Stirring up a hornet's nest?

We've been to Alaska 4 times now and yes it's a long drive. 5,000 miles from our home just to Fairbanks which is only a short distance into Alaska. Half the fun can or could be getting there and back going either route. But that's only half the fun and sights at most! However, if you take 9-12+ weeks to do the trip depending on where you start and really explore Alaska's many one of a kind features, you'd not be thinking it's anything like Alberta or BC. Even very different than the NW Territories. Northwestern Canada is very nice also but different than Alaska. Anyone can drive the main roads and see the same thing the other's had seen. Explore, explore, explore - get off the beaten track!

There are three Alaska's. The mainland and it's islands, the inside passage islands, and the Aleutian Islands. All 3 are quite different. Too remote in some areas for some folks to make the effort to go there and not remote enough for others. We will be going back again as it's a gigantic and very varied state and it would take more than a lifetime to see it all!

Denali area to us is very nice but less than "hyped" as it's more of a tourist trap nowdays. On very few days each year can the full mountian scape be seen due the vast height and pervasive clouds but we have been lucky two times, enough. We think of Denali as maybe 2% of what Alaska actually has to offer in sights and features.

The best way to see the inside passage is on a good cruiseship if time is very short or with a small RV on a ferry getting off on several places for a few days each. You can only get or see what you seek and go for!

I spent 6 weeks going up and back in the spring/summer of 1996 in my old TC. I took the Cassiar Highway through BC. That year there were a lot of late spring rains so it was harder than hell to find a hiking trail that wasn't too muddy or soggy. The mosquitoes were hell also, and I found myself wondering the same thing the OP asked.

However, I think it's well worth it just to scratch that itch. Saw a lot of beautiful country and magnificent wildlife. I especially enjoyed the area around Seward, Alaska. Better hikes and less mosquitoes.

I probably would not do it again though.

I've been through a lot of Alberta and the southern part oc B.C.. I've also done an inside passage cruise through Alaska. In my opinion, Alaska is soooooo worth the trip. The geology up there is spectacular.

Did it three years ago. Came back liking BC and the Yukon the best.

Absolutely not. My trip was definitely worth while - Kodiak Island to Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay. I'll probably do it again some day.
(not the greatest trip report -- but a great trip)

Haven't been, so can't really answer. But in my opinion, I wouldn't go to Alaska just for Alaska. Instead, it would be the entire trip and everything along the way. That is why I'm saving the trip until I retire and can take at least 3 months to make the trip.

Since I usually travel back roads, preferring gravel/dirt, I don't think the roads in Alaska would shake my rig any worse. I'm never in a hurry, so always slow down to conditions. Again, the reason I need at least 3 months to make the trip.

I do love Yellowstone and Utah, so I've got years to explore those.

So is it worth it, depends on the individual. And I have no problems with your opinion, sounds reasonable from your perspective. In my opinion, I don't think Yosimite is worth a visit and almost wish I hadn't visited the first time.

Alaska, the Yukon and norther BC and Alb. is worth the road trip.
Places like Laird Hot Springs are a wonder to be seen with the orchids in bloom.
Stopping along a river or stream seeing it thick with fish. Not just the salmon in Alaska but some of Canadian rivers with trout below falls.
The little towns along the way with things like the Sign Post Park.
Wildlife up and down the road can not be seen any where.

It is a big trip of a lifetime!

The fishing is great enough for the trip. But I would fly in rather than drive. It is a long bunch of nothing and no matter how great the view it just turns into another pile of rocks.

The Alaska trip is my dream. Canada is lovely, and we hope to return to see other sites soon, but Alaska is the goal when the grandkids start doing their own thing and we won't be missed for the whole summer.
So enjoy what you enjoy and Happy Trails.

that is why I flew into Fairbanks, rather than make that arduous trip. but yes, other than Denali, didn't really see anything different from the lower 48, cept for an above the ground pipeline.

bumpy