AMHS Valdez to Whitter - PITA?

May be some good bear watching on the road by the fish hatchery if any salmon are running yet. That was our best bear-watching of our entire Alaska trip last year--mama grizzly and 4 cubs. But it may too early for any fish.

I'll see about the schedule friday am, going to hang out here in Valdez for the weekend at least, looks like many things to see around. Dog and I are at Eagle's Rest if anyone else is in town and wants to say hi.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement everyone :)

We did the Seward to Haines ferry last summer without difficulty. If it was a long trip, you might be worried about food spoiling in the refer because the gas is off. But that is not a problem for the short trip you will be taking.

They just sealed the enclosure for the two 20# propane tanks with colored tape. I had actually forgotten that I had two 1# propane cylinders because we didn't even take our propane grill to Alaska and they didn't ask about it.

The ferries are one of the best, most scenic, methods of travel in Alaska, probably even better than the Alaska Railroad to Denali NP. In fact, on our next trip to Alaska, we plan to take the ferry all the way from Bellingham to Haines via Sitka (our favorite town in all of Alaska).

So, don't miss the boat . . . take the ferry!

Yeah, not a big deal on the propane. They just put a piece of tape over the door. I did not bother declaring the other misc hidden tanks. It's not like they inspect your vehicle.
Pets on the car deck. Was kind of a surprise to me they needed to be crated. I had tied them up to the rig but that was unacceptable to them. Not a big deal either.

Chances are that (being in Valdez), one has already made the drive, but the drive Valdez>Glenallen>Eureka>Los Anchorage>Whittier is pretty scenic in itself, but as stated above, it's an 8 hour or more drive.

The ferry ride is very scenic and the time savings are notable, particularly if one is heading down to the Kenai Peninsula after Whittier.

alaskan-rver wrote:
Valdez to Whittier is only about a 2 hour trip (especially on the fast ferry). Your pet should be fine in your rig. It's usually a very smooth ride, as Prince William Sound is sheltered from the ocean.

As far as installed tanks, what they do is turn the propane off and put a tag on it. As far as your extra loose tanks, either hide or turn them over to the ferry. They tag and return them to you at your disembarking port.

It's an incredibly scenic ferry ride. If you don't want to do the ferry, it takes most of a day to drive from Valdez to Whittier overland.

X2 on don't miss it.
I've only done it with a rental car, not an RV so the restrictions were not an issue. It is a memorable trip though.

Not a problem. Yes the doggie does have to stay in the rig. I really think they are probably comfortable there in their own surroundings. On much longer legs, you are allowed to retrieve your pet whenever the ship is in a port and they tell you where to walk them.

Propane tanks? Ours had to be turned off and tagged that it was turned off. We had several small 1 and 2 lbs. cylinders for the grill. At first they told us they would have to go into a locker and said to declare it when we boarded. We did and they said fine. . . didn't have to do anything with it. We did several legs of the ferry down through the inside passage and never had to go anything with them.

Don't pass up the ferry. It is one of the best well run American companies. They are the nicest people, work hard at making your journey pleasurable. If you have to add to or change your reservation, they will help. Anyone who answers the phone can answer (accurately) your questions. A real class act.

Dale

Valdez to Whittier is only about a 2 hour trip (especially on the fast ferry). Your pet should be fine in your rig. It's usually a very smooth ride, as Prince William Sound is sheltered from the ocean.

As far as installed tanks, what they do is turn the propane off and put a tag on it. As far as your extra loose tanks, either hide or turn them over to the ferry. They tag and return them to you at your disembarking port.

It's an incredibly scenic ferry ride. If you don't want to do the ferry, it takes most of a day to drive from Valdez to Whittier overland.

So --- don't go by sea!! Simple answer.