Trip Expectations
Looking at some poster's trip plans leaves me wondering just how these folks expect to see anything on their trip to Alaska. We have been 3 times round trip from MD. Each time trip duration was ov...
Forum Discussion
I was in Paris a couple of times and was duly impressed by the Eiffel Tower. On the other trip, my colleague and I were determined to sample as much of the local wine as possible...I think I was duly impressed but can't remember.
Some thoughts on Alaska vs. Canada:
1) If this is the "trip of a lifetime", don't shortchange Canada. FWIW, having made my own 20+ trips on the road to Alaska, I consider coastal B.C. to be as scenic as anything on the road system to/from Alaska. My personal informal view is that one has a better chance of seeing wildlife on the road through the Yukon than anywhere else on the road trip except for seeing sheep on the Seward Highway. When one goes into McKinley or takes a flight seeing trip or even some of the water-borne trips, of course you'll see more wildlife than on the road, but for on the road, Y.T. probably offers equal if not slightly better chances of seeing wildlife.
2) I strongly suggest that one take as much time as possible to make this trip, but if you have limited time, depending on your route, go fast through Alberta and/or Saskatchewan. IMNSHO, they don't compare to B.C. and/or Y.T.
3) Probably some sort of heresy, but if I had limited time: I'd skip any part of the Kenai Peninsula except for a day or a few in Seward and concentrate on Valdez/ PWS instead; I'd skip spending anytime in Fairbanks other than to restock and pass-through and would instead spend a longer time in the McKinley area, Valdez, and I'd skip Anchorage except as a pass-through....don't skip driving the Glenn between Palmer and Glennallen...one of the nicer drives in the state and a close second to the Glennallen-Valdez drive as almost the nicest.
3) IMNSHO, the Denali Highway from Paxson to Cantwell (or vice-versa) should not be missed if one's rig is suitable.
Some thoughts on Alaska vs. Canada:
1) If this is the "trip of a lifetime", don't shortchange Canada. FWIW, having made my own 20+ trips on the road to Alaska, I consider coastal B.C. to be as scenic as anything on the road system to/from Alaska. My personal informal view is that one has a better chance of seeing wildlife on the road through the Yukon than anywhere else on the road trip except for seeing sheep on the Seward Highway. When one goes into McKinley or takes a flight seeing trip or even some of the water-borne trips, of course you'll see more wildlife than on the road, but for on the road, Y.T. probably offers equal if not slightly better chances of seeing wildlife.
2) I strongly suggest that one take as much time as possible to make this trip, but if you have limited time, depending on your route, go fast through Alberta and/or Saskatchewan. IMNSHO, they don't compare to B.C. and/or Y.T.
3) Probably some sort of heresy, but if I had limited time: I'd skip any part of the Kenai Peninsula except for a day or a few in Seward and concentrate on Valdez/ PWS instead; I'd skip spending anytime in Fairbanks other than to restock and pass-through and would instead spend a longer time in the McKinley area, Valdez, and I'd skip Anchorage except as a pass-through....don't skip driving the Glenn between Palmer and Glennallen...one of the nicer drives in the state and a close second to the Glennallen-Valdez drive as almost the nicest.
3) IMNSHO, the Denali Highway from Paxson to Cantwell (or vice-versa) should not be missed if one's rig is suitable.
