bobandvicki
indian harbour beach, fl
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Driving to Inuvik this July and would be interested in the experiences of those who have made the trip - where you stayed / what you did / was trip worth it / mishaps / surprises - pulling a 5th wheel with a Ford F350 - in 2007 spent 58 days in Alaska and Canada - saw a sign for the NWT but didn't have the time to visit - don't want to miss it this time - read a lot about the area but find the actual experiences of those who made the trip much more valuable - Bob and Vicki
04 Ford F350 KgRanch PSD SB 6.0L 4X4
09 34FT Cougar 318SAB 5th Wheel
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bobsinn
Key Largo, Florida
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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Wow thats ambitious. In 2006 we wanted to color in the NWT on our "where we stayed" map so we went to Fort Laird NWT from Fort Nelson BC. The road was gravel but in great shape. There is very little traffic, maybe saw 10 vehicles on trip. There is a long (1/4 mile) one lane wood bridge that you cross, no problem. We did get into a herd of Buffalo though (not on the bridge). We stayed at the city CG (free) its small but real nice. The only other RV there was from Fla too. The resturant in town was closed, we were hoping to use it. We did eat in one of the 2 stores there. The people were really friendly .
2001 Itasca Sundancer 27P
2000 Honda Civic
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bobandvicki
indian harbour beach, fl
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R and R - in 2007 we took a trip with Adventure Caravans for 58 days - sounds like the same one you were on - this time we are going on our own with 3 other rigs - your journal is amazing - can't wait to show it to our friends coming with us who have never been there - that journal is better than any travelog I have ever seen - sure my DW will want to do one - thanks again - Bob and Vicki - ps if we weren't going to the NWT we would have liked to go with you to Prudoe - excuse for another journey
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sue.t
Ibex Valley, Yukon
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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Inuvik, at the end of the Dempster Highway, is a unique drive. On our first trip we drove as far as the Arctic Circle and returned, then a few years later drove all the way to Inuvik for the longest day of the year.
It is difficult to give an accurate report of the highway. It can be great, good, bad or terrible depending on recent weather conditions. Regardless, it can be rough on tires due to the shale rock used as a road surface in some areas. Be sure your tires are in good condition and that you have a spare for the truck and a spare for the trailer. One fellow we encountered heading back from Inuvik was limping along in his camper van with a flat. It was POURING rain. We pulled alongside, he stopped, we opened windows and we asked if we could help him out. He was grumpy and said no. We offered to change his tire for him even. He finally admitted he was on his SIXTH flat, had no more spares, was already wet, and he was just going to keep driving on the flat. We offered to take a flat to Eagle Plains so it could be repaired and returned to him with another traveller. Nope. Never did know what happened to him -- checked in at Eagle Plains the next morning and he hadn't gone through yet.
Another couple had a Class A at the campground in Inuvik. Their back window had been busted on the trip up. They were waiting for a replacement window before driving south. DH offered to do a temporary repair with plywood so they could get on the road, but they declined. They had been there a few days and still had a few days wait for the new window.
We had no such issues. One flat on the way up and one on the way out on the second trip. We were in Inuvik when the one tire went soft and in Dawson City when the other went soft so it was easy to get repairs. That was with the truck/camper we had, we had new tires on the truck, but the extra weight on the truck likely was the cause.
We stayed at the Happy Valley Territorial Park Campground, within walking distance of "downtown". There isn't much of a downtown, it's more of a "main drag" through town.
Most people visiting Inuvik take a flight to Tuktoyaktuk to "dip" their toe in the Arctic Ocean and enjoy some local cultural traditions and meals.
Boondocking is easy along the way. Eagle Plains has a "campground". There are two territorial campgrounds on the Yukon side (Tombstone and Engineers Creek) and I think one or two territorial campgrounds on the NWT side. Not sure about the NWT side though.
The highway south of the Arctic Circle is very scenic. North of the NWT border it is more mundane but still interesting.
I didn't have a digital camera while on the trip but have scanned photos. They can be seen at http://suethomas.ca/DempsterHwy.html.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
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cruiserjs
Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Joined: 07/02/2003
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It is now several years ago but we pulled our fiver to Inuvik, along the Dempster (obviously). We have since longed to repeat that wonderful experience. Road conditions will be as Sue T. described, but the chance to experience the true north tundra should not be missed. As a bonus - at Inuvik we took the charter flight to Tuktayuktuk which included a guide tour of that unique village and the chance to actually wade (swim if the day is right) in the Arctic Ocean ( we have a certificate signed by the Village chief councillor attesting to the fact that we did!).
Do it by all means!
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
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johnna
Southwest, Utah
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Below is a link to a section of a trip report of a New York City couple who road their dirt bikes up the Dempster:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344776&page=233
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2004 Ford 350 Super Duty 2W Dirve Long Bed PU
2008 327RLT Montana Mountaineer 35 ft. 5th wheel
2005 Alaska and other Trip Logs
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JenniferW
In my RV, somewhere
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I drove the Dempster Highway to Inuvik last summer. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding drives of my life!
I wrote a few posts on my blog about it here:
Blog Posts on Dempster Highway
I think the most important thing is to wait for a pretty sunny day to drive.
My sense while I was up there was that those who didn't like it were the ones who push up the road, no matter what. It rains a lot and on rainy days the drive is brutal and the views are obscured, so it can seem like a miserable and pointless endeavor.
On a sunny day, the road is better and the views are otherwordly. I drove on spectacular days and will have those images in my mind forever.
There are a few 15 amp electric sites at Eagle Plains, but if you get there early, you can opt for a non-electric site and camp in the prettiest place I've ever camped in my life. I stayed up all night to watch the midnight sun. Here is a picture of that campsite:
non electric campsite at Eagle Plains
A flight up to Tuk is definitely worth it! I found Inuvik to be a bit bleak, but enjoyed the nice visitors center on the way into town.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Full time as of March 30th!
My Blog: www.livinginmycar.com
My Rig: 2006 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Mini
My Mods:You Tube Video
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obgraham
Eastern WA
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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Agree with the comments on road surface. Lots of shale bits rather than real gravel. Plenty of trucks drive that road. I dont recall seeing a bunch of them pulled over fixing tires. Good tires should make it fine.
There are several campgrounds along the way, and plenty of pullout places. Eagle Plains is the only intermediate stop for fuel or supplies.
You have two ferry crossings to make, which are easy except that the approach onto the river can be really muddy. There's a bulldozer nearby, presumably to pull any stuck folks out.
Wonderful road, beautiful scenery. Inuvik is a great destination, as is Tuk. Too bad they are so far away!
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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You might find my road log at ExploreNorth to be useful. I drove tours on the highway for many years - usually with an MCI but on rare occasion by van - and have had my private car up a few times. The only tire problem I've had was on a van that was heavily loaded and that I was driving too fast (no passengers  ). It's an amazing trip, even if you only go up as far as Chapman Lake, but getting right to "Tuk" is the prize.
There are actually only two fairly short stretches of road where the infamous shale is a problem - south of Eagle Plains and as you drop down from the Peel Plateau heading north.
The bulldozers at the river crossings are used to constantly rebuild the gravel ferry-loading ramps as the rivers go up and down.
Murray
Murray
Whitehorse, Yukon
http://ExploreNorth.com/
and blogging at http://ExploreNorth.com/wordpress/
I live to travel, and travel to really live
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sue.t
Ibex Valley, Yukon
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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This was the Peel River crossing.
Note the bulldozer on the left of the "ramp".
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