Roll Call Alaska 2016

[GGeorge]

I have been planning this trip for 4+ years. It is now time to update my estimates and make my reservations.

Estimate Wash/BC border about 5 May 2016, north on route 97/1/2 to Tok, south to Valdez, make the hump to Anchorage, then to Homer and Seward, north to Denali, Fairbanks, back to TOK and off to Dawson, then south to Watson Lake, Smithers, then to CAN 16 east to Jasper,/Banff, on to Glacier in Montana, arriving early Sept so I can get thru the park then west to Kalispell. South thru the US to Houston area for the thanksgiving holiday and Florida for the Christmas holiday. Since I am sure it will be cold in Ohio I wont return home till April 2017.

Alaska here we come!!!!

G George

On edit, yup it's time to plan 2016. I edited your post to modify the title to be consistent with previous years; it will facilitate future searches for members.

... Eric (Moderator)

[sue_t]

The bus to Wonder Lake stops in at the Eielson Visitor Center for a while. I had enough time to hike down the hill to the valley, take some photos, hike back up the hill, and then on the bus. Not sure I'd be tempted to take a second trip just to see the Eielson Visitor Center again.

See pictures from the Wonder Lake trip http://yukonsights.ca/20100906_Denali.html

This was the view of Denali from Wonder Lake that day

[Kidoo]

GGeorge wrote:
Denali reservations: I will be spending 5 days at the park in Healy. I am planning a bus trip to Wonder Lake and back which I have read is an 11 hour round trip, and another day I would like to go to Eielson Visitors center and just look around.

From the seasoned vets here: how far in advance should these reservations?

As always,

Thanks

GGeorge

I went for the long trip and for the short twice. If you have 5 days, why not. It is shorter if you stay at Teclanika an take the bus from there. You can up on up off if you want too. You might see more animals as you make it there.

[AlaskaShooter]

GGeorge wrote:
Denali reservations: I will be spending 5 days at the park in Healy. I am planning a bus trip to Wonder Lake and back which I have read is an 11 hour round trip, and another day I would like to go to Eielson Visitors center and just look around.

From the seasoned vets here: how far in advance should these reservations?

As always,

Thanks

GGeorge

G

I wouldn't waste your time and money on the long trip to Wonder Lake. Been on the short tour and the long one and the short is more then enough of the park for my taste. Nothing at WL but a small parking lot and small lake. You stand around for a short time then creap your way back to the departure point.

Last time I went on the short tour we saw lots, wolf pack stalking a Caribou and taking it down for a hot meal. Grizzly bears and many other critters.

But it's your call. Just some advice.

George

[missnmountains]

GGeorge wrote:
Denali reservations: I will be spending 5 days at the park in Healy. I am planning a bus trip to Wonder Lake and back which I have read is an 11 hour round trip, and another day I would like to go to Eielson Visitors center and just look around.

From the seasoned vets here: how far in advance should these reservations?

As always,

Thanks

GGeorge

I am no expert as we are only on our second trip this year. However, in 2014 we made our camping reservations the week before we arrived in Denali. We purchased our tour bus tickets to the visitors center the day before.

Ken

[GGeorge]

Denali reservations: I will be spending 5 days at the park in Healy. I am planning a bus trip to Wonder Lake and back which I have read is an 11 hour round trip, and another day I would like to go to Eielson Visitors center and just look around.

From the seasoned vets here: how far in advance should these reservations?

As always,

Thanks

GGeorge

[2gypsies1]

richardsr wrote:
thanks stu, we are going to yellowstone and glacier then head north.we went to alaska in 2012 and had a great time. we reserved yesterday a flight over denali with k2 avaition. hope to see you on road. sincerly, richard

Good luck with your flight reservation. The weather for the mountain is very iffy; lots of time they're on standby.

[richardsr]

thanks stu, we are going to yellowstone and glacier then head north.we went to alaska in 2012 and had a great time. we reserved yesterday a flight over denali with k2 avaition. hope to see you on road. sincerly, richard

[sljohnson1938]

richardsr wrote:
we will be starting on our trip the middle of june 2016

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we plan to leave North Caroline in mid June also. hope to see you on the road.

stu

[MACHZER]

We plan to leave end of May
Waited for a long time go and finally ready!

[Pjb024]

My wife and I are headed up 1 June in our 31 foot Class A motorhome for a 60 day excursion. We will cross the boarder just north of Great Falls, WY and travel thru Calgary, Dawson Creek, Tok, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. Our southern descent is still undetermined.

Paul

[Tfmccuin]

We're in. Leaving vt June 1 back home September 1. This will be our second trip. First was 2011. Doing the Dempster,the Dalton and TOW.

[Byrogie]

GGeorge wrote:
Questions for those that live there or have been there:

1) Which is the best fishing port for halibut, Homer or Seward?
2) Where should one purchase a Canada Parks Pass?
3) Does anyone know how much the park passes are for 2016?
4) I have read banks are the best place to exchange money, Are the border towns equipped for these transactions?
GGeorge

http://www.pc.gc.ca/
For park passes, now 2 years for one price, $138 CA for family.
Good deal for Americans. Can buy online or at park entrances.
Cash from ATM's which are everywhere. Interac or Cirrus.

[lizzie]

Prairie Wanderer wrote:
lizzie,
Add the Prairie Wanderer to the 2016 Roll Call Alaska list. 3rd trip in three years and as excited as the first trip. Departing Minnesota late June and planning on leaving Alaska late September. We spend a lot of our time in the Anchorage area at our son and daughter-in-laws, bonding with our grandson and celebrating his 2nd birthday. Hope to see some of you on the road! Travel safe, Mark and Zee Anne

Duly noted. Watch for your name next week. lizzie

[AlaskaShooter]

Sally is a busy bee this morning making reservations with BC parks as today is the opening day so their site is SLOW.

Then we'll make a couple nights layover in Tok, AK to connect with some of you at the crossroads there.

-George

[Prairie_Wandere]

lizzie,
Add the Prairie Wanderer to the 2016 Roll Call Alaska list. 3rd trip in three years and as excited as the first trip. Departing Minnesota late June and planning on leaving Alaska late September. We spend a lot of our time in the Anchorage area at our son and daughter-in-laws, bonding with our grandson and celebrating his 2nd birthday. Hope to see some of you on the road! Travel safe, Mark and Zee Anne