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Old 01-12-2014, 06:00 PM   #1
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Seattle to Alaska, could use a few tips and advice.

We are finally going to do it and have started the planning stage. Just bought "The Milepost" and can't put it down, what a wealth of information. We will be leaving about May 15th and plan to be back around the first or second week of August.

We have a 2003 28' classic and our TV is 2008 Ford SuperDuty 2 wheel drive.

My one big question is: Did you tow your AS on "Top of the World" hwy?
Would you do it again?

We would appreciate any advise or tips that you can give.
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Old 01-12-2014, 06:18 PM   #2
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If you pass through Cantwell, AK while near Denali..stop and say hello. I will be in the 27 Safari and will be there all summer!

I have pulled my Airstream on the "top"..probably would not do it again. It is a terrific drive, but it is much more fun without the trailer!
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Old 01-13-2014, 05:32 PM   #3
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WOW! Good to see someone else is planning close to the same trip as my wife and I are this summer. We live at The Villages, Florida and are planning a trip to Alaska this summer. We have the 2013 Milepost and have looked at it mainly considering the first leg, getting from Montana to Alaska.

Our travels include all 48 conteguous states. Plus a couple trips into Mexico and a few into eastern Canada. We are interested in the scenery and wildlife with little emphases on the man-made attactions. I enjoy taking pictures that we always enjoy later.

If anyone can give me any tips on traveling the East Access Route according to the Milepost with possibly short-cuts if appropriate, we would be thankful. We do not need much as far as ammenities when stopped for the night. We will have a generator on board the truck. OH, yes, the rig consist of a 2002 GMC Duramax diesel dullie pulling a 2012 31' Classic Limited.

Any additional advice on Alaska travel while there and the return trip would also be appreciated.

If you would prfer, an email to Unkbill123@aol.com with "Alaska Travel" in the subject line would be ok on this end.

THANX, Uncle Bill
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Old 01-13-2014, 06:34 PM   #4
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We also are planning an Alaska trip this summer. Maybe we should think about some mini caravans or meet-up spots along the way.
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Old 01-13-2014, 08:44 PM   #5
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Alaska is on the top of our bucket list, though we are probably 3-5 years away. I look forward to following all of your posts.

Will you be going alone or with a WBCCI caravan?

Good luck everyone in your travels...
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Old 01-13-2014, 09:39 PM   #6
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Uncle Bill: Several years ago we were in Great Falls, Montana heading north we went through Conrad and then to Cut Bank at Hwy 2. We then picked up Hwy 213 north, winding through wheat field and crossed at Del Bonita, a very small crossing, we then headed to Cardston. There is a great Carriage Museum there, well worth the stop especially if you take the tour. I think we took Hwy 5 west to 6 and continued to 3 west and then 22 north and staying on 22 to Cochrane where we stayed for a week. Beautiful country and we avoided Calgary. We took a day trip up to Banff. All these roads were in excellent condition. At Jasper, I have heard that Hwy 16 west over the mountains is some spectacular scenery and a good road. On the west side of the mountains Hwy 16 to Prince George is excellent. The Hwy to Edmonton and then over to Dawson Creek is also excellent. Hope some of this is helpful.

Since we are leaving on about 5/15 we should be in Dawson Creek 3 - 4 days later. We have already traveled to Prince George 2 yrs ago so we will be going quickly until we get there.
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Old 01-13-2014, 09:46 PM   #7
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SmartStream:

Have you traveled in the northern areas of BC.? Like I said above we have gone as far north as Prince George. The roads were very good, or course there is always construction somewhere. We are planning on being in Dawson Creek about 5/18 - 5/20.

Does that fit in your plans?

We are currently in Tucson, AZ and will be home, which is actually Lacey, about the middle of March.
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Old 01-13-2014, 09:56 PM   #8
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I took my 25' Airstream over the Top of the World road about 1983 or 4. In the rain, and the mud and the clouds. It was an interesting trip and road, and I don't regret doing it. Would have been nicer without the rain and mud though.

Go for it, see the back country. I am sure much of it and many things have changed in 30 years, but your Airstream will make it and you will be comfortable in it.

I only lost one Airstream in the 5 or 6 years that I went up there. A tree fell on the 21' 1969 while in a Yukon Government campground and did major damage. It was towed back home, but totaled out there. Even with the tree crush, the trailer was sort of usable and towable. State Farm paid for a new one.
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Old 01-13-2014, 10:59 PM   #9
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"Bob and Lee's random trip"

Hi, on our thread "Bob and Lee's random trip" starting on page # 26 and post # 362, we start our 2011 trip to Alaska. Might be of some interest.
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Old 01-14-2014, 07:28 AM   #10
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Robertsunrus:

Thanks so much, that will be our morning reading.
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Old 01-14-2014, 08:19 AM   #11
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It looks like several of us may be enjoying some time in Alaska this summer. We hope to be there also but coming up a bit later, by early July, hope that's not too late in the year. We will be following these threads closely. Thank you to all who contribute.
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Old 01-14-2014, 04:57 PM   #12
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Silver Goose, maybe we will run into each other coming or going. It would be interesting to see how many Airstreamers go to Alaska every year.
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Old 01-14-2014, 06:18 PM   #13
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Our 2012 and 2007 trips

In 2007 we did the TOW and it was great. We had great weather and the fireweed in the burn areas almost hurt your eyes. I would do it again but would check the weather and conditions before starting. I should add that we did it from North to South. We left Chicken earily in the morning which meant little to no traffic to meet on the narrow road. The Border did not open until 8:00 AM. The sunrise was spectacular.

Last year we took the inside passage ferry. We spent a week at each stop the ferry makes regularly. We left from Prince Rupert and ended in Haines. Don't worry about loading and unloading with truck and trailer from the ferry. The deck hands do a great job of telling you exactly what to do and when. One of them walks beside the driver window giving instructions. Take it slow and listen to them and it is a piece of cake. One stop I had to back down the length of the ferry, make a left turn in the ferry and the back down the long ramp into the parking lot. They really look out for your rig. Make reservations earily to get the sailings you prefer. We choose to make our as much during normal waking hours as possible. This meant no need for a cabin and that expense. Staying at each stop made this possible as well as giving us time to explore and meet some of the residents.

The Tour Savior Book is a must. Save us a bundle. It is a two for one book. order it earily to help your planning of what to do. It is different every year.

You can review our trip last year here.
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Old 01-14-2014, 06:43 PM   #14
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We too are planning a trip to Alaska this summer. Leaving the Chicago area around May 27th and planning 3-4 months. The first two months in Alaska and the second two driving down the West Coast to Southern California and returning to Chicago via Route 66. Just received Mike and Terri Church's book "Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping" that actually has a 50 day itineary in it starting in Seattle and ending in Seattle that looks interesting. Don't look for us in our Airstream. We're taking up our 18 foot Aliner instead and "moving" into the new Airstream when we get home to "shake it out" in the Midwest before taking it on any long trips. But if we see any of you in the campgrounds we'll be stopping to chat because "isn't that what we do?"
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Old 01-14-2014, 06:45 PM   #15
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Smile Top of the World

I would definitely go for it, haven't been
on it personally but we've spent last
summer camp hosting
in AK and from what I hear, while it is a
little rough it's worth it.
We are taking the AS back to AK again
this summer via the Alaska Ferry
which leaves from Bellingham,
WA. We love the ferry! Nice break
from the road and beautiful scenery.
If you go to Denali National Park,
Teklanika is a great place to camp...
the farthest you can drive an RV/trailer,
In the park (mile 29.1) stop by and say
hello to us!!
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Old 01-14-2014, 06:48 PM   #16
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Here is an old thread, it may have some info that may help.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382...on-100192.html
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Old 01-14-2014, 08:55 PM   #17
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Don't miss Top Of The World Highway

My wife and I spent 7 months of 2013 (4/1 - 10/29) Airstreaming from Pennsylvania to Alaska and back. We spent all of June, July and August in the state of Alaska and it was even more amazing than we could have imagined.

Yes - drive Top Of The World Highway. Much of it is unpaved but it was still a great ride and no problem towing the Airstream. We did it in mid-August heading north to Dawson City, wait for clear weather for the best views.

Also, in addition to The Milepost, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you buy Mike and Terri Church's Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping. I just noticed tonight that there is a new addition being published this month so be sure you order that, the 6th edition instead of the previous one. Great resource to locate campgrounds (use the GPS coordinates, addresses mean very little up north) as well as to find dump stations which are harder to find up north than in the lower 48.

One other highlight, Denali Highway. Not in the park, Denali highway runs from Paxon in the east to Cantwell in the west. It's about 135 miles, mostly unpaved but truly spectacular. We actually took 5 days spending 4 glorious nights on this amazing road. There are turn outs and gravel pits all along the road where you can pull off and boondock for free. Last night there we camped at a turn out near mile marker 123 and were looking directly at Mt. McKinley, awesome.

I also agree with the contributor above who recommended the ferry system, we took it and loved the experience. I had no reservation but when you enter the main part of Alaska through Tok, stop at the visitor center there and they can make reservations for you. We stopped in early August and got onto a ferry in mid-August, no problem. We sailed from Skagway with stops in Juneau, Sitka (loved Sitka), Petersburg and got off in Prince Rupert.

Just writing this I am so excited for all of you that are going, you're in for the trip of a lifetime.

Enjoy,

Scott
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Old 01-15-2014, 08:36 AM   #18
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WOW!!! We a getting so much information, thanks to all of you. We have decided to definitely do The Top of The World towing. We are just not sure which direction to go, but we don't have to make that decision until later. We are not much on making reservations and always ready to change plans along the way. It sounds like we do (or should) make reservations at Denali, but 2 - 3 weeks ahead of time should be ok.

Again, Thanks to everyone contributing to this thread, we really appreciate the information and suggestions of other web sites too.
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Old 01-15-2014, 08:46 AM   #19
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You will have a great trip, take your time and Enjoy.
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Old 01-15-2014, 09:11 AM   #20
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We made the drive from Texas last summer. It was a great trip and I hope to live long enough to do it again. In Canada on the Alaska Highway be sure you heed the small red flags on the road side and the miniature slow signs. They indicate road damage. If you don't notice them the first time you probably will thereafter. And the little slow signs don't mean to slow down just a little. Have a great trip and be safe.
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