Roll call Alaska 2017

Mountain Trippers wrote:
Wow. My wife and I want to make the trip next year but not sure where to start. We would be coming from Va. we have a 22' FR 2109S Mini Lite and not sure when we need to be there to hit the summer or where to shoot for. We want to camp in all states and have done so in 33 so far. Any info would help.

Well to get you started just read these forums. You'll see a lot more action in January. That's when folks start getting serious about their upcoming trip.

In the meantime you can purchase online:

- the Milepost, which is great for the history of the trip and for all maps

- Mike and Terri Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' which will include Canada and the Yukon. They list everything along the way - rv parks, public campgrounds and awesome boondocking spots. Use this book for camping rather than the Milepost.

- get the 2017 TourSaver 2/1 coupon book. One glacier cruise will pay for the book. All the major attractions are in the book.

A good time to cross from the lower U.S. into Canada is toward the end of May. Any earlier things will still be closed.

Plan to go up via the Alcan (Alaska Highway) and return via the Cassier Highway.

Many folks spend June, July, August for the whole trip. Do that, if you can. It's a long drive and how many times will you do it?

Definitely GO! It's really an easy trip to do. Every convenience is along the routes but they're just spaced further out than you're used to having. Drive on the top 1/2 of your tank. Don't try to shop for prices - the stations are too far apart.

Drive slow and you won't have any damage. Watch for the frost heaves - the area will look wavy on the horizon. If you go too fast over one you won't do it again! :)

You'll meet up with the same folks over and over. They're all going to the same places. You won't be alone out there and the residents are extremely friendly and helpful.

If you're planning to sitesee in the lower 48 in conjuction with this trip, do so at the end of the summer, not before. You don't want to get worn out before you even cross the border!

Have fun planning!!

jmckelvy wrote:
I hope to do it again next year. This would be our 3rd trip.

Wow. My wife and I want to make the trip next year but not sure where to start. We would be coming from Va. we have a 22' FR 2109S Mini Lite and not sure when we need to be there to hit the summer or where to shoot for. We want to camp in all states and have done so in 33 so far. Any info would help.

TxGearhead wrote:
Yeah, I'm wanting to go 2017. I passed on caravanning with a friend this year. I asked the wife if she wanted to go....in the cabover. NO. Well maybe.
I need advice on routes. Is there any reason to get on HWY2 at Whitehorse and go to Dawson and on to Tok and Fairbanks, other than avoiding seeing the same scenary twice on HWY1 from Whitehorse to Tetlin Junction on the way back? Or just take HWY4 from Watson Lake to Carmacks and on to Dawson. Then south on HWY3 to Wasilla and back to Tok. Is the HWY37 loop to Prince George BC, then Kamloops and into Washington good stuff? I wouldn't mind seeing coastal Washington and Oregon.
It'll be a bunch of miles from Houston.

Going to Dawson City for us a pleasure, fun little town with lots of history. Top of the World hwy is nearly all gravel but is a good road, if dry it is dusty, if wet muddy your choice which is better. RV wash in Tok. If you're are going to see the country is take different route each way. Ak hwy up to Alaska, Cassir on the way back down stop Hyder to watch bears then down the West coast. Don't rush the trip.

HollardawgUSMC wrote:
Nobody seems to want to talk about the beauty of Northern British Columbia and the Yukon. It ranks right up there with Alaska.

Its a once in a lifetime trip, drive slower, and stay longer.

Well, it's because nothings as nice as Alaska! :B

In all seriousness, but in homage to Robert Service, I long since yielded to the allure of the North. Where is the North? Well, IMNSHO, it can be found in parts of the Hill Country in Texas, in Northern Idaho, in much of Montana, and in many places I'm sure I'm not aware of..

...but the North finds it's truest expression (again, IMNSHO, and with acknowledgement that we're just discussing on this continent) in Canada and Alaska....and that includes much of BC, all of the Yukon, all of the NWT, and the better part of Alaska. I have trouble putting Los Anchorage in the North generally and there are parts of Squarebanks, Talkeetna during Tourist Season, and much of SE during Tourist Season that don't qualify as the North.

But I would certainly rank Northern BC and The Yukon as attractive spots on par with Alaska.

HollardawgUSMC wrote:
Nobody seems to want to talk about the beauty of Northern British Columbia and the Yukon. It ranks right up there with Alaska.

Its a once in a lifetime trip, drive slower, and stay longer.

That's why I want to drive, to me the journey is as much fun as the destination.

HollardawgUSMC wrote:
Nobody seems to want to talk about the beauty of Northern British Columbia and the Yukon. It ranks right up there with Alaska.

We will definitely agree!!!! There is so much beauty even before getting to Alaska and indeed, some is even more beautiful.

I'd highly recommend to take your time and explore in Canada and the Yukon. You won't be disappointed.

If you cross the border toward the end of May and plan to return to the lower U.S. the end of August, you have plenty of extra time to enjoy Canada and the Yukon. We didn't drive over 150 miles/day on the whole trip and many days less. Since everything is spaced far apart it's wise to sitesee as you drive. It makes no sense to get to a destination and then backtrack to something you've already passed.

Nobody seems to want to talk about the beauty of Northern British Columbia and the Yukon. It ranks right up there with Alaska.

Its a once in a lifetime trip, drive slower, and stay longer.

HollardawgUSMC wrote:
We have been planning our 3rd Alaska trip for the last 4 years, and something always comes up to nix it. But, this year looks pretty good. Mainly because it is our last chance. We are both in our 70's now, so time isn't on our side. We are getting tired, and the rig is getting tired. So, after 10 years of full-time RV'ing, the keys are looking for a hook to hang on.

I am a huge planner. Therefore I have our "Trip #3" planned right down to the penny, the mile, and the day/date. Also, since we aren't as young as we were on previous trips, we have many many more stops than most of you will will make. Also, since we have been there before, we will be omitting a few places that are "one shot visits".

With that said, if anyone is interested in a copy of our itinerary, email me privately at hollardawg@yahoo.com, and you are welcome to a copy. Since we will be on the road quite awhile before we head North, I have reduced it to just the Canadian and Alaska portions of the trip.

Everyone, travel safely, and remember.....you don't visit Northern Canada and Alaska, you experience it.

Way to go, stop often! You said it, experience the north. People ask me why I want to go again, I tell them that for me it's a special feeling I get nowhere else.

MORSNOW wrote:

TxGearhead wrote:
....back to studying maps. :)

Drive north from "Howdy" up to "Eh" and keep going until the road ends on the Homer spit. There will be fresh halibut and a frosty mug there to reward you on a safe trip!

That's my plan, except driving north from "OMG".

We have been planning our 3rd Alaska trip for the last 4 years, and something always comes up to nix it. But, this year looks pretty good. Mainly because it is our last chance. We are both in our 70's now, so time isn't on our side. We are getting tired, and the rig is getting tired. So, after 10 years of full-time RV'ing, the keys are looking for a hook to hang on.

I am a huge planner. Therefore I have our "Trip #3" planned right down to the penny, the mile, and the day/date. Also, since we aren't as young as we were on previous trips, we have many many more stops than most of you will will make. Also, since we have been there before, we will be omitting a few places that are "one shot visits".

With that said, if anyone is interested in a copy of our itinerary, email me privately at hollardawg@yahoo.com, and you are welcome to a copy. Since we will be on the road quite awhile before we head North, I have reduced it to just the Canadian and Alaska portions of the trip.

Everyone, travel safely, and remember.....you don't visit Northern Canada and Alaska, you experience it.