Alaska Trip

[GKU]

We are planning a trip to Alaska for next year, plan on leaving toward the end of May.

The only stop in the lower 48 will be Mount Rushmore. From here can anyone give me a good route into Canada then over to Fairbanks and the time.

We do plan on taking it easy through Canada, but I am a little confused on the best route through Canada.

[sue_t]

Braeburn Lodge is north of Whitehorse on the Klondike Highway headed to Dawson City. Known mostly for its dinner plate sized cinnamon buns. There's not much too fancy at Braeburn, similar to most old lodges in Yukon. Don't expect bathrooms that work, they're often out of service.

No RV park there either, but Steve will usually let you park in the lodge's yard if you ask. Drycamping only though.

Fuel is very expensive at Braeburn, be sure to fill up in Whitehorse before heading northward. Whitehorse to Braeburn is about a 90 minute drive.

[GKU]

Thanks bee_46 your photos are really good. Your blog was good also, like I said before you can't beat first hand information (with pictures)

[bee_46]

We have made the drive from Maryland to Alaska twice, 2005 and 2008. We have crossed at Portal, ND into North Portal Saskatchewan and at Sweet Grass, Montana. Either route was fine. We crossed at Sweet Grass in 2008 because of the high gas prices that year. In 2005 we drove the entire Alaska Hwy while in 2008 we drove to Prince Rupert and took the ferry up the inside passage. We have never had a problem crossing the border even with a dog. Just make sure you have all needed paperwork for yourselves and your pet.

The link to my travel blog from 2008 is attached. This blog does not include much in Fairbanks as we spent 5 days there in 2005 and saw most of the sights that year. Take several cameras. You and your traveling companions will want to take pictures and everyone sees each scene with different eyes. My husband and I will take the same picture yet they will be different. Also you don't want to miss a great shot because your camera fails. Have a back up.

We travel without reservations for the most part, except for Denali or if we are in a populated area on a holiday. Sometimes we would call a campground a day ahead as we were ready to move on.

Some parts of the road between Whitehorse and the border can be rough. Just take your time. Our only damage on two trips was a stone chip in the windshield of our tow vehicle.

I have used both the Milepost and Church's book. Both very helpful.

My husband is hoping for us to head to Alaska again next summer.

[GKU]

Thanks Lonnie and Sue you travel logs were very informative. We will use you info during our travels. First hand info is always this best.

[lonnie4801]

You can read my trip logs for our 2005, 2009, and 2013 trips in my signature. Each days travel includes the route information.

[americanrascal]

2gypsies wrote:

americanrascal wrote:
We just didn't have the energy and umph to knock out more than 350 a day max mileage once on the Alcan-- and we peddled steadily.

Yikes! 350 miles per day? Many days we would travel 50. We stopped often to see things.

Also, not all credit cards charge a fee. Read the fine print. 🙂

Yea we would have like to have traveled slower but we needed to get to Anchorage to see the family. We did well on mileage in the states until we got to Calgary knocking out about 550 miles per day. Goofed off for a day each in Glacier, Banff , and Lake Louise.

Took the ferry back down from Whittier to Bellingham (I have no idea how we lucked out and got space on the ferry so easily) then ran fast across the US to the hacienda in GA. Did the whole trip in 7 weeks.

[hr0082]

My husband absolutely loves the apple fritter from The Moose is Loose. I don't have a favorite; I like everything!

[tonymull]

Oh yes! The Moose Is Loose! Great cinnamon rolls and fritters. Cheese danish is really good too! Was just there last month.

[lanerd]

soos wrote:


We thought the cinnamon roll at Braeburn was over rated. I found a hair in mine and the guy acted like I was being fussy. We thought the Sourdough Bakery in Carcross was the best we've ever had.

On this same subject, must try the cinnamon rolls and donuts at the "The Moose is Loose" in Soldotna on the Kenai. We still have shirts we purchased there.

Ron

[Orion]

You have to check the fine print on the website to see if there is a charge or not. These foreign exchange fees do not normally show as a separate item on your visa bill, but are 'hidden' in the exchange rate used, the 'usual' exchange rate is increased by 2-3% . Of course, then you have to wonder what rate they use. Some will say that they use the rate as laid out by Visa 'central', while others will say they use their 'usual' rate, whatever that may be. Remember, there is really no such thing as an official rate!

[soos]

Yup some banks charge and some don't. My Visa Flexperks card just announced that they will no longer charge foreign transaction fees. Thats awesome! But I wish I hadn't gotten that email the day we left Canada!

[CA_Traveler]

OK sounds like it's a bank thing, neither my Capital One or Penfed Visa cards charge transaction fees in Canada.

[GKU]

OMG...this is some GREAT!! information. We are now thinking about entering Canada on I15-Montanna through Calvary, Edmonton, Dawson then the Alcan, stopping along the way of course. On the way back we are thinking about a more westerly route through Washington.

Our Visa also charges exchange fees, I think that most do. But it's a small price to pay for this trip of a lifetime.

[soos]

Its $15 a month to add Canada to a Verizon plan, but you CAN NOT use your smartphone data in Canada. Shut it off when you get close to the border. Canada isn't covered for data and its about $2.00 per Mg.
Provincial Parks only take cash and they only take Canadian cash, so get some.

We thought the cinnamon roll at Braeburn was over rated. I found a hair in mine and the guy acted like I was being fussy. We thought the Sourdough Bakery in Carcross was the best we've ever had.