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ccc · 06-02-2011, 07:33 PM

That is a good question. THE WIFE and I were discussing that very subject today.
This as we approached the US Customs hut at the US border with Alaska near Tok, Ak.
At that point we had covered just over 5,800 miles from Louiaiana to Alaska proper, as we also went into Ak at Hyder just to say that we did and also spent a few days in Skagway and took ferry trips to Juneau and to Haines, Ak. Dont want to miss anything.
We see absolutely NO reason to pay for such a caravan, of course this is our opinon. The roads are excellent, except for the 120 mile stretch leaving the Yukon approaching the US border going to Tok,Ak. it is bumpy and uneven but this can be avoided by going through Dawson City.

$5,000 for a guided tour is a bit much and then crank in the cost of gas or diesel.
We stayed in National and Provencial parks, dry camped in some places and stayed in commercial camp grounds. NEVER made a reservation more than 2 hrs in advance and 9 of ten times jsut showed up at a cg just as we did today in Tok.

In planning the trip I did look at the web sites of two such outfits and quickly disabused myself of doing such.
We have NO schedule and decide where we are going as we travel. The only date certain that we have is to leave Ak by sept 1.

We had a grand time wondering around BC the roads are great and darn little traffic----except for a lot of RV's!!

We intend to go south by way of Dawson City so will not repeat the rough road, at this junture, we would opt to go to Dawson City and avoid the rough road, only reason we came this way is that we intend on going to the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage before Fairbanks. All a toss up.

While on the subject do NOT miss going to Juneau, ok it is another touristy town town but it is the capitol and worth the stop and on the ferry ride, to Juneau from Skagway, saw dozens of whales, and hundreds of sea lions ans seals, be sure to use FJORDLINE ferry, it is owned by the captain and his daughter is the deck hand, they really showed us a great time, taking all the time necessery for us to see the whales, seals etc, HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than the other ferry outfit, we took that one to Haines and would not use them again. Almost forgot so many eagles on that ride that we quit counting. UP close at that.

We found it shorter in miles to go to Skagway and then ferry to Haines than the other way around also a better ride to Juneau, not sure but dont think the tour companies take you to Juneau, could be wrong on that.

Again, our opinion and YMMV

CCC

mga60tw · 06-05-2011, 06:23 PM

Love2rvtravel, sent you a pm. larry and curley and mga60tw are in Banff. Hope to catch up with you.

Tom

new rver · 06-10-2011, 05:28 PM

7 more days heading your way can't wait
safe travels bob, linda & missy

Half Dimes · 06-10-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krashqueen

Has anyone taken a Good Sam or Tracks tour to Alaska? The price of the tours seems very high.

We toured Alaska on our own. We would meet up with folks on caravans, and very often, they seemed stressed by having to keep a schedule. We were happier stopping and staying longer in a place or changing our route altogether if we wanted to.

love2rvtravel · 06-10-2011, 06:56 PM

Hello fellow AK travelers. We are in Watson Lake heading to Whitehorse tomorrow. Anyone pleased with an RV park in Whitehorse? We would like to know. Also, anyone recently gone to Dawson City and over the top of the world highway? We would like to head that way and onto Chicken, AK if ok.

Aguyfromcalg · 06-10-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love2rvtravel

Hello fellow AK travelers. We are in Watson Lake heading to Whitehorse tomorrow. Anyone pleased with an RV park in Whitehorse? We would like to know. Also, anyone recently gone to Dawson City and over the top of the world highway? We would like to head that way and onto Chicken, AK if ok.

Don't forget to find either your state sign or city sign and get a picture while you are at Watson Lake

Half Dimes · 06-10-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love2rvtravel

Hello fellow AK travelers. We are in Watson Lake heading to Whitehorse tomorrow. Anyone pleased with an RV park in Whitehorse? We would like to know. Also, anyone recently gone to Dawson City and over the top of the world highway? We would like to head that way and onto Chicken, AK if ok.

We liked Pioneer Park, just south of Whitehorse. Their lower level is cramped but they have an upper level (electric & water only) with very nice wooded sites. They even have a boondocking area that was free (at least in 2006). Be sure to spend a little time in Whitehorse. Very pretty, several interesting things to see.

Jeff and Cheryl · 06-10-2011, 08:47 PM

Last summer we did the Alaska trip. We stayed at the Caribou RV Park, about 5 miles south of Whitehorse. We looked at the other two parks in the area but Caribou was the nicest of the three.

scenic route · 06-10-2011, 09:50 PM

Hurray! Mile '0' and will be leaving Dawson Creek come Monday. We are resting up...I caught a bug in Bonner's Ferry and have been fighting the thing in earnest since Lake Louise. The good doctor there loaded us up with a 10 day supply of penicillin for both of us it's been a slow trip(but a very scenic one) from the CB to Dawson. Jan's beef stew has renewed our hope for a quick recovery this PM.

We did manage a side trip to Tumbler Ridge and took a very dusty/bumpy ride to see Kinuseo Falls...the last 15 kms of the road is unmaintained but well worth the ride. The falls were spectacular and we had lunch over looking the falls and wondering just how fresh the bear scat was on the trail...I forgot the bear spray

. On the way back we saw a black bear munching a salad on the side of the road and we stopped and turned off the engine. He ate his way to not more than 15 feet away from Jan and her camera...it really was a treat to get that close - to hear it breathe, chew and grunt at Jan's squeals of delight. After about 15 minutes of tolerating us, he moved into the brush and was gone. We also saw mama moose and her calf...the calf looked close to the age of 'running off'. We also found a good Jeep road that made me 'squeal' with delight.

This morning we got a chance to talk to one of the 'Milepost' staff here in Northern Lights RV Park. She was on her way to verify what ever they verify and she told us that the Campbell Hwy.(4) is not up to par and it is mostly made of dirt and gravel. We had thought that section from Watson Lake to just above Carinacks was paved and was our planned course, so it's time to re-evaluate. We do want to do the 'Top of the World Hwy', so it's probably going to be...continue on the Al-can into Whitehorse then up Hwy 2 into Dawson City. If anyone knows the condition of the Klondike Hwy. would appreciate comments. Last reports I've heard and read of, the TOTW is still in pretty good shape. Any updated comments on that would be welcomed as well.

That's the plan...however loose it may be. More research is in our future while we doctor up and get back up to speed...

Safe travels.. Bob

Chickadee · 06-11-2011, 07:12 AM

Jan and Bob:

So,....have ya picked up some gear to do a little gold panning yet? Chicken is a pretty good place to get started. Once you've done it, you'll likely be hooked and it's a HOOT!!
Pick up a couple of small sized gold panning pans (w. riffles), a pair of those knee high rubber boots (1 pair for each of you), and one or two of those little folding camping shovel/pick tools usually in camping dept.s or in military surplus stores. Then, when in Chicken, sign up for one of the gold panning teaching classes they have available. (Not the one using a trough, but actually out in a stream). You'll be panning all over Alaska once ya get started. Probably won't pay for a new rig, but it's a great way to kinda become one with Alaska.

Have a GREAT TIME.

Steve & Lynette

Steve Ownby · 06-11-2011, 11:17 AM

Just a fewmiles after you cross over the end of Kluane Lake which is north of Haines Junction you will see Cottonwood Campground on the right. It's a beautiful place. Power is 20 amp provided by generator but it's worth the stop.

I agree with Caribou just east of Whitehorse also.

Enjoy.

scenic route · 06-11-2011, 09:33 PM

Steve & Lynette, Thanks for the gold panning tip, not looking to replace 'Squeaky' but making enough to lavishing a little love on her would be nice

. Bob

Steve, got it Cottonwood and Caribou...thanks.

new rver · 06-12-2011, 05:17 AM

glad to hear your all having good time 6 more days heading your way. mh ready to go gramma getting nervice.hows the weather ? any body camp a long the road or do ya's stay at campground ? hope we got all are ducks in a row.so much to get ready to leave for 12 weeks.
safe travels bob linda & missy

love2rvtravel · 06-12-2011, 11:18 AM

Thanks everyone for the campground recommendations.
We are in Whitehorse and are told the best route right now throughout Dawson city and top of the world then on to chicken. Whitehorse to Tok is bad with frost heaves, will be improved later in summer on our return trip simply because they will have been working on it all summer. According to alaska511.gov there is road construction on Taylor hwy. 15-20 min delays and heavy machinery on roadsides. That is the best info right now that I know. Most people we talk to in the campground are going that route.