About Coldfoot
Coldfoot is located on mile 175 of the Dalton Highway, a 414-mile gravel road that runs from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. It is mostly frequented by truckers running supplies from Fairbanks to oil workers drilling in Prudhoe Bay. The journey for these truckers is often arduous due to rough conditions of the road. Imagine an 18 wheeler going 50 miles per hour down a dirt road filled with potholes and unexpected forms of wildlife. Coldfoot itself is 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 240 miles below the Arctic Ocean. According to the census, there are 13 permanent residents of Coldfoot. However, hundreds lodge at Coldfoot year round, mostly during the summer season, as they make their trip up the Dalton Highway. As far as infrastructure, there is a hotel, restaurant, satellite internet access, and satellite television. Coldfoot is far from being a Ritz Carlton, in fact the buildings, most of which resemble trailers, are very rudimentary.
Coldfoot was founded in 1900 when prospectors built a mining camp, originally named Slate Creek. These prospectors often made their way up the Koyukuk River and decided to turn around en route to Coldfoot, hence “cold feet.” The town was bustling considering the remote location. They ran a post office from 1902 to 1912 along with two roadhouses, two stores, seven saloons, and a gambling house.
The early 1970s brought the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. This meant that many would be traveling along the Dalton Highway to facilitate construction. A resting point would be crucial for travelers and Coldfoot happened to be a prime location, half way between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. In 1981, legendary Dick Mackey, winner of the Iditarod dog race, began selling burgers out of a bus at Coldfoot. The first day of operation, his bus burger stand became an instant hit. From that point, Mackey and several other truckers began building Coldfoot Truck Stop. In 1990, Mackey sold Coldfoot Truck Stop to an Alaskan Corporation. Seven years later, ownership changed hands again to the current owner, Sukakpak, Inc. Sukakpak, Inc owns two other camps along the Dalton Highway, Deadhorse Camp and Yukon River Camp.
I’m sure that by this point, you are begging for pictures of this mysterious place. I could pull some off of Google images but that would take away the fun. Soon enough, I will be taking my own pictures for all to see what Coldfoot is like.
The Slate Creek Inn
Coldfoot Post Office
Gas Pumps
