Community Forums

ka6bud · 11-21-2010, 06:25 PM

CCC
We went to Alaska this summer.Frost heaves are a issue, worst area from Whitehorse to Fairbanks about 40 miles We had nine rigs not commerical tour our Rv club. We traveled in small groups of three with the lead rotating each day .Lead rig gave us notice of frost heaves,some times we drone on wrong side of road because tha was the good side we were always on the radios. Most of the frost heavesarea had stakes with red streamers on the side of the road ,some were not marked.Suggest locking of lower compartments I had my power cord come out fom its cubby Glad I was not the last one I would of draged it a long way. Iam getting wordy if u would like more info as to our stops pm me glad to help or Ka6bud@sti.net

Chickadee · 11-22-2010, 06:43 AM

Pat & Charles (ccc):

With regard to the time of year for entering and for departing Alaska in order to dodge snow/ice/cold, etc. , it's our "feeling" that starting up the Alaska Hyw. from Dawson Creek (headin North) by, say...mid June-ish, would probably be o.k. and when departing, it's probably a good idea to be South of a line between Prince Rupert (on the B.C. coast ) and Prince George, B.C, by the end of September.

Now, you'll get all kinds of arguments about this, and this suggestion is simply just that, a suggestion.

Steve & Lynette

new rver · 11-23-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j griff

CCC
You already have more advice than you can absorb; however, to offer a little of our experience - all of the above advice is good. We used Canadian Provencial Parks and Alaska state parks as much as we could. We tried to limit our commercial campgrounds to about every third or fourth night - to dump, fill fresh water, etc. The Canadian Provencial parks were wonderful - not at all crowded, always on a stream or lake, well maintained, usually had free firewood, and inexpensive.
Most of all: ENJOY - we surely did.

yes lot to absorb.was looking at mile post book is desie hard to find.it looks far in between? will be asking lots of ? and watching this site thanks everyone for info.
safe travels bob , linda & missyl

popsuscdds · 11-23-2010, 04:17 PM

ccc: If you plan to do some fishing in Alaska for Salmon be sure to plan your trip at a time when the fish are running otherwise you'll get bottom fish or some small halibut.
Have fun !
Milt

new rver · 04-23-2011, 05:52 PM

just tryng to get more info. looking at princess rail tours out of anchorage.and any help finding glacier cruise.getting excited to go.
safe travels bob,linda & missy

Peacekeeper6 · 04-24-2011, 09:17 AM

I was a traveling x-ray/ct tech back in the day. Anchorage, AK was my 4th traveling assignment. My agency initially contracted me to do a 13-week assignment, with an option to extend.

I extended 4 times. I LOVE Alaska.

I was there a full year, and got to experience A LOT. Being an avid fisherman, I was in heaven. If you're a fishing hound like me, go in early AUGUST. There will be a lot of salmon types that'll be in season, and if you can, fish for the silvers. They're a lot easier to catch than kings and fight like hell. Use a fly rod for more success.

Denali by plane, if you have the time and money. (Denali is the same name as Mt. McKinley....but do not, I repeat, DO NOT say "Mt. McKinley" around the locals. That's a DEFINITE social faux pas !)

You HAVE to do a glacier boat tour. Nothing like hearing an huge glaciers calving with a thunderous CRAAAAACK and giving birth to icebergs.

Try to do everything "Alaskan", because there really is NO place like it. I was lucky I was there in winter, because being a dog lover, I got to see the official start of The Iditarod in downtown Anchorage. I believe the record at the time was 9 days, which is really mind-boggling, because the race is 1100 MILES LONG !!!!

Again, as like others have said, you are in for an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy, good luck and HAVE FUN !!

(BTW, I looked up the current Iditarod record: 8 days, 18 hours, 46 minutes, 39 seconds. Un-friggen real....)

Peacekeeper6 · 04-24-2011, 09:20 AM

This is the glacier cruise we took:

Clicky this linky

Definitely worth the money !

Luckiest Dreamer · 04-24-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccc

THANKS,
Thanks for all of the great info. What a forum.
By the way, we spent the last 5 yrs (seasons) aboard our boat on the Great Circle Cruise around the Eastern US and Canada----no schedule and we stuck to it, did it real slow. Boat cruised at 8 mph---max.

See our web page charlesculotta.com

A grand time, we expect to repeat in the RV. Did the central US this summer 4 months and 9,700 miles but on travel days we averaged 151 miles and were at our destination, generally by lunch time.
I have copied all of the above along with the links and put in my ALASKA file.
Thanks again,
CCC

I applaud you on doing the Great Circle in 5 yrs. So many do it in one season and it seems to me all they accomplish is drive a boat without having the time to stop and see what is there. We did it in 4 seasons and missed a lot. Now we get to return in the MH and see what we missed!
Maybe we will see you in Alaska! We are going to fly in and use the Ferry service.

ccc · 04-25-2011, 03:09 PM

ON THE ROAD AGAIN:

We departed for Alaska abt 5 days ago and are now well on our way. About a 1,000miles down and only 4,000 more to get there!

Left the Meredith Lake Park outside of Amarillo this am and made it all the way to Trinidad, Co.. Long hard pull (5hrs), head wind of abt 25-30 all the way. Some road construction for delay. 244 miles today which is 44 over our limit.
Crossed RATON Pass, 7,800 ft, did not realize that it was that high, against the wind and raining!
The rig performed admirably, we were really glad to have the F 250 Super Duty for that climb. The hitch, truck and light trailer,EVERGREEN 31, made the difference, saw a small motor home struggling and a big diesel was NOT pulling away from us.

We are in TRINIDAD state park, get this water and sewer on one side and elec on the other, did I mention that the site is so uneven that even with two blocks under each wheel not even close and this is a paved site. Oh well. Other than that a beautiful park. Well the driveways are exceptionally narrow.
Will probably do the HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS out of here north bound.

Will spend sev days here. Thanks for all the suggestions and as I mentioned, I have printed all and have them in the ALASKA note book.
Just hope that gas does not get much more rediculouly higer than it is. Right.
CCC

JimM68 · 04-26-2011, 08:36 PM

Sounds good. Keep us posted Charles C. At 53, a full time business owner, youngest son is 13... Alaska will remain a dream for me for a while, I just cannot take a whole summer off yet...

So I'll read about yours...

jollyjim · 04-27-2011, 04:50 PM

As someone else suggested, you miight consider coming back on the Cassiar Highway, and visit Hyder Ak. It is really a small interesting town. We drove up the back road north out of Hyder into British Colombia. We drove 10 miles up in the mountains. In one place we saw 7 glaciers around us. Beautiful. Last year a lot of the road was gravel, but there was little or no traffic and lots of wildlife.