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Re: Alaska bound

Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77989
To all,
 
        The worst part of the drive to and from Alaska is in the Canadian Yukon, from Haines Junction, north to Burwash and the Alaska border.  That section of paved roadway seems to receive very little attention from the Canadian Highway folks.  The issue is the event called “frost heaves”, which in the summer, becomes depressions in the roadway.  During that portion of the drive, I used 40-45 mph as my top speed, and that allowed me plenty of time to see the areas and slow down, with the one exception that I have already described, which caused my tow bar, pulling my 10,000 lb. diesel truck, to bend.  My fault, not any other way to put it!  I learned from that and will apply this new knowledge to all future trips.  If you drive prudently through this section, your shocks and coach will not experience major tests, as some have suggested.  Speed is not your friend, so keep your speed down, enjoy the scenery, and have fun.  Getting there in break-neck time is not the way to go.  I don’t suggest that you leave your coach parked somewhere while you venture out for a day trip, as you may find that something is missing, just as you could in any other part of the world.  Use common sense.  You should make reservations if at all possible, for popular campgrounds, as they fill up quite fast in the peak times, but, that said, I have always been able to find a good spot.
 
Jim Hill
2008 Tribute 260
81138
2006 Ford F250 4x4 Diesel
Can Am Outlander Max 800 cc 4-wheeler

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77997
Personally I've never understood why anyone would travel through Canada to get to Alaska... I've always used Alaska Marine.

Kimberly

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78009
The reason you drive through Canada to get to Alaska is that if you don't you miss some of the best parts of the trip. If you like boats then use the marine highway for one direction.

Regards,
Bob

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78012
If you watch the white line on the side of the road you can see most of the heaves. They are a roller coaster effect to the road from the frost heaving the surface.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #30 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78013
The best part of the trip is being able to visit Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and Haines on your own time. Some only visit on a cattle cruise. These are beautiful areas for camping, hiking, fishing, history, glaciers, wild life. I've been through Canada, For years traveling from Labrador/New Foundland to the Yukon. Most who travel to Alaska have never experienced the Inside Passage of Alaska. If they have it has been on a cattle cruise or they have taken a ferry straight through without camping and exploring. Seeing this is really the best part.

Kim

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78046
Quote
3.1. Re: Alaska bound
I cannot imagine not going to Alaska via Canada. There are so many other great things to see in British Columbia and Yukon Territory. When we took the trip several years ago, we found that there were so many fantastic things to see that we got to Alaska later than we had anticipated. The saving grace on the return was being able to score some reservations from Haynes on the Alaska Ferry system. The ship we chose (Columbia) crapped out before we even left port, so quick rescheduling allowed us to take an alternative ship to Ketchikan, lay over for couple of cays, and then score a trip to Bellingham.
The Alaska Marine Highway trip was fabulous, but don't let it take the place of seeing the route at least in one direction through British Columbia. In short, give yourselves enough time to allow three or even four months for the trip.

Ken Harrison

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78050
I second that. The northern end of the Rockies, White Horse, Dawson City, the Top Of the World Highway, The route from Carcross to Skagway, Chicken Alaska, Destruction Bay,...... the list goes on and on.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78051
Taking the Cross Gulf ferry from Whittier to Juneau is always an option. Then taking the ferry down through the Southeast is a great trip. Don't just sail straight through. Disembark and camp a few days in Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan. You then have the option of traveling to Prince Rupert and traveling back through Jasper and Banff. Even if you say "I've been there" on a cattle cruise you haven't really been there. It's a great trip and going south in August you'll have great fun seeing the bears at Anan (hands down better than Hyder).

Kimberly

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78055
Hey Billy Byte

Did you incur damage to your coach? I keep hearing how protective devices have to be installed on the coaches as the roads are hideous.... please can you tell me how you found fuel stops to be? Were there plenty of diesel refill places?? thanks so much Billy
jan

06 Inspire DaVinci 51898

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #35 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78057
Totally agree with Ken.

There is so much to do and see along the way. The best thing is you have the option to stop at any time and spend as long or as little as you want. A trip like that should be on your schedule and not a rush on someone elses.
We made our first road trip in 2005 from our home in Jacksonville, FL beginning in early April. Crossed over to Canada from Montana 1 May and timed it so we could use some of the provincial parks that opened then. The Canadian Rockies with Baniff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Ice Field Parkway were all some of the best times. Taking a bus trip on a glacier was amazing. The prehistoric sites in and around Drumhiler are fantastic. We did not want to come home but it was recommended that we begin our departure sometime late August. Many of the seasonal locations begin closing up by Labor Day and all the seasonal help begins their trek back to the lower 48. We found this especially so in Skagway and Homer. Also, depending on route home, some of the areas could get snow or freezing rain beginning that time of year.
Since we want to be on our own schedule, we did the trip solo and without any advanced reservation. We had a couple of friends that had made the trip multiple times in a large motor coach and picked their brain of how to prepare and plan. One of our friends lives year around in Homer. We planned our route in general and decided that we would try and be ahead of the pack and the caravans that would typically begin their journey in late May early June. It worked out great. Our route was Canadian Rockies to Dawson Creek then on up the ALCAN toward Fairbanks down to Kenai and all points in between.
We had no problem in finding a place to spend a night or several nights. What is so great is that when you start out on the ALACAN leaving Dawson creek, the rule of the road is that if you need to stop for an overnighter (kind of misleading because of all the daylight) just find a spot safely off the road and dry camp. As long as the area was not marked for no overnight stopping, then it is fine. There are many pull offs along the way. Occasionally, we would pull off and think we were going to be all alone. Then pretty soon there would be other travelers doing the same thing. The Milepost is a great guide for the trip. The only place we had a problem getting into was the RV Park in Denali. Had we looked ahead a few weeks we could have made reservations while we were in Fairbanks. But all in all it worked out by staying in an RV park nearby.
The side trips and excursions to Juneu, Artic Circle, Dawson, Carcross, various glaciers and hot springs were great. The wildlife sitings were abundant and sometimes very close. The fishing is fantastic. Watching the boat launching from the beach in Anchor point were interesting. The fresh halibut and grilled salmon on the grill were the best along with the tasty razor clams dug along the beaches near Ninilchik. Catches could be vacuum packed, frozen and shipped home for reasonable price. The Saturday market in Anchorage was an interesting flavor of all the local produce and some crafts. Nearby fish markets had the deals on fresh crab.
A digital camera is a must when taking photos of everything. Using a Nikon D70, we had over 10,000 photos when we completed our first trip. About 1200-1300 favorite/best photos were assembled and archived onto DVD's. After many years of taking photos the old fashion way with film, the digital world has really come a long way and it allows someone to take many shots of a subject to find the one perfect one.
For those who have access to the military FAMCAMPs. Fairbanks, Anchorage and Seward all have great FAMCAMPs. Seward FAMCAMP is a resort with their own fishing fleet. Try to be in Seward during July 4th celebrations. Mt. Marathon race along with parade and the outhouse race through the middle of town.
We had planned to do the trip again this year, but other projects have taken priority and we will attempt to do it again in 2013. Whatever your plans are, give yourself plenty of time and take your time by being flexible.

Safe travels to all......

Jim & Barb Hughes
2000 Allure #30511

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #36 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78062
Hello all,

I don't see where anyone has a copy of the "Milepost". That should be a must for anyone making thier first trip over the ALCAN, in my opinion. It has a mile by mile narrative of what you can see, fuel stops, camping, etc, and can be purchased in most all book stores.
The road is always changing. Best advice I would give is take your time, remember the frost heaves are there. They will sneak up on you and can cause damage to your coach. Hold your speed down around 50mph or slower if the road is rough, and enjoy the scenery. Don't follow too close behide the vehicle in front of you. There is lots of "Chip Seal" therefore flying rocks. Follow other traffic and meet on coming vehicle accordingly. Denali Park has two or three entirely different presentations, if you are able to be there in late spring, late May/early June and again in early fall, mid AUG/1st of SEP.
The AK marine highway is also a great way to see southeast AK. It's a little spendy if taking your Coach and a tow, the Milepost also has ferry info and list ways to contact the folks for info and reservations. If you can, leave for AK in mid to late May and leave AK in late SEP or early OCT. You can see some beautiful country, animals, and should have a great time. A good scenic route should also include going thru Alberta, via Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper.

WM Brown

06 Beaver Monterey, 40' Laguna IV

02 GMC Envoy (4 rd trips over the ALCAN)
 

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #37 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78072
Our coach camp with the lexon shield on the front. It took a few hits, but nothing major. You will drive on gravel roads, no way around it except taking the marine highway. That is a beautiful scenic way, but you will miss a lot. You can prevent some damage by driving slow, however, someone will always pass you going faster and they will throw gravel. I have seen the front of RVs covered with bubble wrap. It was stated to work every well. We got two small chips in the windshield and had them repaired in Tok, Ak. In the future I would carry a couple repairs kits from an auto parts store my self as that is all the guy in Tok used. I covered the windshield of the toad with a packing blanket and it was fine.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443