Hi, I'm new to this site, looking for advice from real people who have traveled to Alaska, We have a trip idea percolating to drive to Alaska from MN this summer,empty nesters,advised to leave (large) dog home for this trip. We Have a '96 Bronco 140,000 miles, but we trust it. We would make sure to get a good bill of health from trusted machinic friend before we left. We camp northern MN with '78 popup tent trailer that we love,lots of memories, but its old. We dont find that mosquitoes are a problem in Northern MN with a small hole in screen here and there. But Alaska? would that be a problem? Looking for advice. Do we take the old rigs or get something with hard sides? We cant afford a new vehicle, dont want to rent.Thinking about maybe we could buy something different at a resonable price to resell after the trip. At this point we have way more questions than answers.Bears? Mosquitoes? route? how much time? Ferry 1/2 trip? Just begining. Any advice? Bob & Julie MN
Thanks Jill for the links, that was very helpful, I appreciate it. I would love to hear from anyone else who has camped Alaska. There seems to be so much to know. Thanks Julie
Bears? Possibly. Mosquitoes, definitely. As well as midges, noseeums and very nasty biting flies. Popup would probably be OK but I would get the axles checked, the frame checked and the electrical checked. If they have almost no rust and are all sound then buy a new netting for the unit. They run about $900 for new canvas and netting for most coleman campers. I wouldn't take a softside up with holes in the screens. Your weakest link is going to be the tongue and your hookup. Make sure you have very good chains (not the cheap kind that comes with the unit)and stop regularly after really rough stretches to make sure your still attached.
I assume you know about how to store food, leaving coolers locked in your car, against bears. No "we'll leave the window open a crack" - which is an invitation to a bear attack. I stupidly once left a container of coleman fuel outside our unit. After the bear came through, batted it around and punctured it and then lumbered off I realized that it was small, square and probably had grease of some kind on it. Of course it would attract a bear.
Bears Are Always Looking for Something to Eat! • Bears have only about six months to build up fat reserves for their long winter hibernation. Don't let them learn human food or garbage is an easy meal. It is both foolish and illegal to feed bears, either on purpose or by leaving food or garbage that attracts them.
Cook away from your tent. Store all food away from your campsite. Hang food out of reach of bears if possible. If no trees are available, store your food in airtight or specially designed bear-proof containers. Remember, pets and their food may also attract bears.
Keep a clean camp. Wash your dishes. Avoid smelly food like bacon and smoked fish. Keep food smells off your clothing. Burn garbage completely in a hot fire and pack out the remains. Food and garbage are equally attractive to a bear so treat them with equal care. Burying garbage is a waste of time. Bears have keen noses and are great diggers.
If a bear approaches while you are fishing, stop fishing. If you have a fish on your line, don't let it splash. If that's not possible, cut your line. If a bear learns it can obtain fish just by approaching fishermen, it will return for more.
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I just did a Google on "alaska bear proof travel" and got sites like the above. We drove the Alaska highway back in 1988 when I went to a job in Anchorage, I want to do it again when I can take my time.
Hi, I spent 2 weeks camping in Alaska last Aug! I had a fantastic time . I have friends that live in Anchorage that have ALL the camping gear we needed. We were at Quartz Creek on the Kenai River. Take the BIG dog with you he will alert you to any bears in the camp area. We camped with 2 big dogs. Friend also has a 44 mag pistol. Only time I saw bears was on the river fishing. We had stopped for lunch and just packing up and loading the raft when i heard a snap behid me... turned to look and lumbering down the trail was a very large bear.. so off to the river we went. Each night we packed EVERY thing up and placed it in pickup with the dogs. If you up grade your camper, you could always sell it up there and probly get more for it in Alaska then what you paid for it from where you are from. Just remember that there are lots of LONG roads with no service up there. Think about a satalite phone aswell incase you need help. (You can rent them) You will love Alaska I have fall in love with the state!!! Almost like being home in Switzerland.
Sue
Posts: 125 | Location: Norway, Maine | Registered: 22 April 2006
I've driven the Alaska Highway two times in the past couple of years, and live in Southeast Alaska.
Remember, you're actually driving in Canada for most of the Highway. Take your passports! Three years ago, I had no problem using US currency everywhere, but last year, there was a great deal more reluctance to accept the bills. (The coins are one for one; try to get rid of your Canadian coins before you return to the Lower 48.) I think this may be because the dollar is weak in Canada--like everywhere--where previously, folks hoarded dollars for shopping trips over the border. So if you find you need Canadian money, get it when you can. Most small towns don't have an ATM, let alone a bank. Many truck stops and gas stations do have them, but we had trouble with some of our ATM cards not being accepted.
A '96 Bronco should be fine. I drove a 90 Subaru and a 98 Honda, each with over 100K miles. The roads are in better shape than most in the Lower 48; I'd find myself going 90-100mph on the flats. There will be roadwork going on, but it's always well-marked.
Canada posted wonderful warning signs about upcoming animals on the road, which always makes me wonder if these animals somehow live in segregated neighborhoods; elks for this ten miles, cariboo (as they spell it.) for the next twenty. Don't assume you'll see something as large as a bison coming. Although the Canadians cut the roadside trees back, they're dense, and animals suddenly burst onto the road.
In some ways, driving the road is a very modern experience, in others, keep expectations low. Cell phones lose signal about halfway up. When it returns, it's only around the larger towns. Food in the restaurants is from frozen or canned sources. Lots of chili, hamburgers, and deep-fried shrimp. Pie tends to be good, since it's usually homemade. Don't be fooled by 'salad bars'. They'll be bean, pasta, and mayo-based salads, with one small bowl of white iceberg. Grocery stores are equally understocked, with empty shelves and wilting veggies. Yet, during the summer, wonderful produce is available along at roadside fruitstands. Pick stuff up when you can.
Your pop-up camper should be fine. The skeeters are going to get you, no matter what, so don't worry about the holes. Perhaps get netting for over the bed, since I assume bugs will come in every time the door's opened. My only concern would be rain, since it can rain for days on end. Global warming is very noticeable up here; BC's had drought conditions for years. However, last August, it poured every single day in Juneau. (Global warming's made the mosquitoes even worse.)
Don't use fruit-scented chapstick, soap, or shampoo; it only makes *you* mango-flavored. Everyone focuses on bears, yet more people are killed every year by moose than bears. These are large, aggressive, easily agitated animals. And when you hit one with your car, at the very least, the vehicle will be totaled. Ravens will steal your food, or rip off your windshield wipers, squirrels will steal your toilet paper. The simplest advice is, treat the land with respect.
I don't want to fill the page with one post, so if you'd like more specific information about routes and sights, let me know.
Julie: I live in Eagle River, which is just outside of Anchorage. Let me know if I can answer any questions about the area for you. We moved up here almost 10 years ago and drove from Kansas City. Camped/stayed in cheap hotels along the way. My husband drove a U-Haul truck towing his pick-up, and I drove a car with a dog. Didn't have any problems with the drive. We had a ways of gravel roads, which I understand is still there. Alaska is a beautiful place and you should have a great vacation where ever you go.
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. I have friends that live in Anchorage that have ALL the camping gear we needed. We were at Quartz Creek on the Kenai River. Take the BIG dog with you he will alert you to any bears in the camp area.
