Chena Hot Springs is reached via a road that runs through Pleasant Valley, home of multiple Iditarod and Yukon Challenge dog races. Along the road the Chena river serpentines its many-branched way, and the State of Alaska has created a large-scale scenic recreation area out of the bogs, ponds, and rivers.
At the end of the road Chena Hot Springs has been turned into a profitable private resort. Mixed reviews on the accommodations (I was in a tent, so I didn't care) and food. Raves for the outdoor Rock Pool, into which the source actually does bubble up. Tranquil, soothing, and warm-to-hot depending on your proximity to the back left corner which is HOT.
The Dalton Highway is otherwise known as the Haul Road. It was build for one purpose: to supply those who serve the oil fields and the pipeline.
It is a bear. Rough, dusty, very bumpy, huge trucks blasting their way past you, or even huger ones barrelling straight towards you, leaving you blinded by dust in their wake.
The first 25 miles are the worst. After that, the road is merely bad. With my overloaded suspension, bad means scary.
So what? I drove 250 miles up it and back without incident. And boy, did I hit scenery, especially in the Brooks Mountains and Atigun pass.
Many, many on my Smugmug Page: in the meanwhile, here are just two.
