From Valdez - To Delta Junction of Tok?

For me, it really depends on what the purpose of my trip. The Richardson Hwy was originally the only way to drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage, prior to the Parks hwy being completed in the early 70s. I especially enjoy the Glennallen to Delta section of the Richardson if I am not in any hurry. I have always had better fishing on it than the Glenn Hwy from Glennallen to Tok (known as the Tok Cut Off). These days, most of the land along the Richardson in that area is privately owned by the Aetna Regional Corp. but they do sell fishing permits for a reasonable costs the last time I was through there. The old lodge at Sourdough, burned a few years back and was rebuilt after being closed a couple of years. Sourdough Lodge had the best home made blueberry pies to be found, IMHO. They also had a huge dog, looked like a cross between a bear and a Volkswagon. A gentle giant that had a couple of talents, that I ever saw. One is he could open the screen door with his paw, as well as a person and he wasn't a picky eater. When standing on all fours, he was eye ball level with the tops of the tables in the cafe. He would visit the different tables and check what everyone was eating and then try to mooch some bites from the favorites. He was worth a stop just to feed him a few french fries and last bite of my burger. LOL

Anyway, you will find the Alaska Oil Pipeline follows the Richardson Hwy in that section of Alaska, lots of photo opps of it. The Gulkana River is also along side the highway much of the way and it is a good fishing stream, spring through fall. Has a good fall run of steelhead trout, close to the mouth of Paxson Lake, if they interest a person in trying to catch them. Then at Paxson intersection, go west on the Denali Hwy, paved for the first dozen miles or so, to the Tangle Lakes area for a few day of remoteness and often good fishing for grayling. Take lots of bug spray as they tend to be vicious up till the first couple of good frosts in fall time.

So I can make an easy weeks trip out of getting from Glennallen to Delta. If I am in more of a hurry to head south then I will take the Tok Cut Off and usually camp for a night or two. Eagle State rec Area is a good campground about a dozen miles south of Tok. Several nice CGs in Tok and most services available. Some nice gift shops also there if anything you have forgotten to buy. Also stop at the gas station at the junction to the village of Northway. They, most of the time, have locally made art objects for sale. The people of Northway are known for the baskets and sewing work they do. You buy from them and you are supporting local artists, not some big corporation somewhere.

Not sure if the Black Rapids Glacier Lodge, on the Richardson is open these days or not. It has had a history of periods, of being open and others of being closed. Nice views from there.

We went to Chicken AND the road through Glennallen. Our first two stops in Alaska were Skagway and Haines. From Haines we drove to Whitehorse and then Dawson City where we took the ferry across the Yukon River and drove the Top of the World Highway to Chicken. On our return trip we took the route through Glennallen.

Doesn't anyone go to "Chicken" anymore? When we went in 2010 there seemed to be two places that had to be. First was an overnight stay, (with photos) at WalMart. They mark off spots just for RVs. The other was a night in Chicken Alaska. Then you can continue on to the free ferry across the Yukon river. We went with a one ton and a 31 ft Airstream. Wrong rig. Too big to get off highway. We saw a lot of folks with $WD pickups and a pop up truck camper. The permafrost can be tough on big rigs Have fun.....Arnie

Another vote for the Glennallen to Tok route. I would also recommend going to Haines and then take the ferry to Skagway. Haines was our favorite place during our entire Alaska journey last summer.

The link in my signature will take to you to my blog with lots of posts about our 2013 Alaska trip.

I generally suggest that folks spend as much time in Alaska as possible, but...as mentioned by others, the Glennallen - Delta Junction drive is (IMNSHO) one of the less scenic legs on the Alaska road system.

If faced with either/or, I'd suggest Glennallen to Tok.

I think there's very few roads in Alaska that don't offer some sort of beautiful scenery in one form or another. Safe Travels Smitty!

The Richardson Highway from Delta Junction to Valdez is spectacular. The prettiest drive we have ever been on. Parts of the road are excellent while other parts have frost heaves. We had to pull completely off the road for ginormous equipment transiting the road. We drove to Valdez from Fairbanks in two days. Way too far for one day of traveling in our opinion.

Thanks to you both! We're going to spend about a week in Valdez, and make a decision on if we will go to Haines and then take the small hop to Skagaway in our schedule. We want to allow at least 12-15 days to hit Jasper,Banf and Canadian Glacier on the way South. So we're thinking of bypassing that leg.

In Seward for one more night of 'Post Mt Marathon' fun, then onto towards the Valdez loop.

I think we'll just take the run from Valdez to Tok.

Best to you both, and all,
Smitty

I enjoyed the Richardson highway (from Valdez to DJ) so much that I drove it twice during my ~20 day visit in Alaska. Dj to Tok on the Alaskan Hwy is rather boring I will agree.

Six of one, half dozen of the other.

The Tok Cut-off (Glenallen to Tok) is an enjoyable drive. Good scenes as it borders the Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve with many mountain views including Mt. Sanford. Some frost heaves here and there. Nice though. Adventurous folks can turn down the Nabesna Road for a nice change from the paved roads. Our drive on the Nabesna Road http://yukonsights.ca/20100823_NabesnaRd.html

Glenallen to Delta Jct is also scenic for a bit but then also has a lot of flatland. And you're re-driving the Delta Jct to Tok route again which is flatland.

My choice would be the Tok Cut-off - Glenallen to Tok.

Nabesna Road in September 2010