Dalton Highway

Dalton Highway Corridor https://www.blm.gov/visit/dalton-highway The Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles across northern Alaska from Livengood (84 miles north of Fairbanks) to Deadhorse and the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay. Built during construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the 1970s, this mostly gravel highway travels through rolling, forested hills, across the Yukon River and Arctic Circle, through the rugged Brooks Range, and over the North Slope to the Arctic Ocean. Along most of its length, you'll see no strip malls, no gift shops, no service stations, just forest, tundra, and mountains, crossed by a ribbon of road and pipe.

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management The Dalton Highway Visitor Guide Contents Introduction ........................... 2-3 General Safety ....................... 4 Visitor Centers & Services ...... 5 Road Tips & Info ................. 6-7 Points of Interest ................... 8-11 Maps ...................................... 12-14 Landscape Features ............... 15 Watching Wildlife .................. 16-17 Recreation & Campgrounds .... 18-20 Bear Safety ............................ 21 Good to Know ........................ 22 Your Public Lands ................... 23 Contact Info ........................... 24 All photos courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management unless otherwise noted. Ultimate Road Adventure The Dalton Highway is a rough, industrial road that begins 84 miles (134 km) north of Fairbanks and ends 414 miles (662 km) further north in Deadhorse, the industrial camp at Prudhoe Bay. It provides a rare opportunity to traverse a remote, unpopulated part of Alaska to the very top of the continent. Traveling this farthest-north road involves real risks and challenges. This publication will help you decide whether to make the journey, how to prepare, and how to enjoy your experience. Please read this information carefully. Throughout this guide, “MP” refers to the Dalton Highway milepost number. Know Before You Go • There is no public access to the Arctic Ocean from Deadhorse. You must be on an authorized tour. • There are no medical facilities between Fairbanks and Deadhorse, a distance of 500 miles (800 km). For emergency information, see the back page. • Food, gas, and vehicle repair services are extremely limited. See page 5. • There is limited cell phone service or public internet connection between Fairbanks and Deadhorse: 9 Verizon cell service is available north of Atigun Pass, in Coldfoot, and at Galbraith Lake. AT&T cell service is available north of Atigun Pass and will be available south to Coldfoot by early summer 2022. 9 Wifi is available at Coldfoot Camp and Yukon Crossing for a fee. • Annually, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hauls approximately 20 tons of litter from the Dalton Highway to Fairbanks, the nearest landfill. Please do your part in keeping Alaska beautiful by reducing waste and packing your trash back out. Cover photo: Moose in a pond in front of Sukakpak Mountain. Arctic Interagency Visitor Center The award-winning Arctic Interagency Visitor Center introduces visitors from around the world to the unique and extreme environment of the Arctic. Explore interpretive exhibits, walk the nearby nature trails, and talk with our knowledgeable staff to learn more about the region’s history, natural environment, and recreation opportunities. The visitor center is a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Muskoxen gathering on the road north of the Brooks Range. Open daily from May 24 to September 16, from noon to 8 p.m. Hours are subject to change based on demand. Phone: 907-678-5209 or 907-678-2014 (summer only) www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/arctic-interagency-visitor-center FREE digital public maps - www.blm.gov/maps/georeferenced-PDFs -2- Built for Black Gold In 1968, oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope. Excitement was high at the prospect of new money to fuel Alaska’s boom-and-bust economy. The nation was in the throes of an energy crisis and pushed for an 800-mile-long (1290 km) pipeline. But first, Native land claims had to be settled, permits granted, environmental safeguards designed, and a road built to get workers and supplies north to the oil field. When finally approved, construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was run like a wartime project—money was no object and time was of the essence. The weather conditions, terrain, and the immensity of the project were all extreme. Engineers overcame permafrost, mountain ranges, and the relentless flow of the Yukon River. Incredibly, the Haul Road was completed in just five months and the pipeline in three years (1974-77). The previously remote Arctic was changed forever. Road crews worked to construct the Dalton Highway in both directions. One crew heading south from Deadhorse, one north from Fairbanks. This sign commemorates the meeting of the two crews. Haul Road or Highway? The highway was open only to commercial traffic until 1981, when the state allowed public access to Disaster Creek at MP 211. In 1994, public access was allowed all the way to Deadhorse for the first time. Today, the Dalton Highway beckons adventurous souls to explore a still-wild and mysterious frontier. Respect this harsh land and appreciate the opportunity to visit a special part of our world. At first, the highway was called the Haul Road because almost everything supporting oil development was “hauled” on tractor-trailer rigs to its final destination. In 1981, the State of Alaska n

Bird Watching Along the Dalton Highway Snowy Owl* Golden Eagle Large, white owl. Females and young can have dense brown markings giving a speckled look. Very large; broad wings which appear perpendicular to the body in flight. Adults have a uniform brown body and tail with a golden head and large bill. Feeds mainly on ground squirrels, snowshoe hares, and large birds but can prey on Dall sheep lambs and caribou calves. Small falcon with two black slashes or “sideburns” on USFWS the face. Males are rusty with steelblue wings and reddish-brown tail. Females have reddish-brown wings and tail with black bars. Found in arctic and alpine tundra throughout Alaska. Often seen in open country perched or hovering while hunting for small birds, insects, and rodents. Spends summers in the far northern tundra, hunting small mammals in the continuous daylight. Often seen flying or hunting from low perches on posts or mounds. USFWS NPS Short-eared Owl In flight, the head appears blunt from a side view. Dark back with buffy spots, fine streaks on light belly. When flying, dark wingtips and elbow patches can be seen on light underwings. Small ear tufts are hard to see. USFWS Often seen silently flying low, moth-like over open tundra expanses or perched on posts or mounds hunting small mammals using their acute hearing. Northern Harrier Long-tailed Jaeger Distinct facial dish and white rump patch that shows in flight in both sexes. Northern Harrier often hunt low and slow over open country. Males are gray with black wing tips. Females are brown. Slender, gull-like seabird with narrow wings and long, thin tail. Black cap, brownish back, dark wings, white throat, and pale yellow on the side of the neck. Hunts by hovering and may chase other birds to steal their food. Largest falcon in the world. Plumage patterns range from dark gray to nearly white. Heavily barred on the back, wings, and tail, with spotted, barred, or streaked underparts. Primarily hunts ptarmigan and other birds in open country. USFWS Found in open forests near fields and marshes. Often seen perched atop trees. May hover when hunting, but direct flight is hawk-like. Can be quite tame upon human approach. Cover Photo: Gyrfalcon/NPS Courtesy of Travis Boom Found in open country, tundra, and mountains throughout much of Alaska and nests on rocky ledges. USFWS Often seen in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range and on the North Slope; sometimes seen in small patches of tundra within the boreal forest. Arctic Tern Gyrfalcon* Medium-sized owl with white face framed in black. Brown back with white spots and long tail. Undersides are covered in thin brown horizontal stripes. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service NPS Can be seen flying low over tundra and meadows along all parts of the Dalton Highway. Northern Hawk Owl* Field Guide American Kestrel NPS Pale gray body with long, pointed wings, a long, forked tail and a black cap. Adults have a striking red bill and legs. Agile, graceful flier and elegant seabird and expert fisher. Aggressively defends ground nests near rivers and lakes throughout Alaska. This circumpolar breeder migrates as far south as Antarctica. Red-necked Phalarope Be a Respectful Birder Small shorebird with rusty neck, white throat, and a long, pointy bill. Males are duller, especially on head and neck. Leave no trace. Be considerate of people, animals, and the environment by minimizing your impact on the land. Pack out all trash, walk on trails in high use areas, and respect wildlife. Common in ponds north BLM of the Brooks Range and in Deadhorse. They forage in ponds, often spinning in circles to bring food to the surface. Semipalmated Plover Small shorebird with a plump body, short neck, NPS orange-ish legs, and a short, orange and blacktipped bill. Adults are brown with white undersides marked with a black band across the breast and head. Nests on gravel bars along rivers or ponds. Often allows close approach. Lesser Yellowlegs Grayish-brown, mediumsized shorebird with long, bright yellow legs, a lightly streaked breast, and a long, dark and slender bill. Often noisily defends territory and especially young (beginning mid-June). Raises wings when it lands on ground or treetops. Occurs south of Pump Station 4. BLM Keep your distance. Avoid disturbing animals in their habitat. Getting too close to an animal causes it unnecessary stress. Repeated disturbances by humans or pets may cause harmful changes in behavior or cause birds to abandon their nests. Dalton Highway Safety The Dalton Highway is a busy industrial road. Be alert to truck traffic. Do not stop on the road or on bridges. Review the Dalton Highway Visitor Guide for safety tips and recommended equipment when traveling on this road. * Resident species; can be seen throughout the year. Arctic Interagency Visitor Center NPS Dalton Highway, Milepost 175, Coldfoot (

T R E A D Tread Lightly Welcome ravel and recreate with minimum impact. Welcome to the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Alaska. The BLM manages more than 70 million acres of public land in Alaska. These lands are yours to enjoy and use for a variety of recreational opportunities. Your visit to BLM-managed public lands in Alaska will offer you a once in a lifetime experience. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, exploring the treeless tundra, or fishing in a freshwater stream, you’ll experience the open landscapes of BLM-managed public lands. Unless otherwise posted, all public lands are available for recreation use. However, please remember that BLM manages public lands for other uses, such as energy and mineral development, wildlife habitat, and conserving natural, cultural, and historic resources. This publication will give you a general idea of where recreation opportunities exist on public lands in Alaska. Please note the location of the BLM offices throughout the state. BLM staff are happy to assist you while you are enjoying Alaska’s public lands. espect the environment and the rights of others. ducate yourself, plan and prepare before you go. llow for future use of the outdoors by leaving it better than you found it. iscover the rewards of responsible recreation. https://treadlightly.org/ Leave No Trace We encourage visitors to adhere to the seven Leave No Trace principles on all BLM-managed public lands. • Plan Ahead and Prepare • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find • Minimize Campfire Impacts • Respect Wildlife • Be Considerate of Other Visitors Trail Etiquette Map Campground Name # of Sites # Season of Use Vault Toilet Water Fee 13 Arctic Circle 22 June - Sept. Y N Y* 32 Brushkana Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 25 Cripple Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 47 Eagle 16 June - Sept. Y N Y 16 Five Mile 8 June - Sept. Y Y Y** 4 Galbraith Lake 18 June - Sept. Y N Y** 8 Marion Creek 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 24 Mount Prindle 13 June - Sept. Y Y Y 22 Ophir Creek 19 June - Sept. Y Y Y 38 Paxson 50 June - Sept. Y Y Y 52 Salmon Lake 6 June - Sept. Y N N 39 Sourdough Creek 42 June - Sept. Y Y Y 36 Tangle Lakes 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 45 Walker Fork 20 June - Sept. Y Y Y 42 West Fork 25 June - Sept. Y N Y Y = service available N = service not available * Beginning summer 2022 Windy Arch, near Windy Gap in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Safety Public Access BLM Alaska’s lands are vast and rugged. Remember to plan your trip accordingly by ensuring you have first aid supplies, emergency vehicle supplies, and adequate provisions before heading out. When planning a backcountry trip, always file a trip plan with a friend or family member and let them know when you plan to return. BLM Alaska managed public lands are intermingled with private, state, Tribal, and a variety of other jurisdictions. A visitor may legally access public lands via: • A public trail, road, or highway; • A navigable water; • From adjacent public or state lands that are from landowner; or via a valid 17b public easement. Information on 17b easements and maps can be found at https://www.blm.gov/ alaska/17b-easements; Trail Etiquette invasive species. • Slow down for curves and hills, when visibility is limited and when other users are present. • Keep noise and dust down. • Keep pets under control. Some trails require dogs to be leashed. Whether travelling far off the beaten path or along the road, thorough preparation is imperative for a successful trip. Alaska is bear country. Store your food and other scent attractants in an enclosed vehicle or bearproof food storage container, and never store your food in an occupied tent. When travelling in bear country, remember to make noise, travel in groups, carry bear spray, and keep your dog on a leash. • Be familiar with local rules. • Leave gates in the condition you found them. Rights of Way BLM visitors are responsible for knowing their location and applicable regulations. Appropriate public land users remain on legal routes, obey all signs, respect private property, and avoid resource damage. The best way to ensure a successful outing is to check with the nearest BLM office for up-to-date access information in your area. Your local BLM office can also supply you with recreation permits and information on specific recreation opportunities, such as camping, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, off-highway vehicle travel and snowmobiling. For more information, go to www.blm.gov/media/public-room/alaska. Also, be sure to check the State Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway Safety page https://dot.alaska.gov/highwaysafety before travelling. • Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind or traveling uphill. • Motorized vehicles yield to mountain bikes, runners, hikers