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lizzie's avatar
lizzie
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016

Itinerary for Phase I of Alaska Trip

This is our second time towing to Alaska (we were in the class of 2013)and we want to make it count. We like to travel deep as much as travel wide and need help with our itinerary. We are scheduled to depart on the M/V Matanuska from Prince Rupert on 6/4/16. This is the plan thus far:
6/4: Katchikan: Signal Creek CG. Tour to Misty Fjords
6/7: Juneau: Mendenhall CG: Glacier Bay Tour
6/12: Haines: Oceanside RVThird week of June From Haines to Haines Jct (146 mi)Camp @ Kathleen Lake? From Haines Jct to Whitehorse: Side trip to Aishihik Lake? From Whitehorse to Carmacks or Ross River. Is the south Canol Rd suitable for our rig? Is it worth the drive? Ross River or Carmacks to Dawson City. Is a side trip to Keno City worthwhile? From Dawson City take Dempster Hwy to Inuvick and return. Fly-in to Tut?
Questions: Is the trip to Aishihik Lake worthwhile? Can we take the South Canol Rd to Ross River in our rig and is it a worthwhile trip?
How about Keno? is it worth the side trip? Finally, am I missing anything here? Joeb and Sue please chime in. lizzie

6 Replies

  • cruiserjs's avatar
    cruiserjs
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2016
    I concur with the recommendation for the side trip to Atlin - an interesting little town.
    Also - as long as you make the long trip to Inuvik ( also recommended!!) do take the flight - sightseeing trip to Tuktayuktut - and wade in the Arctic ocean!! A side trip you will always remember!!
    John
  • Seamutt's avatar
    Seamutt
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2016
    I also recommend Atlin as a side trip. On the lake, old town almost like driving into a museum somewhat. Take the floatplane ride over the glaciers.
  • sue_t's avatar
    sue_t
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2016
    We like the South Canol BUT it isn't a highway. It is a dirt road, and often a single lane road, especially on the hillsides. Usually we meander at about 20 mph on it. Here's some pictures http://yukonsights.ca/SouthCanol.html

    The drive into Keno is here. If you like remote, little mining towns, then you might enjoy Keno. We camped at Five Mile Lake Yukon Gov't campground and then drove just the truck to Keno.http://yukonsights.ca/SilverTrail.html

    Aishihik Road is an okay drive as far as the campground. I don't recommend towing past the campground because it gets rough, narrow, muddy, wet, rocky, whatever. We used 4x4 in a few places, in October after a dry summer. There isn't much at the end of the Aishihik Road now, most of the buildings from the old airport are now owned by the First Nation there. There are a few houses at the end of the road that are also part of a First Nations community. http://yukonsights.ca/20131019_AishihikRd.html

    Have you driven into Atlin BC? It is a nice drive. Not as scenic as the drive into Haines BC, but a nice drive. The Yukon gov't campgrounds along the Atlin Road aren't suited to large rigs. It was a bit of a struggle with our 25' fifth wheel.
  • accsys's avatar
    accsys
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2016
    You might want to work Sitka in between Ketchikan and Juneau. That was one of our best stops on the marine ferry.
  • lizzie's avatar
    lizzie
    Explorer
    Apr 09, 2016
    Sorry. I left out information about our rig. We have a 24' Keystone Bullet pulled by a GMC Sierra 4x4 truck. lizzie

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