lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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Joined: 03/03/2003
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Well, being this is Gina's first post, and that she hasn't returned with a follow up question, I'm assuming we won't be hearing back from her again. However, I'm sure others will be interested in the answers to her question so here's my nickel's worth.
We too just returned from a summer of Alaska and while I mostly agree with what others have said about the roads, I think that if you haven't been exposed to this type of road conditions before, it may be a little surprising at first. Of course, as the others have said....slow down! Waaaay down!
We started hitting the frost heaves around northern Alberta and throughout the Yukon and into Alaska. These things will pop up on you very quickly without any warning. Yes, you will see signs on the side of the road for "bumps" or "rough road", but it seems that the road crews don't always remove these signs after repairing the road. So, you tend to disregard them after you find the road smooth sailing following many of these signs......then all of a sudden there IS a severe bump or dip that will cause you to yelp with surprise. The crews will also put little red flags on the side of the road where there either is a bump, or has been recently.
In any case, we found that traveling at 55 was pretty much out of the question and found ourselves down around 45 a lot of the time. In some places, 15 or 20 will be max. So expect the unexpected.
As for the gravel pitting your vehicles. Both my motor home (new) and our toad (with a new paint job) returned from this 9000 mile trip with LOTS of paint chips. Our toad had a "Roadmaster Guardian" across the front and received absolutely zero chips on the front...but the roof and the toneau cover had many. I suspect that the rocks (small gravel pea-size) were being thrown up and over from the back wheels of our MH. Next time, we will definitely get a "skirt" that exends under the tow bar from the back of the MH to the front of the toad.
Both the Mh and the toad had several (<10) paint chips on the driver's side due from the on-coming traffic not slowing down as they pass. We also got two hits to the windshield (one coming over Top of the World highway and the other just out of Prince Rupert). We found that on gravel roads, and on-coming traffic is heading your way, to slow down to either a crawl or stop completely to lessen any gravel impact being thrown up at you from those idiots who refuses to slow down.
Speaking of the TOW highway, we spoke to two other MH owners who shared the same unfortunate problem. Seems while slowing down and moving over for the on-coming traffic, they got too close to the shoulder and it couldn't support the weight and collapsed. Both required to be towed to Chicken and had to wait hours to be rescued. I strongly suggest to stay away from the shoulders on those gravel roads.
Take your time! We found that we enjoyed ourselves a lot more by staying at least two nights at every stop we made. Sometimes, many nights depending upon the attactions of those stops. Take as much time as you possibly can to really enjoy Alaska/Canada. Even the very small towns have a lot of very interesting history about them and the people are truly great.
One of the most helpful suggestions I can give is to daily watch any and all reports here on rv.net (especially in the Alaska forum) for updates to roads and weather conditions. Saved our butts several times....not to mention you get to know some really neat people. The post that Joe B. mentioned above was one in particular that not only provided us with lots of very current info, but one where we got to know the participants very well and even got to meet some of them in the different towns/cities.
We didn't fine ONE mile (or kilometer) that was boring. The countryside is just absolutely gorgeous and we stopped often to take pictures and just enjoy the mountains, trees, flowers, streams, rivers, lakes, glaciers,....etc. Not a whole lot of wildlife, but keep your eyes peeled and you'll see them.
I could add a whole bunch more to this, but running out of time. Gina, if you do get back with us here, ask all the questions you want as there are a whole bunch of us that have just experienced this trek and will love to tell you all about it.
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35
86 Toy 4x4 P/U for Toad.
Tow Bar: Sterling
Brakes: Unified
Toys:
Yamaha 660R Raptor (mine)
Honda 350ES Rancher (hers)
64 Fairlane w/351c - 4sp
Both Fed CS Retirees
Hobbies:
DW's: Quilting
Mine: DW
RETIRED!! How sweet it is....
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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Joined: 06/28/2007
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Hi! I agree - NOT a boring ride!!!! Enjoyed it ALL (15k miles worth!!!). Try http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21233572/gotomsg/21891104.cfm#21891104
for the "On the road to Alaska" thread (this might just get you to the last message, but should be able to move back from there!). ST
2003 Roadtrek 190P Chevy 3500, and a pair of Limmers...
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bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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Joined: 02/03/2005
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I agree with much of what lanerd said although we had no significant dings or dents on our TV or trailer. I would also suggust that you take the green buses into Denali not the brown buses. They are cheaper and go farther into the park and the drivers are very knowledgeable. They stop for viewing animals and rest stops.
Forgot to say that the green buses are from the park Wilderness Center.
* This post was
edited 10/05/08 07:22pm by bee_46 *
Bobbie
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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Joined: 01/06/2005
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We took the green bus and it was great!
Ronnie & Rebecca
Check out our journal: North to Alaska
Another website to view our trip to Alaska:
Adventure to Alaska
FMCA #388387
Full-time RVer's since 2004
Monaco LaPalma Workhorse chassis 37' 2-slides
 (Custom) (Custom) (Custom).JPG)
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Gina Moore
Texas
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Joined: 10/01/2008
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Hello, again. Yes, I am new to this, but learning. Thanks for all the help so far. I am taking notes! I guess my second question is what route to take. We are starting out in Iowa and have considered crossing the border either in ND or Montana. We were in Alaska in 2002. We flew to Anchorage and rented an RV for three weeks. The only part of Alaska we didn't see was Fairbanks to the Yukon. Thanks again--Gina
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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This summer our route took us across the NE corner of ND - crossed at the International Peace Garden (although due to a late spring the flowers weren't out yet...). Headed west to Calgary, north thru the Canadian Rockies to Jasper, then up thru Grande Cache to Grand PRAIRIE, TO dAWSON cREEK. AK highway to Whitehorse, Klondike Loop to Dawson City, across Top of the World with a detour up to Eagle, then down to Tok, and up to Fairbanks. From there down to Denali, Wasilla, Anchorage, Kenai, Homer, back up to Seward, then on to Valdez, Haines, ferry to Skagway, back to Whitehorse, down to Watson Lake again, south on Cassiar, eventually out at Sumas, WA. Hope that helps! ST
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mcgillagorilla
north pole ak
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Joined: 01/02/2004
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hey gina wife and i snowbird from north pole alaska outside each year and we will be going back about the middle of may. pm we and we can chat.
bob mcgill
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Cap-N-Red
Port O'Connor , Republic of Texas
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Joined: 06/08/2005
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enblethen wrote:Get "The Milepost Magazine" preferably the 2009 edition. It should be out in Janruary.
Take your time.
DITTO
And take your time and enjoy all the scenery.
Cap-N-Red
2005 GMC 2500HD CC Duramax/Allison
2005 Airstream 28ft Classic
WBCCI # 3133
Broom (Wife)
Lilly (Female Yellow Lab)
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Pusher
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 12/17/2004
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We spent 2 1/2 months in Alaska in 06. Got great pictures of Denali from the Denali highway plus the other mt. ranges. Drive the Denali highway from East to west so you look at the mountains out of your windshield. About 100 miles of gravel. We traveled about 20-30 mph because of the potholes. Check out the wildlife museum at Glennallen and the museum at the airport at Valdez. The only part of the Alcan the was bad was this side of the Alaska border in the Yukon. Frost heaves. It changes every year as to what is good or bad due to maintenance or lack of. I personaly think any road you don't get stuck in is a good road so take that into consiederation when you ask somebody how is the road ahead. good luck
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Sea Dog
Ontario Can.
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Take along a sign to nail up at Watson Lake.
You will be glad you did.
Life is short,Death is long,
Take a vacation.
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