Trip Report-North to Alaska

[4X4Dodger]

This winter when I was in the Baja I wrote a few trip reports along the way. My intention with these reports is the same as those from south of the border. I am not interested in being a cheerleader nor a cynic but I do want to share the experiences good and bad and my thoughts about the places we pass through and stay at.

We are now at Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek British Columbia. The last time I drove this road was in 1973 on my way to my new Duty Station, Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. I made that trip in late November. The weather is considerably better this time.

My first impression is how EXPENSIVE Canada, particularly British Columbia, is in comparison to the US. Even with the exchange rate in our favor it is vastly more expensive for almost everything.

Diesel Fuel is running at around $2.90/Gal after all the math has been done on the currency and Liter/Gal conversions. I bought this truck, my new Ram 2500 Cummins as I was passing through Brookings Oregon which is on Oregon's far southern coast. I put about 1500 miles on in WA and OR and Gas was at least a Dollar per gallon cheaper there than here.

One curiosity about the stations in BC is that most only display the Regular Unleaded price so finding cheaper Diesel can be a bit of a hunt. I have also learned that the prices on my Gas Buddy APP are rarely accurate here unlike in the states. I am hoping this will change once I cross into the Yukon, but I am not holding my breath.

Another curiosity is that Canada must be a VISA CARD-Centric country. Every time a shop, gas station or grocery store asks if my credit card is a VISA and I tell them no it's a Master Card I get a display of eye rolling and deep sighs...I haven't quite figured this out yet. My bank hasn't replaced my old card with the new Chip style yet (and in this the US is WAY behind the rest of the world) but that has really not been a problem although their systems here are centered on the chip technology.

Dealing with the Gas pumps with a credit/Debit card has been easy. I always use it as credit and the transactions go through without a hitch. No questions about zip codes or pins.

We spent a fun night in Prince George where we stayed at the Treasure Cove Casino Parking lot. We went in and signed up for their players Club, something I would have never thought of doing as I rarely visit a Casino, on the advice of a nice lady we met also traveling to Alaska. Well we had a few beers in their Bar/restaurant and then took our "Free" ten Dollars cards to the casino. We played these out on the .25 cent slots and I came out with $13.50 C$ ahead. Not bad and good fun. I can recommend this as a place to stay for one night while passing through Prince George. The Casino is right at the junction of Hwy 97 and 16 (the Yellow Head Hwy)

I have been in British Columbia and most of the rest of Canada many times and BC is undeniably beautiful but my focus on this trip is to see more of the Yukon and of Course Alaska. So we have purposely not spent any extended time here. (So please withhold all those comments about how much I am missing by "Rushing Thru BC")

Today we leave to head toward Fort Nelson. More Later.

[2lazy4U]

Yes, keep 'em coming!

[Tarheel_2]

4X4Dodger wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
General commentary like when you're crossing the border, etc. should be posted on 'Roll Call Alaska 2016'. That's where this summer's travelers will be looking.

Thanks for the tip but....That thread is unwieldy, too long with too many replies. I looked at it but never really read it...that is why I posted this here.

My guess is people will look other places also and if not that's ok too.

The size issue is one of the downsides of trying to "group" posts into certain categories like the "Roll Call" and I am willing to bet it turns off as many people as it may attract. (like myself)

Dodger, I agree. Keep the posts coming, I'm crossing into Canada tomorrow headed to Alaska and have been following your thread!

[4X4Dodger]

2gypsies wrote:
General commentary like when you're crossing the border, etc. should be posted on 'Roll Call Alaska 2016'. That's where this summer's travelers will be looking.

Thanks for the tip but....That thread is unwieldy, too long with too many replies. I looked at it but never really read it...that is why I posted this here.

My guess is people will look other places also and if not that's ok too.

The size issue is one of the downsides of trying to "group" posts into certain categories like the "Roll Call" and I am willing to bet it turns off as many people as it may attract. (like myself)

[2gypsies1]

General commentary like when you're crossing the border, etc. should be posted on 'Roll Call Alaska 2016'. That's where this summer's travelers will be looking.

[4X4Dodger]

Actually we are now in The Yukon at Watson Lake and the prices for gas and some food are quite a bit lower here than in BC. So it is not always the case that the further you go on the highway the more expensive it is.

The scenery is as beautiful as I remember and the road is a joy to drive so far it is a s good as any Major 2 Lane US highway so far with the exception of the few construction points.

Animals: Day one; Saw Two wolves both crossing the road (I know Wolves so please save the "It must have been a coyote" remarks)

Day two out of Fort Nelson saw 3 very good sized Black bears grazing on tender plants right by the side of the road (not together but about 3 miles apart) The were big with bright shiny coats and had plenty of fat left on them.

The same day we also came upon Two Female Stone Sheep and a fairly new baby on the road. Later we came upon a group of about 5 more.

My Dog Jake is sent into paroxysms of hysteria at the sight of all these creatures most of whom just ignore his barking, except for the Bears, they are more cautious and tend to move off.

We have also seen numbers of Bison and one lone Deer.

There are so many closed and shuttered businesses along the road. I recognize very little of what I saw in 1972 and that probably isnt that unusual. It's been a very long time.

[almcc]

Prices vary depending on where you buy stuff, if I was to fill up the diesel in the community in southern California where we spend the winter it would cost $1.00 + per gallon more compared to Palm Springs or Yuma. Keurig coffee pods are another example, double the cost in the local grocery store.

As you go north in BC and hit the Alaska Highway it will get more expensive, transport costs are a factor.

And remember you are helping to pay for our "free" universal medicare, Thanks!!

[Orion]

We find prices in Northern BC and Alberta expensive too, compared to what we pay here in Victoria. We find though that when we cross into Washington State, we find most of the prices to be comparable, with a few exceptions like fuel, booze, dairy.

[CabinetmakerII]

Our trip will start from Post Falls, Idaho on June 11th, 2016. Cant wait to see all of this for ourselves.

[Chiefelectusn]

You are guests in there country.
There laws are different, customs are different, go with the flow, enjoy, be a good guest!

[4X4Dodger]

2gypsies wrote:
You can't worry about fuel prices on a trip like this. It is what it is.

I am not worried about it I am just reporting it. After all I spent three months in Baja where it is about the same.

What I am amazed at is the relative cost to the US. As one poster noted it is the 7cents/litre carbon tax which is part of it. But we are finding everything vastly more expensive in BC/Canada.

And I think it's helpful for people to know what it is.

[almcc]

ORbiker wrote:
My wife and I road the Road King (Harley) up the Alcan in 2011. We only found premium gas once in upper BC and the Yukon. They made us pay in advance with cash or hold the credit card. There were no pay at the pump pumps.

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?29516-Scenic-Alaska-on-a-HarleyHere is our motorcycle trip report. Tons of pictures.

Holding your card or paying in cash when there is no pay at the pump is the law in BC, it resulted from a murder of a gas attendant back a few years ago.

[Seamutt]

In BC welcome to carbon tax land, about 7 cents a litre add on for what? Whitehorse will be your cheapest gas north of Prince George while in Canada.

[ORbiker]

My wife and I road the Road King (Harley) up the Alcan in 2011. We only found premium gas once in upper BC and the Yukon. They made us pay in advance with cash or hold the credit card. There were no pay at the pump pumps.

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?29516-Scenic-Alaska-on-a-HarleyHere is our motorcycle trip report. Tons of pictures.

[2gypsies1]

You can't worry about fuel prices on a trip like this. It is what it is.