Happy Independence day

July 4th, 2013,
4:15 am, 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

I have never slept in my car and i had no tent so i basically spent my entire night twisting

 and turning. I had ford escape with a spare tire and tool kit in my trunk on top of it my seat did not recline all the way back. The most uncomfortable night on the trip. I wake up at 4:18 am and just could not fall asleep, it is just too bright outside.I step outside my car and realize what an amazing place this is, i am surrounded by Brooks range. All the cursing i did all night was somehow gone in an instant.

 I needed a big breakfast for one i had a long drive ahead from Marion Creek and two i was really hungry. I drove back  to Coldfoot, surprisingly the restaurant open at 5:00 am in the morning, and quickly used the restroom and got myself some coffee and a plate full of eggs, ham, bacon and bread. This was my first warm breakfast after i had left Fairbanks.

The scrambled eggs had salmon in it instead of bacon which was something new and satisfactory. Whats the use of travelling to Alaska if you don't eat FISH. I kept wondering if Alaska had Fireworks as it is almost a 24 hr daylight how do you entertain yourself on 4th of July. By 6:00 AM i was back on Dalton. 

It was 6 in the morning and i expected to see some animals and about 3 miles from Marion creek  towards Deadhosre i pass a Moose standing on the side of the road. It was so well camouflaged among with its surroundings that i drove past it. I turn my car, get my camera ready and slowly drive back. As soon as the Moose sees my car it starts running into the dense Alaskan forest. I was able to get a click not very clear but worth posting it. You learn from your experiences - whenever you spot an animal (herbivorous animal) don't drive, just walk towards it.  This is what happens when you have not had enough camping experience as a child. You end up learning the principals the hard way.

A few miles you will come across sign that says Wiseman. Its a small village with may be 4 or 5 houses. I decided to go there on my way back. I also come across another moose in a lake. But again it jumps out as soon as it sees my car.

I would say that the ride from Coldfoot to deadhorse is most spectacular. You will drive by Atigun Pass. The pass is so beautiful that describing it in word or images is just not fair. I would , definitely recommend going up to Atigun pass, you will thank me for it.

The pass is at the foothills of brooks range. Drive slow as you will see Arctic squirrels all over the place. They are called Arctic ground squirrels for a reason, they hide in the grounds and as it is tundra finding a tree is simply impossible. You will observe from the images bellow that the mountain ranges are covered by grass and that makes it even more beautiful. The view of the top of the mountain is so clear and the green grass makes it look like mountains are sleeping in green blanket. I stopped at a few places for like an hour just so that i could enjoy the moment i was there. I am not sure if i will ever be able to come back and so i wanted it to be an unforgettable journey. The clear sky and tall rocky mountains would make you stop every few miles.

You will come across mile sign that say deadhorse is 50 miles or so and somehow i was so overwhelmed by Atigun pass that i thought the last 50 miles were not as beautiful. But its just my opinion and i am sure you might not share the same opinion. The last 50 miles has no trees, no vegetation, and no mountains. You will see a small mountain range called Franklin Bluffs as you get closer to Deadhorse. Needless to say that the road does not improve its gravel and so drive slow as you might end up with some flats tires. As soon as i reach Deadhorse  camp, where i have i reserved a room ($ 200) for a night, i get amazing connectivity on my phone. Miracle !!!. I reach Deadhorse camp by 2:00 PM in the afternoon. I am finally able to get a hot water shower after like 2 days.

Deadhorse camp

Deadhorse is not a town so don't expect a lot from this place. All you can see is heavy machinery for oil rigs and trucks all over the area. Deadhorse has a post office, gas station and couple of good places to dine. I decide to take drive and get a feel of the area. I had a shuttle bus booked to take me to Arctic ocean the next day. The shuttle requires that you book the seat 24 hrs in advance. Deadhorse camp is a comfortable place with a washer and a dryer, Entertainment room and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable cost.