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DAS26miles's avatar
DAS26miles
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2018

SoCal to Denali in a class C

The DW wants to go on a cruise but I would like to check out driving up to Denali so as to spend more time seeing the sights and not be restricted to the cruise itinerary.
I have 2 year old 28' Class C. Best part about driving would be we can take our rescue dog and not try and find a relative to take her. Plus we wouldn't have to be in a hurry to get back to her.
I see no problem driving up to Seattle, but from there on it's entirely unknown wilderness. We've been to Canada in our old class C back in 2010 for 10 days going up from Glacier to Waterton, Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. So we are aware of gun restrictions, keeping prescriptions in original containers and taking all of our dogs records, etc.
My big concern is the route, road conditions, availability of campsites etc.
Probably a lot here in questions, but any suggestions?

26 Replies

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  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2018
    DAS26miles, You may want to check out the thread on the RVing in Alaska/Canada forum for Alaska 2018. We went to AK in 15 and are returning again this spring summer. We saw more wildlife along the highway in Canada than we did in Alaska.
    We did not find the road to be as bad as some make it out to be and the heaves for the most part were marked., That said even if they weren't if your watching the road and doing the limit you can see the rubber on the road from those who weren't.
    Unless your in a hurry or have a time constraint there are many pull offs for photo opportunities or just to enjoy the scenery.
    Order yourself a copy of The Milepost 2018 gives you a mile by mile of various routes and all the vital services you will need.
  • diazr2's avatar
    diazr2
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2018
    winnietrey wrote:
    Point the thing north, go, and have a great time. Roads are good, lot's of CG's .

    Nothing to be worried about, or afraid of. Just like driving in the lower 48, except things (like towns) are fewer and further between.

    Unknown wilderness, would kind of be a Lewis and Clark thing, that would not be this. Although I would suggest, I have had better food, kind of blah to my taste. But on the other hand our friends to the north are about the most helpful, friendly folks you could ever run across.

    As I said point the thing north go and enjoy, no worries


    X2
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Feb 05, 2018
    DAS26miles wrote:
    The DW wants to go on a cruise but I would like to check out driving ...
    You do know that a happy wife makes a great trip - otherwise not so much.
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2018
    Can't help you much on what route to take, depends on when you go, what your skill level is driving your rig through mountainous terrain if you choose central BC, what stuff you like to see, and what sort of camping you prefer (boondock/dry versus full hookups), but the road conditions info can be found in this thread/topic about 5 posts down. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29532711.cfm

    Or
    Drive BC

    Yukon roads

    NWT Roads

    We did the Alaska Hwy (97) from Dawson Creek in August-September 2016 and it does get pretty desolate for long stretches from there to Watson Lake, then again towards Whitehorse, and after that to the Alcan Border. There's fuel and food and various places to stop/camp but it may be pretty rustic/primitive/ad hoc in some areas, so plan to bring/carry the essentials, whatever they might be.
  • winnietrey's avatar
    winnietrey
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2018
    Point the thing north, go, and have a great time. Roads are good, lot's of CG's .

    Nothing to be worried about, or afraid of. Just like driving in the lower 48, except things (like towns) are fewer and further between.

    Unknown wilderness, would kind of be a Lewis and Clark thing, that would not be this. Although I would suggest, I have had better food, kind of blah to my taste. But on the other hand our friends to the north are about the most helpful, friendly folks you could ever run across.

    As I said point the thing north go and enjoy, no worries

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