Roll Call Alaska 2019

[kcfissel]

Things seem to be a bit slow lately, so Let's get the ball rolling for next year. Scuttlebutt has it that several folks are looking northward for springtime road trips.

I would like to say, if the planets align, and the Lord keeps us healthy, our new trailer (on order) is ready, that we are planning to cross the 49th parallel at Eastport, Idaho on, or about May 1.
We will be on a slow schedule, but hope to cross into Alaska in early to mid June.

So how about it? Who else is planning to be going that direction?

[PartyOf_Five]

Alaska DOT webcams: http://m.511.alaska.gov/m.alaska511/mobileHome

Click for the full site to see locations on a map, and for even more road information.

[jacketsbum]

We are there right now also at Pine Lake Government campground.. only about 6-7 kilometers from Haines Junction. Have not seen any smoke or notices here at the campground about the ban. The guy next to me was burning all night!

[PartyOf_Five]

Thanks for the update. We're now there for another 5 weeks, but I didn't even think about this as a possible impact on our plans. Much appreciated.

[sue_t]

A fire ban has been issued for southern Yukon due to extreme fire conditions. All open fires, including campfires and fireworks, are banned in the areas of Whitehorse, Teslin, Haines Junction, Ross River and Watson Lake. So if you're boondocking along the highways, don't start a fire.
Yukon emergency updates online at https://yukon.ca/emergencies

There's a wildfire near Haines Junction that has been burning for a week now. You can read CBC's news article for more info

[PA12DRVR]

"Basically the road and bridges are fine, there isn't any earthquake damage - I'm glad that subject has died out." <<<<< No kidding.

As of yesterday evening, no earthquake damage on the Glenn / Richardson from / Return Los Anchorage to Valdez and back. Usual frost heaves, as cool as it was, surprisingly little snow in Thompson pass, tourist-trap activities are just kicking off.

[Trackrig]

A few notes on the Parks highway between Fairbanks and Anchorage. I drove it twice recently.

Basically the road and bridges are fine, there isn't any earthquake damage - I'm glad that subject has died out.

The Parks has mile post signs up every mile which start at 0 leaving Anch. Having said that there's no earthquake damage, there is a lot of frost heaves in the road between mile post 260 (north of Healy) down to MP 200 (south of Cantwell). Slow down, they can sneak up on you quickly as you go around a corner or over a hill - you won't see them. I was just driving my truck (maybe a little over the speed limit) and left the ground in two spots - you've been warned.

Also further south, a little north of Talkeetna, there's about 25 miles of normal summer road construction with pilot cars. So build stops and slow going into your schedule. As summer gets here there will be additional road construction, but you should be used to it by this point after traveling through Canada.

And remember, or know, that on all main roads in Alaska the freight and fuel trucks are hauling doubles so they're stretched out to 102' in length. This isn't a problem as Alaska builds more passing lanes every year. Stay in the right hand lanes so they can get around you.

Bill

[jacketsbum]

I actually do have reservations at Denal State park for two different arrival dates as I’m not sure when we’ll get there. Also have reservations at Denali National park (Riley Creek) for a different arrival date yet. I had heard about how it fills fast. Also made reservations for Banff and Jasper due to their popularity and the fact that the largest campground in Jasper is closed for renovations. the rest of the trip we’ll be winging it, hook ups or boon docking, we’re ready for both.

[PA12DRVR]

Point of reference regarding Denali (entirely FWIW, and it may not be worth much)....have a friend coming up in early September wants to do Denali:

- Got the last rooms available for Sept. 7/8 at the Denali Princess Hotel when she called on April 20;
- No "commercial" bus tours were available for Sept. 7/8 (possibly as much due to reducing the fleet as due to high demand), but still room hopefully on the NPS schoolbus tours

Granted the above isn't RV-use related, but would suggest reservations for Denali nonetheless.

[sljohnson1938]

Jacketsbum - hope you have a great trip. if you plan to go to Denali NP - would suggest you make reservations there. On our last trip people say you do not need them, surprise, when we got there you did. We were there in July, stupid me, should have known.

[jacketsbum]

Leaving May 15, going up through Winnipeg and over to Banff, the ice fields Jasper then up up Alaska highway. Hitting Fairbanks, Denali, Kenai and whatever we think looks cool! Winging it without reservations. First timers, this is our bucket list trip, got my milepost 2019. Nervous as hell but can’t wait! We’re both 70 but going for scenery mostly and whatever else we can get into. Pulling a fiver. Been combing the forums and many other sites for info on what to see and what to do. Wish us luck!

[EmersonTT]

We are leaving soon from Wisconsin for our second trip to Alaska, towing a 21 foot travel trailer. We'll head across North Dakota and Montana to Flathead Lake, then up into southern BC and west through the wine country to Vancouver. We'll loop around via the Fraser Valley and Prince George to Prince Rupert, then take the ferry to Haines. We're not seeing much of Alaska this time, just driving from Haines up to Chicken, then taking the TOW to Dawson City and the Dempster up to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Circle. From there we work our way home via Whitehorse and the Alaska Highway. We figure to be gone a couple of months.

[fanrgs]

PartyOf Five wrote:
Would you send me through Prince George or Grand Prairie?

If you are going to Flathead Lake AND Jasper, I personally recommend going from SD directly to Banff-Jasper-Grand Prairie on the way north and the Cassiar Highway, Prince George, and Flathead Lake on the way home. And be sure to make the side trip to Stewart-Hyder!

That way, you are not repeating the route up and back and will see considerably more of western Canada.

[snowedin]

There are so many things to see in Canada & Alaska and everyone goes for different reasons, some for the fishing, some for the scenery, some for the bear viewing. Have made 4 trips to Alaska and still have not seen it all, never could, but for us the reason for going has been the scenery. Would love to make the trip again but age is catching up with me. Loved the Skagway/Haines/Juneau areas, Glacier Bay, McCarty/Kennecot, Valdez, Alaska Hwy #8, the Kenai, but never made it to Dawson City. The Cassiar Hwy gives you an alternative route. Ask questions and play it by ear. Flight Seeing excursions in Denali and Wrangell-St Elias National Parks are nothing short of spectacular and would imagine they would be the same at other locations. Don't wait too long, just do it!

[Grit_dog]

^ Wow party of 5, sounds like a dream trip!
Yes it's remote through northern BC on up, but I didn't find it anymore challenging than any other road trip. Idk how finding amenities while boondocking will work out. We didn't hone in on that. Unless by amenities, you mean dinner (moose), bath house (River/lake) or a scary movie (grizzly).

Have fun, 2 months of heaven!

[PartyOf_Five]

Lots of great info here, thanks everyone. We intend to leave Chicago Jul. 1, stop in SW S.D. again, stop near Flathead Lake, visit Jasper again, then come your way- with a return timeframe of late August.

Would you send me through Prince George or Grand Prairie?

With 7 hours daily driving, and a day in each area just mentioned, 2 weeks to Fairbanks seems right but does the road slow down in BC or AK?

We prefer to Boondock where it's safe and there are some amenities, and though parking lots aren't preferred, they're ok. Will this be possible or would you suggest we find some campgrounds so we have a place to stay? Someone mentioned most turns allow dump and fill, and that worked great for us in Jasper.

We carry extra water, basic toolkit and emergency supplies, oil change gear, a gas can, and road service membership. I'm no mechanic- would there be extra items you'd suggest given that we're going to Alaska? Haven't needed much in 3 years and 30k miles, but we have visited Walmart and Lowe's plenty.

Thanks for your expertise, time, and well wishes!