Taking a roadtrip from WA to AK this summer (Anchorage: budget, maintenance)

[FauteDeMieux]

@Icarian

After my first major roadtrip this summer I learned all about the banes of RVs. Hopefully it won't be TOO bad, but I'm guessing 4-lanes will be few and far between?

@Glitch

So it sounds like the weather seems to be somewhat mutually exclusive. Can you try and give me the best compromise, with 2.5 weeks down south and a 5 day drive to and back from Deadhorse? Also, say we were to come in mid-june, what would the Haul road be like? More ice? More chance of snowstorms?

I definitely will pack along extra gas/spares/etc. And I checked out the HAARP array on google - maybe I will stop by

[FauteDeMieux]

Originally Posted by warptman

As for Flightseeing:

http://www.flyk2.com/

http://www.talkeetnaair.com/

Thanks for the links.

Didn't realize it'd be so pricey. This is going to be hard to fund on our college kid budget!

[FauteDeMieux]

Ugh, I just checked a couple of hotel booking sites. Average price in june-august seems to be $150-200 in anchorage.. is this typical of the city, and of the state in general?

[Rance]

Originally Posted by FauteDeMieux

Ugh, I just checked a couple of hotel booking sites. Average price in june-august seems to be $150-200 in anchorage.. is this typical of the city, and of the state in general?

Yup. Tourist season. Sometimes your lucky to even find a room at all.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by FauteDeMieux

@Glitch

So it sounds like the weather seems to be somewhat mutually exclusive. Can you try and give me the best compromise, with 2.5 weeks down south and a 5 day drive to and back from Deadhorse? Also, say we were to come in mid-june, what would the Haul road be like? More ice? More chance of snowstorms?

I definitely will pack along extra gas/spares/etc. And I checked out the HAARP array on google - maybe I will stop by

When I drove the Haul Road on a regular basis during the winter it was work related, so I couldn't pick the time I wanted to go. If I were you, I would stick with early- or mid-August to visit the northslope in order to see the tundra in full bloom. There isn't much to see other than ice and snow during the rest of the year. The caribou calve in the foothills of the Brooks Range in May and June, then move closer to the coast by August to escape the mosquitoes and munch on the tundra. Caribou, geese, loons, fox, wolves, grizzlies, and even polar bears will be out and about in August.

Mid- to late-August in south central Alaska has fewer tourists and cooler days than June or July, but you should still experience a few sunny clear days. The fall colors will also start to appear by late-August, and fall is the prettiest season of the year in Alaska. There is also a late run of Silver salmon that comes up the Cook Inlet about that time, if you want to do some fishing.

Mid- to late-July is slightly warmer than August, but usually just as wet. The King salmon stop running by mid-July, but there are still plenty of runs of Silvers and Reds on the Kenai Peninsula and in the Cook Inlet rivers and streams.

[stiffnecked]

That's what I told you about the hotel prices. I doesn't get any cheaper. There are plenty of campgrounds around Anchorage and just about every other place. You might also check into some of the hostels. Cheap clean place to sleep but they fill up fast.

[cobolt]

I was just going to suggest hostels and/or campgrounds. I've always gone that way and if you're a low maintenance person, it's really great. Or you can camp a few nights and then hostel or spring for a hotel to break it up.

I also am doing the Alcan drive between WA and AK, but I'm only going as far as the Golden Circle: Whitehorse/Haines/Skagway to do some hiking. I'm either going to ferry up and drive down or the opposite--I haven't figured which way would be best yet. Is the Cassair hwy okay to travel in the summer? I've been told by some people that although it does take some milage off the trip, it isn't worth it to drive it.

Sorry. I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

[Rance]

I drove it in 78 when it was no more than a trail through the woods. It was great. If you've never been on the Cassiar I'd give it a go. Get pictures and give the rest of us an up-date on road conditions and all the trimmings!

[cobolt]

Hey thanks Rance, will. do. Will it be safe for a woman going solo? Also is it better to drive up and ferry down or the other way around? Or does it just not matter?

[warptman]

It is safe for anyone to drive it. Just as long as you know how to change a tire and basic maintenance when necessary. Just drive up and back, no need to pay 500 bucks on the ferry system. Drive up the Alcan or Cassiar one way up and the other back.