Across the country, Alaska

[SJRsCUMMINS]

I know a lot of you guys have done it; I am seriously considering it. I might have a 5-6 week priod this summer to drive from PA to CA/WA and up to Alaska - I've been itching to do it for so long. I would like to stop at Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and take the PCH up to the Alaskan highway. I have been loking at staying at some campgrounds like KOA, but will not be pulling a trailer. Perhaps I'll sleep on the bed or cabins mixed in with some motels/hotels. Does this sound like a viable plan? I hope the girlfried thinks so (the CTD, that is )! What precautions should I take on the truck before the drive? Any tips on cool places to visit would greatly be appreciated!

 

[sheldon]

Get a 2003 copy of "the Milepost". It is by far the best item to have with you. It gives mile by mile descriptions of the area and accommodations of all the routes along the way. The other major item you will need is plenty of mosquito repellent.



My favorite place was Dawson City in the Yukon Territory. I took the Dempster Highway from there to Inuvik back in 1980 in a Volkswagon Rabbit diesel in 1980. Quite the trip.

 

[mbaston]

Yes, get the milepost. Feel free to contact me as I have made the trip far more times than desired.



-- email address removed --



907-745-3029

 

[mbaston]

whoops, wrong email;



-- email address removed --



Hate it when I can't spell my own state right.

 

[Tom W]

I suggest putting on a temporary stone/bug shield. I got some hardware cloth and zip tied it to my bumper guard. It covered the whole front end and extended about 6" above the hood. It worked very well. The first time one of those double tankers rolls by at 90mph on gravel you'll know why. It's a great trip, six weeks is minimum for what you want.

Tom

 

[SJRsCUMMINS]

I was reading in Car and Driver about 3-4 years ago an article about a journalist who was test driving the then new Mercedes SUV by driving it up the Alaskan highway in the middle of the winter! He wrote about all of the preparations he took and one of them was applying some type of tape all over the front of the vehicle and the sides. It was one of the best articles I have ever read in the magazine - he said the tape saved the fron t from all the rocks and salt on the road. I am not sure what kind of tape it was though. Are there organized campgrounds in Alaska similar to KOA? My girlfirend doesn't mind going as long as she can take a shower each day!

 

[tractorface]

Man I am jealous. Do it and don't let anyone talk you out of it. If you are going to the Grand Canyon area stop and see ZION national park, it is a must see, some of the more strenuois hikes are really worth it and the place is really run well not like some of the other National parks I have visited. Just driving anywhere in the area of the Grand Circle is spectaculor. I am from the east coast and am working on moving my family to the GC area cause I miss it so bad.

Have a blast!

 

[AKDrifter]

Don't shower!

It's a trade off, if you shower everyday the bugs will eat you! On your way here or back, be sure to take the road from Jasper, AB to Banff, and the road from Haines Junction to Haines. Can't go wrong any way you go.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Since 1990 I've made the trip up and back 4 times, including this past summer. Get the Milepost, take as much time as you can, and have a great trip. I agree with Tom, six weeks is minimum. But it's well worth the trip. You can PM me or e-mail me also, -- email address removed --.



Jim

 

[mbaston]

There are RV parks all along the way. Some are pricey; some are nice, some are a parking lot. There are numerous provincial parks. There are no hookups but very beautiful. Many of the RV parks allow tent camping and they have showers.



1. Bring bottled water. Much of the water along the way and in parts of alaska has a lot of iron/sulphur.



2. I have made about 10 trips on the highway. . no dings, no dents, no broken windows. But, if you approach a truck on a gravel sections (usually road construction/destruction), slow way down and pull to the right. They will most always slow down when they pass.



3. I never covered the front of my vehicle except the bug screen in front of the radiator.

 

[SJRsCUMMINS]

Thanks for the tips!



I have the milepost.

I read a couple articles about some good eats up there.



Anyone have an idea how far from Anchorage to the Aurora Borealis?



A cool mining town that has tours?

 

[KB0OU]

Stop at Liard Hot Springs, nice camp ground and wonderful hot springs. I go up a lot, haul campers up, I only go in the winter, the road is better!! And no mosquitoes.

John

KB0OU

 

[mbaston]

No aurora borealis in the summer... it doesn't get dark enough (if at all)

 

[mbaston]

The best mining town is McCarthy. A bit of a drive but pretty cool. It was a copper mine. There is a lodge there but pricey (most everything is up here in the summer for lodging).



I like the drive up the haul road to dead horse. Long, but if you like wildlife (bear, caribou and lots of birds) it can't be beat. Dead horse is the town for Pruhdoe Bay oil fields.



You might also consider driving the cassiar highway either up or down. It is actually my preference but a bit rougher and slower.

 

[SJRsCUMMINS]

MBASTON,



Those are some great ideas!!

 

[RColston]

Cassiar, do it.

My wife and I made the trip last Aug. 5 best travelling weeks of my life. I strongly suggest the Cassiar Hwy. Take your time, and drive with your head. If you want a bit of adventure, when you get to Whitehorse YT, head toward Carmacks and take the Top of the World Hwy. from Dawson City to Tok. It,s outrageous. Pulled my 36ft HitchHiker without so much as a burned out bulb. Also the Hwy. to Valdez is a great trip.



Rick