Haycock began painting the Yukon and Alaska with A. Y. Jackson and Ralph Burton in the 1960's. He returned to this colourful, beguiling and historic land many times. Haycock last painted there in 1984 in conjunction with a major retrospective solo exhibition. Another exhibition is being tentatively planned for 2004.

Tuktoyaktuk was a special place for Haycock. Though basically flat, it was the gateway to the western Arctic and thus was a true frontier town. Once Haycock flew out of Tuk to Banks Island, and was stranded for a week when the plane got bogged down in mud - off its flight plan. If not for him fixing the radio gear they would have been stranded much longer, at best.