic shore where we camped the night.
Ha ha, love it. We ended up choosing the Dempster and it was incredible. Absolutely amazing and I loved being able to ride right up to the shore and hop off!
What an awesome adventure and adventurous spirits!! I have dreams of riding from Mississippi to Tuk one day !! Thanks for more inspiration !! Cheers and good luck, can't wait to see the trip !!
Thank you so much. I hope you find the opportunity to make the trip. The Dempster was incredible and there’s really nothing like reaching the Arctic Ocean. Good luck!
I rode up the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk solo in July 2018. I was riding from Dawson Creek BC and also went into Alaska for 8300 km round trip. I rode a Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 with Mitas E07 Dakar tires 50/50. I was lucky no flats and also no Rain which is very important because the Dempster can get ugly with rain. I had a tent and an inreach (very little cell service). Used the tent in Eagle Plains when everything was booked up. When i hit the Arctic Circle the temp was +27C I wish I had brought my mesh jacket. The road from Inuvik to Tuk was quite soft in some sections. I stood on the pegs about half the time to spot soft sections and get as much air though the vents of my jacket. Not very much traffic, two ferries and an awesome ride. one big advantage of the Dempster is you can ride your bike to the Arctic Ocean , the Dalton you get to take a tour bus for about $75.00 US to see the Arctic Ocean. Have fun with either road you travel .
Must have been an amazing experience. We ended up riding the Dempster and it was incredible to ride right up to the Ocean and then camp along the shore!
Great video! Just found your channel and will have to look up earlier videos. Don't have any advice since I have not visited Alaska, but wish you well and want to follow your adventures! Great discussion and well done!
Going next Saturday from the SF Bay area. Your comment on the destination name is spot on! Who doesn't want to go to Tuktoyaktuk....Love you guys, hilarious. You peeps are why I love these journeys.
Thank you so much for these kind words and glad you are enjoying the videos! Where are you on your journey north and tell me how it went going up to Tuk!
My husband and I just did the Dempster all the way up to Tuktoyaktuk on 2 800gs. It’s a fantastic ride with all sorts of conditions. Make sure you reserve a room in Dawson , Eagle Planes and inuvik. We didn’t see a lot of wildlife this year but it was still spectacular. The road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk was really a lot of deep gravel the whole 90 miles. It wasn’t easy. I’d suggest staying overnight in Tuktoyaktuk if possible. We did a round trip and it was exhausting. Good luck on your trek.
Thank you for this valuable info, Destini! It sounds like your trip was a challenge and a spectacular adventure. Congratulations on reaching Tuk - what an achievement to be proud of! Good point about reserving rooms - I have heard that they book up far in advance.
Totally agree with the sentiment that riding to the top and setting toe straight in water on the Dempster is #WINNING. Also towns with names that sound like they aren’t named for the tragedies occurring on the way there! :)
This past September, I drove the Dalton to Deadhorse from Fairbanks stopping in ColdFoot both ways. It was really muddy but it think it slowed the trucks down and kept the flying rocks to a minimum. The portion from the "Shelf" to just past Atigun Pass was particularly challenging due to the ruts and muddy conditions. The rest of the Dalton was manageable, although I got a flat in the construction area south of Deadhorse which a very kind Trucker plugged for me. I want to do the Dempster now; I hear it's more scenic.
That's great information and sounds like it was a wonderful experience. We decided on the Dempster and had an amazing experience. Episodes 31-34 show the route through and - yes - the scenery is amazing! Check out this as a starting point: ruclips.net/video/Ua4L1cXoejI/видео.html
Here is a "pearl"; It is your speed that breaks windscreens and headlights. If you slow down or stop when a big truck blasts by, you might get sprayed with gravel but you won't get any breakage. I have driven the Dalton, but I was in a pickup. I found it to be pretty easy and there is a good campground about 1.5 miles north of Coldfoot. I was the only person camping there. Also, there were several bottomless holes in the gravel road- you hit that you're going to crash so pay attention!
Thanks for this great feedback and information! We ended up choosing to ride the Dempster to Tuk and it was incredible. We experienced it all - dry gravel, rain, mud, and terrible gusts. Worth every moment of it and the wilding camping opportunities were phenomenal. Glad to hear you had a good experience and thanks again for sharing that very valuable information!
Just read through all the comments. Didn't see which tyres you ended up using? We rode from Bowmanville on on a 650 VStrom (Have the 850 Adventure now)with Trailmax Missions. Amazing on the road and wet. Ok in the dirt. Rained all the way to the visitor centre. Then dry the rest of the way to Eagle Plains and the sign. (Northwest Territories was closed for Covid so we couldn't go to Tuktoyaktuk) I would have liked knobbies for the last section. So very curious how the section past that was if you ended up staying with the Trailmax Missions. Glad you had a great time. We saw one moose. But saw tons of wildlife on the rest of the trip.
Sounds like absolutely wonderful experience you had on the Dempster. We rode on the Trailmax Mission tires that we put on at Fairbanks and they did spectacularly all the way to Tuk. Greg suffered a puncture on the way back down and even had sidewall damage but we were able to patch it and ride out without further problems.
In my 2007 20,000 kilometer loop around the US and Canada I chose the Dempster because it seemed more challenging and more scenic. In retrospect I also enjoyed the glimpse of Inuit culture in Inuvik. If you anticipate camping along the Dempster I strongly suggest packing a bear sized can of bear spray. Ride safe. Be aware that , in 2007, many sections of the Dempster were made of shards of shale enbedded in calcium chloride and many of those shards are sharp like arrowheads which penetrate motorcycle tires like butter when you put the petal to the metal. Ride safe.
Sounds like your 2007 ride was epic! Great suggestions about bear spray and about the glimpses of Inuit culture. I imagine the shale would be like razor blades under the tires. Thanks for the feedback and congrats on such an epic ride!
@@GoRUFFLY Indeed it was an epic journey and I was abligated to an Inuit resident of Inuvik for the insight into the relatiionship between the shale shards and greater penetratiion at higher speeds. If you decide to carry bear spray be aware thati Canada doesn't allow carrying bear spray across the border unless it is approved by the EPA and labeled as bear spray, or you' can just purchase it in Canada. Ride safe.
If you know someone at BP, Chevron, Shell, or any of the oil companies, you can get a permit onto the oil field and drive a private vehicle to the ocean. You do need a permit for it though.
Great vid you guys i seen what happened to all you on motoGeo site omg soooo sorry i hope you all are healing good . I seen triumph got you set up with new bikes and new puppy . And MotoGeo help out . I love your site can't wait to watch more take care be safe !!!
So kind of you and thanks for the condolences. Last year was tough with Greg’s accident and Moxie’s passing. The Dempster was incredible and now we’re about to begin a trek across the Darien. Thanks so much for joining along and the support!
II live 16 kilometers from the start of the Dempster Highway, so I'm probably pretty biased! I noted the comment somewhere where a person averaged 100 kilometers an hour in some places, and 10 in others and that is absolutely true. The road is a main highway, so it is wide and pretty decent mostly. I found the NW Territories portion wider, but bumpier. I don't know what the scenery is like in the Dalton, but on the Dempster it is absolutely spectacular. It is one of the world's great drives. And yes, I have seen wildlife every time I've been on it I think. Black bears further south, and grizzlies up north. moose, caribou, foxes,... I am not a bird watcher, but those who are tell me that the bird watching is spectacular along the way as well. My daughter loved the hotel at Eagle Plains, they stopped the clock there in around 1972 I think! it was a good place though with great food.
Great to meet you guys today and share our travel experiences. Keep up the great vids and safe travels x good luck with dempster or the Dalton … which ever you choose… or do both!!! Take a spare tube!! Or two 😉 both amazing and both so very different
Thanks, Nick! It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Your advice is well noted! Keep an eye on the episodes in the next few weeks for your star moment! Ride safe!
I did both this past summer. I hit the Dempster first and was lucky with weather, although the Peel River had been closed for days when I arrived due to flooding. The Dalton was a muddy mess going north because of recent rains but drier going south. It also snowed at Attigun Pass on July 19th. Both were amazing and very different.
I don’t know about the Dalton highway but I do know that a lot of the Demster has a clay base which is fine when it’s dry but it is a tretcherous skating rink when it gets wet.
That was exactly our experience on the Dempster. We hit rain and mud on the way up and then loads of it on the way back south. After several dozen km of it, we pulled over and camped on the side of the highway. You're absolutely right about that mud!
The Dempster ends at Inuvik. I asked if the Dempster would be extended and the sign at Inuvik be removed. I was told it won't be extended and the sign would stay. Whew, thanks. I got pix of the famous Welcome to Inuvik. End of the Dempster Highway sign. The new road is the Inuvik-Tuk highway. Drove it June 2019. As for which is better, the Dalton or the Dempster; neither they're the same though the Dempster had less truck traffic. It was in better condition on the NWT side. I conquered both in June 2019 though the Dempster flatten three tires. Took dips in the Arctic at the end of both drives. Sadly access to the Arctic at Prudhoe Bay is by tour group only. As an American I needed foreign permission to access the Arctic from my own country. Ice Road Truckers was my inspiration for both roads. Both roads were the biggest travel adventure(s) of my life.
What a great thing to have been able to ride both! The Dempster sure did have its moments when it started to rain. But I imagine the Dalton has similar issues when rain turns the road into mud!
@@GoRUFFLY when the sign says slippery when wet, it's the gospel TRUTH, especially on downhill sections with scary steep dropoffs. Like an ice-coated road in the Lower 48.
I forgot to include another group of travelers inspired both the Dalton and Dempster drives; Dangerous Waters. MAV TV documented their jet ski adventures around the world.
I have travelled the Dempster several times and find it extremely exhilarating. I rode to Inuvik in July 2016 before the road opened to Tuk. Fond memories of a flat tire we could not fix 50 km N of the Arctic Circle. It was taken back to Eagle plains for a patch. We made a Tuk attempt in Sept 2018 but were thwarted at Eagle Plains with snow on the road and rain in the forecast for the next 5 days. In July 2019 we returned to be successful to Tuk. These were made on a 2013 Ducati 1200 Multistrada and a 2016 BMW GSA. The Multistrada made the first 370 km section 6 of the 8 tries. I carried 5 liters of fuel, 10 the first time. You have to think about, What if I make it 300 km in and have to bail. That is 600 km of fuel. Oh yeah, I think the worst part of the road if it is consistently wet is the 80 km south of Eagle Plains and about 140 km north of Eagle Plains. i just returned this week from Tuk. This time on a Honda CB500X RR2. You can put your toe in at the Arctic Ocean sign at the northern most point of the road but swimming there is frowned upon. One of our guys brought his golf club and a golf ball. Swimming seems to occur by Grandma's kitchen. A must stop and a better place to hop into the Ocean. Muddy and slick? Ha. It can be complete grease and feel like you are constantly crashing. You also have to watch for graders and loose gravel. Ask our one rider that was med evaced from Fort McPhersen. You have to be focussed 100% of the time. Also jettison/cache any weight you can wherever you can. At the start of the highway, in Inuvik, ... The Dempster was 740 km to Inuvik with the last 10 km paved. The next section is 150 km, so the total length is 890 km. The Dempster has to let you pass. You need the weather to be onside. take it one step at a time. From Highway 2 just poke your way to Tombstone, km 72. Then go for Engineers Camp at km 200. Next is Eagle Plains, the next target is the Arctic Circle, the the border, then the ferries. Be happy with each incremental km. I was at the start this year (fuel point at the intersection Highway 2 and 5 Dempster) and several other riders heard it was bad so they decided not to go. We did and were successful. Tires. Here is the thing. They are perhaps the most important thing!! But make sure that the tires you select you can work on. Some tires have such stiff sidewalls you may not be able to effect a roadside repair even with long levers. That could be a problem. I rode from Calgary on TKC80 front and a TKC70 Rocks rear and it made the entire trip. On my heavier Ducati I used the TKC 80 on the front for the entire trip and put on TKC 80's in Whitehorse twice and at Eagle Plains once. Yak yak yak. July was terrific because of the 24 hour sun but mid August to mid Sept the tundra looks like is on fire. Fascinating. Next time will be Deadhorse on crotch rockets as a challenge. 2025
I don't consider the water at Grandma's Kitchen part of the Arctic. It's where the sign is. Took a dip in June 2019 and splashed around like a little kid in the bathtub. The owner of Grandma's Kitchen repaired my flat tire for free if I bought food at his wife's food truck. I bought two muskox burgers and two cokes.
Great info! Yes, it sure was greasy when we were on the way back. Had to paddle a little to get through the really deep stuff. But thankfully we didn’t go down!
I can confirm that the Dalton at least gets very greasy when wet. I just got back from our trek to the Arctic 2 days ago and we had wet for the southern half to 2/3rds of the road and it was difficult at times. The rest was dry and went fantastic. We did not do the Dempster so I cannot speak to it but we did do the Klondike Highway (which the Dempster connects to) and there is/was some construction and wet and if the Dempster is the same dirt I would think it would be extremely slick. My riding partner and I both came close to dropping out Super Teneres a few on both but kept them upright. If we had enough time we would have done both! We did have a fair amount of wild life sightings on the Dalton with muskoxen, caribou, a bear, and many other small animals/birds. Safe travels and enjoy, I do not think there is a wrong choice. For us the deciding factors my partner's brother lives in Fairbanks so we had support if something went wrong for one and the other is it is the one when you say you went to Alaska you get asked if you rode it at least in our circles.
Great recap! Yes, the mud was definitely apparent on the Dempster when it rained. I have to say we didn’t have too many animal sightings in the end. A few moose and a couple of small creatures. That was the only thing that I think would have made the ride 110% awesome!!
Oh my gosh I could almost write a book on my wildlife encounters on both the Dalton and Dempster; elk, playful foxes, musk oxen (they are shaggy beasts), lynx, but NO bears, not even a grizzly. Had a hilarious encounter with a female moose on Dempster that I moooosssed out of my way. It walked off into the bushes. Couldn't find it as I passed by but thanked it for letting me by. The wildlife encounters were my highlights of the drive.
@@GoRUFFLY Thanks! It sounds like you had a great trip! It is definitely on my ride list yet. Hopefully I can manage another trip up there eventually to ride it.
Im late to the comments, BUT..... Ive done both, there is WAY more animals IMO on the Dempster. There are some areas of the Daltons i love, but I loved 90% of the Dempster and there are a few good Canadian Gov campgrounds on the way up. Plus, why drive to the artic ocean and not be able to just jump in! BLUENOSE!!
I completely agree! I’m bummed we didn’t end up seeing more wildlife on the Dempster, I’m very glad we made the decision to do the Dempster over the Dalton.
The last four days of June 2017 we traveled the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse and back. The weather was near perfect with just a small sprinkle of rain on the north slope on our way back down. We did not do it on a bike, but a 39 year old Ford Pinto with street tires. No tire problems , did not spin a tire once, but it was dry. The gravel was graded Extremely well!! But, there are washboard sections that happen in an instant, be aware. Here are the two videos of our trip. ruclips.net/video/jQoumZP39Jk/видео.html ruclips.net/video/pF2-S34y4AU/видео.html Overall the trip was easy going, just take your time and you will be fine. Up we camped at Mairon Creek campsite. Saw lots of muskox and caribou on the North Slope. In Deadhorse, we stayed at the Aurora Hotel . It was pricey , $270,six years ago, for the two of us, but all the meals were free and you can pack food to go 24/7. We ended up getting 4 meals on our one night stay. The tour was nice {shown in the video} and well worth it. The truckers were GREAT!!!! Went we saw one coming we slowed down and/or stopped. Every single one slowed down and gave us room. I could not say that for the smaller vehicles , they tended to just whizz on by. Our last night camping was at Galbraith Lake just on the northern edge of the Brooks range. For what ever reason when, we were the mosquitoes were never a problem. This year we are thinking Doing the Dempster mid June if the weather is good. Good luck and safe travels. I dont think there is a bad choice to either.
Sounds like a wonderful adventure up the Dalton! I loved the Dempster but I did wish that we saw more wildlife. I'm sad that I didn't get to see a musk ox which I hear is common on the Dalton. But I'm glad we chose the Dempster and we have many new adventures left to come on GoRUFFLY Around the World!
@@thewanderingpinto5979 Drive the Dempster ALL THE WAY to Inuvik. Be sure to take a picture of the End of Dempster. Welcome to Inuvik sign. Then drive the Inuvik-Tuk road to the Arctic Ocean. Take a midnight swim too. With 24 hours sunlight, it will be the drive of your life. While in DC, drive up to Midnight Dome (can't miss the turn for it off the Klondike Hwy on your way to the Dempster). See the entire city from above plus the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. Spectacular view. You're making me want to come back again.
I'd overwhelming take the Dempster Highway. The website for it is great and ending in a real and Indigenous town/culture and with direct access to the Arctic Ocean is a TON better than what the USA version offers. Likely better services too (I'm wildly guessing though).
Tuktoyaktuk. I've only heard the full name pronounced with 4 syllables, even by cbc broadcasters and locals. Did the extra syllable you use come from an inuit local? Thanks.
Very easy answer. If you want to see the oil industry and take a bus to the Arctic Ocean for $69pp, the Dalton. If you want to ride right up to the Arctic Ocean, walk the last 20 meters and jump in, the Dempster. Speed vs conditions is the key. There where spots on the Dempster I was doing 100 km/h, there where spots I was doing 10 km/h (and praying to various deities). Whitehorse is the place to sort out tires, order and book ahead for the least delay. 👏👏👍👍
I was watching some other videos of people doing the Dempster - it doesn't looks as horrible as I heard/imagined. I wonder if my off road practicing is finally paying off. But I did watch what the last stretch up to Tuk looks like... makes me a little anxious!!!
I drove on the Dempster in June 2022, on my Toyota Sequoia SR5 SUV. Camped in Tombstone, Rock River, and Zak&Happy Valley on the way up, Rock River and Engineer Creek on the way back. Was in Tuk from 20th to the 23rd for the the summer solstice. Definitely recommend this challenging route to the Arctic Ocean.
It was a great adventure, you sure were right about that!
I did both...they both were amazing, challenging because of the rain and I felt like an OMG moment when I survived. I made it from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks on the way back on one day. Never made it to end of the Dempster due to construction around the river.
What a fantastic adventure to ride both roads! "OMG I survived" sounds about right. Especially getting hit by rain. Good on ya, sister!
I cycled the Dempster a couple of months ago-flew into Inuvik, cycled to Tuk then down South to the US Border. Saw lots of M/C, spoke to many and all had positive comments regarding the road. The section from Inuvik to Tuk is thick gravel making things a little more interesting. Many did comment on the fact that actually dipping your toes or going for a swim in the Arctic is what its all about! Beautiful scenery, remote, but a trip of a life time-I'd say go for the Dempster!
That sounds like a fantastic adventure and an epic cycling journey. Congratulations on that achievement! Chalk another one up for the Dempster! Thanks
I rode to Coldfoot in 2018 on a BMW R1200rt, a street bike. There were plenty of gas options and I never went below a half a tank. I tried to go to top but it snowed 2 feet of snow on the pass two days before I got there. It was a rough road but even a street bike on street tires can make if you drive at a reasonable speed. I enjoyed your video. Keep it up. Oh by the way I was 65 at the time.
That's an great accomplishment and daunting to tackle. We ultimately did the Dempster with 50/50 tires and I'm sure glad we had them. Tackling it with street tires is valiant!
I would love to ride it again on my latest bike, a Vstrom 650 with better tires. I really admire you going 2 up. My wife rides with me on short trips not 3 weeks at a time. Be blessed
In 1996 adventure to prudhoe bay..loved every moment...short on time for Dempster....future journey...thank you
Hope you'll find the opportunity for the Dempster. I can't provide a comparison but we found it to be absolutely incredible and especially wonderful to arrive at a native village on the Arctic shore where we camped the night.
If there is too much joy in your life, definitely go on the Dalton.
Ha ha, love it. We ended up choosing the Dempster and it was incredible. Absolutely amazing and I loved being able to ride right up to the shore and hop off!
What an awesome adventure and adventurous spirits!! I have dreams of riding from Mississippi to Tuk one day !! Thanks for more inspiration !! Cheers and good luck, can't wait to see the trip !!
Thank you so much. I hope you find the opportunity to make the trip. The Dempster was incredible and there’s really nothing like reaching the Arctic Ocean. Good luck!
I rode up the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk solo in July 2018. I was riding from Dawson Creek BC and also went into Alaska for 8300 km round trip. I rode a Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 with Mitas E07 Dakar tires 50/50. I was lucky no flats and also no Rain which is very important because the Dempster can get ugly with rain. I had a tent and an inreach (very little cell service). Used the tent in Eagle Plains when everything was booked up. When i hit the Arctic Circle the temp was +27C I wish I had brought my mesh jacket. The road from Inuvik to Tuk was quite soft in some sections. I stood on the pegs about half the time to spot soft sections and get as much air though the vents of my jacket. Not very much traffic, two ferries and an awesome ride. one big advantage of the Dempster is you can ride your bike to the Arctic Ocean , the Dalton you get to take a tour bus for about $75.00 US to see the Arctic Ocean. Have fun with either road you travel .
Done the Dalton. I loved it. Have to try the Dempster next.
Must have been an amazing experience. We ended up riding the Dempster and it was incredible to ride right up to the Ocean and then camp along the shore!
@@GoRUFFLY I stayed at the Sag River on the edge of Dead horse. Beautiful country all along the northern shore.
Great video! Just found your channel and will have to look up earlier videos. Don't have any advice since I have not visited Alaska, but wish you well and want to follow your adventures! Great discussion and well done!
Thank you for following along!!
Going next Saturday from the SF Bay area. Your comment on the destination name is spot on! Who doesn't want to go to Tuktoyaktuk....Love you guys, hilarious. You peeps are why I love these journeys.
Thank you so much for these kind words and glad you are enjoying the videos! Where are you on your journey north and tell me how it went going up to Tuk!
Thanks for the insights. I'll be riding the Dempster next year. Great video. :)
Thanks!! Good luck on your trip!!
My husband and I just did the Dempster all the way up to Tuktoyaktuk on 2 800gs. It’s a fantastic ride with all sorts of conditions. Make sure you reserve a room in Dawson , Eagle Planes and inuvik. We didn’t see a lot of wildlife this year but it was still spectacular. The road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk was really a lot of deep gravel the whole 90 miles. It wasn’t easy. I’d suggest staying overnight in Tuktoyaktuk if possible. We did a round trip and it was exhausting. Good luck on your trek.
Thank you for this valuable info, Destini! It sounds like your trip was a challenge and a spectacular adventure. Congratulations on reaching Tuk - what an achievement to be proud of! Good point about reserving rooms - I have heard that they book up far in advance.
Totally agree with the sentiment that riding to the top and setting toe straight in water on the Dempster is #WINNING. Also towns with names that sound like they aren’t named for the tragedies occurring on the way there! :)
Hahaha! So true about the town names! Greg felt like that might be a sign...
This past September, I drove the Dalton to Deadhorse from Fairbanks stopping in ColdFoot both ways. It was really muddy but it think it slowed the trucks down and kept the flying rocks to a minimum. The portion from the "Shelf" to just past Atigun Pass was particularly challenging due to the ruts and muddy conditions. The rest of the Dalton was manageable, although I got a flat in the construction area south of Deadhorse which a very kind Trucker plugged for me. I want to do the Dempster now; I hear it's more scenic.
That's great information and sounds like it was a wonderful experience. We decided on the Dempster and had an amazing experience. Episodes 31-34 show the route through and - yes - the scenery is amazing! Check out this as a starting point: ruclips.net/video/Ua4L1cXoejI/видео.html
Here is a "pearl"; It is your speed that breaks windscreens and headlights. If you slow down or stop when a big truck blasts by, you might get sprayed with gravel but you won't get any breakage. I have driven the Dalton, but I was in a pickup. I found it to be pretty easy and there is a good campground about 1.5 miles north of Coldfoot. I was the only person camping there. Also, there were several bottomless holes in the gravel road- you hit that you're going to crash so pay attention!
Thanks for this great feedback and information! We ended up choosing to ride the Dempster to Tuk and it was incredible. We experienced it all - dry gravel, rain, mud, and terrible gusts. Worth every moment of it and the wilding camping opportunities were phenomenal. Glad to hear you had a good experience and thanks again for sharing that very valuable information!
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Just read through all the comments. Didn't see which tyres you ended up using? We rode from Bowmanville on on a 650 VStrom (Have the 850 Adventure now)with Trailmax Missions. Amazing on the road and wet. Ok in the dirt. Rained all the way to the visitor centre. Then dry the rest of the way to Eagle Plains and the sign. (Northwest Territories was closed for Covid so we couldn't go to Tuktoyaktuk) I would have liked knobbies for the last section. So very curious how the section past that was if you ended up staying with the Trailmax Missions. Glad you had a great time. We saw one moose. But saw tons of wildlife on the rest of the trip.
Sounds like absolutely wonderful experience you had on the Dempster. We rode on the Trailmax Mission tires that we put on at Fairbanks and they did spectacularly all the way to Tuk. Greg suffered a puncture on the way back down and even had sidewall damage but we were able to patch it and ride out without further problems.
In my 2007 20,000 kilometer loop around the US and Canada I chose the Dempster because it seemed more challenging and more scenic. In retrospect I also enjoyed the glimpse of Inuit culture in Inuvik. If you anticipate camping along the Dempster I strongly suggest packing a bear sized can of bear spray. Ride safe. Be aware that , in 2007, many sections of the Dempster were made of shards of shale enbedded in calcium chloride and many of those shards are sharp like arrowheads which penetrate motorcycle tires like butter when you put the petal to the metal. Ride safe.
Sounds like your 2007 ride was epic! Great suggestions about bear spray and about the glimpses of Inuit culture. I imagine the shale would be like razor blades under the tires. Thanks for the feedback and congrats on such an epic ride!
@@GoRUFFLY Indeed it was an epic journey and I was abligated to an Inuit resident of Inuvik for the insight into the relatiionship between the shale shards and greater penetratiion at higher speeds. If you decide to carry bear spray be aware thati Canada doesn't allow carrying bear spray across the border unless it is approved by the EPA and labeled as bear spray, or you' can just purchase it in Canada.
Ride safe.
Great info and good heads up about the bear spray border issue. Thanks again!
If you know someone at BP, Chevron, Shell, or any of the oil companies, you can get a permit onto the oil field and drive a private vehicle to the ocean. You do need a permit for it though.
That's what we had read - not impossible but not easy to actually ride yourself to the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton.
Great vid you guys i seen what happened to all you on motoGeo site omg soooo sorry i hope you all are healing good . I seen triumph got you set up with new bikes and new puppy . And MotoGeo help out . I love your site can't wait to watch more take care be safe !!!
So kind of you and thanks for the condolences. Last year was tough with Greg’s accident and Moxie’s passing. The Dempster was incredible and now we’re about to begin a trek across the Darien. Thanks so much for joining along and the support!
Dont be sad to skip one adventure...do both
Always best if you don't have to choose!
II live 16 kilometers from the start of the Dempster Highway, so I'm probably pretty biased! I noted the comment somewhere where a person averaged 100 kilometers an hour in some places, and 10 in others and that is absolutely true. The road is a main highway, so it is wide and pretty decent mostly. I found the NW Territories portion wider, but bumpier. I don't know what the scenery is like in the Dalton, but on the Dempster it is absolutely spectacular. It is one of the world's great drives. And yes, I have seen wildlife every time I've been on it I think. Black bears further south, and grizzlies up north. moose, caribou, foxes,... I am not a bird watcher, but those who are tell me that the bird watching is spectacular along the way as well. My daughter loved the hotel at Eagle Plains, they stopped the clock there in around 1972 I think! it was a good place though with great food.
It was an incredible journey and amazing ride -except when it rains. We hit some horrendous mud. A spectacular experience!
Thanks for the video. Good info for those who plan to to ride to the Arctic Ocean.
Glad you found it useful!!
Great to meet you guys today and share our travel experiences. Keep up the great vids and safe travels x good luck with dempster or the Dalton … which ever you choose… or do both!!! Take a spare tube!! Or two 😉 both amazing and both so very different
Thanks, Nick! It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Your advice is well noted! Keep an eye on the episodes in the next few weeks for your star moment! Ride safe!
Nick! Our episode that features our meet up with you just went live! Check it out! ruclips.net/video/CE-luZ5YNQU/видео.html
@@GoRUFFLY thanks guys. awesome episode. was an honor meeting you 3. Love the Yukon .... less the mozzies and bugs ;-)
If you' ve got the time take both. They' red both worth it. On the Dempster they're less trucks, which makes driving easier. Anyway, enjoy!
Thanks. We ended up going with the Dempster and it was an incredible experience!
Oh...1974 Moto Guzzi..150,ooo..a treasure experience. PRUDHOE BAY
What a classic ride on a classic bike - fantastic!
I did both this past summer. I hit the Dempster first and was lucky with weather, although the Peel River had been closed for days when I arrived due to flooding.
The Dalton was a muddy mess going north because of recent rains but drier going south. It also snowed at Attigun Pass on July 19th.
Both were amazing and very different.
That's great info and thanks for sharing it! "Both were amazing and very different" - that's a good reason to maybe attempt them both!
Definitely worth doing both.
I don’t know about the Dalton highway but I do know that a lot of the Demster has a clay base which is fine when it’s dry but it is a tretcherous skating rink when it gets wet.
That was exactly our experience on the Dempster. We hit rain and mud on the way up and then loads of it on the way back south. After several dozen km of it, we pulled over and camped on the side of the highway. You're absolutely right about that mud!
Dempster for sure!
Right? I mean you actually reach the Arctic 🌊
The Dempster ends at Inuvik. I asked if the Dempster would be extended and the sign at Inuvik be removed. I was told it won't be extended and the sign would stay. Whew, thanks. I got pix of the famous Welcome to Inuvik. End of the Dempster Highway sign. The new road is the Inuvik-Tuk highway. Drove it June 2019. As for which is better, the Dalton or the Dempster; neither they're the same though the Dempster had less truck traffic. It was in better condition on the NWT side. I conquered both in June 2019 though the Dempster flatten three tires. Took dips in the Arctic at the end of both drives. Sadly access to the Arctic at Prudhoe Bay is by tour group only. As an American I needed foreign permission to access the Arctic from my own country. Ice Road Truckers was my inspiration for both roads. Both roads were the biggest travel adventure(s) of my life.
What a great thing to have been able to ride both! The Dempster sure did have its moments when it started to rain. But I imagine the Dalton has similar issues when rain turns the road into mud!
@@GoRUFFLY when the sign says slippery when wet, it's the gospel TRUTH, especially on downhill sections with scary steep dropoffs. Like an ice-coated road in the Lower 48.
I forgot to include another group of travelers inspired both the Dalton and Dempster drives; Dangerous Waters. MAV TV documented their jet ski adventures around the world.
I have travelled the Dempster several times and find it extremely exhilarating.
I rode to Inuvik in July 2016 before the road opened to Tuk. Fond memories of a flat tire we could not fix 50 km N of the Arctic Circle. It was taken back to Eagle plains for a patch.
We made a Tuk attempt in Sept 2018 but were thwarted at Eagle Plains with snow on the road and rain in the forecast for the next 5 days. In July 2019 we returned to be successful to Tuk. These were made on a 2013 Ducati 1200 Multistrada and a 2016 BMW GSA. The Multistrada made the first 370 km section 6 of the 8 tries. I carried 5 liters of fuel, 10 the first time. You have to think about, What if I make it 300 km in and have to bail. That is 600 km of fuel.
Oh yeah, I think the worst part of the road if it is consistently wet is the 80 km south of Eagle Plains and about 140 km north of Eagle Plains.
i just returned this week from Tuk. This time on a Honda CB500X RR2. You can put your toe in at the Arctic Ocean sign at the northern most point of the road but swimming there is frowned upon. One of our guys brought his golf club and a golf ball. Swimming seems to occur by Grandma's kitchen. A must stop and a better place to hop into the Ocean.
Muddy and slick? Ha. It can be complete grease and feel like you are constantly crashing. You also have to watch for graders and loose gravel. Ask our one rider that was med evaced from Fort McPhersen. You have to be focussed 100% of the time. Also jettison/cache any weight you can wherever you can. At the start of the highway, in Inuvik, ...
The Dempster was 740 km to Inuvik with the last 10 km paved. The next section is 150 km, so the total length is 890 km.
The Dempster has to let you pass. You need the weather to be onside. take it one step at a time. From Highway 2 just poke your way to Tombstone, km 72. Then go for Engineers Camp at km 200. Next is Eagle Plains, the next target is the Arctic Circle, the the border, then the ferries. Be happy with each incremental km. I was at the start this year (fuel point at the intersection Highway 2 and 5 Dempster) and several other riders heard it was bad so they decided not to go. We did and were successful.
Tires. Here is the thing. They are perhaps the most important thing!! But make sure that the tires you select you can work on. Some tires have such stiff sidewalls you may not be able to effect a roadside repair even with long levers. That could be a problem. I rode from Calgary on TKC80 front and a TKC70 Rocks rear and it made the entire trip. On my heavier Ducati I used the TKC 80 on the front for the entire trip and put on TKC 80's in Whitehorse twice and at Eagle Plains once.
Yak yak yak. July was terrific because of the 24 hour sun but mid August to mid Sept the tundra looks like is on fire. Fascinating.
Next time will be Deadhorse on crotch rockets as a challenge. 2025
I don't consider the water at Grandma's Kitchen part of the Arctic. It's where the sign is. Took a dip in June 2019 and splashed around like a little kid in the bathtub. The owner of Grandma's Kitchen repaired my flat tire for free if I bought food at his wife's food truck. I bought two muskox burgers and two cokes.
@@oriolesfan7807 In 2019 there was no sign about swimming as far as i recall. In 2022 there is now a sign not to swim there.
Great info! Yes, it sure was greasy when we were on the way back. Had to paddle a little to get through the really deep stuff. But thankfully we didn’t go down!
I feel yall would enjoy the Dempster. But get the knobbier tires.
Absolutely need the tire upgrade for sure! Not even in question!
I can confirm that the Dalton at least gets very greasy when wet. I just got back from our trek to the Arctic 2 days ago and we had wet for the southern half to 2/3rds of the road and it was difficult at times. The rest was dry and went fantastic. We did not do the Dempster so I cannot speak to it but we did do the Klondike Highway (which the Dempster connects to) and there is/was some construction and wet and if the Dempster is the same dirt I would think it would be extremely slick. My riding partner and I both came close to dropping out Super Teneres a few on both but kept them upright. If we had enough time we would have done both! We did have a fair amount of wild life sightings on the Dalton with muskoxen, caribou, a bear, and many other small animals/birds. Safe travels and enjoy, I do not think there is a wrong choice. For us the deciding factors my partner's brother lives in Fairbanks so we had support if something went wrong for one and the other is it is the one when you say you went to Alaska you get asked if you rode it at least in our circles.
Great recap! Yes, the mud was definitely apparent on the Dempster when it rained. I have to say we didn’t have too many animal sightings in the end. A few moose and a couple of small creatures. That was the only thing that I think would have made the ride 110% awesome!!
Oh my gosh I could almost write a book on my wildlife encounters on both the Dalton and Dempster; elk, playful foxes, musk oxen (they are shaggy beasts), lynx, but NO bears, not even a grizzly. Had a hilarious encounter with a female moose on Dempster that I moooosssed out of my way. It walked off into the bushes. Couldn't find it as I passed by but thanked it for letting me by. The wildlife encounters were my highlights of the drive.
@@GoRUFFLY Thanks! It sounds like you had a great trip! It is definitely on my ride list yet. Hopefully I can manage another trip up there eventually to ride it.
Im late to the comments, BUT..... Ive done both, there is WAY more animals IMO on the Dempster. There are some areas of the Daltons i love, but I loved 90% of the Dempster and there are a few good Canadian Gov campgrounds on the way up. Plus, why drive to the artic ocean and not be able to just jump in! BLUENOSE!!
I completely agree! I’m bummed we didn’t end up seeing more wildlife on the Dempster, I’m very glad we made the decision to do the Dempster over the Dalton.
The last four days of June 2017 we traveled the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse and back. The weather was near perfect with just a small sprinkle of rain on the north slope on our way back down. We did not do it on a bike, but a 39 year old Ford Pinto with street tires. No tire problems , did not spin a tire once, but it was dry. The gravel was graded Extremely well!! But, there are washboard sections that happen in an instant, be aware. Here are the two videos of our trip. ruclips.net/video/jQoumZP39Jk/видео.html ruclips.net/video/pF2-S34y4AU/видео.html Overall the trip was easy going, just take your time and you will be fine. Up we camped at Mairon Creek campsite. Saw lots of muskox and caribou on the North Slope. In Deadhorse, we stayed at the Aurora Hotel . It was pricey , $270,six years ago, for the two of us, but all the meals were free and you can pack food to go 24/7. We ended up getting 4 meals on our one night stay. The tour was nice {shown in the video} and well worth it. The truckers were GREAT!!!! Went we saw one coming we slowed down and/or stopped. Every single one slowed down and gave us room. I could not say that for the smaller vehicles , they tended to just whizz on by. Our last night camping was at Galbraith Lake just on the northern edge of the Brooks range. For what ever reason when, we were the mosquitoes were never a problem. This year we are thinking Doing the Dempster mid June if the weather is good. Good luck and safe travels. I dont think there is a bad choice to either.
Sounds like a wonderful adventure up the Dalton! I loved the Dempster but I did wish that we saw more wildlife. I'm sad that I didn't get to see a musk ox which I hear is common on the Dalton. But I'm glad we chose the Dempster and we have many new adventures left to come on GoRUFFLY Around the World!
What year was your Pinto and the mileage. I had a Pinto wagon hatchback.
@@oriolesfan7807 1978. It rolled over 200k on the trip.
@@GoRUFFLY We are on another Alaska adventure. On our way home, just got into Dawson City, thinking about doing at least part of the Dempster.
@@thewanderingpinto5979 Drive the Dempster ALL THE WAY to Inuvik. Be sure to take a picture of the End of Dempster. Welcome to Inuvik sign. Then drive the Inuvik-Tuk road to the Arctic Ocean. Take a midnight swim too. With 24 hours sunlight, it will be the drive of your life. While in DC, drive up to Midnight Dome (can't miss the turn for it off the Klondike Hwy on your way to the Dempster). See the entire city from above plus the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. Spectacular view. You're making me want to come back again.
I'd overwhelming take the Dempster Highway. The website for it is great and ending in a real and Indigenous town/culture and with direct access to the Arctic Ocean is a TON better than what the USA version offers. Likely better services too (I'm wildly guessing though).
Yes! The idea of seeing the First Nations communities up there really interests me.
Dempster highway. I'd have a hard time going on the 666 highway.
Sounds awful on the trucker highway.
Agreed. The 666 is a little off putting!!
Let your puppers choose. Toss two sticks, one for each hwy.
I love this!!!! Knowing Moxie, she would pick the most challenging route. She was named Moxie for a reason!
can i join you guys? :)
Feel sorry for her. She’s so adventurous and you can tell hes the boss off camera. He gets mad if she shows any type of excitement
👊
🤜🤛
do the Dempster the Dalton js nothing
Yeah, I have been hearing that pretty often too. Which did you find more difficult to ride?
they both get really slippery when it rains
@@walternemitz2355 yes they do. Scary too if you slide. Just keep to speed limit or below.
Tuktoyaktuk. I've only heard the full name pronounced with 4 syllables, even by cbc broadcasters and locals. Did the extra syllable you use come from an inuit local? Thanks.
No, just pronouncing it the best way that came to me I guess