Posted by Richard Waas on January 19, 2011 at 9:56 AM
We're in the planning stages of our 3 month trip to Alaska driving our motorhome. We're planning on heading north out of Vancouver and returning down thru Jasper, Banff, etc. I've been trying to research must see areas, but the more I look the more I get confused. We have about 40 days from Vancouver to jasper, BC. Would love to hear your ideas of must see places. Thanks in advance.....
Also, if there are any local photo guides that you would recommend. We love Wildlife and Landscape...
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on January 19, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Hi Richard,
I would head up on the Cassiar Highway, and back on the Alaska Highway. If you do take the Cassiar, a detour to Hyder / Steward is a great place for bear viewing.
A side trip to Skagway is a also must - on one leg you might consider taking the ferry from Skagway to Haines and then back over to the Alaska Highway. Depending on what you are drving, a detour through Dawson and the Top of the World Highway is also nice, but that is a long gravel road with a tiny ferry crossing at the Yukon River.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 20, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Take a Canadian ferry form Vancouver to Prince Rupert or take the long drive from Vancouver up the Fraser River to Prince George, and then west. Then take the Cassiar Highway north to Watson Lake. I agree with Ron's suggestion for a side trip to Stewart/Hyder. And maybe a boat trip from there to Misty Fjords NP. On the Alaska Highway, consider the side trip to Skagway, maybe with a short ferry ride to Haines, then back on the Haines cutoff to the Alaska highway.
Ordinarily I'd suggest the Top of the World Highway form Whitehorse north to Dawson, YT, then across to Eagle, Alaska, but bad storms pretty much annihilated the roads and they're likely to still be undergoing repairs this coming summer.
Left at Tok AK and along the Glenn Highway to Gulkana. North from Gulkana to Paxson. Alternatively, on north to Delta and then spouth on the Richardson Highway to Paxson. Explore the eastern 50 miles of the Denali Highway, Paxson to Maclaren.
Then on down to Valdez, at the south end of the Richardson. Board an Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Whittier. Alternatively, back north to Glenallen from Valdez and take the Glenn Highway through Anchorage. Explore the Kenai Peninsula, including Seward (Alaska Sea Life Center and the 11.5 hours cruise through Kenai Fjords NP). On down to Homer, and explore Kachemack Bay. Then north through Anchorage to Palmer, and then up the Parks to Denali State Park and Denali National Park.
Then up to Fairbanks, saving time for a drive out to Chena Hot Springs and maybe to Circle, out the Steese Highway. Then back home through Fairbanks, Delta Junction and then the Alaska Highway back.
The Milepost is indispensable to planning a trip like this.
Back to Gulkana
Posted by Richard Waas on January 28, 2011 at 8:02 AM
Thank you for all your help. The planning is full speed ahead. Jim, I would love to hire a photo guide for an exciting area of Alaska for a couple of days. Any ideas?
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on January 28, 2011 at 8:40 PM
I know you didn't ask me, but depending on your timing I might be interested. I used to advertising private photo guiding in Alaska on my website, but removed the page this Fall because I was getting more business then I wanted - I want to keep it fun! But, depending on your timing and what kinds of things you would like to do, it might work for this summer. And, I live in the most exciting area of Alaska IMO :)
Discussion
4 repliesAlso, if there are any local photo guides that you would recommend. We love Wildlife and Landscape...
I would head up on the Cassiar Highway, and back on the Alaska Highway. If you do take the Cassiar, a detour to Hyder / Steward is a great place for bear viewing.
A side trip to Skagway is a also must - on one leg you might consider taking the ferry from Skagway to Haines and then back over to the Alaska Highway. Depending on what you are drving, a detour through Dawson and the Top of the World Highway is also nice, but that is a long gravel road with a tiny ferry crossing at the Yukon River.
This might give you some more specifics: http://www.wildnatureimages.com/DrivingToAlaska.htm
Once you are in Alaska, this might be helpful: http://www.wildnatureimages.com/FAQ%201.htm
Have fun!
Ordinarily I'd suggest the Top of the World Highway form Whitehorse north to Dawson, YT, then across to Eagle, Alaska, but bad storms pretty much annihilated the roads and they're likely to still be undergoing repairs this coming summer.
Left at Tok AK and along the Glenn Highway to Gulkana. North from Gulkana to Paxson. Alternatively, on north to Delta and then spouth on the Richardson Highway to Paxson. Explore the eastern 50 miles of the Denali Highway, Paxson to Maclaren.
Then on down to Valdez, at the south end of the Richardson. Board an Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Whittier. Alternatively, back north to Glenallen from Valdez and take the Glenn Highway through Anchorage. Explore the Kenai Peninsula, including Seward (Alaska Sea Life Center and the 11.5 hours cruise through Kenai Fjords NP). On down to Homer, and explore Kachemack Bay. Then north through Anchorage to Palmer, and then up the Parks to Denali State Park and Denali National Park.
Then up to Fairbanks, saving time for a drive out to Chena Hot Springs and maybe to Circle, out the Steese Highway. Then back home through Fairbanks, Delta Junction and then the Alaska Highway back.
The Milepost is indispensable to planning a trip like this.
Back to Gulkana
It might be easier if I send you an email. Ron