Thinking of flying to Prudhoe bay this June. Does anyone have some good camping spots or suggestions on places to land along the way. Cessna 180 approved strips. From Canada we will probably clear customs in Fairbanks then follow Hwy north.

Two words, bug spray!

Be aware that Atigun “Pass” is a lousy Aviation route to the north slope, especially if the weather is at all marginal. Anaktuvuk is a MUCH safer pass just to the west. Anaktuvuk is an Inupiat village that sits at the top of a very open pass through the Brooks Range. There’s an airport, an ASOS, a weather camera installation (look up akweathercams), etc. they have a nice little museum there with some interesting stuff.

Galbraith and Umiat are north of Brooks Range, and you may be able to camp there, but the best camping up there is going to be on gravel bars on the various rivers.

As noted, above, take LOTS of bug dope.

Frankly, unless you have some specific reason to go up there, there are lots better areas to explore in my opinion.

Prudhoe is just a big oil field..... The north slope is interesting, and there’s a lot of it, but........weather and bugs.

Brush up on your STOL skills, put some tires on the bus, and there are lots of landing sites.

MTV

I would recommend it for sure! Exploring the brooks range is amazing. A stop it Deadhorse isn’t really too bad with a 180. I flew there in a supercub from Anchorage... I don’t know what it’s like in June. I have only been up during hunting season.

Kavik river camp has fuel and a big runway. Fuel is super expensive.

Deadhorse- Nothing much to see but fuel is not that expensive.

Happy valley airstrip. It’s plenty big and right next to a river with fishies. You can usually get fuel there but probably during hunting season only. It is north of Galbraith next to the road.

Coldfoot- They have fuel but won’t sell it.

Kaktovic could be a cool place to go and see some polar bears?

Prospect creek is a nice big strip.

On the North Slope rivers and snow melt with running ice from late May until mid-June. As a result water can be high for a period and exposed river bars few. Depends on location-upstream areas dry out first-and yearly weather but it's been a warm winter there so timing varies. There's strips as noted but heck source fuel before and have some fun. Mosquitoes tend to show up inland later in June-early July but if the coast is cold and breezy then they're not too bad. There's lots to see and it'll be a new experience if you haven't been down the Mackenzie River and over to Tuk for example. I prefer early to mid-August in that country. Wildlife, waterfowl, fish and so on.

Actually for scenic vistas the main Brooks Range from Arctic Village in the east to Kotzebue in the west is very interesting. Lots of big rivers and lakes. The Noatak River in the west is quite nice and gravel bars available depending on water level. There's fuel at some places especially at villages if you can burn auto gas.

Guess it depends on what's left on your list for seeing Arctic country.

Gary

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Stop by Bettles on your way. KABT. I'll be up there is summer working as an A&P. Should have my pacer there also.

I've been privileged to fly over a lot of Alaska and am just sharing my opinion.

Unless Prudhoe Bay (Deadhorse) is on your bucket list, or you're a big stock holder in ExxonMobil and want to check on your investment, I'd spend my time and fuel flying the south side of the Continental divide. As mentioned, Arctic Village, Chandalar, Bettles, and points west out to Kotz and up the Noatak has countryside that is mind blowingly beautiful.

So many incredible places to fly in Alaska, the North Slope doesn't get me too excited!

Yes. What he said.

Your country too! I was gonna start naming off some of my favorite spots on the Seward Peninsula but I didn't want to have you inundated with aviation tourists LOL.

I got a chance to ride into Arctic Village with a friend. Beautiful country.

CYQQ just wondering what your goals are......sightseeing, camping, landing here and there, touring NW America? What and where to go might be easier to plan if you have some thing(s) in mind. You know what I'm thinking. Maybe suggest some favored activities you'd like to accomplish and those that have done same can share. My experience was mainly on floats with limited hunting on wheels. Others are experienced remote wheel pilots. There's private land holdings that can enforce trespass and of course public airstrips with many near most rural villages.

Gary

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