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Topic ClosedAlaska Planning
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Joined: 03 Jul 2017
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Alaska Planning
    Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 3:47pm
We visited AK in '17 also. If you're comfortable in a semi-primitive campground, I recommend Kusawa Lake CG https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/site/kusawa-lake. 
Finding gas wasn't really a problem, but next time I'll pay more attention. I didn't really like refueling at self-service facility(don't recall where) 
and a similar one in Burwash Landing. 
We returned on the Cassiar Hwy and I don't recall any problems with gas. 
I was disappointed by all the people at Denali NP, it was like Yosemite, Zion, and Smoky Mtns. Finding a site was a problem in Seward(the weekend, an RV park 3-5 mi. N was better than the overflow lot) and Lake Louise/Banff(very, very popular, but the McLeod Meadows CG, Kootenay NP was almost empty).  
We took 6 weeks to/from Alaska and it wasn't enough time. We had a house-sitter, so mail wasn't a problem, and our postmistress has been very nice to us. The one time we did a mail-order while gone, we got it from the PO General Delivery where we knew we'd be in a few days. 
Alaska is an extremely interesting place, and I wish I'd visited there sooner. I know I'm going to enjoy going back again.
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 3:11pm
Good advice! We have found that the gray water tank fills up first though. But by then, the fresh tank is empty so we would need to find a place to dump the full tanks and fill the empty tank anyway. If we take (and I don't see where we would't) our generator, I would be carrying at least a 5 gallon gas can anyway. Is there any trouble at the borders (US and Canadian) if one is carrying gas cans?
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Posts: 316 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 12:40pm
We carried 5 gallon and 2.5 gallon cans on the trip down the Cassiar and did not need them. However you are correct it can be tight if the station run by a First Nation settlement south of Boya Lakes is not open. We towed a 179 with a Nissan Frontier so we had a safe 200 mile range without the extra gas. It looks like gas is available at AH146 (that's 146 miles from the ALCAN junction), Iskut AH198 and and Bell II AH 353. Yes PP is Provincial Park if you don't mind dry camping they are the best. However be advised dump stations can be hard to find so use your black water tank judiciously.  
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 12:14pm
Now I am going to have to go to the maps to see the routing and places. I take it PP means Provincial Park.

What about gasoline stations? I guess that with the ALCAN, there would be sufficient stations to not have to worry about running out. What about the Cassiar Highway?
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Posts: 316 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 11:52am
One more thing We went up the ALCAN and down the Cassiar Highway the Cassiar is more isolated than the ALCAN but worth the extra planning. We stayed at Boya Lake PP and Meziadin PP with a day trip down to Hyder, AK to see the bears. 
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 10:50am
Originally posted by ronahue

I agree with Woodmiester. We did this trip in 2017 it was really a piece of cake. Get the latest copy on "The Milepost" which will be out in March have the navigator keep it open on their lap and enjoy the trip. The one caveat is plan more time than you think you will need we spent 74 days on the trip from Boston to Alaska and back 16,000 miles and only saw the south east corner of Alaska. Don't miss Liard Hot Springs for at least one night and if you can get reservations at Teklanika campground in Denali plan at least 3 nights there. "The Milepost" is indispensable on on any trip up to Alaska. If you have specific questions and want to PM me please do.
Thank you. This is helpful.
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Posts: 316 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 8:53am
I agree with Woodmiester. We did this trip in 2017 it was really a piece of cake. Get the latest copy on "The Milepost" which will be out in March have the navigator keep it open on their lap and enjoy the trip. The one caveat is plan more time than you think you will need we spent 74 days on the trip from Boston to Alaska and back 16,000 miles and only saw the south east corner of Alaska. Don't miss Liard Hot Springs for at least one night and if you can get reservations at Teklanika campground in Denali plan at least 3 nights there. "The Milepost" is indispensable on on any trip up to Alaska. If you have specific questions and want to PM me please do.
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Posts: 142 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 8:41am
As far as the fear of traveling alone, rest your fears.  There are so many RVers on these highways and  unlike in the lower 48, everyone helps everyone.  We have made this trip and have encountered RVers with a multitude of problems but have never experienced anyone being left on their own.  We (and others) always stop if we see a problem and do whatever we need to do to get these folks back on the road.  

Please don't let this fear keep you from traveling to Alaska.  I promise you will meet the nicest, most helpful people you can imagine.  I cannot imagine traveling on a schedule.  You will want to pause and enjoy every moment of it.

JUST GO!!
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 5:27pm
Yes, as I said in the other topic, the final route has yet to be determined, but I do hope we can see some of the more spectacular landscape the US and Canada have to offer. That is why we want to make this trip instead of booking another cruise to Alaska. There isn't much landscape to see when one is away from the shoreline.
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 3:00pm
Figured I'd post up over here and get ya active again!

I fell so in love with the Canadian Rockies that I will go back at some point. Alaska is a reach or goal I may not do, so kiddo's to you for doing the deed! 

I will return and catch Northwest Terriitories and Yukon Provinces, two I have no touched in Canada. Especially with the road to the Arctic Ocean now open! But that is just too much of an add to your trip.. Besides, it's my goal and you have yours.

Your going to have a hard time slowing down as to travel north through the Canadian Rockies, yet I can not stress enough to plan a little extra time as you do. It's going to amaze you! Be ready for this! I wasn't or actually hoped it would and it just blew me away! 

Return trip down the west side of the Rockies has it's pluses with going through Washington and Oregon. Two states well worth seeing. Yet if you've never been down the east side and into Utah.. Don't hesitate. The trip south is just beyond words as to how wonderful the landscape is. When you do reach Utah and explore around the Big Five and the Minors and those eve less than, you wonder why you have visited before. 

You have an amazing trip ahead of you! 
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