future road trip: vancouver, yukon, alaska, passage loop

[coaxial]

Here is a road trip I hope to do this spring or summer :) I figure it will be a nice way to see northern BC, yukon, and alaska and shouldn't take too long. I'm really looking forward to the boat ride through the passage as well, and I figure I can decide at the time if I want to drive the length of vancouver island or take the boat all the way home.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge ... 8&z=5&om=1

[docsavage]

I think you would be missing the nicest road, that being Highway 37 (Cassiar Hwy) from Kitwanga to Watson Lake, if you take the ferry down from Alaska. That route is much more scenic than the Alaska Highway. Might want to consider taking the ferry from Prince Rupert, or drive up Highway 37 and come down on the ferry. The biggest highlight on the Alaska Highway is Liard Hot Springs but that can be reached from Watson Lake. Highway 37 in Late August/early September is best, not too busy, fewer bugs, and fantastic colours.

James

[BCDelica]

Very Nice! What is the cost to take your van all the way up?

With all the available jobs that keep popping up in Prince George, I hope also to drive up there this spring, and following that take week or more to drive to Hyder/Stewart. Whitehorse/Juneau, now that'd rock!

Regards

[marsgal42]

Any estimates on driving time from Kitwanga to Watson Lake? I'm thinking of driving up that way myself, and after collecting family in Quesnel the general idea will be to push fairly hard to Whitehorse, then slow down from there. At least to Dawson, possibly (river crossings permitting) all the way to Inuvik.

...laura

[coaxial]

I think you would be missing the nicest road, that being Highway 37 (Cassiar Hwy) from Kitwanga to Watson Lake,

Thanks for the tips!

Very easy to still do the same loop but take the 37, would this be nicer then?
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge ... 7&z=5&om=1

[docsavage]

Coaxial:

That route would probably be more enjoyable. Then you could meet up with Josh and I in Smithers if you have time. It may be worth your while to add the side trip to Liard Hot Springs from Watson Lake. I think it is a few hours from Watson lake, could make it an overnight trip. In Late summer there aren't alot of people ( but alot of bears) and the springs are really nice.

Laura:

Just off the top of my head, it is about 8 hours from Quesnel to Kitwanga, then i would give at least 2 good days to get to Watson Lake. However there are some very nice stops that should be considered:

Stewart/Hyder - Hyder is the only inhabited ghost town in the USA, beautiful glaciers right to the highway (almost anyway)

The Grand Canyon of the Stikine - on the way to Telegraph Creek from Dease Lake - quite a spectacular rock canyon and a very interesting drive.

Boya Lake Park - Beautiful shallow and crystal clear water lake with lots of little islands. It was pretty cold when there in September, but it is swimmable with a nice camp ground.

The last time I did this trip was in 1995 in a Nissan Micra with 2 adults and a lot of gear as we drove back to Edmonton (for school) from Houston. Make sure you fill up wherever you can as servies on the route are scattered.

[quadzilla]

If you could incorporate a trip through the Nass Valley (NNE from Terrace through to HWY 37) you could check out some spectacular lava beds and travel through Nisga'a Territory. Some beautiful river valleys, back roads, and a ton of wildlife. If you timed it right, you could blast down to Kincolith and partake in the annual Crab Festival. Good food, good music, and good times.

[mararmeisto]

That's a wonderful looking route (either one), but I'm always concerned about finding diesel fuel somewhere outside my known stomping grounds. Is it more available in BC than I might be imagining? I'm in the process of purchasing some military fuel cans (probably 4) so that I can have at least a full tank of fuel in reserve should I not be able to find something.

Am I being a 'Nervous Nelly' or am I somewhat justified?

[coaxial]

I've got a 5spd so my tank is 50L with 10L reserve or about 450km range, and I carry a 10g can of spare fuel. Could always carry lots more, especially with a safari rack.

I find as soon as you are outside of a major city and especially if you are near farmland every station tends to have diesel, most farms have their own diesel tanks as well so you could maybe buy some in a pinch.

[Green1]

most farms have their own diesel tanks as well so you could maybe buy some in a pinch.

carefull with that, most of those contain dyed fuel, illegal for road use (though you can get away with limited use if you have farm plates)

whether you would be caught is a different matter, but the dye tends to stay in the system for a while.

[coaxial]

Yeah I grew up on a farm and we put pink diesel in everything

[jrman]

Not sure if the RCMP still consider this a priority or not, but I went through the standard seatbelt & catch all random inspection in Hope on two occasions 6 months apart back in the mid 1990's. I was driving an F250 6.2L Diesel and both times they put a hose down the tank and took out a sample - and did something else with a small mirror as well looking for dye I suppose. Just something to be aware of I guess. In an emergency - it's probably not a big deal, but I certainly wouldn't do it on a regular basis.

[josh]

That's a wonderful looking route (either one), but I'm always concerned about finding diesel fuel somewhere outside my known stomping grounds. Is it more available in BC than I might be imagining? I'm in the process of purchasing some military fuel cans (probably 4) so that I can have at least a full tank of fuel in reserve should I not be able to find something.

Am I being a 'Nervous Nelly' or am I somewhat justified?

Rest assured Diesel is easily found up north... way easier than in southern BC. If you do head this way, you can crash at our place. We live in a gorgeous little mountain town called Smithers that is about an hour before you get to Kitwanga. Anyhow, I have driven to vancouver many a time, as well as up north into alaska, and have never had a hard time finding Diesel. Sounds like a great trip, go for it!

Josh

[docsavage]

Fuel in the North is easy to come by in all towns. Most of the loggers and miners use diesel pickups, and there are lots of transport trucks moving through. On Highway 37 beyond Meziadin Junction there are just not many towns, therefore, I would top up the tank at each station (they seem to be about 200 km apart) just so I have lots of fuel for exploring an interesting side road, or something happens.

James

[BCDelica]

Edit to my post - what is the cost to take the van on the ferry all the way up to Alaska?

The $318, for 'shoulder season' to Rupert costs more then gas so I'll drive that far. Yet for someone that hasn't experienced the inside passage it is worth it. And check the Alaska state ferry site, http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/, the $500us to travel from Rupert to Juneau might be worth it. That's the price before April 30. Haven't myself been on the water past Rupert or the Charlottes.

So many options!