driving thru canada

OP is leaving from Seattle. Staying on west side of the Cascade mountains would be easier then crossing and then back across further north.

We went into BC from Washington through Osoyoos, not Sumas. Great road up the beautiful Okanagan Valley, with orchards and vineyards covering the valley walls and gorgeous glacial lakes in the valleys. No difficult grades to Kamloops, then you can take 97 north to the Yellowhead Highway at Prince George. This route is part of the West Approach Route to the Alaska Highway that is detailed in your Milepost.

We crossed at Sumas, spent a night at Hope - neat little town with large wood carvings along the street and even a Japanese Garden. Stocked with food and exchange some money and the drive up 97 was very pleasant - don't recall a big climb.

You're not going to have mountains like you would have in Colorado if that's what you're worried about. Millions of RVers have driven to Alaska in all kinds of RVs - some even before the roads were paved. :) You'll do just fine.

Move over the Alaska/Canada section of this forum and you'll find lots of additional good information.

Tom/Barb wrote:

enblethen wrote:
I would go across border at Sumas, WA and take the Fraser River Canyon.

The climb out of Hope BC up the canyon to Lytton isn't known as the highway from Hell for nothing.

old 99 up the coast is prettier and a much lessor climb.

The Fraser River Canyon is the better route. 99 up the coast has a 15% grade on it (been there done that) with a sharp hairpin turn or two.

Tom/Barb wrote:
not today.

Yah. We were on route 1. When we left hope the coquihala was already closed. Big accident. We wouldn’t have taken it anyway as we only have all seasons on it and I didn’t want to have to chain up which I hate. Motorhomes are pretty sticky on snow but if you get stopped on a hill and you have to get going again it can get ugly fast.

romore wrote:
Tom, I think you are confusing the canyon route with the Coquihalla, the only serious climb on highway 1 is Jackass mountain and it is not a problem. He definitely won't like 99.
Traveling through BC the op is going to encounter grades, there is no way around it. Take your time and make sure the vehicle is in tip top condition before leaving.

We just did that route today. Highest altitude was about 580 meters. 6 percent grades no more than a couple or three kilometres at worst.

Lots of compact snow today, slow going in some spots. Not for the faint of heart if you are driving a fourty foot motorhome with Toad. Had chains but didn’t have to put them on. It’ll all be melted in a week and then good till next December again. I’m not a fan of driving in snow with a 40 foot pusher. Sticks pretty good though.

Tom, I think you are confusing the canyon route with the Coquihalla, the only serious climb on highway 1 is Jackass mountain and it is not a problem. He definitely won't like 99.
Traveling through BC the op is going to encounter grades, there is no way around it. Take your time and make sure the vehicle is in tip top condition before leaving.

I suggest CAN 1, Not CAN 5. The canyon doesn't have many hills like the Coquihalla!

enblethen wrote:
I would go across border at Sumas, WA and take the Fraser River Canyon.

The climb out of Hope BC up the canyon to Lytton isn't known as the highway from Hell for nothing.

old 99 up the coast is prettier and a much lessor climb.