Maggie’s Planning a Road Trip to Alaska - Need Intel

Dog&Jeep

Dog&Jeep

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Minuteman
Mar 12, 2013
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Salinas, CA
#1
I'm getting itchy feet, so it's time to start planning a road trip. I want to see Alaska. It will be nearly 7000 miles roundtrip by the time I factor in excursions. I'm aiming for September. With any luck, this tariff situation will have settled down by then and all they'll hate me for is being Califorian. I'm used to that. There will be several challenges I can foresee.
  • My Akita, Shiloh will be coming with me. That means getting health certificates...etc.
  • My Driver's license is up for renewal in September, so I need to get that done as early as possible because I'll need the new license with me.
  • Carrying handguns across Canada ain't happening. Long guns might be possible, but it depends on a lot of "Things" I can't control. Best plan of action may be to just buy a Guide Gun or something similar at the first Alaskan town I reach. (Tok) It'll make a better souvenir than a t-shirt or coffee mug, am I right? On my return trip through Tok, I've already found a business that specializes in shipping guns back down to greater 48. In the meantime, I've already picked up a couple of big cans of bear spray.
  • I think my F-250 will be my best vehicle for the trip. I've already spoke with a localized and tamed Snow Mexican who's made this trip before, and she assures me that diesel will be easy to find going thru Canada. Looking on the map, average distance between communities stays below 300 miles. That's well within the range of my fuel tank. I'll carry extra tanks just in case. I also don't plan to go pass any community without tanking up first.
  • Being in Alaska on, or close to the Equinox will mean cold nights and maybe cold days. I can prepare for that. It will also mean less mosquitoes and a better chance of seeing Northern Lights.
Is there something else I should be planning for, doing or not doing? I've never been to Alaska before, and I'll be in some remote country with just my dog for backup.

I don't plan on hunting or fishing on this trip. But whatever I learn on this trip may well lead to a focused hunting/fishing trip in the future.

Any tips, cautions or suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
 
#4
Politics aside. I flew to Anchorage a few years back to drive my dad's truck down for him. Took one of my kids along and we had a blast. We were definitely in the shoulder season and had to use gas cans once to get us through a long stretch where nothing was open. I'm not sure on buying firearms out of state or traveling through Canada with them. I plan on doing that trip again when I can spend a couple weeks instead of a couple days.

Last I knew you can ship a firearm to yourself without a FFL involved. So sending it general delivery to an AK Post Office is what I'd do.

There are some pretty fun short hikes to hot springs while you travel through Canada and next time I'd like to take the east highway that travels through the Yukon north and coastal highway back. We took the Yukon hwy. Seen just about every animal imaginable. From wolves to bears to porcupine to goats etc.

Bring binoculars and a good spotting scope would be my reccomendation.
 
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#6
diverdon said:

Route Guide - Alaska Marine Highway System

See a map of the Alaska Marine Highway route to help you plan your trip to Alaska
dot.alaska.gov

I believe you can ferry from Washington and never set foot in a commie country.

The weather in Alaske often sucks. But September is much worse than July or August.
Click to expand...
If I wasn't bringing my dog Shiloh, I would love to take the ferry. But Shiloh would be stuck in the truck for over 30 hours on the first leg of the ride, with only very short breaks every 8 hours. That would be miserable for Shiloh and kinda nasty for my truck.
 
#8
Have driven the ALCAN hwy twice. Once from San Diego to Homer. The other from Homer to Seattle. The most epic road trip, each time. Second being the favorite with a venture thru the Denali highway.
 
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#12
Dog&Jeep said:
But Shiloh would be stuck in the truck for over 30 hours
Click to expand...
Very considerate of you!
I took the ferry from Bellingham, Wa. to Whittier, Ak a few years ago, saw how the pets suffered
the trip.
There are some amazing views in Alaska, but if you visit when it is gray and raining for weeks on end, you will miss it all.
June is the "golden" month.
Great weather, and the fires have not started up.
Smoke from July forest fires obscured visibility, and made it difficult to breathe for me sometimes.
 
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#15
matthias said:
May want to check on getting a passport for easier border crossing .
Click to expand...

Have to have one now. Minimum is the card, but it's only a few $ different to have the full book.

Last time I was in Canada it was easier to get in than getting back to the US.



What's the truck look like? It's it 20 years old or 2?

Maintenance and fuel would be my concerns. Make sure it'll start in the cold (the old 7.3s were horrible for having glow plugs go out, usually the solenoids failed killing an entire bank).
Oil is easy to find but not necessarily filters. I'd have a stock of fuel filters and oil filters and know how to change them.

Keep a supply of food and water in case you end up nowhere for a few days broken down.
 
Last edited:
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#16
chevy_man said:
Have to have one now. Minimum is the card, but it's only a few $ different to have the full book.

Last time I was in Canada it was easier to get in than getting back to the US.



What's the truck look like? It's it 20 years old or 2?

Maintenance and fuel would be my concerns. Make sure it'll start in the cold (the old 7.3s were horrible for having glow plugs go out, usually the solenoids failed killing an entire bank).
Oil is easy to find but not necessarily filters. I'd have a stock of fuel filters and oil filters and know how to change them.

Keep a supply of food and water in case you end up nowhere for a few days broken down.
Click to expand...
The truck is a 2000 model with the 7.3. It looks like a work truck. It's in very good condition and runs very strong. your point about extra filters is well taken.
 
#18
Dog&Jeep said:
The truck is a 2000 model with the 7.3. It looks like a work truck. It's in very good condition and runs very strong. your point about extra filters is well taken.
Click to expand...

I'd make sure the starting system is in good order, as everyone I know had issues with the glow plugs on and off. Would suck to have a no-start on a random 15° morning.

Fresh fluids front to back (diffs, trans, transfer case).

I'd also make sure you have a couple spare tires, and the tires on the truck aren't old. (Old dry tires tend to separate and toss the caps even if they look good. DOT date codes are easy to check).
 
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#19
9B30077B-AA79-4812-864B-342B151F8EB6_1_105_c.jpeg
04751C8E-DD98-49C9-AA38-6B11D50454FA_1_105_c.jpeg


I cannot name a more beautiful place to see the grandness and raw beauty of earth than the Denali highway in Alaska. East(Paxson) to west(Cantwell)or west(Cantwell) to east(Paxson)Whichever way taken....It's a road trip WELL worth taking and camping and enjoying some self target LR shooting, if so desired. Car camping is perfect too.
 
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#22
I don't know if fuel cost is an issue. My Coast Guad Son drove his 2001 1 ton Dodge with a Cummins towing his 18' fishing boat from Sacramento to Kodiak Island and total trip cost over 5 grand. He did take the ferry's and the one from Homer to Kodiak was a large portion of that. The Coast Guard footed the bills fortunately. I would recommend running white bottle Power Service brand fuel treatment regardless of temps but defiantly if you're going to see temps in the 20"s. I found it helped with milage and I thought a bit more power when I had a diesel. On a side note, he made the trip with 3 dogs, a cat, and an 8 1/2-month pregnant wife. My Granddaughter can claim she's an Alaskan; she was born there, and they still are on Kodiak.
 
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#23
chevy_man said:
Have to have one now. Minimum is the card, but it's only a few $ different to have the full book.

Last time I was in Canada it was easier to get in than getting back to the US.



What's the truck look like? It's it 20 years old or 2?

Maintenance and fuel would be my concerns. Make sure it'll start in the cold (the old 7.3s were horrible for having glow plugs go out, usually the solenoids failed killing an entire bank).
Oil is easy to find but not necessarily filters. I'd have a stock of fuel filters and oil filters and know how to change them.

Keep a supply of food and water in case you end up nowhere for a few days broken down.
Click to expand...

Your comment about being easier to get into Canada than come back is right on. I used to cross almost daily in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan in my Semi. Never had any issue with Canadian Customs but the US guys often acted like they were pissed I went over there. lol
 
#24
What an amazing drive, I drove in 2002 from Bellingham, Washington all the way through to Alaska. It was still winter(late March) when I did it. Have your ducks in a row and it will fine. Extra gas, tires, cold weather gear, etc. I made the trip in a 99 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0
 
#25
Update:
The trip will begin on Sept. 12.

Instead of my F-250, I will take my Ford Sport Trac. It has the advantage of being a crew cab and it has a tonneau cover over the bed. This will allow me to bring a little more and keep it safer and drier. It also provides me with better information about what's going on with it.

I also just put just put a lot of money into fixing/replacing its' electonic components and got it brand new set of tires. It's ready for a road trip.

I did some homework about shipping a rifle to/from Alaska. It would cost me ~$600. Conversely, the sporting goods store in Tok says they'll sell me a bullpup 12ga for $240 that will serve as a truck gun. I'm thinking I'll do that and then when I'm ready to come home, mail it home as a souvenir from the trip. The souvenir I really want is to go to Wild West Guns while I'm in Anchorage and get one of their CoPilots. I love big bore lever guns. Your mileage may vary. Have to wait and see if I can make that happen.

I'm trying to resurrect my old laptop to take with me. I turned it on for the first time in over 4 years last night. That isn't going too well. I might enjoy life more if I just use my smart phone for posting pics...etc.

My family and some friends are losing their shit because they're afraid Shiloh and I will get rendered into Grizzly turds. They want lots of pics so they'll where I am and that I'm alive. Presumably, that will let them find the grizzly turd fast enough that it'll still smell like me, or something...?

My only solid itinerary is to go from Tok to Anchorage to Fairbanks to Tok. I'm sure I'll find lots of side trips to explore. I'll be coming back to that route when each side trip is over. I will not be hunting or fishing on this trip. This will be a recon for future hunting and fishing trips.

I should get back to Salinas sometime in the first half of October.
 
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#27
I flew to anchorage last August for a week of fishing on the keni , was surprised at the number of tourists, I hadn't been back to Alaska since 1978 so it was quite a shock , if your planning on staying in motels you better book now and that might be too late , I booked 6 months in advance with the lodges on the keni and most were already booked full , my buddies rode their Harleys up from Michigan the week before I was there and they had no problems , take a good camera and take lots of pics , I didn't take near enough.
 

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#28
ironman56 said:
I flew to anchorage last August for a week of fishing on the keni , was surprised at the number of tourists, I hadn't been back to Alaska since 1978 so it was quite a shock , if your planning on staying in motels you better book now and that might be too late , I booked 6 months in advance with the lodges on the keni and most were already booked full , my buddies rode their Harleys up from Michigan the week before I was there and they had no problems , take a good camera and take lots of pics , I didn't take near enough.
Click to expand...
You're offering good advice.
The problem is...I can't really pin down where I'm gonna be on any given day. I might wind up sleeping in the pickup some nights. As long as I can grab a shower here and there, I'm okay with that.
 
#29
Dog&Jeep said:
You're offering good advice.
The problem is...I can't really pin down where I'm gonna be on any given day. I might wind up sleeping in the pickup some nights. As long as I can grab a shower here and there, I'm okay with that.
Click to expand...
Sept is really after the main tourist season so you probably won't have that much trouble with motels , now lodges might be different, if you end up near coopers landing , try qwinns lodge for breakfast, excellent food and not too expensive. And a 3day nonresident fishing license was only 45.00 so don't leave the tackle at home .
 
#30
I see no way you could buy a firearm in AK, without an Alaskan DL. I would check the current Canadian import permit rules, and bring a lever action from home. Bring a shovel for off road use. When I went, I drove a van and had a place to sleep every night, rain or shine. I would outfit your vehicle so that you can drive until tired, then hop in the back and go to sleep with no fuss.
 
#31
Dog&Jeep said:
Update:
The trip will begin on Sept. 12.

Instead of my F-250, I will take my Ford Sport Trac. It has the advantage of being a crew cab and it has a tonneau cover over the bed. This will allow me to bring a little more and keep it safer and drier. It also provides me with better information about what's going on with it.

I also just put just put a lot of money into fixing/replacing its' electonic components and got it brand new set of tires. It's ready for a road trip.

I did some homework about shipping a rifle to/from Alaska. It would cost me ~$600. Conversely, the sporting goods store in Tok says they'll sell me a bullpup 12ga for $240 that will serve as a truck gun. I'm thinking I'll do that and then when I'm ready to come home, mail it home as a souvenir from the trip. The souvenir I really want is to go to Wild West Guns while I'm in Anchorage and get one of their CoPilots. I love big bore lever guns. Your mileage may vary. Have to wait and see if I can make that happen.

I'm trying to resurrect my old laptop to take with me. I turned it on for the first time in over 4 years last night. That isn't going too well. I might enjoy life more if I just use my smart phone for posting pics...etc.

My family and some friends are losing their shit because they're afraid Shiloh and I will get rendered into Grizzly turds. They want lots of pics so they'll where I am and that I'm alive. Presumably, that will let them find the grizzly turd fast enough that it'll still smell like me, or something...?

My only solid itinerary is to go from Tok to Anchorage to Fairbanks to Tok. I'm sure I'll find lots of side trips to explore. I'll be coming back to that route when each side trip is over. I will not be hunting or fishing on this trip. This will be a recon for future hunting and fishing trips.

I should get back to Salinas sometime in the first half of October.
Click to expand...
Local here. Couple of thoughts.

Great idea grabbing an shotty as you hit the state, the tried and true loading up here is alternate 00 and slugs. Also, a couple cans a bear spray and a marine air horn will work as a great bear deterrent, much less paper work to deal with if something does happen. The state does have Defense of life and property laws, just make sure you did absolutely every in you power to avoid destroying that animal. Don’t leave food out, retreat if able, etc. Otherwise you’ll catch a stiff fine. The number of bears shot under DLP laws is really very small.

You won’t end up as bear shit. The most dangerous things up here are typically the weather and the water. End up in a river and it’s over. As far as keeping the families nerves in check, grab a garmin inreach, you can keep in constant contact via satellite texting. The sos button is comforting, knowing I can mash that and a Blackhawk with PJ’s is on the way, helps my nerves when things get sporty.

Sounds like you’re prep is very thorough, but make sure your spare is up to the challenge if you decide to venture down the Denali highway or any of the long gravel roads. Bring a little cheap air pump and have lots of plugs also. I’ve lost 2 tires on that road, on the same trip, granted that’s when I use to push my tires a lot harder as a broke 20 something. The local tire shops are more than happy to repair it for $30 or so once you do get to a decent size town, ie Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, etc…

Great advice on bringing fishing gear, this place is Mecca for that. Lakes will hold Lake trout, Rainbows, grayling, many of the road system lakes are stocked by the state. September is the best rainbow fishing in any stream in south central, will need waders though. There is a fall run of Silvers (Coho) in the southern part of the state, usually mid September through October.

September is hit or miss on the weather, but usually mild. Every year is different, just depends on the weather patterns, bring rain gear tops and bottoms. An awning or a tarp for your camp to hang out under is very nice. As mentioned above, the main tourist season is over but hunting season is in full swing, lots of people will be out and about in the backcountry. Can be a pain in the ass, but can help if you breakdown somewhere, or otherwise need a hand, most folks are more than happy to help.

Have fun and enjoy!
 
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#32
c1steve said:
I see no way you could buy a firearm in AK, without an Alaskan DL. I would check the current Canadian import permit rules, and bring a lever action from home. Bring a shovel for off road use. When I went, I drove a van and had a place to sleep every night, rain or shine. I would outfit your vehicle so that you can drive until tired, then hop in the back and go to sleep with no fuss.
Click to expand...
Long guns yes, hand guns no. Canuckastan, need papers.
 
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