Alaska 2025

[Donna D.]

I maybe be wrong, and often am, but the use of the word "caravan" may not be in the sense that the word is normally used. I'm sure Donna will clarify.

Perhaps it's just my interpretation of caravan but that usually means a bunch of folks all heading the same way at the same time and with someone organizing stops and food etc.

That system wouldn't work well for this trip. Even in caravans of 10 there's often a long wait as folks gas up in remoter areas.

Ron

Thanks Ron. This is a loooooose definition of what I have in mind. It's post #4 of this thread: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f39/alaska-2025-a-24911.html#post449198

 

[Rockhead]

Hi Donna . Haven’t posted any as all the destinations mention are places we want to see we are still interested in going along on this adventure please keep us on the potential list.

Thank you
David n Vicki
Oh n Oscar the boxer

 

[Donna D.]

Alaska or Bust! Hey y'all we leave ONE YEAR from today from Osoyoos. My participants Excel list has 27 records of couples/solos who are interested in going. Wonder how many will actually go? I'm betting somewhere between 9-12 of those. Please let me know if you previously said you were interested in going, but have changed your mind.

How is YOUR planning coming along? Working on your budget? Do you have a passport? Have you checked the expiration date on it yet? Made plans for maintenance on the tug and trailer? Planning to replace tires on tug or/and trailer? Thought about how you may want to protect the front of your trailer from rock chips, etc.? Or maybe you're just relaxed and are thinking about how you're going to make your personal sign extra special for the "Sign Post Forest" in Watson Lake, Yukon.

A couple of other very individualized items to think about. Have you thought about what you need to do for any prescription medication refills? Then there's.... laundry. How often? Unless you do yours by hand, when it's time you'll need to either stay in a private RV Park with laundry facilities (KOA?) or perhaps use the town laundromat, if there is one. Knowing this information is part of my "reservation" plan. Too is making certain you have the clothes you need for the weather. Since that's unknown, plan for all seasons. But one thing for certain, Alaska often gets 300 days of 'wet' per year. Whether rain, snow, fog, sleet... something. You'll probably want to have waterproof outerwear. You don't want to spend all your time in the trailer. I'm not sure the garbage bag rain coat look will be in fashion in 2025.

How about recipes? Have any of those? A friend who's driven to Alaska three times, told me there's going to be quite a few miles on our trip where there are few, if any, grocery stores. And of those, most are best described as "service station grocery stores." So limited quantities, quality and kind of foods available... fresh, frozen, meat, dairy, etc. Just know this is not going to be like the one or two week camping trips you may taken before.... I'm trying to provide info about the bigger grocery stores and the towns they're in as part of the itinerary.

Speaking of the itinerary. I stopped working on it when I left for Arizona in January. I'll finally be home in a week and will hit it hard again and want to get it finished by July 4th and then make it available to all.

But I need your help, please... Anything you definitely want to see and do!?!?!?! Those items will impact the itinerary based on how long we need to spend at any given campground! For instance, I'd love to have someone join me flying out of Anchorage to Utqiagvik (Barrow), share in the cost of a rental car and drive the 10.3 miles to just north of Arigilvik Beach and stand at the Northernmost Point of the United States. That's where we'd stick our feet in the Arctic Ocean. Photo Op!! It's a 24-30 hour excursion. Alaska Airlines only flies one way once a day. Plan to sleep overnight in the car, sleeping accommodations in Utqiagvik are expensive! I'd consider sleeping in the airport, but the tiny one room building isn't open 24 hours a day and there are no Rest Zones available inside. If I can't get anyone to do this with me, I'm going to do the Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure out of Fairbanks to Coldfoot and at least cross the Arctic Circle. Another photo op! This is about an 15 hour excursion. The cost between the two excursions is just about the same. But seriously think about getting your feet wet. When will be the next time you'll have this opportunity?? I'm certain I never will. MAKE A MEMORY!

 

[brroberts]

Just be aware, the last time I was in Barrow, it was 31F and snowing. It was the heat of the day on July 3rd. I’ve also seen snow in Ketchikan on July 4, but that is much less likely.

 

[Donna D.]

Just be aware, the last time I was in Barrow, it was 31F and snowing. It was the heat of the day on July 3rd. I’ve also seen snow in Ketchikan on July 4, but that is much less likely.

Thanks! Yeah, I've heard about snow falling there early in the summer. I think I'd actually like to be in Utqiagvik on the 4th of July. How neat would that be! But I haven't nailed down travel days yet, so I don't know where we'll be.

 

[mresseguie]

Donna,

I'm pretty certain Melody and I are committed to going. [She'll decide.]

We've got a big Dometic CFX3 95DZ (dual zone) fridge freezer that we can bring along to store extra supplies (meat, dairy, veggies, etc) that require refrigeration for those difficult stretches of the road. It's barely gotten any use since I bought it on impulse two years ago.

Melody is dying to see the Aurora Borealis.

Michael

 

[brroberts]

We’ve stocked up in various places in Canada and Alaska using 4 - 7 cu ft RV fridges and have never had problems.

If you want to see the Aurora, you will likely need to plan on returning late fall given the summer daylight hours. It is an active solar cycle in ‘25, so Aurora activity may be high.

https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/auroral-activity/aurora-forecast.html

 

[Donna D.]

Yeah Michael, Randy's right. We won't be seeing the Aurora Borealis on this trip. "Fairbanks has long been known as “the Land of the Midnight Sun.” During the Midnight Sun Season which runs from April 22 to August 20 the sun never seems to set. Wake up in the middle of the night to find the sun shining brightly, people out biking and gardening and walking the dog." https://www.explorefairbanks.com/explore-the-area/midnight-sun-season/

 

[vermilye]

June 25, 2015 Sunset at Destruction Bay Lodge, Burwash, YT at 10:50PM, and Alaska is further north...

 

[Ron in BC]

. Wake up in the middle of the night to find the sun shining brightly, people out biking and gardening and walking the dog."

Going to bed at midnight while it's still daylight reminds you of being an eight year old and having to go to bed when it's still light outside.

As far as supplies go, this isn't a polar expedition, there's lot's of big or at least medium size stores along the way. You're unlikely to be more than a few days from one.

Ron

 

[ChuckBC]

Donna, I trust you've seen the announcement for the Alaska Highway, Destruction Bay to Tok portion being upgraded starting 2025. This is great news but means more intense construction activity for 2025 to 2027. Delays making a bit more uncertainty in meeting reservations on the other side. You can consider the Top of the World Highway going to Alaska but limited ferry capacity must be considered and spreads out caravans.

 

[Donna D.]

Donna, I trust you've seen the announcement for the Alaska Highway, Destruction Bay to Tok portion being upgraded starting 2025. This is great news but means more intense construction activity for 2025 to 2027. Delays making a bit more uncertainty in meeting reservations on the other side. You can consider the Top of the World Highway going to Alaska but limited ferry capacity must be considered and spreads out caravans.

Hwy 1, we'll be going to Alaska that way. Guess this is where we'll be adaptable.

U.S. gov't paying to upgrade section of Alaska Highway in the Yukon

 

[Donna D.]

Sad.


News Release

Fire Discovered near the Park Entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, Some Trails and Facilities Closed

Denali Park, AK – At 12:30pm on Sunday, June 30, a fire was reported about one mile north of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, west of milepost 239 Parks Highway. At this time, no structures are immediately threatened. Name the Riley Fire, it is burning in black spruce in steep terrain near the Alaska Railroad.

A load of 12 smokejumpers were deployed to the fire via airplane and an additional load of 10 smokejumpers are traveling to the fire via ground transport. Four Fire Bosses, which are water-scooping aircraft, are
on scene, two water scoopers and one retardant air tanker are enroute.

As of 3:00pm, the fire is estimated to have grown to 300 acres.

Tour and transit bus services have been discontinued westbound. Public front-country facilities and trails have been closed, including the Denali Visitor Center. Day use visitors currently west of the park entrance area are being shuttled eastward.

This is an emerging situation. Additional details will be released as the incident progresses. Stay informed about Alaska’s current wildfires, red flag warnings, and more by visiting https://akfireinfo.com.

 

[Lawrence A]

Forest fires are becoming a regular factor in northern travel. In 2019, travel thru the 161,000 acre White Fire zone added 3 hr to my drive out to Homer, Alaska. Had to wait for an escort vehicle to take a convoy thru some active fire spots along the highway. Worse than that, though, was that the smoke obscured all the mountain scenery! I ended up changing my itinerary and left the coast to find some sunshine inland.

 

[Iowa Dave]

If you’re planning to visit or camp near Missoula Montana especially with children or grandchildren you might want to visit the US Forest Service Base and take in the 45 minute tour. It’s well done, educational and free.

Management of America’s public forests are important, complex and often misunderstood. We took our kids there years ago and they learned a lot. Then we rented a lookout tower for three days and stayed in the tower overnight, picked huckleberries for a pie and watched the golden eagles soar in the blue Idaho skies overhead. Some forests are still renting towers. Another unique opportunity.

Iowa Dave

 

[Donna D.]

The first part of May, the Alcan was closed east of Fort Nelson which was evacuated. The closure was for nearly a week and people were either stuck or had to backtrack and get on the Cassiar to get to Alaska. These types of closures are what we'll need to really pay attention to and be adaptable during travel.

 

[Ron in BC]

Forest fires are becoming a regular factor in northern travel.

Unfortunately. Last year we returned through an area with fires on both sides of the highway, not knowing if the highway ahead was even going to be passable. Not fun.

The second situation is just how far smoke from fires travels. We were in Banff/Jasper about 3 years ago and smoke from CA fires completely obscured the mountains.

Bottom line, as has been said before, you have to be flexible and willing to change plans if circumstances change.

Ron

 

[jnfrombigt]

I finally have dependable WIFI!!! So, time to start this thread.

I've been talking to individuals about going to Alaska the summer of 2025. It's time to start planning. We have about 10 months before we would need to start making reservations which everyone would do individually.

So far, I've got two couples and two solos interested. Anyone else?

I've ordered the magazine Milepost and it will be here next Monday and I've joined the Facebook group "RVing to Alaska - the Original." There are several Alaska-focused Facebook groups. I'm hoping we can cover all or most of the groups because the more information the better!

Let's start the discussion....

When I did the trip on the return leg I turned off at Haines Junction and went to Haines. Loved Haines so much thought about moving there from Montana. From Haines I took the Ferry to Skagway. Got back on the Alcan and turned off on the Cassiars Highway for a change. I think the Cassiars would also be quicker for people on the West Coast. WATCH OUT FOR THE FROST HEAVES!!!

 

[Ron in BC]

I think the Cassiars would also be quicker for people on the West Coast. WATCH OUT FOR THE FROST HEAVES!!!

That's the problem, not really a problem, with going to Alaska. 3 great routes, choose 2. We had to go back a second year so that we covered all 3.

We found the frost heaves were much more pronounced further North.

The recent forest fire situation shows that planning has to be very flexible. They just evacuated Jasper. Everyone had to head West into BC. Even folks that were intending to carry on East.

Have plans and also alternate plans.

Ron

 

[jnfrombigt]

That's the problem, not really a problem, with going to Alaska. 3 great routes, choose 2. We had to go back a second year so that we covered all 3.

We found the frost heaves were much more pronounced further North.

The recent forest fire situation shows that planning has to be very flexible. They just evacuated Jasper. Everyone had to head West into BC. Even folks that were intending to carry on East.

Have plans and also alternate plans.

Ron

As someone not from BC coming back the Cassiars gave me an opportunity to go on a route to see parts of western BC I hadn't seen. At least from the ground. Over the years on trips to Tokyo and Osaka I've probably seen more of Western Canada than most Canadians. On camping trips I usually try one way going and another coming back. Haines to Skagway on the ferry is only about 12 miles and saves quite a bit of time traveling back a route you've already seen. As I indicated I thought Haines was a neat place and probably my favorite part of the trip. Also, I don't know if it's still there but there was a small cafe just as you turned off on the Cassiars that had a great breakfast. I would love to do that trip again but I would have to travel over 2000 miles just to get back to where I started the first trip.