Alaska advice for someone who's never been there

Have you considered a paid "caravan"? We took one in 2004 and it was the best vacation we have ever had. Problem - cost - they are really expensive. But if money is not an issue, take one. You will do more than you ever will if you go by yourself. Also time -if you plan to spend a long time, a month or longer, actually in Alaska most paid caravans do not stay in Alasaka that long. There is a caravan that ends in Alaska so you can spend more time. To me the actual drive up the Alcan and back via the Cassiar Hwy is great. We are planning a trip next year, 2014, hope you have a great time and enjoy.

Thanks everyone for your replies to my questions. All comments are very helpful and I thank everyone for taking the time to help us. Thanks to you all, I now know about 1,000 times more about travel to Alaska than I did before I got your advice.

Dick_B don't tell Alaskans that their state closed down in August. August and September are some of the most beautiful times to be visiting. Some attractions may and will be closed but by no means is the state closed down. On our last trip we didn't leave until mid September and had a beautiful and colorful trip out.

We have a Born Free RSB also, a 1999 model. Traveled to Alaska in 2009 and are planning another trip this year. We don't pull a toad, and as far as the Alaska trip the only time it would have been of some use would have been in Anchorage and Fairbanks but even then not a big deal.

The ferry is good especially if you take time to get off to visit the towns on the way. As mentioned, much cheaper to use Prince Rupert than Bellingham and you still cover the prettiest parts. But why the ferry both ways? You say you're full timers, why not start early and take it easy and drive at least one way?

We go up through the Canadian Rockies (Banff & Jasper) and the Alaskan Highway and come down the Cassiar. Mosquitos are around but not so much as to affect the trip or taking our time. You can miss a lot by taking the ferry both ways.

I agree with Joe b. - I think he is advising - leave the toad at home. Literally thousands of class C with no toad are seen in AK every year (especially rental units). Plan to get out by mid-Sept. and you will be OK. Also agree - take more time if your lifestyle allows. Have fun!!
John

Wasn't aware that Alaska "closed down" even though I lived in rural Alaska for 25+ years. Most of the tourist attractions close and most tourists are gone, but the rest of the state keeps percolating right along in spite of the weather. LOL :)

The first sticking snow of winter, usually arrives in the Nenana area, 65 miles SW of Fairbanks on or about Oct 5. It will still be nice in the Alaska Banana Belt around Anchorage and the lower Mat Su valley, but you have to drive back through the Alaska and Canadian interiors to get back out. This is where you will start hitting the cold at night from about mid September on. We used to park our RV just after the Labor Day Weekend the first week in September. Then it was time to get ready for fall moose and black bear hunting, time to change the aircraft from wheels to skis and make sure the wood yard is full of dry split firewood.

I wouldn't plan to stay much beyond the middle of September, unless I didn't mind driving on snow or having below freezing temps at night. People that drive vehicles in the Interior in the winter time, have to do a lot of special winterizing to their cars so they will start and move. Trackrig grew up in that area of the state so is well versed on the matter. Even though he claims Anchorage, he went to high school in Nenana and moved south later.

At my age now, 71, I have no desire remaining to deal with the rigors of winter time in the Alaska Interior, let the younger folks fight that dragon. It can be a beautiful place in the winter, but like a cobra, no matter how beautiful it is, it is still waiting for a person to make one wrong "oops".

I would tend to use about 30 ft as a length between taking a toad and not. As mentioned there are very few places you can't take a mid size Class C and park it at the tourist attractions or most other places. But that is a real personal preference.

As others have said, Alaska pretty much shuts down after Labor Day. Most of the tourist attractions shut down then as the workers all head south. August can be a wet month also. We returned in early Sept and didn't have any trouble with fuel and campgrounds. We did stay at some rest areas overnight when we couldn't find a campground. No big deal. Enjoy your trip but start out in July if you can. We didn't take the ferry so I can't comment on that. We did use our toad a lot to explore. I recommend taking it.

We've been to Alaska three times and prefer traveling late in the season.Two of our trips have been in August and September. On those trips snow hadn't made it to the lower elevations and the fall leaves were beautiful but by the beginning of October it was becoming hard to find places that were still opened. There's more information on my blog - http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com/search/label/ALASKA Click on "older posts" at the bottom of the page for more Alaska posts.

You really won't need your dingy unless you're planning on doing a lot of side trips. The main Alaska trip is a big loop with most attractions right along the road.

Not sure why arriving to and departing Haines is of value both ways, unless you're trying to avoid going through Canada Customs. But then Haines wouldn't be the correct choice as the majority of the Haines Road is in Canada, and from there the Alaska Highway to the border at Beaver Creek & Port Alcan (US Customs).

The AK Hwy around Beaver Creek is one of the worst stretches of highway in the north. One hundred miles might take about four hours, especially if you are towing.

There will be extra ferry costs for taking your toad. Cost is calculated by the number of feet in length your rig is. The AK ferry isn't the most cost-effective method of travel and adding in the cost of your toad will make it more expensive. It is less costly to drive and buy fuel.

Many campgrounds in Alaska close immediately after Labor Day. The owners often head south themselves. Same in Yukon ... a few stay open but not many. The tourist attractions often also close after Labor Day. Fuel isn't usually an issue as we drive vehicles here and need fuel to burn.

I think you're pushing it a little late in the season, you could well be driving on snow on your way out. Most of the tourist stuff shuts down in mid to late Sept. Bring the toad by all means. Considering that you're full timing, you should make it a longer trip to see as much as possible unless you're going to make a second trip to see the rest of it.

Clicky

Bill