BC fires

Hey..thanks for the update. Safe travels and be well. Smithers, eh...I know a guy....

Next time you are looking for curb? Give me a shout.


Gary Haupt

Gary- I sent a response last Thursday – it appears it didn’t post…? Understand your thoughts about regrets – yet we’ve been on the road since the middle of May, have some things to attend to at home, and see it as an opportunity to return to your beautiful country! We stopped at Smithers on Thursday and exited through Sumas on Friday – thank you for the suggestion! And again, thank you for your kindness!

Willow13 wrote:
Thank you to all for sharing your thoughts and advice. I just looked at the closure map. Our original thought was to make a decision when we arrived in Prince George, but it appears a detour is definitively imminent. Gary your offer is so incredibly kind - it brought a smile to my face! Thank you! I think we’ve pretty much decided to hightail it out of this beautiful country and will likely take 5.

Ahh..too bad. You will look back and cuss yourselves for not taking US #20 across to Anacortes. #5 is just...fast. #20, you get Twisp and their great smoked meats and Winthrop..which is quite the place..Western style. Then the drive up into the North Cascades n down the other side. But, you have to have the time to do it, too. It's an all day drive from Twisp to Anacortes and just getting there from Kamloops is another full day if you don't stop here to eat and shower. #5..you'll get from Kamloops to Anacortes in maybe 6 hours, not counting the welcome home at the border. Take the Sumas crossing.

Gary Haupt

Thank you to all for sharing your thoughts and advice. I just looked at the closure map. Our original thought was to make a decision when we arrived in Prince George, but it appears a detour is definitively imminent. Gary your offer is so incredibly kind - it brought a smile to my face! Thank you! I think we’ve pretty much decided to hightail it out of this beautiful country and will likely take 5.

Seamutt wrote:
The road down through Valemount to Kamloops has been closed on and off because of fires near Clearwater. You will be able to get up to date information once at Prince George or McBride. There is a website called drivebc which will give you information. In Mcbride you could pop into the RCMP office to see if the route to Kamloops is open. If not repeat your Jasper, Banff route.

Naww....the highway is open. That's how the evac'd from Williams Lake are going right this very hour.


Gary Haupt

The road down through Valemount to Kamloops has been closed on and off because of fires near Clearwater. You will be able to get up to date information once at Prince George or McBride. There is a website called drivebc which will give you information. In Mcbride you could pop into the RCMP office to see if the route to Kamloops is open. If not repeat your Jasper, Banff route.

I would second Gary's suggestion of coming down 5 to Kamloops, then through the Okanagan, and West on Highway 20 through the Cascades in Washington. That is a beautiful route with lots to see and do.

We also love Anacortes and go there several times per year.

Willow13 wrote:
So... wrapping up our Alaskan adventure. (It was incredible!!!) We came up through Banff and Jasper. In Haines - taking the ferry to Skagway today. We were planning on taking Route 97 going to Anacortes, through WA, OR and CA on our way home - but it seems nature has changed our plans...! Looking at the map we see some options but would love to hear suggestions on a new route from those more with more knowledge - thank you!

You can still accomplish your objective using land routes. Going east at Prince George on #16 to the 16/5 Junction and turning south. Down thru Valemont and to Kamloops. At that point you can take the highspeed Coquihalla #5 to the lower mainland and head onwards to Anacortes, or wander down thru the Okanagan via #97...visit the lakes and vineyards...cross into Washington at Oroville and head west on #20..arguably one of the prettiest drives you will ever see, thru the North Cascades, right into Anacortes.

Tell you what...if you do take the Okanagan scenic route...give me a note and you can fetch up on our curb for a night. Can plug you in and offer a home cooked meal and showers.


Gary Haupt

Willow13 wrote:
So... wrapping up our Alaskan adventure. (It was incredible!!!) We came up through Banff and Jasper. In Haines - taking the ferry to Skagway today. We were planning on taking Route 97 going to Anacortes, through WA, OR and CA on our way home - but it seems nature has changed our plans...! Looking at the map we see some options but would love to hear suggestions on a new route from those more with more knowledge - thank you!

One way, which may cost a bit, would be to take the ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. It will take you through some awesome country! It would also keep you away from the Cariboo, where HWY 97 is closed.

So... wrapping up our Alaskan adventure. (It was incredible!!!) We came up through Banff and Jasper. In Haines - taking the ferry to Skagway today. We were planning on taking Route 97 going to Anacortes, through WA, OR and CA on our way home - but it seems nature has changed our plans...! Looking at the map we see some options but would love to hear suggestions on a new route from those more with more knowledge - thank you!