Coldfoot
Coldfoot (pop. 10) is a small, albeit important, stop along the Dalton Highway in Arctic Alaska.
Understand
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The town's name supposedly comes from a group of gold seekers who, in 1900, trekked up the Koyukuk River and got "cold feet"-returning south from Slate Creek, the original name of this settlement, rather than spending the winter here. The town was larger then, consisting of a gambling hall, 7 saloons, and two roadhouses. It was abandoned in 1912 in favor of Wiseman. In 1970, a camp was built here to host construction workers for the Trans-Alaska pipeline.
This settlement is really the only true truck stop along the highway, and "the world's northernmost truck stop". It is extremely important for persons continuing north on the Dalton Highway, as there are no services until Deadhorse...240 miles (425 km) away.
Get in
editThe only ways of getting into Coldfoot are via the Dalton Highway for all land traffic and there is an airstrip for turboprop aircraft. Three small airlines provide service, usually as part of a tour.
- Air Arctic.
- Northern Alaska Tour Company. Offers tours with a stop in Coldfoot as well as fly-in/drive-out tours between Coldfoot & Fairbanks.
- Wright Air Service[dead link]
Get around
editThe town is extremely small...no more than a half mile north-south, and 1-1.5mi east-west. You can get around on foot or by car. In winter months, snow shoes may be necessary.
See
editThree government agencies (Bureau of Land Services, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service) run a joint "visitor's center" in Coldfoot offering information on recreation & visitor services along the Dalton. This center is open daily from 10AM-10PM during the summer, and offers nightly slide presentations. For info, call: (907) 678-5209.
Do
editThere is nothing to do in the town of Coldfoot except sleep, eat, and camp. There are numerous opportunities available relatively close to Coldfoot along the Dalton Highway. The Inn can offer information regarding tours and adventures to nearby destinations. See: Dalton Highway for more information.
Buy
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There is little to buy in Coldfoot, aside from services. The inn has a small, pricey gift shop selling mostly typical tourist gifts (t-shirts, postcards, key chains, mugs) open 5AM-midnight. They also provide laundry machines & showers for guests not staying at the inn, both available 10AM-10PM for a fee.
There is also a tire shop which also provides towing services along the highway and can perform minor car repairs. Be warned that towing charges are around $5/mile and if a tire or part needs to be ordered from Fairbanks, it will take a while and be expensive!
Eat
editThere is a small restaurant in the town, which has the atmosphere of a truck-stop kitchen found in the Lower 48. The kitchen is open 5AM-midnight. During the summer months, there is a buffet breakfast and dinner. During the winter months, there is a menu with entrees ranging from $6-13, sides, soups, pies, ice cream, and drinks ($2-coffee w/free refills). When the kitchen is closed, a few deli items are available. You can get boxed meals to go, even order them the night before for pick-up in the morning.
Drink
editBeer may be available at the restaurant. Remember that driving while intoxicated is illegal.
Sleep
edit- Slate Creek Inn, ☏ +1 907-678-5224. Formerly the housing for pipeline construction workers, has 50 rooms with private baths and 28 with shared bathrooms. As the inn is popular with bus tours along the highway who usually spend the night at this only hotel along the highway, reservations are recommended. The inn also offers adjacent RV hookup sites (water & electric) for $35/day, dry RV site for $15/day, & tent sites for $15/day. All include showers for 2 persons/day and access to the inn's restrooms. Single/double rates for winter 2008-9 are $199, summer 2009 $219.
