Milepost for our upcoming Alaska trip

[DaveInman]

We are full timers from Pennsylvania but are currently in Arizona making plans to head out in late March/early April slowly making our way north before we cross the Canadian Border. Our plan is to cross the border around May 8 to May 10 just east of Vancouver.



We would like to get the latest Milepost but it does not become available until April 1. Our plan is to leave the Phoenix area, head to I-5 in California above LA, work our way to Calif 101 above San Fransisco and stay on it until We reach Washington. We figure that we will not stay at any one campground more than 3-5 days so it will be tough to have the newest Milepost sent to us. Also, we would like to start studying it right away.


Is is necessary to get the latest and greatest edition or would we be OK buying to 2022 edition and using it? How many updates/changes can there be in one year? The 2022 edition does show that it includes the digital edition so I'm guessing that would be kept updated?


One final question is, what other publications are recommended? We are in the process of having 1200W of additional solar installed getting us to 1500W and are replacing our (4) 6V lead acid batteries with 400AH lithiums. Our rig has 100gal fresh water tank and 80 gallon gasoline so we are hoping to do "much" boondocking along the way. Boondocking will be a new experience for us. Does Milepost show all of the spots to pull over for a night or 3 or 5 or is there a better resource for that?


Thanks

[twogypsies]

Just get the 2022 edition or even 2021, if cheaper. The 2023 still won't be up-to-date in 2023. )

The main reason, I feel, for the Milepost is for the history/narrative which doesn't change over the years. We took turns driving and the other constantly read from it as we were driving so we didn't miss anything. It's excellent. There's also a nice pull-out map for your trip.

There are paid campground ads in it and by the time it's printed the campground may not even be open any more.

With your solar I would highly try to find an older version of Mike and Terry Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' which includes Canada and also the U.S. border areas. It also gives good boondocking areas. It hasn't been in print for a few years but I wouldn't hesitate getting an older copy. They used to live in Alaska and traveled south every winter so they know their stuff!

The Milepost and the Church's book are all you need.

As for you starting to head north in March/April, I feel that's too early. The coasts will be having their rainy/cold season. Plan to cross the border the 3rd or 4th week of May or you might still be looking at frozen lakes.

Sumas, WA is a very good crossing. Vancouver is very, very busy and lots of trucks. We crossed at Sumas and then spent the night in Canada at Hope. It's a very pleasant small town with beautiful huge wood carving totems lining the street. We went to the bank in Hope to get some Canada coins because we planned to used the Provincial and Yukon parks and many are not manned. You just drop Canadian payment in the box and they require Canadian coins. Also, some laundramats require Canadian. Also, we went to Hope's grocery and did some shopping for meats and veggies that we couldn't cross the border with. Be sure to read the Canadian border crossing site for what's not allowed as it constantly changes. You can bring a certain amt. of beer/liquor and over that there's a small duty charge - not bad - so don't think you have to quick drink your excess supply before crossing. If you have a pet you need up-to-date rabies and health certificate. Sometimes they check; sometimes not. Don't offer information when you're at the gate. Just take sunglasses off & look at them directly and answer only what's asked. Be honest just in case they do a random check, as they sometimes do. We told them we had a small 2" canister of dog repellant because we were bike riders. They took it & went inside for a long time & came out and said... due to labeling we're sorry we have to keep this. So, yes, sometimes they do check things.

Leaving Hope we headed north on 97 toward Prince George then to Dawson Creek. We saved Jasper/Banff area to explore on our way home in September when the weather was better. (Another time we did them in May and the trails were still full of snow.)

[DaveInman]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

With your solar I would highly try to find an older version of Mike and Terry Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' which includes Canada and also the U.S. border areas. It also gives good boondocking areas. It hasn't been in print for a few years but I wouldn't hesitate getting an older copy. They used to live in Alaska and traveled south every winter so they know their stuff!

The Milepost and the Church's book are all you need.

Thanks for the info. I have done some research on Mike and Terri Church's "Alaskan Camping" and I'm coming up with all kinds of results from $8-10 to hundreds of dollars. I have seen editions from 1998, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2014 and the latest from 2017. I'm guessing that is the last year it was published? will any of these year editions still be good? Also, my big concern is that if I read the description correctly it says campgrounds in Alaska, the Yukon, and Northern BC. Nothing about Southern BC. BUT, it also says that it shows routes through Canada going into Alaska so will we be able to use it for boondocking sites as soon as we arrive in BC?

Originally Posted by twogypsies

As for you starting to head north in March/April, I feel that's too early. The coasts will be having their rainy/cold season. Plan to cross the border the 3rd or 4th week of May or you might still be looking at frozen lakes.

Yeah, we wondered about that but we still want to do the pacific coast on our way north. We may start 8 or 10 days later which will get us to the Canadian border around the 17th-20th and do plan on spending 4-5 days just east of Abbotsford at Cultus Lake so really our trip north would be late May.

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Sumas, WA is a very good crossing. Vancouver is very, very busy and lots of trucks. We crossed at Sumas and then spent the night in Canada at Hope. If you have a pet you need up-to-date rabies and health certificate.

Sumas is exactly where we were planning on crossing. We do have two cats and yes, their vaccinations are up to date and we have all of their records.

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Leaving Hope we headed north on 97 toward Prince George then to Dawson Creek. We saved Jasper/Banff area to explore on our way home in September when the weather was better. (Another time we did them in May and the trails were still full of snow.)

Our plan is to also do Jasper/Banff on the return trip BUT at Prince George we are turning left and will be taking the Cassiar highway to the Alcan west of Watson Lake. Then to Fairbanks, South to Denali, Anchorage and Homer, over to Valdez/Chitina, up the Tok cutoff then the Top of the World to Chicken and Dawson. then down the Klondike to the Alcan working our way to Dawson Creek back to Watson Lake then to Jasper/Banff. Our plan is to then stay in Canada on the Trans Canada highway dropping back into the USA on I-29 in North Dakota.

[twogypsies]

I wouldn't hesitate picking up a reasonably-priced older year of Church's book. I don't get why some would be so expensive!! Wow! I donated our book to the library but I'm sure we used it from the U.S. border all the way up. As stated, some rv parks may be closed. It's hard for owners to make a living in just a couple months. Things change yearly but I still think it would be worthwhile to get as they're not all going to be closed. We really enjoyed the Provincial parks of Canada and Yukon. They're very reasonable and pleasant.

Keep in mind that if you do the Cassier first you won't see the bear activity in Hyder and it's really special around mid-August when they're fishing. Also, starting your trip on the Alaskan Hwy. is a neat feeling. Everyone there shares in the excitement of 'heading up' .... just suggestions. In addition, The Alaskan Hwy and especially Fairbanks is more prone to forest fire activity in summer so hitting it early is wise.

I just remembered about the TourSaver 2/1 coupon book. It's a must to purchase before your trip if you're planning to do any glacier tours and even the Fairbanks river boat cruise was in it at the time. Again... things change. We did the Valdez and Seward tours. (I got seasick on the Seward one but no one else in our group did.) Perhaps we traveled on more open waters for it that caused it. Who knows? With the warming I hope the glaciers are still available to view!!

Really.... however you go will be a good trip! There's no 'right' way to do it.

[Ray,IN]

I agree with twogypsies;

The roads almost never change in Canada or Alaska, so an older copy of Milepost works fine.
Keep in mind the 2023 version of Milepost information gathering occurred in the summer of 2022, so actualiy it is out of date when printed. RV parks and CG' open and close rather frequently, so it you really need to stay at a particular place, call ahead to see if they are open.
You'll be a month prior to organized caravans entering Canada, so finding a site in an open RV park should be easy.
JIC you are unaware, always drive off the top half-of your fuel tank to avoid a disappointing surprise when the next fuel stop or 2 is closed.

[DaveInman]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I agree with twogypsies;

JIC you are unaware, always drive off the top half-of your fuel tank to avoid a disappointing surprise when the next fuel stop or 2 is closed.

Thanks, I plan on topping off the tank on a very regular basis. Milepost 2022 will be here today. Our $60 2017 edition Alaska camping will be here in a day or two. We use campendium and RV trip wizard along with a few other apps so we'll have good plans for getting gas as well as finding boondocking sites so I feel pretty good that we're ready (my wife would disagree...LOL).

[rarebear.nm]

The trip should be a great adventure. We did it in 2018 and loved it all.



Mike and Terry Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' does have a January 2022 version. I agree with other the Milepost and Alaska Camping are the two best books to have and use. Keep in mind the RV parks listed in the Milepost are those that bought a paid add in it. There are so many other great places to camp and that is where Alaska Camping fills in the voids. There were even listings for small sites behind gas stations for like 2-3 RVs.


We found the coupon book to pay for itself very quickly, a great deal.


We crossed the border going up in late May/early June in Idaho. No issues crossing with two dogs. We had all paper work etc. Advise you to double check with Canadian Border crossing folks and check on current pet requirements. Also check with current limits as to what foods you can bring across. This changes between crossings and dates. In general most food issues happen with fresh foods. When we crossed a Canadian guard explained that if you take fresh food and "process" it some like cook a potato no problem, also I found they are not very concerned about frozen foods. We had more troubles and limits when crossing back in to the US that fall. We just put all of our vegetables and fruits in the kitchen sink and let then sort out what was banned at the time.



Do not even attempt to take any firearms across the border. Plan on buying bear spray after the crossing. Likewise we did a major food buying stop after crossing and a bank stop to get Canadian money.


Check with your insurance companies, RV and health, about coverage issues. Most cell phone service plans are not an issue but worth while checking. Keep in mind there will be long sections without service.


Quickly learn to spot frost heaves, you will learn.


Make sure your tires are all in good shape. Best to carry spares for every size required. It can be a long wait to get some sizes. We encountered one couple that waited for five days for tires to arrive.


About timing we were frequently traveling just a few days after many places had opened for the season. So be careful how early you start the Canadian/Alaska segments.


Most important keep in mind its an adventure and have lots of fun.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

Mike and Terry Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' does have a January 2022 version.

Wow! Can you provide a link? I don't find a new edition in my search.

[rarebear.nm]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Wow! Can you provide a link? I don't find a new edition in my search.

Please check this out:


https://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gui...s%2C130&sr=1-1









I wish we were going backup there soon, but we're doing Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada this summer starting out of NM in May for a few months. Perhaps another summer soon. But next time we'll be taking our Class C instead of our big 5th wheeler, that proved a little limiting at times. I still want to get all the way to the Aritic Ocean on the Demester Highway, last time hit a big blizzard in middle of June and was forced back. We had almost made it all the way. Turns out the ocean was still solid ice at that time. Perhaps July or August. Eagle Plains up there was a bit different. Never shared a gas station with a chopper refueling with Jet B fuel.

[rarebear.nm]

Oops I forget to mention another great source of good information is: Rving to Alaska. This is a web site that has sections for each year since 2017, such as RVing to Alaska 2022, etc. We found that by reading both the year we were going 2018 and also the 2017 posts provided a lots of information I don't think we found elsewhere. This is really a Facebook group but you need to be veted somewhat to participate to limit the BS folks.



RVing to Alaska is a bussiness LLC run by a couple who now live year round in Alaska. They have a weekly TV blog and a web presence. On their web page they also sell a bunch of stuff such as yearly decals. This is the 2023 decal.

[twogypsies]

RAREBEAR.NM: Your link shows Jan. 2020 which means if there were any corrections to the previous edition they were done in 2018 or 2019. That particular supplier is selling it for $50 which means it's becoming a collectors item.

You stated Jan 2022 that's why I asked.

Hope you can make another trip. You seem to love it as we did. We only did 2 trips but they were awesome!

[rarebear.nm]

My bad, typing without thinking quite enough. Thanks for the correction. Yes all of these pubs are old by the time they get printed and read. But the main stuff does not change all that much.

[NRR]

I went to AK in 2006. Started on April 9th from Wisconsin. Went to Winnipeg and headed west. I am sure things have changed since then. But it was a bit too early. Lakes were frozen and campgrounds were just waking up because the ground was just thawing enough to get water to campsites. Fueled up at any place that had diesel. That early, fuel places in the “Mile Post” were gone or not open yet. I had an F250 PSD pulling a TT. I found comfort knowing I could hail a truck going the other way with my CB radio. Never had to use it. Just pay attention to the yellow flags on the side of the road.

[Gladie]

The other publication I would recommend is the Alaskan Tour Saver book. It is a book of coupons offering “buy one, get one FREE”. The initial cost is pricey but well worth it if you intend to do any activities. We spent $900 on activities instead of $1800. It included a day cruise from Valdez, a day cruise from Seward, Helicopter flight with glacier landing from Talkeetna, Riverboat from Fairbanks, Portage wildlife, Girwood tram, rafting, fishing and museums.

Like someone mentioned, things change so I’m not sure what is available these days, we went in 2017. At that time Safeway was selling the coupon book, but we had it delivered at home before we left in May.