Traveling from Seattle to Alaska Early Spring

[bbbarker194]

We are planning to travel from Seattle to Alaska with our 40 ft 5th wheel. Is mid-April too early to start on this journey? Along that same line, if we plan to return to Seattle in the fall, is the end of September an ok time of year to make the trip.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

[Tequila]

There is a reason I spend winters in Mexico and do not retrun to Canada until late April. In the early 70's I worked for the dept of highways on the then new Stewart Cassiar Highway (hwy 37). As we drove to the road head about 1/2 way up, the snow banks on either side were 5 feet high. It was late may.

[joe_b_]

Probably my two favorite times of the year in the north country are early Spring and late Fall. For one thing, the biting bugs are gone and I am a bug magnet, for sure. There are less people out and about also. We have a couple of forum members that have gone up in the spring to attend the sled dog races and had a great time. But they knew what they were going for and what they wanted to see and do.

So depending on what a visitor wants to do, will depend on the best times to be up north. Wildlife babies generally are born in the spring so great photo opps at that time, of birds and mammals. If you are wanting open campgrounds and the more commerical tourist attractions, then later is the summer is better, say June thru August. If a person wants to see the tundra change colors, the animals getting ready for winter, then September has lots to offer, in addition to the onset of winter. Drive out of Alaska much past the fist of October and count on some cold weather, below freezing but if your RV is set up for it, great. The first of October was normally when i made sure the RVs were put to bed for the winter. After that my camping was done in a tent with a wood stove for heating it, The Boats were put away for another season, the snow machines came out, the sled dogs had to get back in shape after a summer of laying around eating too many salmon, LOL and the skis went on my airplane, making much of Alaska a giant landing strip.

As residents, we probably stayed busier in the winter time, as basic survival, became the number one priority of life. Always something to do in the north country, all year round.

[happycamper1942]

We had snow in Banff in August last year. Once you hit those mountains you never know.

[The_Texan]

We left home on the first trip on 4/6 but because of weather and lack of services, we did not get to Alaska until 5/19. Since then, we plan our trips to leave in May. As far as returning, we usually leave a week after labor day, but know we will run into many areas where they have closed up shop and headed south for the winter. I'm sure others will chime in with the same info.

[Chiefelectusn]

As always Sue thanks for the beautiful pictures

[sue_t]

May 2015 was warm so we headed off camping along the Haines Road
http://yukonsights.ca/20150516_HainesRd.html

Did the same trip May 7, 2014
http://yukonsights.ca/20140507_HainesRd.html

Northbound on the Alaska Highway heading towards Haines Junction, May 7, 2014


This was the Klondike Highway north of Whitehorse on May 3, 2013 http://yukonsights.ca/20130503_Braeburn-Faro.html

[stickdog]

We crossed the border last May 1, stopped in Banff a couple days, ran into snow May 5 in Hinton AB stayed two nights, weather warmed then headed north road was clear. Had beautiful sunshine the rest of the way to Tok AK

[CA_Traveler]

We left Skagway 8/19/13 and most of the locations on the Alaskan Highway were closed. We asked the owners of one that was open where we were the only camper how much longer they would be open. The answer "closing as soon as we run out of gasoline".

This is not southern Canada or the US 48.

[tonymull]

Yes, wait till mid May. Weather is flaky nowadays, but in normal years there is still lots of snow in BC till about then. In fall I'd head back before mid sept and tarry a while once south of Chetwynd. If you want to extend your time spend it in BC. There's great fishing and scenery all the way through to Alaska. Are you fishing or sightseeing. Happy to provide you with tips if you are fishing, both in BC and AK. Don't neglect BC, in many ways I like it better than Alaska.

[2oldman]

Mid-April is too early.

[explorenorth]

I'll be going the opposite direction in mid April (leaving Whitehorse, headed down the Alaska Highway with Ontario the ultimate destination). I'll be prepared for anything, though, including carrying chains.

[mockturtle]

Mid-May is about right. Some places aren't open yet but there are still plenty of options.

[2gypsies1]

I don't think you'd enjoy starting your trip in mid-April. The lakes will still be frozen and you could possibly hit snow. A lot of things will not be open for travelers either.

We left the 3rd week of May and everything was open and we had great weather. We returned mid-Sept and some campgrounds were closed but enough were open and there are plenty of boondocking spots.

[Nick-B]

I've driven the Al-Can several times in the past but not with an RV. You would be pushing your luck on both ends, weather-wise. Could be fine or could have several inches of snow. 2-3 weeks shorter on each end would improve your chances. The other issue to consider is that many campgrounds and services (gas, groceries and repairs) will not be open that early and late in the year.

(EDIT): Ooops, I see Bill snuck his post in before mine. He knows! Familiar pics - including the snow.