Some Alaska Trip Questions
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Jan-09-2014 02:52 PM
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Jan-09-2014 06:55 PM
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:USMC46 wrote:
I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ?
Ignore that 'advice'
Either set the trip planner - which I assume is Streets & Trips - to not allow ferries, or add some extra waypoints to force the route back onto the mainland.
.
Yep, that's been a bug in Streets and Trips for several versions now. Kind of the long way around 🙂
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Jan-09-2014 06:23 PM
USMC46 wrote:
I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ?
Ignore that 'advice'
Either set the trip planner - which I assume is Streets & Trips - to not allow ferries, or add some extra waypoints to force the route back onto the mainland.
As far as costs and logistics - read the thread below on the Alaska Marine Highway.
They probably know RVs better than anyone else in North America.
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"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."
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Jan-09-2014 05:59 PM
USMC46 wrote:
We are planning a trip to Alaska this year. I'm reading the posts, will buy a couple of books and MilePost but would like some other advice. I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ? I'm working on an estimate and was wondering if $4.50 a gallon for diesel would be a good average cost for the lower states, Canada and Alaska ? Is it reasonable to estimate that we could boondock in Alaska 50% of the two month+ we will be there ? Average full hook-up RV parking costs in AK ? Best three months to go ? Any legal way to transport a weapon through Canada ? Any and all advice appreciated and if anyone is heading that way from South Texas let me know.
The ferry trip is only if you want to go to Kodiak. If you want a ferry ride, try between Whittier and Valdez, or between Haines and Skagway.
Fuel the last few years in Canada has ranged from $1.19 to $1.41 per litre, 3.8 litres the gallon. Fuel on the Kenai has been between $4.50 and $4.96. Suggest you start with an estimate of $5/gallon or more for Canada and Alaska. It may be less.
We run about $35/night for hook-ups. Do not expect to find any 50amp north of Dawson Creek, and a lot of places only have 15 amp. Most waste dumps will be a central location, not at each site.
Do not expect to boondock within 100 miles of Anchorage or Fairbanks or on the Kenai peninsula. Yep, some locals have their spots and you may find one, just don't plan on it. Also, check campground prices before you go. Some, like some on the Kenai in June and July, can be spendy, and others are not.
There are legal ways to transport a long gun. The permit is good for 60 days. There is no way to transport a pistol. Expect extensive search activity if you are transporting. I avoid the whole thing. If I need to move my shooting gear I mail it. The border fellow in Canada last year wanted to know what we relied on for protection in Canada and IO looked at him and said "You".
The best three months depend on what you want to see. If you arrive at the border in early to mid May you can do the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper and see snow, and likely a lot of the larger lakes in Northern BC, the Yukon and Alaska will still have ice. There will usually be remnants of the massive river ice in Northern BC alon the Liard River. Also, the Bison are usually along the road there as the grazing starts earlier along the road than elsewhere. If you want bears at Hyder and Stewart on the Cassiar late August is the time. The leaves start to turn in late August, and the mountains take on a reddish hue into September.
Just keep in mind that heavy rain and road washouts, snow, and fire can delay your trip and confound your plans any time. All can and do cause road closures.
Enjoy the trip.
Terry
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Jan-09-2014 05:50 PM
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska from Vancouver Island. Now we live in Yukon!
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Jan-09-2014 04:49 PM
USMC46 wrote:I'm not sure where you're trying to go to/from with the ferry. If you're simply cutting off miles, the ferry stops at Whittier and Seward between Homer and Valdez, But you're missing a lot of beautiful country and sightseeing. Google 'Alaska Marine Highway' for rates, times, schedules and everything you need to know. Although it's an easy trip, it could get expensive for longer legs if you spring for a cabin, meals and so forth. Ferries charge by length and they do measure, so a little thing like removing the towbar can help. As far as boondocking is concerned, Alaska allows off road parking anywhere it is NOT prohibited by signs, and you're off the travel way. We boondock a lot and we also stay in parks. Parks in Homer can be $40 or more to $5 for dry camping on the Spit. We usually sepend 6 weeks or more in Bayside RV Park in Valdez, as you can walk about everywhere in town, and we fish Shrimp, Pink Salmon, and Silver Salmon there. Current prices are on line. Many parks in AK are glorified gravel parking lots, but that's fine with us. You can also dump and take on water all over for $5-10 all over. Scenery is grand wherever you go so a few legs on the ferry is an experience, but we never used it to save money. First year up we ferried from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan, Wrangel, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway, and Haines. Spent 2-3 days in each location and boondocked or payed minimal fees all over. Different things to see in each place.
We are planning a trip to Alaska this year. I'm reading the posts, will buy a couple of books and MilePost but would like some other advice. I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ? I'm working on an estimate and was wondering if $4.50 a gallon for diesel would be a good average cost for the lower states, Canada and Alaska ? Is it reasonable to estimate that we could boondock in Alaska 50% of the two month+ we will be there ? Average full hook-up RV parking costs in AK ? Best three months to go ? Any legal way to transport a weapon through Canada ? Any and all advice appreciated and if anyone is heading that way from South Texas let me know.
You get the idea. If you need more info, post or PM me. We've been up in 06, 07, 09, 11(twice, we flew up for the Iditerod) and 13. Good Lord willing, we'll be up in 15 and beyond. About 11,500 round trip from Delaware.
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Jan-09-2014 03:46 PM
D.E.Bishop wrote:
Well Jim and Carmel, here is link to boondocking in AK, it is old but if you google RV Boondocking in AK you'll find a lot of info.
Link???
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Jan-09-2014 03:44 PM
clicky
As far as the ferry, I don't know what great things you would see that you need to spend that much money to take the ferry. I met up with my wife and daughters in Kodiak one time and rode back to Seward with them and they went on to Valdez and then took the ferry to Whittier where I picked them up in the MoHo. They felt the Fjiordlands cruise(one day) out of Seward was better.
I would estimate the cost of campgrounds is about $35 - $45 per night in privates and less in public parks.
June, July, August and part of September, any earlier or later and you will find cold weather and possible snow.
I took a shot gun to AK the first time we drove. Didn't park the MoHo and go into the bush, so never needed it.
Just my 2 bits worth.
Dave
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Jan-09-2014 03:10 PM
Try this site .... BC GAS PRICES
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Jan-09-2014 03:06 PM
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