My wife and I are planning an rv trip to Alaska in 2018. I drive a 2013 F350, 4x4, Powerstroke and tow a 2012 26' Denali bumper pull trailer. Planning on leaving US via Missoula to Calgary and returning via BC and Washington. Looks like around 2 months right now.
Looking for advice and experiences from anyone who has done all or part of this on side trips, where to stay (or not!) fishing, camping, etc. I am very experienced trailering, have towed larger trailers and boat to Baja and east to Florida. All my equipment is in first class shape.
My wife and I are planning an rv trip to Alaska in 2018. I drive a 2013 F350, 4x4, Powerstroke and tow a 2012 26' Denali bumper pull trailer. Planning on leaving US via Missoula to Calgary and returning via BC and Washington. Looks like around 2 months right now.
Looking for advice and experiences from anyone who has done all or part of this on side trips, where to stay (or not!) fishing, camping, etc. I am very experienced trailering, have towed larger trailers and boat to Baja and east to Florida. All my equipment is in first class shape.
That sounds awesome! Probably already planning on trying Glacier and Banff, but Glacier is awesome. Its been quite awhile since I have been to Banff, but its gorgeous too. I think on the way to Glacier I think you pass a lot of the famous Montana fishing rivers. Glacier has fishing, but we never got to it. Camping and stuff, we stayed just out of the park, it was still easy to get around. Took a different route to Calgary, and that was the end of the line for me. Well have fun.
CC, the Alcan is breath taking especially west of Fort Nelson. Toad River BC has a couple of rv parks in case you need a place to stay for the night. The Priest river area is just beautiful little short cut I think between Chetwynn and Dawson Creek? Happy planning
Sound like a fun trip. I was up that way into Canada a few years ago and the area was beautiful, just a lot of 2 lane highways.
A couple of things for you, when you go around Flathead Lake be prepared for a traffic jam. I don't know if it was the time of day or what but it seamed like the top speed all the way round it was 15 mph.
Also on the border crossing north of Eureka at Roosvile was quite interesting. I declared that I was traveling with a rifle for a hunt in Canada and they almost tore my truck apart looking for things, what I have no idea. I was in the Canadian's office for over a hour before they OKed my rifle permit and sent me on my way.
I'm sure that you know that they strongly dislike pistols being brought into Canada and were not too friendly to me when I just brought in a rifle.
Sounds like a great trip! My parents lived in Alaska for a while, and made a month long trip back to Missouri the year before I was born. The stories they tell about that trip are probably what sowed my desire for all things Wild. Have a great trip, CC!
CC, I tired to post the RCMP' s link to there firearms permit you'll want to have before you leave. Pm me your home address and I'll print a few and mail them to you. I'm going to try and get to Laird hot springs while I'm up there this fall! I plan on crossing the border this fall just above Omak Wash.Happy planing
I will be keeping an eye on any reports you might give us during your trip. Things to do, things to see, especially fishing. My wife and I are planning to do an rv trip to AK in the near future as well.
CC Congrats on making the trip. I have relatives in Craig, Anchorage and Palmer, so if you need assistance or someone to show you around etc., let me know.
Great post CC, my wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska and renting an RV to travel around in. Can't afford the time off to make the Alcan trip but that would be a dream trip of mine. Hope you have a great safe trip!!
I have been up there hunting a few times and we based out of Wasilla and did some site seeing. We drove the highway from there and fished the creeks, caught some silvers, after the hunts were over. Definitely some awesome country and my favorite place to travel.
My wife and I are planning an rv trip to Alaska in 2018. I drive a 2013 F350, 4x4, Powerstroke and tow a 2012 26' Denali bumper pull trailer. Planning on leaving US via Missoula to Calgary and returning via BC and Washington. Looks like around 2 months right now.
Looking for advice and experiences from anyone who has done all or part of this on side trips, where to stay (or not!) fishing, camping, etc. I am very experienced trailering, have towed larger trailers and boat to Baja and east to Florida. All my equipment is in first class shape.
Congrats on your plans for what should be a fantastic trip. My wife and I hope to make a similar trip when we retire - but that won't be for awhile.
Many years since I've been to AK, but it was a life changing experience. As others mentioned, Milepost is a great resource. Back in the day, I slept in a tent and had a Swiss army knife and a bell for bear protection - no bear spray back then. I had two experiences with bears, and looking back on it - I was lucky. Today, I'd carry bear spray and a shotgun, too, if possible. You can never be sure you won't surprise a bear, no matter where you are in AK. Everyone worries about grizzlies, but a black bear sow with cubs can be just as dangerous when surprised. Sometimes avoiding willow and alder thickets just isn't possible, especially if you're fishing. Not sure about bell's anymore - the bears may have become conditioned and behave in Pavlovian fashion (yikes).
Glacier Bay NP isn't reachable by road, but truly is spectacular and worth the extra side trip if you've never been there, and your trip is a once in a lifetime journey. Travel from the AlCan hwy to Haines (leave truck/trailer?), ferry to Juneau, then 20 minute flight to Gustavus and taxi/shuttle to the GBNP. Make reservations now? GBNPark used to run tour boats up to the glaciers (check on that or charters)- lots of whales and calving glaciers.
When in AK, a late - night - early morning rise is worthwhile to see the Northern Lights and fish abound in many streams. Blueberries and salmonberries freshly harvested are delightful morsels. On my journey, August 1, brought 3 inches of snowfall overnight to the low country in Denali - weather can change quickly. If you're in Denali after mid August, you'll experience the accelerated daily change in the seasons at high latitude - 1 day is probably equal to 3 in southern Colo - the pace changes one's perception of time and is something to experience. AK is huge and services are often a long way off - so having double spare tires for a big trailer is something to consider. Lastly, if you've not been to Banff and Jasper NP's in Canada, you might also consider seeing them (west from Calgary then north). Lake Louise is very picturesque. Not uncommon to see elk, bear, bighorn and mtn goat along the road.
Enjoy your trip. Would love to see some pics and hear how things go for you - as they say - "Everywhere you look is a postcard."
