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My Journey to ALASKA
- Thread starter (RIP) rustygates
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He was a strong and rugged guy,he told us abut the first time the grizzly came around to the cabin,it was at night, he heard a noise,thinking it was a neighbour calling so he went to the door and the grizzly was standing on his hind legs trying to tear some aluminum plate that was nailed to the door,trying to break in,so Fred gets his gun to shoot the bear(Alaskan law states that you can only kill a bear if your life is in immediate danger and that you have to report it to the authorities and a full investigation is carried out afterwards) i'm sure Fred was thinking about the consequences before he took a shot at him or maybe not,anyhow the bear ran off,and next day he went looking for the bear thinking that he may be wounded,but the bear was not seen again, we had a couple of beers with Fred and left to rejoin the highway up to the Yukon crossing and on towards Coldfoot,across the Yukon river is a Truckstop were we stopped for a coffee, another cafe made from old containers.
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This Truckstop is closed in the winter and when the owners returned in the spring they noticed the back door had been smashed thinking it was some trucker had broken in,they set about cleaning it up and found a grizzly hibernating in the laundry room and called the local ranger to dispose of it,they darted it and hauled it away somewhere.
When we arrived back in the UK,some weeks later i had an email from George saying while he was on a family trip to Coldfoot(they called it Coldfoot because some of the early pioneers, would walk as far as this camp and turn back to Fairbanks as the trek was difficult and dangerous to carry on up the Koyukuk trail, so it was said they had cold feet} he would call on his old friend Fred who was staying in Livengood over winter,when he arrived at the cabin it was snowing and temp was -30f, he found Fred lying outside with blood everywhere and his arm was torn from his shoulder and was missing,with wounds to his head and legs, just barely alive George dragged him into the cabin and managed to get the Medivac helicopter to take him to Fairbanks hosp,he still is in a bad way but alive.Fred told George that he was outside cutting timber and was attacked by a bear and managed to fight it off,but not before the bear had mauled him,he was very lucky,was it the same bear i asked George?,he was not sure, makes you think does it not..
When we arrived back in the UK,some weeks later i had an email from George saying while he was on a family trip to Coldfoot(they called it Coldfoot because some of the early pioneers, would walk as far as this camp and turn back to Fairbanks as the trek was difficult and dangerous to carry on up the Koyukuk trail, so it was said they had cold feet} he would call on his old friend Fred who was staying in Livengood over winter,when he arrived at the cabin it was snowing and temp was -30f, he found Fred lying outside with blood everywhere and his arm was torn from his shoulder and was missing,with wounds to his head and legs, just barely alive George dragged him into the cabin and managed to get the Medivac helicopter to take him to Fairbanks hosp,he still is in a bad way but alive.Fred told George that he was outside cutting timber and was attacked by a bear and managed to fight it off,but not before the bear had mauled him,he was very lucky,was it the same bear i asked George?,he was not sure, makes you think does it not..
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A bit more about Wiseman
A village of two halves,with the Wiseman river in the middle where once was a wooden bridge there is now a steel one,there was rivalry and suspicion in years Bob lived there between either side, and when the mail plane came in with stores and the mail,the pilot had to split the letters in two halves,for each side of the village, and he would have coffee in both sides of the village as not to upset anyone.
http://www.pbase.com/henkbinnendijk/wiseman
Jack Reakoff
Reakoff family have lived here a long time and he still traps and guides
A village of two halves,with the Wiseman river in the middle where once was a wooden bridge there is now a steel one,there was rivalry and suspicion in years Bob lived there between either side, and when the mail plane came in with stores and the mail,the pilot had to split the letters in two halves,for each side of the village, and he would have coffee in both sides of the village as not to upset anyone.
http://www.pbase.com/henkbinnendijk/wiseman
Jack Reakoff
Reakoff family have lived here a long time and he still traps and guides
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Some more links
http://jukebox.uaf.edu/gatesportal7/community/wiseman
photo of brother and i clearing brush from around Bob's cabin with Jack Reakoff supplying the coffee
http://jukebox.uaf.edu/gatesportal7/community/wiseman
photo of brother and i clearing brush from around Bob's cabin with Jack Reakoff supplying the coffee
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The link
http://jukebox.uaf.edu/gatesportal7/community/wiseman
a photo of Bob is on page 2 of the images section of the above link,there are 9 pages and an in depth of life in Wiseman and interaction of the Eskimo Indians and the Whitemen
http://jukebox.uaf.edu/gatesportal7/community/wiseman
a photo of Bob is on page 2 of the images section of the above link,there are 9 pages and an in depth of life in Wiseman and interaction of the Eskimo Indians and the Whitemen
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We stayed in Bob's cabin at Wiseman and George suggested we went up to Nolan to see where Bob had his claim and another cabin, the whole area has been taken over by "Silverado Mining Company" who were very suspicious of us when we arrived and George
had to explain to the mine manager who we where and our connection to the area, he was adamant that Silverado had paid good money for Bob's clam but could not remember who he paid, a likely story!! George said they had tunnelled under Bob's claim and extracted gold from there,it was very profitable piece of land,while we were there we met Jeff and Sherry-Anne who had a cabin at Nolan,the only ones that would not be intimidated by Silverado to move from the area.
had to explain to the mine manager who we where and our connection to the area, he was adamant that Silverado had paid good money for Bob's clam but could not remember who he paid, a likely story!! George said they had tunnelled under Bob's claim and extracted gold from there,it was very profitable piece of land,while we were there we met Jeff and Sherry-Anne who had a cabin at Nolan,the only ones that would not be intimidated by Silverado to move from the area.
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another one,the mountain behind is Wiseman dome and appears quite often in the photos, initially the hillsides were covered in spruce and other pine trees but it was all cut down to fire the steam boilers to run the steam lances for melting the permafrost so they could mine for the paydirt, where gold was found there was antimony and the presence of arsenic, which killed many miners.
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Second that, Rick
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This is what we needed for the journey up the Dalton Highway, according to the Alaskan Highway Authorities.
eful information
Recommendations for Your Car
Two full-size spare tires on rims
Jack and tools
Emergency flares or triangles
Extra gasoline, oil, and wiper fluid
CB radio (monitor channel 19)
Recommendations for You
Bug repellent
Sun glasses
Sun screen
Rain gear
First-aid kit
Drinking water
Warm clothes
Ready-to-eat food
Camping gear and sleeping bag
Check road conditions before departing: Alaska Statewide Driving Conditions
Be mentally ready for a long road trip
Bring some snacks and water with you
Consider the history of the highway…it was built for construction of the pipeline, and to truck supplies north to Prudhoe Bay. Truckers still use the road. Generally, when meeting a semi-tractor trailer, slow down, put your right turn signal on and pull just slightly over. In response, they will generally slow down. This helps all the way around to minimize a chipped windshield from flying gravel.
Our cabins have kitchenettes, and if you enjoy cooking, bring a few groceries with you. (there are no stores in this neck of the woods!). We stock certain staple/frozen foods for purchase, please check with us for availability.
Fuel and food along the way:
1. Hilltop Truckstop (10 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (winter/summer)
2. The Yukon River Crossing (140 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (summer)
3. The Hot Spot Cafe (155 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (summer)
4. Coldfoot Truckstop (260 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (winter/summer)
What to see along the Dalton Highway
From Fairbanks the Elliot Highway takes you about 73 miles north to the start of the Dalton Highway, traversing boreal forest hills of Birch and Aspen trees, and tundra valleys of streams and small rivers. You will cross the mighty Yukon River and pass through the valley to Finger Mountain, a treeless high point with short walkways and kiosks to learn about the region’s geology and alpine tundra. The Arctic Circle turnout has bathrooms and a picnic area. A little further north takes you up and over Gobbler’s Knob and down into the Koyukuk river valley to the Coldfoot Truck Stop, 260 miles north of Fairbanks.
Our log Cabin Bed and Breakfast is located in Wiseman, approximately 17 miles north of Coldfoot. This is nearly the halfway point to the Arctic Ocean. Our cabins are situated at the base of the Brooks Mountain Range. The Grandest Arctic scenery is ascribed to the region between Coldfoot and the Sagavanirktok River, about 140 miles to the North. Along this section, you pass over Alaska’s highest roadway summit, Atigun pass (4,800 feet) through the Brooks Range, 75 miles from Wiseman. You leave the boreal forest behind and enter the treeless regions of the high arctic. Through Atigun Canyon, watch for wolves, grizzly bears and dall sheep. The undulating hills of the Arctic become apparent as you leave Atigun canyon. Great vistas of high arctic tundra are found all the way to Prudhoe Bay. Watch for Muskox along the road from Happy Valley to the Franklin Bluffs.
James Dalton Highway History and road conditions
The only way to access the Arctic by vehicle is along the Elliot Highway and James Dalton Highway, the latter is a service road built in the1970s for the construction of the Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline. It was opened for public use in 1994 and is recognized as a State Scenic Byway for its spectacular scenery and wildlife. It’s a “long haul” all the way from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean in Prudhoe Bay, approximately 500 miles. The road itself is also called the Haul Road, mainly because trucks use it to haul supplies north to the oil fields. The conditions of the highway in general, are pretty good. Some sections are paved, but large sections remain gravel. Large amounts of rain can deteriorate road conditions but the Alaska Department of Transportation maintains the road consistently. Check the road conditions at here
Gold Rush Campground & RV Park
Phone: (867) 993-5247
Dredge #4 is a massive machine that was used to mine gold on the Klondike creeks. This national historic site has been fully restored and is open for tours. Located 12.3 km/7.8 miles up the Bonanza Creek road.
Dawson CityParks & Historic Sites
Gertie and her Goldrush Girls perform three different shows nightly. Try your hand at blackjack, roulette, slots and Texas hold’em poker. Open evenings 7 pm – 2 am, May 8 to September 27. $6.00 cover charge.
Tour Dawson City’s historic buildings and streetscapes with a costumed guide or take an audio tape and enjoy the sites on your own. Information on all of the sites can be found on Front Street.
Cabin where the famous American author lived during the Klondike Gold Rush. His works include Call of the Wild and White Fang. Daily tours and presentations. Open mid-May to mid-September. $2.00 admission.
Dawson CityMuseums & Interpretive Centres
Dawson City Yukon Visitor Information Centre
Operated by the Department of Tourism and Culture and Parks Canada. Come in and enjoy the many exhibits and displays on Klondike history and take part in Parks Canada walking tours around Dawson City. Open daily, mid-May to late September.
Dawson CityInformation
Address:
Front Street & King Street
Dawson City, Yukon Y0B 1G0
Northwest Territories Visitor Information Centre
Provides information on the Dempster Highway and Northwest Territories, road and weather conditions, visitor facilities and special events in the NWT and Inuvik. Open mid-May to mid-Sept.
Dawson
Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
When to Arrive at the Airport
With bags: 2 hours prior to scheduled departure
Airport Location
5000 Old International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502
(3 miles southwest of city center)
Ticket Counter Location
South (Domestic) Terminal
Ticket Counter Hours
Daily: 4:15 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Gate Locations
Concourse C
Captains Kevin and Tina Bottjen
430 Union Street
PO Box 550
Haines, AK 99827
(907) 766-2470
(907) 766-2480 Fax
[email protected]
What are you doing re: research on Evan's & Bob's mining claims in the Dawson area? I believe they had one or two claims on "Hunker Creek", just over the hill from Discovery on Elderado Creek. In fact, when Sue and I were in Dawson in the 1980's, the Canadian govt had a large sigh blown up to almost life size on Hunker Creek and I said to Sue at that time that one of the miners in the picture looked like Bob...
The historic village of Talkeetna is nestled at the base of Mount McKinley (Denali), North America's tallest peak. Talkeetna has an outstanding panoramic view of the Alaska Range that can be enjoyed and photographed from several places as you wander through this town and discover what this unique location has to offer. Flightseeing, fishing, riverboat tours, hiking, nordic skiing, mushing, mountain climbers, great lodging, great people... Talkeetna is a place to enjoy no matter what time of the year!
The town of Talkeetna is located approximately 120 road miles north of Anchorage.
Talkeetna is easily accessible by highway, railroad, and air, making it an ideal destination for a day or overnight trip, with plenty to see and do year round.
Salvation Army
742 Barrow St
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 349-9080
Whitehorse is the third largest city in Canada by area.
The Carcross Desert is the world’s smallest at 642 acres (260 hectares).
In 1898 about 25,000 gold-seekers hiked the Chilkoot Trail for the boomtown of Dawson City.
A gold nugget was unearthed in the Klondike that weighed over 72 ounces. Its value in 1898 was $1,158 - value today is well over $30,000.
Up to 200 people died shooting the Miles Canyon and Whitehorse rapids. The rapids were named because the spray resembled the manes of a herd of white horses. The rapids are now dammed, but the City of Whitehorse retains the name
eful information
Recommendations for Your Car
Two full-size spare tires on rims
Jack and tools
Emergency flares or triangles
Extra gasoline, oil, and wiper fluid
CB radio (monitor channel 19)
Recommendations for You
Bug repellent
Sun glasses
Sun screen
Rain gear
First-aid kit
Drinking water
Warm clothes
Ready-to-eat food
Camping gear and sleeping bag
Check road conditions before departing: Alaska Statewide Driving Conditions
Be mentally ready for a long road trip
Bring some snacks and water with you
Consider the history of the highway…it was built for construction of the pipeline, and to truck supplies north to Prudhoe Bay. Truckers still use the road. Generally, when meeting a semi-tractor trailer, slow down, put your right turn signal on and pull just slightly over. In response, they will generally slow down. This helps all the way around to minimize a chipped windshield from flying gravel.
Our cabins have kitchenettes, and if you enjoy cooking, bring a few groceries with you. (there are no stores in this neck of the woods!). We stock certain staple/frozen foods for purchase, please check with us for availability.
Fuel and food along the way:
1. Hilltop Truckstop (10 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (winter/summer)
2. The Yukon River Crossing (140 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (summer)
3. The Hot Spot Cafe (155 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (summer)
4. Coldfoot Truckstop (260 miles from Fairbanks) fuel and food (winter/summer)
What to see along the Dalton Highway
From Fairbanks the Elliot Highway takes you about 73 miles north to the start of the Dalton Highway, traversing boreal forest hills of Birch and Aspen trees, and tundra valleys of streams and small rivers. You will cross the mighty Yukon River and pass through the valley to Finger Mountain, a treeless high point with short walkways and kiosks to learn about the region’s geology and alpine tundra. The Arctic Circle turnout has bathrooms and a picnic area. A little further north takes you up and over Gobbler’s Knob and down into the Koyukuk river valley to the Coldfoot Truck Stop, 260 miles north of Fairbanks.
Our log Cabin Bed and Breakfast is located in Wiseman, approximately 17 miles north of Coldfoot. This is nearly the halfway point to the Arctic Ocean. Our cabins are situated at the base of the Brooks Mountain Range. The Grandest Arctic scenery is ascribed to the region between Coldfoot and the Sagavanirktok River, about 140 miles to the North. Along this section, you pass over Alaska’s highest roadway summit, Atigun pass (4,800 feet) through the Brooks Range, 75 miles from Wiseman. You leave the boreal forest behind and enter the treeless regions of the high arctic. Through Atigun Canyon, watch for wolves, grizzly bears and dall sheep. The undulating hills of the Arctic become apparent as you leave Atigun canyon. Great vistas of high arctic tundra are found all the way to Prudhoe Bay. Watch for Muskox along the road from Happy Valley to the Franklin Bluffs.
James Dalton Highway History and road conditions
The only way to access the Arctic by vehicle is along the Elliot Highway and James Dalton Highway, the latter is a service road built in the1970s for the construction of the Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline. It was opened for public use in 1994 and is recognized as a State Scenic Byway for its spectacular scenery and wildlife. It’s a “long haul” all the way from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean in Prudhoe Bay, approximately 500 miles. The road itself is also called the Haul Road, mainly because trucks use it to haul supplies north to the oil fields. The conditions of the highway in general, are pretty good. Some sections are paved, but large sections remain gravel. Large amounts of rain can deteriorate road conditions but the Alaska Department of Transportation maintains the road consistently. Check the road conditions at here
Gold Rush Campground & RV Park
Phone: (867) 993-5247
Dredge #4 is a massive machine that was used to mine gold on the Klondike creeks. This national historic site has been fully restored and is open for tours. Located 12.3 km/7.8 miles up the Bonanza Creek road.
Dawson CityParks & Historic Sites
Gertie and her Goldrush Girls perform three different shows nightly. Try your hand at blackjack, roulette, slots and Texas hold’em poker. Open evenings 7 pm – 2 am, May 8 to September 27. $6.00 cover charge.
Tour Dawson City’s historic buildings and streetscapes with a costumed guide or take an audio tape and enjoy the sites on your own. Information on all of the sites can be found on Front Street.
Cabin where the famous American author lived during the Klondike Gold Rush. His works include Call of the Wild and White Fang. Daily tours and presentations. Open mid-May to mid-September. $2.00 admission.
Dawson CityMuseums & Interpretive Centres
Dawson City Yukon Visitor Information Centre
Operated by the Department of Tourism and Culture and Parks Canada. Come in and enjoy the many exhibits and displays on Klondike history and take part in Parks Canada walking tours around Dawson City. Open daily, mid-May to late September.
Dawson CityInformation
Address:
Front Street & King Street
Dawson City, Yukon Y0B 1G0
Northwest Territories Visitor Information Centre
Provides information on the Dempster Highway and Northwest Territories, road and weather conditions, visitor facilities and special events in the NWT and Inuvik. Open mid-May to mid-Sept.
Dawson
Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
When to Arrive at the Airport
With bags: 2 hours prior to scheduled departure
Airport Location
5000 Old International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502
(3 miles southwest of city center)
Ticket Counter Location
South (Domestic) Terminal
Ticket Counter Hours
Daily: 4:15 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Gate Locations
Concourse C
Captains Kevin and Tina Bottjen
430 Union Street
PO Box 550
Haines, AK 99827
(907) 766-2470
(907) 766-2480 Fax
[email protected]
What are you doing re: research on Evan's & Bob's mining claims in the Dawson area? I believe they had one or two claims on "Hunker Creek", just over the hill from Discovery on Elderado Creek. In fact, when Sue and I were in Dawson in the 1980's, the Canadian govt had a large sigh blown up to almost life size on Hunker Creek and I said to Sue at that time that one of the miners in the picture looked like Bob...
The historic village of Talkeetna is nestled at the base of Mount McKinley (Denali), North America's tallest peak. Talkeetna has an outstanding panoramic view of the Alaska Range that can be enjoyed and photographed from several places as you wander through this town and discover what this unique location has to offer. Flightseeing, fishing, riverboat tours, hiking, nordic skiing, mushing, mountain climbers, great lodging, great people... Talkeetna is a place to enjoy no matter what time of the year!
The town of Talkeetna is located approximately 120 road miles north of Anchorage.
Talkeetna is easily accessible by highway, railroad, and air, making it an ideal destination for a day or overnight trip, with plenty to see and do year round.
Salvation Army
742 Barrow St
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 349-9080
Whitehorse is the third largest city in Canada by area.
The Carcross Desert is the world’s smallest at 642 acres (260 hectares).
In 1898 about 25,000 gold-seekers hiked the Chilkoot Trail for the boomtown of Dawson City.
A gold nugget was unearthed in the Klondike that weighed over 72 ounces. Its value in 1898 was $1,158 - value today is well over $30,000.
Up to 200 people died shooting the Miles Canyon and Whitehorse rapids. The rapids were named because the spray resembled the manes of a herd of white horses. The rapids are now dammed, but the City of Whitehorse retains the name
