Terrain Navigator
CD ROM topographic map coverage for ALL of Alaska

Click for more information

Complete Catalogs

Alaska Hunting Books
Alaska Fishing Books
Alaska Travel Books

Plan Your
Alaska Trip
with The Milepost

Click here for more information or to
order your copy

[ Return to Contents | Post a Reply | Post a new message ]

Thank all of you for the tips, warnings and information.  Here is the deal--I have to be in AK by mid-Feb.  I have a few things to work out before starting work on March 1.  Really need my vehicle up there for transportaion, which leaves me with the notion of driving.  I looked into the marine highway, but from WA to Whittier it looks like it will run me around $1,500 just for the ferry.  Again, looks like I'm driving.

Now, I am an absolute greenfoot when it comes to driving on snow.  We only get ice down here and my experience has been just drive on it.  But I need to learn sometime and will have plenty of time to take it slow.  Figure on leaving out at the beginning of Feb and taking 10 days or so to get up there.  

I will be driving up in a 2005 Z71 4-wheel drive pickup.  It already has a cracked windshield so no worries about rocks.  It has a big tank and I usually can get around 430 miles per tank--figure less in poor conditions.  It has AT tires, without studs.  I am having it serviced in January and a block heater installed.  I will also have a camper shell on the back with all my belongings to get me through until June when my wife and daughter come up with more of our stuff.

Plan to bring plenty of warm clothing and a heavy sleeping bag.  Will also have food/water/first aid kit.  Haven't decided how I am bringing my guns yet--shipping vs. packing with me.  Will have a cell phone and likely a CB radio as I understand coverage is spotty.  I will also get the new milepost and call up to a couple stations before leaving to ensure they are around and open.

Couple more questions:  

What route is best?  I will be coming from Texas and have no planned route yet.  Wasnt sure if better to hug the coast or cruise strait up through.

What is the weather like first week of Feb. vs. last week in Feb?  Possible I could fly up in mid-Feb and then back to drive up at the end of the month if the weather is that much better.

Any good suggestions for spots to stop for the night, or places to avoid?  I will likely try to put in 10-14 hours of driving each day and then stop for the night.

Thanks again folks for all the help.

Message Thread:

• Moving to Alaska --- Questions wildwilltx Dec 12 2005
  • I will be moving into that area too and need a hun Capt_Robert Dec 13 2005
    • Where you coming from Bats 44 Dec 23 2005
  • Routes and misc. twodux Dec 13 2005
  • Which Route???????? wildwilltx Dec 13 2005
    • Routes Kurt S Dec 13 2005
  • alcan info Kurt S Dec 12 2005
    • Passports Required??? Shoot2Kill Dec 13 2005
      • passports require? Kurt S Dec 13 2005
  • Winter Alcan twodux Dec 12 2005
  • Alcan travel advice Wes Walker Dec 12 2005
  • Alcan in feb. Jim in Delta Dec 12 2005
  • A few answers Garion33 Dec 12 2005
    • driving the ALCAN in Feb mariner Dec 12 2005
      • alcan Ak Willy Dec 12 2005