North to Alaska

Larry, you probably already know this, but before heading out to Alaska on your first RV trip, it might be a good idea to take one or two shorter "shakedown" trips, to debug your systems, to see what other equipment you might need, etc. Sorry if this is an obvious suggestion.

You won't see anything in Anchorage that you cannot see somewhere else. Just a city, a scenic city, but a city. Valdez is amazing but most of the fishing is in the salt. If you plan any stream fishing head to Soldotna/Kenai. Heading to Denali is the one thing you cannot see anywhere else. Yeah it will be crowded but you will soon see why. Taking the train to and from Denali is a great idea. You will not be likely to be able to drive into the park anyway and will be on a bus. That is the most amazing place in North America don't miss it. Myself, I prefer BC, so don't take that part of the trip for granted. I've spent extensive time, many years, in both places. Best place on Earth, the Northwest.

Hi, Larry,

Where in Montana are you? Close to Missoula?

We went for 8 weeks last year.

Our travel journal w/pics is at:
Our Alaska trip. Mid-May to mid-July.
Click to page 1 to start the trip.

We also island-hopped on the Alaska Ferry and Inter Island ferry systems. I think the costs from Prince Rupert to Haines were quite reasonable but we were in a truck camper, not a large motorhome or 5th wheel.

I'd say don't pick between Anchorage and Valdez. Do it all if you can!

Ed

RoyB wrote:
Just out of interest I have been using GOOGLE MAPS to follow the roads up to Anchorage from Montana. I almost think the best route would be to put your RV on a boat and head North... That surely would take away some 3-4 day straight driving journey by road. Looks like alot of the road is heading SW again for many many extra hours to get to Anchorage.

That would sure be a hugh undertaking for me but I guess that is the best part of the journey...

Roy Ken

For the AVERAGE RV it is about $60/foot for the entire vehicle combination PLUS over $300 for each passenger. This is from Bellinngham to Haines.

At this rate you could pay the fuel for three trips to Alaska.

Drive it, I did it the first time in 1972. It is much improved now and a no brainer. Get a copy of THE MILEPOST.

We did the Inside Passage by ferry several years ago...without a vehicle. Flew into Juneau and went from there. There really wasn't a town we visited that couldn't be negotiated without having a car. We did use public transportation a couple of times (in Juneau and in Ketchikan), but for the most part we used two footed propulsion. We ate like hogs and came home from that trip a couple of pounds lighter than when we started. And we got to see everything we went up there to see. We much preferred the flexibility of the ferry system, as we watched the "cruisers" get off the ships en masse, barrel through the shore stops and then get back on board without actually having seen Alaska.

The trip was a wander down memory lane, as my Dad lived there before WWII and we followed his photo album through the trip. I even had my picture taken in Sitka, sitting on the same rock he sat on for his picture.

The only driving trip made was a very fast drive up from Idaho to the Kenai so we could help a friend build a house. Next time we will take the TT and take our time.

RoyB,

Just do it. You know the expression - "Damn the torpedeos full speed ahead." :B

Our Alaska Trip started as a cross it off the bucket list trip but turned into an "adventure". We're going back for the second trip this summer.

You'll save some driving using the ferry but not a lot considering it will be about 10K miles for you. Is the ferry expensive as suggested? Yes. Is driving to Alaska expensive? Yes, very expensive so take the ferry and enjoy.

For our third trip I want a TT to tow with the car and go up on the ferry staying at every town for several days. Would you like to sell one of your rigs?

We drove all the way in 2005 and took the ferry stopping at Ketchikan, Wrangall, Juneau, and Haines in 2008. The ferry for our trip with 38' of vehicle was over $1800. Unless you really want to see the Inside Passage this trip, I would not spend the money. There is a lot to see via roads. We are hoping to return this summer and priced the ferry to Sitka and could not justify $900 for us (2 passengers) and a 20' vehicle for that one stop.

The link to my 2008 blog is in my signature and there is also a 2005 blog on the Travelpod site. Take a look for some of the places we visited on the two trips.

If one is short on time, just fly to Alaska and rent an RV or a car for the trip.

If you're not short on time, the drive to/from Alaska shouldn't be missed...it's almost as nice as being in Alaska (with apologies to Sue T and other Canadians). :)

I sort of like Anchorage, but there are so many other places to see in Anchorage. Valdez is one of my favorite towns in Alaska and offers a variety of "tourist" activities that aren't often found in one location: sightseeing, fishing, kayaking, hunting (if so inclined and at the right time of year), climbing, skiing, etc.

We go up for the whole summer every 2 years and 2015 is our year again. If you get to Valdez, you'll love it. Be sure to visit the town museum, and the tsunami display, 2 different places. Pink salmon are in shortly after the 4th of July and silvers come in in the last 3 weeks of August. Both can be fished from the bank, but silvers are better from the local charters. Halibut can be had by charter but it's a long run (100 mi) to the fishing grounds and they've recently changed the limits so check closely before you get a charter. Weather in Valdez can be cold and rainy, but that's fishing and Alaska coast. Uniform of the day in Valdez is boots, multiple sweat shirts and rain gear, anyplace.

Also check out the old town site and the Valdez glacier. Just a few minutes drive. The WHitney Museum is also a don't miss. We like the Stan Stephens boat tours, both the short and long, but prefer the long.

If you're in Alaska a trip to the Kenai and Homer is cool and takes you through Anchorage. Tons of things to do at either place, and side trips to Whittier and or Seward are also worth the time.

All in all, there's far too much to do in one season, so choose wisely. We're still doing new things and have been up 6 summers and 1 winter (to see the start of the Iditerod).

We fish a LOT and just love the place.

No one should plan an Alaskan trip with a destination of Anchorage. It's a long drive there and you really need to explore all the roads you can. Anchorage is just another city. The Kenai Peninsula (Seward/Homer) are awesome as is Valdez and many others. Even Fairbanks has something to offer.

The Alaskan Ferry is a nice trip but driving through Canada and the Yukon are unforgettable. You might as well see everything there is for a trip like that!

Have a good one!