Making the plunge

[Firehawvvk]

We were going to try to make the trip last year but we are going to make the plunge right after Memorial Day. We are probably making a huge mistake but we have made no plans/reservations of any kind. Not even sure what route we will take or even what our final destination will be. We are leaving from SE Iowa and plan on leaving on June 2nd. Go ahead and pile on.

Bob and Shelley

[Chiefelectusn]

quoyfab wrote:

2gypsies wrote:

Veebyes wrote:


An Alaskan trip is wasted by racing through Canada. The North is a whole package.

X3

Totally agree. I think many folk cross into Canada and keep going until Alaska. In many ways, Canada and the Yukon has much to offer and their Provincial parks are great. Take your time through all of it.

I clearly remember with awe Summit Lake. We stayed overnight at the roadside pull-off and was treated to an absolutely stunning morning view. The lake was a virtual mirror of the snow capped peaks in the distance. I get goose bumps and such a feeling of peace from nature's handiwork. I sat for a wonderful meditation, 'til urged to get going.

[quoyfab]

2gypsies wrote:

Veebyes wrote:


An Alaskan trip is wasted by racing through Canada. The North is a whole package.

Totally agree. I think many folk cross into Canada and keep going until Alaska. In many ways, Canada and the Yukon has much to offer and their Provincial parks are great. Take your time through all of it.

X2
I clearly remember with awe Summit Lake. We stayed overnight at the roadside pull-off and was treated to an absolutely stunning morning view. The lake was a virtual mirror of the snow capped peaks in the distance. I get goose bumps and such a feeling of peace from nature's handiwork. I sat for a wonderful meditation, 'til urged to get going.

[2gypsies1]

Veebyes wrote:


An Alaskan trip is wasted by racing through Canada. The North is a whole package.

Totally agree. I think many folk cross into Canada and keep going until Alaska. In many ways, Canada and the Yukon has much to offer and their Provincial parks are great. Take your time through all of it.

[Veebyes]

If in Alaska for July 4th, make reservations. If in Canada for July 1st, make reervations. If doing Denali mid season, make reservations, especially for Tek. For the rest, wing it. Be flexible.

Spend time in Canada. Can't beat the Yukon Government CGs. Driving Banff to Jasper puts anywhere else in the Rockies to shame. The Cassiar Highway & the Provincial Parks along it are among the best there are.

An Alaskan trip is wasted by racing through Canada. The North is a whole package.

[lonnie4801]

We have made it 3 times. My trip log for all 3 trips are at the website in my signature. The logs give the route we took, where we stopped for fuel, and campsites.

[Chiefelectusn]

It's a trip of a life time, enjoy, be prepared, talk to local people, lots of information to be had from them.
Don't listen to the naysayers, go slow, enjoy the beauty of the north.

[2gypsies1]

Keep in mind that many of the 'horror' stories are passed down from years ago. Things change. Years change. Days change. Weather changes. Road conditions change. It will never be the same.

You'll have a great trip...guaranteed!

[Firehawvvk]

Thanks a lot for all the responses. It really helps ease my mind as I've been reading so much here about all the things that can happen and I'm a bit concerned about trying to have a relatively safe and uneventful journey. Reading all the "horror stories" from others about things that I don't even want to think bout. Thanks again and maybe I'll meet a few of you on our journey.

[dreamer]

We are about a week ahead of you. You'll probably pass us soon, haha! We left southern Illinois on the 23rd. Good luck.

dreamer.

[quoyfab]

You may want to consider making reservations for the 4th of July. We were in Homer for that period in 2005, and were particular as to where we stayed. Other than that, flying by the seat of your pants should be fine, spontaneity is definitely more fun..

[Grit_dog]

Yeah, don't worry about the reservations as long as you're prepared to boondock it.
Don't kid yourself, campgrounds WILL fill up in the summer. Namely every campground on the Kenai Pen.
That's the only part of the state I found challenging to get a campsite, but never visited Denali in the summer.
FWIW if down on the Kenai near Cooper Landing and looking for a spot to camp, go up to Cooper Lake. Not a bad drive up from the highway and also not publicized. Can fits moderate TT up the road. Beautiful spot on the lake.

[CountryRoad_REV]

We have traveled 23 days and have not made any reservations. Good thing as we are not on a timed schedule and have added many stops. You will enjoy.

[2gypsies1]

EEWally wrote:

We reserved our 4 nights in Teklanika. You can't just boondock it in Denali NP.

I agree, if you want to stay in Teklanika in Denali which is the farthest campground you can drive, you need reservations. We only made them 3 weeks prior to our planned arrival when we could better judge when we'd be there. We stayed 5 nights there.

However, we got to the area a little early so on a whim we boondocked just north of Telkeetna at a lovely spot. The next morning we drove into Denali and easily secured a spot in Denali's front campground, Riley Creek for an additional 5 nights without a reservation. There were plenty of spots available and we got a huge one for our 40' motorhome.

In all, spending 10 nights in Denali our days were full and we saw THE mountain 7 of 10 days and every one of the big animals living there. Staying IN Denali is the very best!

[EEWally]

We made reservations on the Alaska Ferry system, of course, (Prince Rupert -> Haines, 5 layovers). With work, we got the most civilized schedule (times-wise) you could imagine.

We reserved our 4 nights in Teklanika. You can't just boondock it in Denali NP.

That was it.