Taking a roadtrip from WA to AK this summer (Juneau and: apartment, campground)

[cobolt]

Thanks warptman. Merry Christmas guys!!

[warptman]

You are welcome. When you make the trip you have bragging rights to tell your friends. This is a trip of a lifetime and I've done it 13 times now. I'm driving down and back again in April, can't wait.

[FauteDeMieux]

@Glitch

Great, thanks for the info. I'll probably plan to be in-state late july, see everything in the south central portion, then head up north the first week of august. Really appreciate the headsup about when to visit the tundra, I'm looking forward to it more and more.

@Rance & Stiffnecked

Those room prices will break our budget, I was counting on <$100 a night. Personally I'd just camp out every night, but this trip is with my girlfriend. Got to love her for trekking around in the woods and up mountains all day, but if she doesn't come back to a bed and shower, she's not happy. I guess we'll have to try and mix it up. Hopefully bears and mosquito's aren't too bad, all we have is a tent!

[FauteDeMieux]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yeah, camping's an option, but read post above for complications

I dont mind the hijack at all - we plan to take the Cassier on the way up so it's a great question!

[FauteDeMieux]

Originally Posted by 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!

I average about a picture per mile when I travel, my finger is practically glued to the shutter release! I'll be sure to come back after the trip and upload some of the better ones! Between Cobolt and I, the trimmings should be pretty well had

[warptman]

My coworker drove down the Alcan when I was on my way up. He velcro'd his high-def camera to his dash and took 30 second tapings every 15-30 minutes. I can't wait to get a copy of that.

[FauteDeMieux]

Originally Posted by warptman

My coworker drove down the Alcan when I was on my way up. He velcro'd his high-def camera to his dash and took 30 second tapings every 15-30 minutes. I can't wait to get a copy of that.

Be sure to let me know - I plan to drive home on that.

[stiffnecked]

My last trip on the Cassiar was in August. Their was some construction going on but nothing to worry about. I encountered the same amount on the Alcan portion as well.
The only thing I didn't plan on was the gas station at Jade City being closed. I had plenty to make it to Watson Lake but I like to keep the sucker topped off.

As for lodging I don't know what to tell you. There are some cheap places on Alcan portion but they are by no means 5 star. More like 1 star or no star. They were all clean and had running water. Once you get into Alaska I would plan on camping out or hitting the hostels in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

I get my streets mixed up but the campground over by University and Airport Way in Fairbanks was the friendlies for tent campers. Nice spots by the river. They have all the amenities such as showers, laundry, and WIFI. I never saw one bear in that campground.

[mal_flisk]

Hotels around Alaska raise their rates around May 15th or so. It is tourist season and that's when they make the bucks to keep the place going. Off season rates are generally about $80-$100 cheaper. Certain hotels are the same price year-round (the Caribou in Deadhorse, or the hotel in Coldfoot come to mind.)

[cobolt]

Yea, between me and FDM, we'll keep you in pics! I'm so bad when it comes to that. I was hiking a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail and it normally takes 8 hours, but it takes me more like 10 because I am stopping to snap pics, compose pics, capture every piece of eye candy nature has for me. I've also gotten quite good at the self pic (via either tripod, ad-libbed tripod [rocks, tree stumps] or just the extended arm version).

I'm really excited about the trip. Even if I car camp... it's all good!