North to Alaska - Eastern or Western route going north?

[Brian Diehl]

As I mentioned in Mike's post we are heading to Alaska this year.  (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=30379.msg338752#msg338752)

We plan to hit the Canadian border with Idaho early the 3rd week in May.  Given the time of year would you head up the eastern route or up the western route (Cassiar hwy)?  Which route will have the nicer weather?  I would think the eastern route might have a greater chance of colder, snowier weather.  Any direct experience anyone can give me?

[billy6941]

In order to get on the Cassiar, you have to go almost to Prince Rupert, BC. If you had a reason to go  this far west, it would make sense to use this highway, but that's a long way out of your way and it only cuts 120 miles off the trip thru western Canada. The Alaska highway starts in Dawson Creek, BC and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska, for a total of 1422 miles and it is mostly blacktop, but lots of gravel and frost heaves from Destruction Bay to the Alaska border. Plan on diesel costing as much as nearly $6.00 a gallon in far west Canada. Good trip, but take it slowly and watch out for big trucks.....Bill

[Brian Diehl]

We plan to run both highways as a way to see more country.  So, only question is which route at which time of year.

Any idea which would be the better route in the summer versus in the summer?

[dtcerrato]

Brian & Mike
We'll keep an eye on this post, maybe we'll cross paths out there somewhere! I'd like to give the wife a Canadian border crossing for her birthday in late may. We won't return to FL until Sept.

[niles500]

Usually the roads are rougher early in summer as it takes time for repairs and the Alcan has priority, that being said I would do the Cassiar, on the way back, also recall bear activity is heavier early in season so that might affect your decision - HTH

[akroyaleagle]

Having done this trip 27 times, do not fret about weather. You will be late enough in the spring for it not to matter.

The purpose of the trip should be to enjoy as much as possible.

Take Hwy 93/97 to Radium Hot Springs. Spend a day or two. The RV park is very reasonable.

Continue on through Banff and Jasper.

West on 16 through Prince George. Spend a couple of days there.

West on 16 to Kitwanga, join the Cassair (Hwy 37) and turn North.

At the Stewart turn off there is a very nice Provincial Park. Leave the coach there and drive the short distance to Hyder, AK. Lots of bears. Do this in the daytime which will be very long that time of year.

Continue North and join the ALCAN at Junction 37 just North of Watson Lake, Yukon.

You can return through Dawson Creek.

Buy a MILEPOST! Look it up and order it online.

The purpose of the trip should be to see as much as possible and don't worry about getting there as fast as possible.

Hope this helps.

[mikelutestanski]

Hello:      I dont know about connecting in canada.  WE were in saskacheon last summer.  Nothing we have works in canada..  No cell phone no internet. My ipad with verizen did not work. SO figure out before you get there what will work.
  I had internet courtesy of my CAnadian friends when we stopped to visit.
I dont know about alaska yet.    what will work?
      We have 2 trac phones that we use on the road;  nothing worked in CAnada...

   AND  make sure you have your insurance provide a canadian insurance  form (canada non resident inter province motor vehicle liabiity insurance card)  for each of your vehicles. Your insurance company will provide them for free; and it will be necessary if you have an accident..   I learned that one from milepost.
 
   milepost is an excellent book. however you should read the begining a month before you go to get all your documents in order including passports.

medicare and insurance are your own responsibility. you will have to pay I think. (I have not had to test that one)
   Regards
   mike 

[John316]

Nothing we have works in canada..  No cell phone no internet. My ipad with verizen did not work. SO figure out before you get there what will work.

Good point. Whenever I travel internationally I always have an unlocked Iphone with me. First thing I do is purchase a local, pre-paid SIM card. Makes life so much easier when you have maps to work from.

[eagle19952]

Verizon Introduces TravelPass – New Option for International Travel ... $2.00 per day THAT u USE it....

http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2015/11/traveling-abroad-connecting-internationally-just-got-simpler.html

[Brian Diehl]

Thanks everyone for the ideas.  Sounds like going either way will work.  We'll probably just play it by day in that case.

Thanks for heads up on the insurance documents.

I have the milepost, but haven't been able to read it yet.  Sounds like I should do that.

Have the passports for the kids.  Still waiting for our renewal passports to come.  Still have plenty of time so not worried.

Definitely want to see bears!

[kjurkic]

Howdy

I lived close to that area for 20 years; made the trip to Hyder Alaska several times. Once upon a time there was no border officers, and you could travel back & forth between BC and Alaska without even slowing down. It was there I truly saw "frontier culture". In Canuckistan, I grew up around farmers, ranchers and hunters, so I am familiar with firearms and gun-racks in pickups, but never saw open-carry until Alaska. Being a border town, Hyder was way overstocked with booze, cigarettes, and ammo... getting "Hyderized" at The Glacier hotel is worth a stop if its still in business.

I do recommend a detour into 'Old Hazelton' on your way along Highway 16. There is a beached stern-wheeler that was converted to a restaurant, and some long-houses with museum.

Just be aware that it is a whole lot of empty between Kitwanga and Watson lake. Only 1 fuel station open the last time I was up that way (Bell II as I recall)

Hope you have a nice trip; exchange rate is certainly in your favor.

Also there is an alternate-alternate route, though it can be pricey. Take the Cassiar route on the return leg, turn WEST at the Kitwanga junction & go to Prince Rupert. That drive is incredibly beautiful, especially along the Skeena river between Terrace and the coast. There is a coastal ferry that goes from Prince Rupert to Vancouver Island. It travels sheltered waters over 90% of the distance and takes about 16 hours. You can continue down island to Victoria, BC and then take the Black Ball (?) ferry to Port Angeles, WA or the BC ferry over to Vancouver and return through Bellingham.

cheers
Ken

[gumpy]

Brian,

Let me know if you want to get together sometime and talk about your plans. Maybe I can shed some light and recommend some places to camp along the way.
I'd be willing to meet you somewhere in between for lunch or dinner.

I would go up the east side and come back the west. That's what we did.

Also, consider coming down into Haines, jumping the ferry to Skagway, and going out over the pass. The drive down into Haines from Haines Junction was one of the most
beautiful I've ever seen. The ferry trip to Skagway is only about 30 miles, but I don't know what that would cost for the bus and toad.

craig

[dtcerrato]

Great information! Thanks for sharing...

[eagle19952]

like Ken said...never pass a town that starts with W and not get fuel.. in a car. 
You'll probably be fine in the bus, but Watson Lake and Whitehorse and Winnipeg were always must stops for us.

[MB LeMirage]

Nice shout out for Winnipeg.
Ryan.