Alaska - here we come

[JoePa]

Am thinking of taking a trip to Alaska this coming summer - I would be going with a slide-in camper (Lance) on my pickup truck - not sure if I would head north into Ontario and then go west or stay in the U.S. and go west until I get to the west coast - then head up into Alaska - I would appreciate any suggestins or advice on making such a trip - I would be going with 2 other guys - always thought of making this trip and now I figure I'd better do it before I get too old - thanks

[where I want to]

I personally love the west coast- full of beauty and camping opportunities. So the more of the trip I could do there, I would. There is lots of (forgive my prejudices) boring land in Canada and the US in between the east and west, but gas is cheaper in the US to hurry you through.
And I would never miss the chance to see Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon or the giant and coastal redwoods if I hadn't been previously.

[Molly Mckee]

There is a car ferry out of Seattle that a lot of Alaskans take--they take trucks and equipment as well. You might want to look at taking that one way. Yellowstone and Glacier are beautiful if you haven't been there, but they will slow you down. If you have plenty of time, go through, otherwise make another trip. Most people here go up the AL-Can highway.

[wharton]

He Joe, We have done three trips so far, and we live a few miles north of you, over the blue. We have always headed west, since it's a huge part of the beauty of the trip. Typically we take 80/90 out and don't stop for much until SD. Then it's either west to the coast or north into Montana and up. After 50K miles or so, wandering these routes, I can probably help with most of your questions. Have a great time!

[lonelytree]

I might be able to answer questions.

[Seth]

Go to the Pacific Ocean, then turn right. Seth

[emdeengee]

If you go through Ontario using the TransCanada you will cross beautiful country - especially around the Great Lakes. Unless you go the very northern route which is longer but really fast as there is nearly no traffic. The scenery is mostly forest. Watch out for Moose.

The prairies are beautiful at this time of year but the scenery does not change much. At this point you can split - go north through Edmonton or west through Calgary and Banff and then turn north. The Rogers Pass is absolutely spectacular. The northern route is also beautiful but a much easier drive.

When you hit Watson Lake, Yukon then you just head north on the Alaska highway to Whitehorse or further to Dawson and then head west to Alaska.

Keep in mind that the summer season here begins to end in August. Autumn is spectacular but it can be cold at night.

If you drive through the states and end up in British Columbia you will have a magnificent trip north. Hard to describe the beauty. When you hit the Yukon you just follow the Alaska highway.

For the return trip you could take the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) from Skagway to Bellingham. A really fantastic trip. You don't have to have a stateroom for sleeping because you can camp on the upper deck. Hundreds of people from all over the world do this. We had the best time and the journey takes you down the coast and through the inside passage which is amazing.

[1shotwade]

You need to study the Canadian laws. I hear the borders are a bear. Big time restrictions on guns,ammo fish, crossing the border. And of course pasports are now required. Do your homework.

Wade

[emdeengee]

There is no way to drive to Alaska without going through Canada so you do have to have your passport in order as well as be aware of import restrictions. Also aware of fishing and hunting laws if you intend to do this.

The only way to get your truck to Alaska without going through Canada would be the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham, Washington to either Skagway or Haines, Alaska.

And gas is more expensive in Canada.

[emdeengee]

Oh and get a receipt for everything because as a non-resident you can claim back some of the GST (goods and services tax) that you will pay and which is charged at 5%. The receipts have to be for a minimum of $50 so bundle your shopping and other charges if possible.


Non-Resident Visitors

As a non-resident visitor, you can claim a refund for goods and services tax (GST) and the harmonized sales tax (HST) you paid on eligible goods and/or short term accommodation while visiting Canada.

A non-resident visitor qualifies for a tax refund if the following conditions are met:

• you are not a resident of Canada;
• you purchased eligible goods, short term accommodation or both;
• you paid GST/HST on these purchases;
• you have original receipts;
• the total of your purchase amounts (before taxes) for eligible goods and accommodation must be at least CAN$200;
• each individual receipt for eligible goods shows a minimum total purchase amount (before taxes) of CAN$50;
• the goods are removed from Canada within 60 days of the date they were purchased.

[KIT.S]

You'll definitely want a Milepost magazine. It will tell you what's coming up on the Al-Can Hwy and in Alaska, so you don't miss something you would enjoy. Such as full-wilderness natural hot springs in BC, and the last possible gas station between where you are and where you want to be! I don't know anything about mid-continent Canada but lived all over Alaska for 25 years. Are you trying to see everything? If so, plan to keep moving. Alaska is huge and very different depending on where you are. It's spectacular, though. Amazing scenery, really nice people.
Kit

[raedean52]

Joe.i dont have any advice but i am so jealous.
i want to pack up our truck and head up the al-can highway.
me and hubby are planning to do this in the next few years.
i will be anxious to hear how this trip goes.
good luck!

[Chief Cook]

I am jealous! Have a wonderful trip, take lots of pictures, have fun! I have been trying to get DH to get on board with this kind of trip for YEARS!

[maddy]

(1) Take lots of duct tape-- There's a 50/50 chance your windshield will get broken.

(2) Take whatever vehicle repair stuff you might need-- Along the Alcan Highway, it can be quite some time before anybody else comes along.

(3) All summer long, long stretches of the highway undergo repair. You'll be driving for miles and miles on gravel. If a truck comes in your direction, duck.

(4) Order sourdough waffles.

[Freeholder]

Gas is cheaper in the US, if that's a factor in your decision.

The Milepost is a MUST-HAVE for trips up the Alcan.

Late August/early September are, IMO, the best time of year to visit the Interior of Alaska. There have usually been enough hard freezes by then to kill off most of the biting insects, and most of the tourists have already left the state.

Take as long for your trip as you can possibly manage. There is a LOT to see!

Kathleen

[Freeholder]

Gas is cheaper in the US, if that's a factor in your decision.

The Milepost is a MUST-HAVE for trips up the Alcan.

Late August/early September are, IMO, the best time of year to visit the Interior of Alaska. There have usually been enough hard freezes by then to kill off most of the biting insects, and most of the tourists have already left the state.

Take as long for your trip as you can possibly manage. There is a LOT to see!

Kathleen

[Paumon]

Originally Posted by JoePa

Am thinking of taking a trip to Alaska this coming summer - I would be going with a slide-in camper (Lance) on my pickup truck - not sure if I would head north into Ontario and then go west or stay in the U.S. and go west until I get to the west coast - then head up into Alaska - I would appreciate any suggestins or advice on making such a trip - I would be going with 2 other guys - always thought of making this trip and now I figure I'd better do it before I get too old - thanks

You are picking an ideal time of year to go. To save on gas money - if it was me I would drive west through USA until I got to Montana then swing north up into Canada from there. Save Washington for the return trip.

To see the most stunning scenic routes I would cross the border from Montana into Alberta so I would not miss going through the most spectacular parts of the Rockies. The Rockies in the States are impressive but they still don't compare with the Rockies to the north and it's a sight you don't want to miss. Drive north to Calgary then turn west to Lake Louise in the Rockies. From Lake Louise go north through the Rockies to Jasper Park (watch out for hundreds of big game animals by the roads) then head west to Prince George which is in the middle of British Columbia. From Prince George there are 2 routes you can drive to connect up with the Alcan highway into Yukon and then to Alaska, or you can bypass Yukon and drive all the way west by northwest through BC to the coast to Prince Rupert and catch the Alaska marine highway ferry from Prince Rupert to Alaska (you will need to go online to find ferry information).

On the return trip you could return via an alternate route on roads that will take you back basically the same way you came from, or you could drive south all the way to Vancouver and cross into Washington from there, or you could take the marine highway on the ferry from Alaska to Seattle, Wa. or to Port Hardy on beautiful Vancouver Island. If you go to Vancouver Island then drive south from Port Hardy down the Island to Victoria and catch the ferry again from Victoria to Seattle, Wa. or from Nanaimo or Victoria over to Vancouver, BC. If you take the ferry/island route on your return trip and still have time to spare, then drive across the Island from Parksville to Tofino and visit Long Beach on the Pacific Ocean. It's breath-taking.

You don't essentially need a passport to get into Canada but if you don't want major hassles you definitely need a passport to get into Alaska and then back again into the lower 48. If you're planning on getting in some hunting in Alaska then there's a procedure you need to go through to clear your rifles with the customs officers at the border crossing before you can transport firearms through Canada. You can transport rifles but you can't transport handguns through Canada. You will need to fill out a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form to transport your rifles through Canada. Be totally on the up and up if you're taking rifles, find out ahead of time what you can take and declare them, don't say you don't have firearms because they WILL search your truck and camper thoroughly and if you're found with undeclared firearms you will be in very deep doo doo.

This link has a bunch of road maps through BC as well as ferry routes to Washington state. http://www.gazebo-victoria.com/victoria-maps.html

[kasilofhome]

Do the ferry ......the drive is worth it for a few hour but it is dangerous,lllloonnngggannd all the border rules ....think TSA.
FERRY RIDING IS THE WAY TO GO. See sites to die for rest up to for fun latter and leave someone else at the wheel. Give a pm if you get near.... ps shipping fish home is speedy ...just a warning.

[JoePa]

Thanks everybody - yes I got to do a lot of planning and gathering info for such a trip - I didn't like the thought of getting my truck all banged up though - hope that won't happen - I baby my truck - Paumon - thanks for the suggested route - I'll let you know what happens -

[Paumon]

Originally Posted by JoePa

Thanks everybody - yes I got to do a lot of planning and gathering info for such a trip - I didn't like the thought of getting my truck all banged up though - hope that won't happen - I baby my truck - Paumon - thanks for the suggested route - I'll let you know what happens -

There are ways to find out online where road work is happening if you decide to take the Alcan. I haven't driven in the Yukon or Alaska or on the Alcan in over 40 years so I don't know what the highways are like there now. However, having driven all over BC many times during the past 40 years I do know that all the other routes I suggested are paved highways. If you wish to avoid the Alcan you do have the options to either drive directly to Washington and take the ferry from there to Alaska - or else drive through BC to Prince Rupert (recommended if you want to see stunning natural scenery and wildlife and unique little towns everywhere) and take the ferry from there to Alaska.

Whichever way you go, please be sure to take lots of photos of everything and post them for us here. Happy travelling and welcome to BC if you decide to do the BC routes.