The Alaska Highway / ALCAN - July Aug Sep 2012?

[SilverBolt]

I would love to do this trip. I just can't take that much time off. I lived in Alaska for two years. September is pushing the window on snow. The end of August early September is when we could watch the snow level decend down the mountains.

 

[treypal]

Potentially in. The ALCAN isn't that big of deal imo. Sorta like driving through Arkansas's ****** roads. I think it would be more fun to get this set up, ferry the trucks up to Alaska from Seattle, then do a Raptor Run through the state. If I am going to have my truck in Alaska, I'm going back to Denali. Alaska makes Texas look small. It is a 12 hour drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks..that is not even half the state. Another thing is that Sept is typically starting to get cold in Fairbanks. Snow usually flies before the end of Sept at least once.

Yes..this is cost prohibitive. Transportation costs, logistics and support are a nightmare. The idea of driving highway up to Alaska is boring to me. If I have my Raptor, I am going off road. In fact, if I am going back to Alaska I am going off road. The ferry ride does absolutely suck though the inside passage is fantastic!

Any idea on the ferry cost? I have considered trucking my Raptor to Seattle, then ferrying it to Anchorage. But I am afraid that I am looking at several grand (or more).

 

[LVdezertdawg]

Any idea on the ferry cost? I have considered trucking my Raptor to Seattle, then ferrying it to Anchorage. But I am afraid that I am looking at several grand (or more).

You are right, it is not cheap. Here is the link to the alaska ferry system
Alaska Marine Highway System :: Official Site :: Alaska DOT&PF
In short,
Trip length is five days, I ran an itenerary on the site for Sept 10th
Cost to ship raptor from Whittier to Bellingham $1481
Cost for one person to ride the ferry with the raptor $547
Cabin costs range from $130 - $900 depending on choice
You may also "camp" on deck in tents,etc.
I have been on a cruise ship on the inside passage a few years ago in June, it was cold. I couldn't imagine September temps stayin on deck.
We were considering driving the Alcan up and ferrying back, but it is expensive. It also appears to be easier scheduling wise to get your vehicle back than shipping it north from Bellingham.

 

[JP7]

I'll be checking out the guides and maps this weekend to see what's available trails-wise and where.

For all that are interested, would y'all prefer to hotel it or camp it?

 

[f16YODA]

Potentially in. The ALCAN isn't that big of deal imo. Sorta like driving through Arkansas's ****** roads. I think it would be more fun to get this set up, ferry the trucks up to Alaska from Seattle, then do a Raptor Run through the state. If I am going to have my truck in Alaska, I'm going back to Denali. Alaska makes Texas look small. It is a 12 hour drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks..that is not even half the state. Another thing is that Sept is typically starting to get cold in Fairbanks. Snow usually flies before the end of Sept at least once.

Yes..this is cost prohibitive. Transportation costs, logistics and support are a nightmare. The idea of driving highway up to Alaska is boring to me. If I have my Raptor, I am going off road. In fact, if I am going back to Alaska I am going off road. The ferry ride does absolutely suck though the inside passage is fantastic!

I just did the drive on Wednesday and it took me about 6 1/2 hours on icy/snow-packed roads. What a great first drive with my new truck! It took me much less time this past summer when I made the drive in the Shelby... (Which also got me the ticket I went down to Anchorage to fight on Wednesday...dismissed!)

I'll be checking out the guides and maps this weekend to see what's available trails-wise and where.

For all that are interested, would y'all prefer to hotel it or camp it?

Where are you going to do the research for this? Let me know how I can help. I have no experience with trail discovery and have been wondering how to find good trails around here. Now that I have my truck, I'll gladly pre-run whatever we find.

I had lunch with a new buddy (Prybar here on the FRF) down in Anchorage today who ordered his truck a week ago or so. While I'm back down in Anchorage over the next month (long story) we're going to do the middle perch mod on my truck. Sweeeeeet....

 

[LVdezertdawg]

I'll be checking out the guides and maps this weekend to see what's available trails-wise and where.

For all that are interested, would y'all prefer to hotel it or camp it?

JP,

I am up for either, Big J hasn't said yet

 

[SPRSNK]

Yoda: I did it in a 1976 VW Van with a top speed of about 60...lol Had a moose blocking the highway for a good 30 minutes at one point.

Mixture of hotels/cabins/camping would be great. I agree with the August time too. I have a race in Sept that would put me out of the running to this run. A Raptor Run will always play second to doing 160mph average speed down the highway legally

 

[f16YODA]

Yoda: I did it in a 1976 VW Van with a top speed of about 60...lol Had a moose blocking the highway for a good 30 minutes at one point.

Mixture of hotels/cabins/camping would be great. I agree with the August time too. I have a race in Sept that would put me out of the running to this run. A Raptor Run will always play second to doing 160mph average speed down the highway legally

That's hilarious SNK! Probably not while you were actually driving it, though.

 

[rhino]

I would definitely be in. While we live in south Florida now my wife is from BC. She has family different places from Vancouver all the way up. We were already talking about a trip up there in this time frame so adding a few weeks wouldn't be a big deal.

I would want to do some 4 wheeling while out there as well as the Ferry. If this looks like it's going to happen please let me know, we would be in with both Raptors for the trip.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[whisler151]

Sounds like fun. I'm from Seattle...but dont think I can take that much time off from work.