Greetings everyone!!

Well, it's official. I finally got an assignment in Alaska!! Juneau, that is. We will be heading up there this summer. Has anyone traveled the ALCAN recently?? I was wondering if anyone has taken the western route on Canadian highway 37? We are planning to take the road to Skagway, and then the fast ferry down to Juneau. Any replies will be appreciated!!
Can't wait for this summer's adventure!!

 

Wow, I can't help on the trip, just wanted to express my envy. Spent 20 years for USAF and was a volunteer the entire time. Yes, they had my job in several places, just no me.

I think we had someone move that direction early last summer, but for the life of me I can't remember who.

Have a great trip and assignment.

Ed

 

Hello
I haven't done the ALCAN in eight years now, so my info is out of date. I do envy you though as the trip is truly an experience.
Good luck and enjoy
Mishkaya

 

I was considering a trip last year, didn't go, and found some web sites on road condition, places to stop, etc., but I don't have the links anymore. Common tips were adding protection for headlights due to gravel and rocks and making sure the spare was good. I don't recall the time of year, but there were reports of lots of blown tires as people were driving at high speed thru 'puddles' that turned out to be deep potholes filled with water.

Check carefully on requirements and restrictions before heading up, Canada is much stricter on firearms for instance, passport requirements, proof of vehicle ownership, etc.

 

The latest issue of trailer life magazine had a real good article on prepairing a trip to Alaska.

 

USGCtravelr,

Tanker Yanker has read a good artical on Alcan. I have TL mag also. And now that I am retired, an AlCan trip is a strong possibiltity. Here is a website on the alcan http://www.driveyukon.com/rvia/interface.html.
There are Travle clubs that have group trips, and websites with information. Good Sams would be one site to check.
Keep us posted on the trip plans.

 

Did it on a motorcycle in 1996, no big deal. More hype than reality. The Alcon has fuel stops roughly every 50 miles. Grab a town limit sign before going up, you will see why on the way.

 

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ http://www.travelalaska.com/ Have fun it is a great drive. Goodluck,,Rick

 

I forgot to mention that. The Canadian Rockies make the prettiest drive you can take. There are some areas that are as beautiful, but none better. Another spectacular view is driving into Anchorage from the north. We spent a week camping in Valdez and running around in an air-force aluminum sport fisher trying to catch halibut.

 

Highway 37 is a nice drive as well, lots of good scenery. Especially up around Kiniskan lake to the territory border, the whole Spatsizi Plateau is amazing. It's bean 5-6 years since I was up that way but there used to be lots of gravel and even the parts that weren't gravel were just beat up old seal coat. Nothing major just take your time. We used to spend a week or 2 up there every summer so I know it fairly well, I grew up in one of the small towns right at the start of 37. Hope you don't go in July the black flies are so thick it's hard to breathe!

 

What's the best time of year to drive it?

 

I did it in March and it was fine!

 

Thanks guys! I also have the latest issue of TL magazine. I will study the article on the trip into canada. I thought when I looked at it that it was mainly for eastern Canada, but I guess the same rules apply at least. I am a Good Sam member, so I will check their website for any additional info on the trip. We are heading there in July, so bring on the black flies!!!!

Triplenickel - are there as many steep grades on 37 as there is on the Alaska hwy??

Thanks again!!!

 

Another Coastie here looking to do the same thing this summer...but I have to go up to Kodiak. Probably leaving Michigan around the end of June or sometime in July. From what I have read, the Milepost is a good guide to driving the ALCAN: http://www.milepost.com/ I ordered a copy the other day. I am looking into a trailer here real soon, as I plan on doing the partial DITY.

Some other good info pages:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighways/roadreports/roadreports.htm
http://www.uscg.mil/d17/teamkodiakrelo/teamkodiakwebsite/relo/travel.html

 

USCGtraveler

I am a retired Alaska State Trooper and worked many times with CG on SAR while stationed in Homer, Kodiak and Sitka. You need to make your ferry reservations as soon as possible. July is extremely busy on the ferry system due to tourists. If you do not have your exact dates now make them as soon as you do have exact dates. I have traveled the Alaska Highway 5 times round trip and highway 37 once. If you are leaving from New Jersey you would be better off going the Yellowhead 16 across the Canadian prairie to just west of Edmonton and take 43 thru Whitecourt, Valleyview and Grand Prairie to Dawson Creek the start of the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway was commpletely paved in 1991 but you can expect to run into anywhere from 50 to 150 miles of reconstruction on your trip and some of these will be pretty rough. Some of the older sections are as stated just sealcoated and can get into rough shape before they are redone.

Canadian customs have really tightened up on firearms so you would be better off shipping them. A Pasport is not required to traverse Canada. You do have to have photo ID and a copy of your orders would probably speed things up at the border crossing. We have also traveled the Maritime Provinces and if I were taking your trip I would head north from New Jersey into Canada and see most of it on the way across. Have a good trip and enjoy Alaska. I know I certainly enjoyed my 20 years up there.
Jim