Alaska State of Disaster
 

Im planning to take off for Alaska from North Carolina USA in two weeks. Dont expect to be up in Alaska until at least 2 or 3 weeks into my trip.

Some of the main hi-ways are washed out up there. I've been trying to figure out if the roads will be passable/open, but its not my part of the world and I really have no idea.

Anyone out there have any idea?

Pretty much normal for up north so you need to be flexible and not worry about micro-planning your route - ever. Problem is a bit of rain and a main road can be washed out for days or weeks and if you are really unlucky you can get all main routes north-south out of action at the same time.

You will be hitting the area in the middle of the snowbirders northwards migration season so there is a lot of pressure on the roads departments to keep all those big Class As moving along.

The only major road that I know of that is flooded is the Dalton Hwy (Haul Road) near the Sag River about 30km south of Deadhorse.
Even if it persists (highly unlikely) the truly scenic part of the Dalton (up to about 100mi north of Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range) is open.

Charlie

often times it is drier the further east you are, try yellowknife, campbell loop and inuvik for a good time.

That helps a lot folks, much appreciated.

I commented on your other post, I plan on riding to Inuvik and my partner cancelled on me. Would love a riding partner for the Dempster Highway.

The state of Alaska is having a budget crunch due to declining oil revenues. 90% of the government is paid by oil revenues. It's legislature is gridlocked and the governor is threatening to furlough all non essential state employees July 1, 2015. If that happens things like the Alaska Marine Ferry wont run. Maybe read the Anchorage Daily News online every once in a while. I am from Anchorage. Your description of road washouts etc. Sound like a normal spring, which in Alaska speak is referred to as "break up." Dave

mvelazquez, sent you a message.

Dave, thanks for the info. Ill keep in touch with the local news like you say. If by the time I get up there things are wacky, I'm sure there will be other roads that will be satisfying. I can also handle some light to medium off-roading, so as long as the roads are not blocked off and there is gas down the line, it may be open to me!