North! To Alaska...

Henro · Dec 24, 2004

I might be competing for the crown as the most unrelated related post... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But for a couple years I have had it in my head that I want to drive up to Alaska. Take the time it takes...maybe 2 months...just do it! and all that.

Now the better half is not all that interested. And I hate to think about doing it alone, but might consider it. Trouble is that while she likes visiting Japan, to see friends and family, summer is not a good time for a Japan visit. Too hot and humid. So if she would not accompany me on the Alaska jaunt, then she would be home alone while I was on the road. Not to imply that this would be a bad thing! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But really that is a side issue, and I think if it got to the point where I was REALLY going, she would be by my side.

So now the question. I was thinking of a loop, one side, probably going, up through Canada and the return through the Northern US.

Time is not an issue (to me anyway).

Time line in my mind would be to depart Western PA in late May, early June, timed to arrive at the end of June, when the days are longest up there.

So...now the question. Any advice? Does this make sense. Is late June too early to arrive?

We would likely be camping a large part of the time, sleeping in my E350 full sized Ford van.

Can't think of any other details at the moment.

Should I or shouldn't I(we)?

I keep thinking we should, not sure if worst case I should. I am sure if she did not want to go she would tell me to do it alone. Not sure I want to do it alone.

What do you guys think? Worth the trip either way?

Or not?

thcri · Dec 24, 2004

Now I finally figured out how you can come up with some of the craziest posts. 2 months, you must have all kinds of free time on your hands to come up with them. I sure wished I could take off two months. I haven't had two months off in a combines 5 years. But, Alaska is awful nice, and you northern route would probably take you through Minnesota! Naw I couldn't in the summer being in air conditioning.

I guess if you can do it, go for it.

murph

daedong · Dec 24, 2004

Bill,

How many miles would this be for the round trip?

Go for it, But take a little camper trailer if going away that long, something like this. they are light to tow and make trips much more ejoyable

http://www.cavaliercampertrailers.com.au/onroad.htm

Bird · Dec 24, 2004

Bill, I've mentioned on here before that we drove from Dallas to Anchorage in 11 days (4,000 miles) in 1972, spent 9 days in Alaska, fishing at Seward then up to Fairbanks, and 11 days back home; left Dallas July 1 and got back July 31. I had a one year old (1971) 3/4 ton Chevy pickup and was pulling a new 24' Holiday Vacationer travel trailer. See the attachment. In those days it was over 1,000 miles of dirt and gravel road each way; only had to be pulled up one muddy hill by a tractor, and met some folks who didn't know about putting the plywood on the front of the trailer before hitting the Alaska Highway, so they had rocks that went right through the front of their trailers. We only had one flat on the trailer and two on the rear of the truck but literally ground the back tires off the truck. They had 12,000 miles on them the day we left Dallas and were slick and replaced the day we got back. Of course I also jarred a couple of hubcabs off, cracked a weld on the trailer hitch, broke a tailpipe hangar 3 times, and a few other little problems like that. And the dust got inside the trailer into everything, including the refrigerator.

Then we drove up again in June of 1990 with a 1989 one ton dually Chevy and a 32' Carri-lite fifth-wheel trailer. The road has all been paved now, except for those quarter mile to 11 mile stretches under construction in the summer. Only had to be pulled about 10 miles through the mud by a big road grader (maintainer) after we got in Alaska. But of course, even the paved roads have frost heaves and break up. I averaged 25 MPH the last 135 miles of Canada, and that was too fast; ruined two trailer tires and broke one shock mount. However, part of the problem was that I had 7,300 pounds on those two 3,500 pound axles.

Then we drove up again with that rig (after replacing the entire suspension with 5,200 pound axles, heavier duty tires, wheels, etc.) the last week of March 1991. It was 32F when we crossed from Montana into Canada and -5F when we crossed from Canada into Alaska, but not a single problem. It was too early for them to have started the summer repairs and construction and there wasn't much traffic. We did have to be careful of icy roads and to avoid a few moose and caribou, and I had chains for the truck, but never needed them. We came back in August with no problems. On the way back, at one rest stop, I visited with another old timer who had made the trip before and he said, "It's not an adventure anymore; just hard dirty work." I think he was right.

I think you'd really enjoy the trip, especially if you're in no hurry, and I'd love to do it again myself, but the only thing I can tell you for sure is that no matter who you talk to that has made the trip before; don't believe what they tell you about the roads because they work on them all summer and it'll be entirely different this year from what it was last year. I mentioned above about being towed 10 miles. A month later, on the return trip that was the widest, smoothest section of asphalt road of the entire trip. The rough spots going up may be smooth coming back and vice versa. Gasoline prices may make you cry, but the trip is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

_RaT_ · Dec 24, 2004

I've driven it twice and flown a couple of times. I took the Stewart highway both times. It's a pretty easy trip and well worth it. Even the campgrounds were nice when we found them or wanted one. My suggestion is don't drive to fast. September is my favorite time up there. From July to August, it's amazing how crowded it can get. As big as the state is, there are not many roads.

Golfgar4 · Dec 24, 2004

Not sure when we'll be doing the exact same thing, Bill, but it'll be sometime after I retire this July. But when we do, we're going to do it in something similar to what you see in the attachment. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Don't know if it'll make it easier, but should be more comfortable anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Archdean · Dec 24, 2004

( I might be competing for the crown as the most unrelated related post... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But for a couple years I have had it in my head that I want to drive up to Alaska. Take the time it takes...maybe 2 months...just do it! and all that.

Now the better half is not all that interested. And I hate to think about doing it alone, but might consider it. Trouble is that while she likes visiting Japan, to see friends and family, summer is not a good time for a Japan visit. Too hot and humid. So if she would not accompany me on the Alaska jaunt, then she would be home alone while I was on the road. Not to imply that this would be a bad thing! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But really that is a side issue, and I think if it got to the point where I was REALLY going, she would be by my side.

So now the question. I was thinking of a loop, one side, probably going, up through Canada and the return through the Northern US.

Time is not an issue (to me anyway).

Time line in my mind would be to depart Western PA in late May, early June, timed to arrive at the end of June, when the days are longest up there.

So...now the question. Any advice? Does this make sense. Is late June too early to arrive?

We would likely be camping a large part of the time, sleeping in my E350 full sized Ford van.

Can't think of any other details at the moment.

Should I or shouldn't I(we)?

I keep thinking we should, not sure if worst case I should. I am sure if she did not want to go she would tell me to do it alone. Not sure I want to do it alone.

What do you guys think? Worth the trip either way?

Or not? )

I lived in Alaska for 14 years prior to retiring to Oklahoma in 1992 I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability !

1. If your driving you are going to go into Canada! (your question was confusing to me) at any rate I have made this trip several times, Driving/Flying private plane and via Motor Home..
Options from PGH,
a. contact a Motor home dealer and offer to deliver a new unit
to Anchorage!
b. use your POV to drive the northern route (I94,I90,I15(Lewis&Clark Trail) and enter Alberta Canada from Montana >Calgary>Dawson Creek,BC>Whitehorse, Yukon>Enter Alaska at Beaver Creek>Fairbanks AK..
c. Return: > Anchorage AK> Then Via Ferry along the inland waterway to Vancouver and then it's up to you!

You will have experienced the most majestic scenery in the world and will be relatively easy on you and your wife!

I am not a fan of trailers for this trip, reason you will rarely disconnect and you will soon get tired of that **** box behind you! There is nothing wrong with your Idea (E350 Van)and it will reward you for a lifetime!

Ice is usually out by Mid June and road business's and passes are open!!

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

YES YOU SHOULD !! BOTH OF YOU!!

v8dave · Dec 25, 2004

Time your trip after the thick of the mosquito season. I seem to recall after June. Maybe Archdean can help here.

Two mosquitos in the Alaska outback fly out and kill a Moose.
One mosquito asks the other: "You think we ought to take this moose back home?"
The other mosquito replies: "Nope, if we do the big guys in the neighborhood will just take it away from us."

isucrazy · Dec 25, 2004

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Kinda the way I hear it to. I heard them alaskin skeeters can stand flat footed and give a wild turkey a kiss on the lips! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bird · Dec 25, 2004

( Time your trip after the thick of the mosquito season. I seem to recall after June )

I don't know about your recall. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif The worst and thickest swarms of mosquitos I've ever seen was on the trip in July '72. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif And while there were more than plenty, for some reason they didn't seem nearly as bad in '90 and '91. We kept the can of Deep Woods Off handy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif