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Old 05-03-2018, 10:48 AM   #1
Wheelhouse
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Heading for Alaska from San Francisco, CA

We are leaving about the 10th of May to Portland and Seattle. After Mother's Day starting for Alaska. Our plan is to travel about 2 months +/-. If anyone is traveling that time period, maybe we could caravan some distance. We will travel the caravan routes by-passing The Sky Highway route. Family rv'ers have advised me not to and there is a video on YouTube that convinced me, lol.
I found some good YouTube travel videos to preview the routes before going.
If anyone has recommendations where to stay and what to see along the way, please let us know. We purchased the MilePost catalog to help us along.
Happy Trails all and drive safe.
 
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Old 05-17-2018, 05:17 PM   #2
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We are planning on the Alaska trip next year and I am curious what is the “caravan route” and Skyhighway route? I have ordered Milepost and will be looking forward to any reports about your trip. Happy Trails!
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Old 05-17-2018, 11:35 PM   #3
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I also used the caravans to plot my route the first time to AK. Just make sure to NOT arrive at campgrounds the same day as the caravans do!! They will be full.
Depending on when you get to AK, beware of the frost heaves. I went last time in July and the roads were better because they had time to work on them - although a few construction delays. First time up we left U.S. mid June and bad roads. They have little flags along the road where there are heaves. First one I found I slowed down to about 25 MPH but it was nothing. So next one I cruised thru at 40-45. Big mistake!! I had 5 cabinet doors open and stuff on the floor at my next stop. Have fun and stop at that place by a bridge over a river that has BIG cinnamon rolls. Mentioned in the Milepost.
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Old 05-18-2018, 04:12 AM   #4
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We went to Alaska in 2016. We took the Alaska Highway going up and the Cassiar highway coming back. Along the Cassiar highway we stopped at Mountain Shadow campground and found it to be very nice.

In Seward BC/Hyder Alaska, you can see the bears catching salmon. Unfortunately, we were about two weeks too early to see that. So you have to time that one carefully.

I found Whittier, Alaska (about an hour out of Anchorage) to be a very interesting place. I wish I had researched the place before going there, I would have looked at a few more things there and I would have seen the place in a different light.

We are planning to go back next year, this time with another couple. We did not go to Homer last time and plan to do that next time.

Dawson City, Yukon is a fascinating place. If you go on the Top of the World highway, take it in an easterly rather than westerly direction. There will be a shorter line at the ferry.

That's all I can think of right now. If you have any specific questions, let me know.
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Old 05-18-2018, 07:28 AM   #5
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LoanOak, where you surprised at the difference in the top of the world highway between the US and Canadian side? Canada nice smooth hardpacked dirt/gravel. US side narrow, right over bare bolders, rough. Oh, except near the border where the US paved about 7 miles. That had us thinking, this is a nice road - until we hit the dirt!!
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Old 05-18-2018, 08:01 AM   #6
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The worst part was near Chicken where there were some tight turns. You need to stay on your side of the road coming around those turns. We were towing a 34' fifth wheel at the time (SOB) and a guy roaring past in a dually just about clipped us coming by. The Canadian side definitely had better roads.
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Old 05-18-2018, 06:12 PM   #7
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There are some pros and cons to starting the trip early.

Pros:
-Not hard to find open camping spots
-Fewer bugs
-Wildlife more active
-Few backups for road construction

Cons:
-More frost heaves - some not marked well, so take it slow
-Some campgrounds may not have water turned on - carry some in your tank

This is a great trip, take your time. Bring a good camera. Don't miss Laird Hot Springs. Spend plenty of time studying your Milepost. Have a plan but be willing to deviate as you get input along the way.
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Old 05-24-2018, 10:46 PM   #8
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Thank you all the tips. We are leaving Tuesday after Memorial weekend instead. Found two holding tanks damaged and replaced.
Modifying caravan route to be in Fairbanks for the Summer Solstice festival. It will be 24 hours of daylight, the longest day of our life, lol. We ŵill finish caravan routes going to Haines and ferry to Skagway. That will save a12 hour 600 mile trip to Skagway. About $200, 2 hour relax ferry ride.
Not sure of Mendenhall Glacier this trip or wait to do it on a cruise. No roads to Juneau, water taxi from Haines or Skagway.
Still would like meet anyone going to Alaska.
Happy trails.
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Old 05-25-2018, 04:07 AM   #9
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When you are in Fairbanks, I suggest you check out the visitor center. It is the best one anywhere! Even the Milepost states that.


There is a small museum attached to it, and one of the exhibits shows what it is like to live in Alaska. I though it was fascinating, and very well done! There is also awesome internet there, if you need to catch up on any internet stuff.


This place is free and well worth a visit. The people working there are also very nice and helpful.
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:26 AM   #10
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We did a cruise to Alaska and visited Alaska and I believe there is a lumberjack show there. Mendenhall Glacier was incredible. We took a tour to there from the ship.
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Old 05-25-2018, 07:08 AM   #11
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The Alaska Fish Bake in Fairbanks is also worth going to.
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Old 05-25-2018, 07:26 AM   #12
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Hope you're good at backing, because unless it's changed you my very well have to back down the loading ramp of the Haines ferry to Skagway.
When we were there about 4 years ago with our 40' SOB and Dually we had to back down the ramp as the Ferry loads from the front side, not the usual drive on one end and off the other.
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