Planning another Trip to Alaska.

[Terry Jay]

George:
It is south and east of Watson Lake, I would guess 25 miles out of your way back through Watson Lake. There is a station right at the intersection of the Cassiar and the Alaska Hwy that I have used, and prices were reasonable for the area. Also, the Yukon Motel at Teslin Lake has a good price on fuel, and a discount if you use their campground or Restaurant..

 

[MoparBob]

If you find yourself in need of some assistance or company for a meal when in Anchorage (or nearby), let me know!

 

[Grizzly]

If you find yourself in need of some assistance or company for a meal when in Anchorage (or nearby), let me know!

Thanks, I'll take you up on that. I will call on you for advice.

george

 

[Grizzly]

If you find yourself in need of some assistance or company for a meal when in Anchorage (or nearby), let me know!

Bob, what's the condition of Hwy 8 from Glennallen to Denali NP like? It appears to be gravel or un-paved. Is it very slow and dusty?

2nd question. Do Fred Meyers still allow free overnight parking as they did 9 years ago on our last trip? Walmart's did not allow overnight parking.

george

 

[Terry Jay]

George, you are asking about the Denali Hwy between Paxon and Cantwell. It it paved for a bit on both ends, then gravel. I have not been on it for 35+ years, but doubt it has changed much. It will be slow, it does wander a bit, and it is scenic. If you are running ST tires you may have an issue with rock bruises in some areas, but speed control is the antidote.

Freddies in Soldotna is referred to locally as the Fred Meyer RV park, and they have a station in back with a dump and potable water. Have not looked at any of the other FM stores.

 

[GBBrown]

Good luck finding a spot to park in Soldotna, especially at Fred Meyers, Dip Netters will have everything plugged.

 

[MoparBob]

Bob, what's the condition of Hwy 8 from Glennallen to Denali NP like? It appears to be gravel or un-paved. Is it very slow and dusty?

2nd question. Do Fred Meyers still allow free overnight parking as they did 9 years ago on our last trip? Walmart's did not allow overnight parking.

george

Terry is spot on. They might be still repairing the bridge over the susitna river which could result in delays, but I wouldn't let that deter you if you plan plenty of time to take it easy anyway.

Here is a good place to check to see if the construction is still going when you plan to travel through there. Good source of current weather conditions too. http://511.alaska.gov/alaska511/mappingcomponent/index

 

[MoparBob]

Not all of the Fred Meyers have dump stations and I have not heard of anyone getting kicked off for staying overnight.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks for the updates.

Anyone RV camped inside Denali NP, namely in Teklanika River? I made reservation there for three nights.

george

 

[Grizzly]

We leave on 30 Jun 15 on our trip to Alaska.

Can anyone add things to do and places to go to, such as in Valdez, Seward, Portage/Whittier, Skagway, Juneau and Denali NP?

george

 

[MoparBob]

Everytime we have guests to the house we recommend a Kenai Fjords Day Tour. They also do similiar tours out of Whitier. Also, you could consider doing one of these in combination with a ride on the train. Look at the "Rail & Cruise" options on those websites and/or check out the Alaska Railroad website.

Homer is worth the drive if that isn't on your list...

One last note, keep checking that Alaska 511 website for updates on how the fires are affecting travel. Some of them are right on the highways resulting in delays you might want to avoid.

 

[K5IP]

George,
If you haven't taken the train from Whitehorse to Skagway, you might consider it.
Stay at the Pioneer RV park in Whitehorse and they will pick you up by bus and take you to the depot.
It is a great round trip for one day.
Another way to visit Skagway is via the fast ferry from Valdez. You can go round trip in a couple of hours.
You probably stay at Mezziadon Lake campground. Near there is the highway to Stewart Hyder. Along that drive there is a very nice bear viewing spot.
Also, you will see bears in Hyder at the forest service view spot.
Have a great time, and report back.
Rog

 

[Grizzly]

Everytime we have guests to the house we recommend a Kenai Fjords Day Tour. They also do similiar tours out of Whitier. Also, you could consider doing one of these in combination with a ride on the train. Look at the "Rail & Cruise" options on those websites and/or check out the Alaska Railroad website.

Homer is worth the drive if that isn't on your list...

One last note, keep checking that Alaska 511 website for updates on how the fires are affecting travel. Some of them are right on the highways resulting in delays you might want to avoid.

Thanks MoparBob. We hadn't considered Kenai Fjords, but I will check it out. We do plan on taking the Train to Whitier and the cruise on the Prince William Sound, as we did 9 years ago. I will check out Alaska 511 web site.

george

 

[Grizzly]

George,
If you haven't taken the train from Whitehorse to Skagway, you might consider it.
Stay at the Pioneer RV park in Whitehorse and they will pick you up by bus and take you to the depot.
It is a great round trip for one day.
Another way to visit Skagway is via the fast ferry from Valdez. You can go round trip in a couple of hours.
You probably stay at Mezziadon Lake campground. Near there is the highway to Stewart Hyder. Along that drive there is a very nice bear viewing spot.
Also, you will see bears in Hyder at the forest service view spot.
Have a great time, and report back.
Rog

K5IP, we will spend about 2 or 3 days in Skagway as we did 9 years ago. We love it there. We did not plan on taking the train from Whitehorse. May be worth considering.

Thanks, george

 

[MoparBob]

George,

FYI: There is a Cabellas in Anchorage that has a dump station and allows overnight parking. Just down the street from there is a fuel station I frequently use which fills propane, has a free dump station and is the only place in town that sells Biodiesel.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Mopar, what's Cabelas' address?

 

[MoparBob]

Thanks Mopar, what's Cabelas' address?

155 W 104th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99515

-Bob

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks MoparBob, I'm taking that address with us.

Send me a PM with your phone # and I'll give you a call when we get there. george

 

[BIGNASTY]

Good on You and the Mrs. Grizz. Penny & I keep makin plans to see the last frontier but it always seems that this frontier keeps us from seeing AK. Maybe its afraid we mite like it so much we'ed move there? Take care in your planning and travels, most of all enjoy what and where ever you roam.

Penny & BIG

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Penny and Big. We will make the best of it. We do love it there as much as we love Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Northern NM. Anywhere along the Rockies is great. We plan on coming home through Banff NP, then Glacier NP and then Yellowstone NP, which will me in mid to late August.

grizz