Alaska trip report

[K5IP]

OK gang, we are back. After a two month, 10K mile trip to Alaska, I am glad to report the following:

Absolutely no problems with the old 95 Cummins. not even a flat tire (Michellins all the way around, even the trailer). Thanks Michellin.



Average fuel milage was 14. 1 while towing, 21. 1 solo (corrected for odometer errors) Towing 21. 5 Nash 5th wheel. Happy for good mileage as fuel sometimes reached $4. 50/gal in Canada.



We hit the Sockeye salmon run right on time. Filled up our 5. 1 cu ft freezer with these wonderfull creatures. (Combat fishing on the Keneai river)



This was our third driving trip and the Alcan highway keeps getting better. The Casiar highway was washed out in several places but we were always able to get through.



Will I do it again? You bet!!

Rog

 

[Tractorat]

$4. 50 for diesel in Canada isnt bad. Went I made the trip in late May/early June, I had to pay as high as almost $6/gal in some places in Canada.



TRat

 

[Grizzly]

We paid US equivalent $5. 00 per gal in Whitehorse and $5. 00 US per gal in Skagway, Alaska last year, 06. We also paid $3. 50 per gal in Washington state and Utah on our way home from our 11,000 mile trip. Are we going to do it again, you bet, next year. Sounds like a good trip K5IP.

 

[moparguy]

Great report. You do understand, it's OK to give all the little details on the trip. LOL



Someday,,,,,,,



RJR

 

[JCasper]

I hope to make that trip someday. It sounds like a lot of fun.



How long do I need from Portland Oregon? Is 3 weeks to short?

 

[Tractorat]

I made the trip from Seattle in about 3 weeks in late May/early June. It was a great trip and a great time. I saw a lot of stuff. But next time, I think I might try to stretch it out to 4 weeks. (I took about 6 days up from Seattle, and 7 days back)



TRat

 

[Grizzly]

I hope to make that trip someday. It sounds like a lot of fun.

How long do I need from Portland Oregon? Is 3 weeks to short?

You can do in 3 weeks, but don't bother to take your camera along because you won't have time to stop and take pictures. It took us 2 1/2 weeks to get from Albuquerque to Fairbanks and two months to do the whole trip. If you are going to make the trip give yourself at least 6 weeks, min. Your biggest expense is going to be fuel, lots of fuel.

 

[JCasper]

You can do in 3 weeks, but don't bother to take your camera along because you won't have time to stop and take pictures. It took us 2 1/2 weeks to get from Albuquerque to Fairbanks and two months to do the whole trip. If you are going to make the trip give yourself at least 6 weeks, min. Your biggest expense is going to be fuel, lots of fuel.

It will be quite a few years before I do it. I don't have the ability to take that much time off right now. I'm sure it is a lot of fun though.

 

[Grizzly]

It will be quite a few years before I do it. I don't have the ability to take that much time off right now. I'm sure it is a lot of fun though.

On our first trip to Alaska, I had been retired one day when we set off on our trip. I had waited five years to do that. The next best thing to do is to fly to Anchorage, rent an RV and do a tour.

 

[JCasper]

On our first trip to Alaska, I had been retired one day. I had waited five years to do that. The next best thing to do is to fly to Anchorage, rent an RV and do a tour.

I am only 28. I won't be retiring for quite some time.

 

[RMachida]

My norm has been about 5 days each way between OR and AK. The shortest trip was 2 1/2 days but that was almost 20 hrs per day.

 

[JCasper]

My norm has been about 5 days each way between OR and AK. The shortest trip was 2 1/2 days but that was almost 20 hrs per day.

Wow, that's really moving.



A friend of mine and his dad did it in 3 days once. They were driving fast and for a long time each day.

 

[WDaniels]

K5IP,

You should've stopped in Fairbanks and given me a call. Might have helped you with the sight seeing. Cummins Pilot might have also kicked in some ideas too. Between the two of us we could've set you up for some good stuff. Am really surprised that you got to get into the Russian River to fish. That is worse than combat fishing. It's so bad I haven't been there in over 20 years.

WD

 

[K5IP]

WD,

We actually found some places along the Keneai where we had quit a bit of elbow room. Maybe 50 ft or so to the next fisherman. We do have friends in Telketna and since he is a pilot/with aircraft, we get to drop into some small lakes for fishing in that area too (northern pike). But, the river Salmon are my favorite. We had such good fishing that my shoulder has not yet recovered from handling a heavy fly rod with fish. All is now a memory, however I spent the day smoking salmon. Good!!!!

 

[WDaniels]

K5,

Did you keep the Pike? They are good eating if you remove the "Y" bone. Nice white meat. Talkeetna is a nice place for fishing, camping and flightseeing. The Kenai is too accessable for every Tom, Dick and G. I. for me to even bother with. Next time come up in Aug and go fishing for silvers in Valdez or Seward. They are the aerial salmon and are the most fun. I've had them jump out of the water after the lure while I'm trying to bait it and take it under. They are a blast!

WD

 

[K5IP]

wd,

Yes, removing the Y bones in a Northern is an aquired skill I learned when growing up in Minnesota. I agree, northerns are good when caught in cold fresh water.

Silver fishing was my first experience in Alaska and I agree that they are fun, and slightly bigger than the Keneai sockeye. Both are good.

OK, now back to smoking salmon. Boy does the back yard ever smell great!

Rog

 

[FredMaryLou]

If you go to Alaska, plan on spending a few weeks. We were in Alaska for two months. The entire 13,000 mile trip took about three months. We travel slow and enjoy everything. We have posted our journal, information and many photographs on our personal Web site at RVtowster-Home for those of you not quite ready to retire to enjoy. For those of you already retired, some of the information should be helpful as you plan your trip. Whatever your situation, make Alaska a 'must do' trip. We made our trip in 2005 and still want to talk about it. Fred