Planning a trip to Alaska - a ton of questions

Seraphim · Apr 26, 2012

Retirement pending, we changed our thoughts on the type of vehicle we wanted to roam around in. Just parted with some savings and acquired a GMC 3500 4x4 diesel. Looking for a truck camper to load on back. That combo should take us any remote place we'd like to go.

For example, Alaska next year.

We'll be travelling a lot through Canada, taking a straight shot from Cincinnati.

Questions:

Availability of diesel on the route? Will that be an issue?

Boondocking availability? Occasional electric campsites for recharging?

Advisability of solar on the route - a needed option or a waste of money?

Route suggestions through Canada? So far, I just did a google map check from Cincinnati to Anchorage.

it's 4000 miles one way, just to Anchorage area. Then up to Denali. Need thoughts and advice from those experienced.

rvwandering · Apr 26, 2012

You're going to have a great time! Don't rush it -you'll be retired so you can take as much time as you need. We've gone three time , the latest just last summer. Each time was different ,all were wonderful. The first time we spent so much time in Canada that we were just getting into Alaska in late August when everyone else was leaving. That trip was a little wet but fortunately it was a warm year and we stayed until  October. The next trip we got there in June, stayed all summer and had sunny warm weather. Last year we got to Alaska in early August after spending about a month in BC. Summer was cool and wet and by mid September ,when we left, it was getting pretty cold.  I don't know about diesel but there are gas stations spaced out along the route. You have to watch your fuel and fill up when it's available.  Great boondocking everywhere except around the cities. Most of the larger cities allow overnighting in Walmart etc.Anchorage doesn't allow overnighting in store parking lots.  Solar works but the sun is at an angle. More hours of daylight makes up for it some. All of the driving keeps the batteries charged too.  The prairie provinces  in Canada are a bit dull. BC is gorgeous. Plan on spending some time in the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. You probably won't need four wheel drive but the high clearance is nice. We boondocked along rivers and streams. Getting down the banks to the flat gravel spots would have been tricky without the extra clearance.  There aren't a lot of roads and all of the main ones are paved or have very good gravel surfaces but they're always working on sections so expect some bad spots. We prefer to go north through BC on Route 37 and back south on the Alaska Highway ( no good boondocking around the oil fields section in BC) to avoid a lot of the other travelers who are in more of a hurry.  Take all of the side trips if you have time. We didn't go to Prudhoe Bay or on the Denali Highway which is a gravel road that cuts across Alaska. I've heard that the Denali Highway is pretty deserted , a good place for seeing wildlife and boondocking. Some people claim that it's a better experience than visiting the national park.  There's more information on our blog. Check the maps for some of the places that we boondocked.

Seraphim · Apr 26, 2012

Thanks for the info and encouragement. Have to look at the areas we want to visit - a nice leisurely trip.

Enjoy your website.

OlJoe · Apr 26, 2012

Thanks for the good tips - I'm waiting on the passport renewal to go through, and in the meantime tinkering with the camper and trying to get a feel for what to do/not to do on this trip.  I'll be heading north from Oregon, to Alaska, about mid-may, hopefully - but then since I just retired it doesn't really matter much, does it?  I too am curious about border crossing and inspections, (I guess any firearm in a rig can cause extra hassle in Canada, much less handguns, so I guess my "bear protection" will be a big stick and an offputting American attitude.)  Besides a healthy portion of inexperience, I'm hoping to just head generally north, try not to argue with the Magellan too much, and see what's up the road.  If all goes well, I should arrive in Fairbanks in time for my first grandchild's birth; from then on, I'm going to try not to have much of a schedule, and just see more of this country.  If it turns out to be a lot of Ramen noodles and beans, then so be it, as long as I continue to be lucky enough to have 'em at all!  Hob in Training  Ol' Joe

rvwandering · Apr 26, 2012

OlJoe - There are ways to bring guns in legally but since we don't carry one we've never checked into it. People with Texas plates have told us that they get searched a lot because the Canadian border guards think all Texans are hiding guns somewhere. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> It's super safe. At least we have not had the slightest problem.  Make sure that you have a passport or one of the new identity cards. Both countries want to see it. Different food items get confiscated at different times and crossing. I guess beef may be a problem again since the latest mad cow discovery. We've found that Canadian guards want specifics about where you're going and how long you'll be in Canada. Some don't have any sense of humor. Have a good trip!

akrvbob · Apr 26, 2012

Having lived in Alaska for over 40 years, and driven the Alcan (Alaska Highway) over a dozen times, I have some suggestions. However, i can't really answer right now. tommorrow i will give you a detailed answer. By the way, carrying a long-arm through Canada is not hard at all. The last time i drove it (December, 2006) I brought a short barreled (18 1/2 inches) 12 gauge shotgun with me. All you have to do is fill out their forms and give them $50. It is possible to bring some handguns through, but it is very restricted. On the form it asks why you want to carry the firearm, I just said I was an Alaskan and needed it for bear protection. Canadians aren't stupid, they know that is a valid reason to own a shotgun. Had I said I wanted protection from criminals, they probably would have locked me up (maybe they aren't so bright) Bob

OlJoe · Apr 26, 2012

Thanks for the word - Their country, their rules.  Otherwise, if I do encounter a bear I just might have to debate with him until he decides it's just not worth it and leaves.  Joe

Les H · Apr 26, 2012

OlJoe said:
Ã‚Â Thanks for the word - Their country, their rules. Ã‚Â Otherwise, if I do encounter a bear I just might have to debate with him until he decides it's just not worth it and leaves. Ã‚Â Joe

Haha!!!
Just remember, you don't have to run fast, just faster than your buddy!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

Guest · Apr 26, 2012

Hi guy, Like Bob I spent many years in Alaska, and lived  in about 8 places there. Haines, Skagway, Delta Junction, Healy, Denali National Park, Cooper Landing, Sterling and Kodiak Island. About 22 years. I also lived in a vintage travel trailer, bus conversion and a van there.  I drove the Alcan a few times and the Cassiar hwy (Provincial Hwy.37) a few times and have taken the ferry the full length a few times and many ferry  rides between various southeast Alaskan cities. Lotsa flights all over too. I say, who needs tips?  Get a copy of the Milepost guidebook for the drive and wing it the rest of the way. Make it an adventure.  Like Bob I carried a shorty pump shotgun several times and shipped handguns back and forth and believe me it is not worth the hassle. You won't need one but if you absolutely feel better carrying something, take the shotgun. A short 12 gauge pump is a good choice. Once upon a long time ago, Alaskans could take handguns back and forth through Canada and they just sealed them up and you were supposed to stop at Canadian customs and check them out of the country. Unfortunately Alaskans tend to be a pretty independent  breed and too many never checked them out of the country...so as far as the Canadian government knew the guns could still be there. Well they have much stronger gun laws there and they think handguns are for killing people...silly gooses.....and since in the 70's and 80's there was an armed insurrection going on in Quebec....it was a real dilemma... So... a few specific long arms only and as Bob sez, lotsa bs to go through. I wouldn't bother. Tony and Karen gave you some good stuff and there is little else to say....it is an easy but long and tedious drive up there...with some outstanding views to be sure...be sure and take every chance to stop and check things out....especially Liard Hotsprings...a wonderful soak and good little campground. If the bears haven't taken over.....they closed the upper pool the last times I was there, due to bears. Diesel is everywhere in the world that they use trucks to haul goods....that is one reason why world traveling overlanders nearly always use diesel vehicles. One thing I noticed over the years is that the roadhouses were fewer and fewer every time I traveled the highway...make sure you fill up wherever you can if it is the same now as it was 15 or so years ago. Fuel will blow your mind at the cost along the highway. When I drove my bus down and back in winter 1981/82 I paid about $5.00 a gallon for regular at the most remote roadhouses ( it was about $1.40 in the states)...I have no idea what it may cost now... I would recommend a trip to Alaska to everyone but if I were going up again I would take the most fuel efficient vehicle I could. In my case these days it would be a motorcycle. In all the time I lived in Alaska I only had 4wd the last couple years and never used it then. To be sure it is nice to have, as many things are. Anyhoo, enjoy and have a great trip. Bri

yesican · Apr 27, 2012

Also, there really aren't many roads in Alaska.  A few main roads and then "spurs" off of them that really don't go too far.  4 wheel drive in Alaska may not be a necessary thing...I have one here only because I drive to patient's homes and driveways can be a bear even in good weather.Rae

akrvbob · Apr 27, 2012

I am a member of Yahoo group called PhotoTravel, and these are a series of posts to them about photograpahy in Alaska. Since you are looking for the beauty of Alaksa, I think it will help you also;: =============== I lived in Anchorage for 40 years, just retired and left last December (2006), so I know a little about it. June and July are the best time to go. August is the rainy season in Southcentral AK, so rain gear is a priority. Evenings are cool so jackets and warm blankets are a priority. Here are the places I take friends and family when they visit. I am giving a star rating to each place, 5 is a "do-not-miss" ***** The drive North of Anchorage on the Glenn Hiway to Matanuska Glacier (about 115 miles one way) is a high priority to me when I have company. There are no prettier drives anywhere in the world and you can walk right out on the Matanuska glacier!! **** Drive 10 miles north of Anchorage to Eagle River and drive back to the Eagle River Nature Center. Gorgeous! **** Hatchers Pass Road from Palmer to Wasilla is right through some gorgeous mountains and highly recommended. it's very close to Anchorage so no long trip required. *** Drive up to Glen Alps off of Omalley Rd. for an incredible view of Anchorage at sunset, get directions from a local. ***** The whole drive around Cook Inlet from Anchorage to Seward is fantastic. Pull off at all the view spots and be stunned. **** Go back to Alyeska Lodge and take the ski lift to the top. ***** Drive back to Portage Glacier. Take the time to explore the whole valley. ** The drive back to Hope is pretty, but with only a week it's a low priority. ***** Drive to Seward. Very pretty drive and a great little city in a stunning setting. If she has the time and money, there are many big charters offering whale, glacier and wildlife viewing trips out of Seward and Whitier. *** Go back to Exit Glacier if you have time. The drive from Kenai lake along the Kenai River all the way to Sterling is gorgeous. But from Sterling south to Homer it is mostly flat and boring. Kenai and Soldatna aren't worth anything but fishing, buying supplies and terrible traffic. ***** Homer is Fantastic. I love Homer! it has such an amazing atmosphere and feel to it. She could spend a couple days there just absorbing it. The best thing to do to take a charter/sightseeing boat across the bay. They will usually pull into a cove, feed you lunch and show you the bottom in a glass bottom boat. Make sure they stop at Puffin Island. It is just what it sounds like, a Puffin Rookery. Well worth it. You can also take a water taxi over to Seldovia, a little fishing village across the bay. If time and money is limited, just skip this. ***** Bear pictures are easy to get with a fly-in charter. The logistics of getting to Brooks camp and Katmai NP are a nightmare so I recommend a fishing fly-in charter. They fly you into the bush and they know where the Salmon are running. If there are Salmon, there are also lots of bears! So the charters have added bear viewing to their trips. They take you in for the afternoon, take you up the river with a photo guide and you are right on top of the bears, just like Brooks camp except it is an easy flight out of Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer and only costs around $400 for the afternoon. Rust's Flying Service is the premier service. Google them. ***** If you have time and money take the State Ferry from Whittier to Valdez and then drive back to Anchorage. Beautiful beyond belief!! =============== This is a reply I sent to this group several years ago. I saved it and send it whenever someone asks about AK, so it may not be specific to you. Interior Alaska (by that I mean north of Mt Mckinley) is not very photogenic, IMHO, it is rolling hills and not very pretty trees. Photographically, Southcentral Alaska is the place to be (Denali NP to Homer). I spent 6 weeks hiking, hunting, and rafting the Shenjek River valley of the Brooks range but it is a fly-in only out of Yukon Village.  If you want to see the Arctic, a flight charter is the way to go. The Dalton Highway just doesn't really show it to you. In my youth I spent a summer giving tours in a little Eskimo village called Kotzebue. People flew in on 737s and either spent the night or went on to Barrow to spend the night. That is the real Arctic, Alaska few people bother to see!! I recommend you consider one of those trips. Especially an overnighter to Barrow around June 21 when you can get time-lapsed shots of the midnight sun not setting over the ocean. Don't bother with Nome. It was never an Eskimo village, it is a mining town that is below the Arctic Circle.

Seraphim · Apr 27, 2012

Thanks everyone. The information is fantastic, and I feel much better about making the trip. Looks like we'll be out at least 2 months . Better plan on longer though lol. May not want to come back!

Found the Milepost online. good information.

Guest · Apr 27, 2012

[QUOTE Haha!!! Just remember, you don't have to run fast, just faster than your buddy!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> ][/quote] That is the reason some people carry a handgun when in bear country Les....the only thing it is good for  is to shoot whoever is with you in the knee and give yourself time to get away....<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> Bri

lampliter · Apr 27, 2012

GuardAlaska bear spray, short-barrelled 12 gauge that will handle a 3 in magnum---just in case the bear spray doesn't work. Report from a friend-2 years ago-that the roads are bad.

yesican · Apr 28, 2012

That was excelllent Bob...you hit most of the highlights of Alaska.  There are many hikes on the Seward and Sterling hwy's.  Seward hwy hikes are especially beautiful and get you some superb views of Kenai Lake.  The beauty is absolutely breath taking.  But, then so is Seldovia and Homer.  You can't go wrong with Bob's suggestion.  They are all great.Rae

Seraphim · Apr 28, 2012

Thanks Rae. We'll make that three months. Not really sure we want to winter there, though lol.

Lifemagician · Jul 21, 2012

With The Milepost you really have all the information you are going to need. I have just got back from my third solo trip to AK, and the first one in my van.  This time I started on the east coast, and after visiting MI, IL, MN and MO, went through Missoula, Bonner's Ferry, and in Canada, Creston,  Revelstoke, Kamloops and Prince George.  After Prince Rupert, I backtracked to the Cassiar Hwy, to Hyder then onto Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Skagway and Haines, and into Tok.  Anchorage and Fairbanks were the main places I visited, as this visit was completely focused on driving to The James W Dalton Highway - The Haul Road. Coming back I took the Richardson and Alcan from Fairbanks to Ft Nelson, then the Liard Trail and MacKenzie Hwy to Yellowknife.  From there it was Enterprise, Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and back into the Lower 48 at Havre.... and back to the east coast... whence I started.  Total 15000 miles. On my previous trips I have driven the full length of the Alaska Highway (three times), Top of the World Highway and Klondike Highway, as well as the Icefields Parkway and the Sea to Sky Highway in southwestern Canada.  Those trips have also seen me travel to Valdez, Homer and Seward, and of course the great National Parks and everything else there was to see along the way. It is a great trip.  In your time frame you would be able to see all of the above... and more. Whereas pulling into rest areas and other parking areas along the road in the lower 48 is generally not recommended, in Northern Canada and AK it is not only quite safe, but I was actually on two occasions refered to such areas by the local constabulary. Lifey (Is this the only way to post a link on this forum?) http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?30053-Heading-for-the-Horizon-2012

Lifemagician · Jul 21, 2012

I have to endorse the comments made by tonyandkaren, travelling up north is perfectly safe.  As a senior female travelling solo, I have now made the trip three times, and have never had the slightest concern for my welfare.  I am of course, assuming that you will be taking your common sense (and lots and lots of mosquito deterent). There are challenging roads in AK and North West Canada, and if you are the adventurous type, and are capable of driving at 25 - 35 mph, you will thoroughly enjoy them.   The Denali is one of the them.  A rocky, muddy, gravel road.  Well, it was when I drove it in the pouring rain, almost all the way.   None the less - spectacular!  I highly recommend it. The Dalton was always my dream.  If you plan to tackle this road, make sure you check with the BLM office in Fairbanks, and be prepared!  If your vehicle is more important to you than the adventure... if any damage (stones thrown up) to it is going to upset you... then those roads are not for you. Enjoy the adventure. Lifey

IGBT · Jun 4, 2013

So I noticed you now recently officially retired...is the journey to Alaska starting this summer? We are heading up there in 2016.  It was going to be 2015, but we get a big bonus in Sept from work and want to snag that before saying bye bye to the jobs.  Leaving for Alaska in October would be.....brrrrr...so we are going to drive down to the Florida Keys and spend the winter there. So maybe see you up in Alaska in 2016 if you are still there

Willy · Jun 5, 2013

 What they all said and, unless you're with law enforcement, don't even THINK about trying to bring a handgun into Canada. Also, read up on barrel length restrictions for longarms and what modifications are allowed. ..Willy.

Planning a trip to Alaska - a ton of questions

Help Support Van Living Forum:

Well-known member

Administrator

Well-known member

Member

Administrator

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Guest

Guest

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Guest

Guest

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!