The Beast and Me Heading South

alaskaman

alaskaman

Senior Member
We have an ice storm today here in Alaska (most of it). I kept the Beast indoors. Anyway just wanted to let you good people know that we are heading to San Diego and Phoenix to visit with family for six months working part time there.

Running the Hakka's studded SUV5. Going to follow my own advice learned last time and carry a sat phone. Will pitch the Scorpions on top. Will take some pics in the Yukon and on the Ferry. Going to be fun and weird.

Have to look out for people not bears.:hello:
 
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alaskaman said:
We have an ice storm today here in Alaska (most of it). I kept the Beast indoors. Anyway just wanted to let you good people know that we are heading to San Diego and Phoenix to visit with family for six months working part time there.

Running the Hakka's studded SUV5. Going to follow my own advice learned last time and carry a sat phone. Will pitch the Scorpions on top. Will take some pics in the Yukon and on the Ferry. Going to be fun and weird.

Have to look out for people not bears.:hello:
Click to expand...

i was hoping for pics!!!! :)
 
gm350reratliff said:
Drive safe! Road trips are always fun if you plan right.

However, I think I would rather be in Alaska than Phoenix or SD.
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Aww - Phoenix is great! And down right chilly right now (58 degrees!) Brr.... Lots of great off-roading opportunities for any skill level right outside of town.

Have a great trip!
 
Living the dream! I can't wait for some pics, safe travels... :cheers:


PS- This is the right time of the year for Phoenix:D
 
Can you outline your general route (major points) and what's the timeline? Curious where the ferry come into the travels. Why not drive the entire route?

Enjoy!
 
From Eagle River Day 1 is to Tok about 350 miles North and a little East. Fast Freddies and Youngs Motel are about the only game in town. The interior is typically colder and usually are zero degrees or less. Day 2 is from Tok to Destruction Bay. You cross the border into Canada about 90 miles from Tok heading to the Talbot Arms Motel. Its about 220 miles but them are hard Canadian miles with frost heaves and blowing snow. There are no services here except maybe the isolated gas station but typically some of the most remote area in the Yukon. Sat phone and rifle plus winter gear pack is the way to go. Day 3 is Destruction Bay to Haines. You cross back into the United States about 50 miles from Haines. Haines is a magical little town on the inlet. The Roadhouse is the place to be. The Ferry leaves from Haines and makes brief stops in Juneau Wrangell and several others before heading out to sea to Ketchikan. The trip takes about 4 days and drops you off in Bellingham WA. Costs about $750 for the Beast (Driver goes free in Winter). Cabins are $300 to $600 and equipped with shower. They are spartan and warm. The ship itself has some nice public spaces and fairly good food. When out to see, it can get rockin.

The risk increases crossing Canada in Winter. Large transport trucks come at you fast and throw blowing snow. In addition the weather can be fierce. There are no services in some places. Many people do it and get by fine. Some don't. I also enjoy the ferry. The car is safe, keeps hard miles off the vehicle and it's easy to make new friends. :biggrin2:
 
alaskaman said:
... When out to see, it can get rockin.

The risk increases crossing Canada in Winter. Large transport trucks come at you fast and throw blowing snow. In addition the weather can be fierce. There are no services in some places. Many people do it and get by fine. Some don't. I also enjoy the ferry. The car is safe, keeps hard miles off the vehicle and it's easy to make new friends. :biggrin2:
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Thanks for the update, especially with those details.
Four days on a boat doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather keep moving down the road. Compared to sea-sickness, the trucks, blowing snow and fierce weather don't bother me. After all, "I Am Canadian." (Always wanted to say that.) I'd like to make that trip some day but I'd also pick a better time of year.
 
Yes, I am glad you said that too.:hello: My American creativity demands multiple levels of travel. The Beast however, rolls internationale. Here's a pic in the garage after a Thanksgiving homecoming. Being Canadian I am sure you will recognize it.:)
 

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alaskaman said:
Yes, I am glad you said that too.:hello: My American creativity demands multiple levels of travel. The Beast however, rolls internationale. Here's a pic in the garage after a Thanksgiving homecoming. Being Canadian I am sure you will recognize it.:)
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What, that white stuff? Yeah, northern ground cover. The positive side is you can't ski very easily without it.

Forgot to ask. Is all that drive on pavement or is some of the Alcan gravel (like the Alaska Hwy is north of Fairbanks)?
 
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Kmvreter said:
What, that white stuff? Yeah, northern ground cover. The positive side is you can't ski very easily without it.

Forgot to ask. Is all that drive on pavement or is some of the Alcan gravel?
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All paved albeit with an inch or two of packed snow/ice.

The Dalton Highway to Prudoe Bay is Gravel (sometimes)
 
Drive safe!

Few years ago my uncle drove from Los Angeles all the way to the highest point in Alaska in his Tacoma and back to LA. I Want to do a journey like that one day.
 
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