Alaska here we come!

[Texas Diesel]

We have March 31 - April 23, 2007 off for a driving trip to Alaska. We will be in the 3500 DRW 4wd and Lance 1181 towing an enclosed trailer with the BMW in it.



Since my last post about going around Canada I was corrected that I CAN take a handgun (minimum barrel length requirement) through Canada. So the ferry is optional now, we plan declare the handgun and see Canada on the way.



Questions:



Is April too early in the Spring? What kind of road conditions can we expect?

Is that enough time to depart Texas and return? Anyone in Washington (or where ever is best to cross) want to baby sit two short barrel self defence pistols while we are north?



Thanks.

 

[MDM]

TEX,

Are you going north next month or was 2007 correct? You would be welcome to stop by here, Twin Falls Idaho.



Mike

 

[pwr2tow]

Damn I'am jealous, wish I could get the time off to take a trip to Alaska. If your coming up through ND I could take care of those pistols for yah. Just remember to bring alot of ammo along so the wife and I can keep the pistols happy :-laf



Seriously, We'll take good care of them.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Yes, 2007, have to give lots of notice to get 3 weeks vacation all together.



I'll bookmark this thread and keep the info. Thanks for the offers to gun-sit. They need a home for a couple of weeks.



Got lots to plan now that they approved the vacation Anyone want to caravan?

 

[Nate]

I'd bring tire chains.

 

[pwr2tow]

I should have read a little closer.

Man you plan on going from Texas to Alaska and back in three weeks, Talk about the amazing race. Yah it can be done but I don't think my AZZ could take it.

 

[Nate]

My roomate did Alaska to Texas in 5 days. ~4000 miles.

 

[Texas Diesel]

We have 24 days total, but after looking over an itinerary it looks like we need a week longer :{

 

[AKDrifter]

I'm heading up there on March 27 to pack up the house in Haines. I'll be heading into Canada north of Seattle. If one of you folks are in my vicinity, I can pack one for ya.



Or, if one of you is comming back this way, I got a Ruger 44 you can play with while you're cruising. But you got to go to Haines to get it..... 2. 5hrs southHaines Juntion which is 1. 5hrs west of whitehorse.



If you really want some real protection don't mess with a handgun up there, if youre lucky enough to see a big bear and if it infact threatens you, the 44 will feel like a squirtgun.



You're better of with a 12 ga. and run 00buck then slug, 00buck, slug etc. Only had to defend against a bear or moose 1 time in 14 yrs. up there. Chances are when they see you they'll run.



Spring is a great time to travel those roads. Good to go down them before they start heaving and melting. Less traffic this time of year also. I go the Casiar Hwy route, which is west on 16 when you get into Prince George..... then north on 37 till it spits you back out onto the AK Hwy. That route will save you 220 miles and is very scenic like the other way.



Comming from Texas..... I would cross the boarder south of Calgary, vere a little west when you hit Calgary and do the Banff----Jasper leg. Not the quickest way, but that Banff----Jasper leg is killer. Or keep on truckin past Calgary towards Edmonton, then into Grand Prarie and on up to Fort Nelson. That's the flat fast way from the mid west.



It's all good though..... watch out for the Mounties in Southern BC though... ... three biggest ways they make money in that province is logs, grass, and tickets. Once you're above Prince George, hammer it.



Paul

 

[KENNY]

First, How do you like your Lance? I'm selling my 5th wheel and planning on getting camper for my 1 ton 4x4. The last time I went into Canada on my Gold Wing I was told on the American side that the gun had to be sealed, if not you won't like it.

 

[LEPage]

I've made the trip to Ak 3 times from central Pa. towing fivers, never a problem. Every time I've gone was to work out of the Pipefitters Local 375 in Fbks. I have never had a problem at the boarder, but this was pre 9-11. The hall always wants me there as soon as I can get there, so I'm always in a big hurry. My best time was 6 days from Pa. to Fbks. (4438mi. ), towing a 33' Carriage. I had just put straight 4" pipe on my '97 12v 3 days before we left, & till we got there I would have given $500 for a muffler! Went to Valdez with no trailer brakes or exhaust brake, I wouldn't do it again. I'd say do the Milepost, & use the chain money for a fresh load of Amsoil before you head out. I bought a complete set when I was leaving Fbks. in Nov. '98, & the boxes have never been opened. Also had a fuel tank built for in the bed, thinking a lot of the fuel stops would be closed that time of year, but it was never a problem. Just take your time & enjoy, it truly is a great trip.

 

[viper700]

Texas Diesel

When I last came through Canadian customs on 15 Oct 2005 it was totally illegal for any handguns of ANY kind to be transported through Canada. Do you have knowledge that the laws have changed??? I have been traveling through Canada since early 1971 and in those early years you could take a handgun but they would seal it so it would not be used. Later on they were death on any short guns. If they have some new laws I will be a happy person. I have been relegated to carrying my mossburg 12 ga in stead. I would really like to pack a short gun also.

 

[viper700]

Texas Diesel

We have lived in Alaska since 1971 thanks to the USAF. The ALCAN today is a real nice highway. The only place that really has bad frost heaves is west of Destruction Bay closer to the Canadian border. When you see some flags and warning of bumps BELIEVE them. We will be on the road north from Yuma to Anchorage on the 15th. You are past most of the winter by then and roads should be pretty clear. But don't forget to watch out for black ice in the mornings and shady places. We run 65/70 most of the time not towing. Watch for a lot of Buffalo on the road past Llaird hotsprings for about 50 miles or so. I said or so because they do move around a bit. Lots of Stone sheep and Caribou closer to Muncho Lake also some Elk along the way.

The I-15 north to sweetwater and then towards Calgary on around Edmonton to Grand Praire to Dawson Creek(excellant roads it's flatter if your hauling) we have found the fastest. From I-5 north to Bellingham area crossing at Sumas then north to Dawson up 97 is a more scenic route. The Frazier river canyon sure is pretty. Have a nice trip however you go.

 

[JKinney]

I too have traveled into canada alot, have also done alot of hunting in canada. I have never heard of a handgun being legal to take into canada. I would not want to enter a customs office with one in my possesion.

 

[dodgeguy44]

That is a lot of miles to travel in 3 weeks. Most of it would be driving but it would still be a great trip. I know you'll enjoy the drive thru Canada.

 

[DIESELMAN]

When you see some flags and warning of bumps BELIEVE them

He Really Means It!



I will be Flying up there and back the first two weeks in April, then Driving up with my dually and 5ver in May returning in July. (Also Compliments of the Air Force).



Have a good trip.



DM

 

[Snellville-Dave]

Trip sounds great, but my one suggestion would be to not tow the BMW. You will be seeing everything you can just traveling. I haven't driven from TX to Canada in a long time, but it will be 2 to 3 days just to get to get to boarder or possibly Calgary area. Then you still have over 1,000 miles to Anchorage. I don't see how you'll need the BMW for side trips. Your trip, so have fun your way, still have a year to plan, Dave

 

[Houser]

Lots of rocks

Houser here

I have lived in Ak for over 40 yrs. and have driven the Ak Hwy a quite a few times. One thing I would recommend is a good set of mud flaps to protect your trailer and tailgate from bouncing kicked up rocks. The road is in good condition but still has a lot of gravel sections. Even the paved sections in the early spring will have loose rock left over from winter sanding. When I went through a couple years ago they were still not allowing hand guns through the border and were pushing for passports over regular ID. 3 weeks will be a hard push. I did 5 days from Hurricane Utah to Anchorage. that was driving nearly 20 hour days. Oh and after 40+ years of camping, fishing, hunting and even 3 years on Kodiak Island I have never been been bear attacked.



Have fun

Mike W.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Viper: Read this: http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/form-assistance/indiv_forms/909_e.asp



Viper: Are the "bumps" anything to be worried about? I dont want a borken camper or cracked frame.



As I read it a "prohibited" firearm is one with a barrel less than 4. 1". Other than that it seems you just have to declare it and get a permit to transport.



Dave, we're discussing the BMW idea here too. We will be towing a small enclosed trailer behind the truck anyway. Only reason for the BMW is the Lance 1181 & DRW truck are not really friendly on narrow roads and twisty mountain passes for sight seeing.



We have mofidifed our plans to allow more time. I will leave a week early and wife will fly to meet me at the US - Canada border. I can get the extra week off, she cant. Even though, we will have 23 days once she boards the plane in Austin, that should be enough. May even fly her back and I'll drive alone.



We'll make this work with the time allowed.

 

[Grizzly]

I have made the trip in 95 and are planning on making it again this Aug and Sept. The time of the year you decide to make the trip depends on what you want to see. Of course with only 3 or 4 weeks you are not going to see anything but highway. We want to see as much wildlife and fall colors in mid Sept as we can. In Mar and Apr you will get a lot of mud from snow melt runoff and more mosquitos then in the late summer and fall. We are not planning on taking a firearm even though we never go anywhere without one. I know we can store it before the border crossing and pick it up on the way back, but we plan to go into Canada through Glacier NP and come back through Vancouver. See my thread, "Alaska trip in a cab-over camper". dated, 3 Mar 06. Some good information.