mbyrod
Sweden
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Took a look at the different fares for taking a ferry with the RV. Had planned to go from Prince rupert to Haines, but that's really expensive...
Thinking about driving to Prince Rupert(or somewhere else?) and going on some roundtrip to Juneau, or similar without RV. Any ideas?
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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Yep...REALLY pricey. You are coming up from Seattle, yes? Are you no longeer thinking of an RV? Take a look at a couple maps. One for BC, another Alaska and also Yukon and maybe Alberta.
Coming from Seattle...running up the Fraser Canyon to Prince George and hanging a left to the highway north to Yukon and Alaska..seeing what you want, then hooking back east to Dawson Creek back down through Edmonton. There..how does that sound? Lots of Motel/B&B's or RV camping opportunities. If you were going to look at this routing, you'd need at least a month to do it right, and more if you can.
Once you can be specific about your timing and mode of travel, you'll be able to get lots of good suggestions.
Gary Haupt
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JUrban
Delaware
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I know fares have gone up in the past 2 years, but the ferry is great. In 2006 we boarded in Prince Rupert, and went to Ketchikan and spent 2-3 days. We stayed in their Wal Mart. Then on to Wrangel, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway and then Haines spending 2-3 days in each place. In most places parking the RV was free or nearly so, we didn't need a cabin as legs were 2-4 hours and we had the time of our lives. Food on the boats is very reasonable, cheaper than on shore, and the lounges are comfortable. We were driving a 38' Bounder pulling a Colorado toad. The drive up from Haines to Haines Junction was beautiful, and not tough at all. Border crossing a breeze, but they are not open 24h so check ahead or in a guide book. Of course a Milepost is a necessity.
If you need info on places to stay or things to see, PM me.
Next year we're going to drive down to Skagway and then ferry over to Haines and drive back up. Fishing in Haines was very good.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
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mbyrod
Sweden
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Still doing it by RV. We're renting an RV in Vancouver leaving around september 13, planning to be back 7 weeks later around october 27.
Taking an 22" RV by ferry from prince rupert to haines would be almost 1.000 CAD...
So I figured we could park the RV in prince rupert and do something like a 2 day cruise.
How late is it ok to travel hwy 37 and alaska hwy?
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JUrban
Delaware
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The Alaska Highway is OK to travel year round, but by September 1 services are closed or closing. There will still be places open, but don't pass up gas in the bigger towns. We've hit snow showers in early September, but nothing sticking on the roads.
It should be a beautiful trip that time of the year. The trees will be in high color, and the tundra as well.
John
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paulj
Seattle
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An alternative is to take a circle route from Vancouver to PR and back. For example, cross to Vancouver Island (possibly by way Powell River) and drive to its north end, then take a BC ferry up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Then return via the inland route (Price George, Lillooet and Whistler).
Out of PR you could take a couple of side trips - north to Alaska, or west to Queen Charlotte Islands, or drive inland and take a side trip to Stewart and Hyder.
Another loop is to take a BC ferry to Bella Coola, and then drive inland to Prince Williams, and back to Vancouver.
I'd suggest browsing the BC ferry's web site.
Coming from Sweden, you might find the former Finish utopian community of Sointula (Malcom Island) at the north of Vancouver Island interesting. At the far tip of Vancouver Island is Cape Scott, which saw a failed attempt of settlement by mostly Danish immigrants (that requires some serious hiking). The next town inland from Bella Coola is Hagensborg, with Norwegian roots.
I think the drive from Vancouver to Prince Rupert is too long of a drive to take both ways (1000 miles each way). That's why I recommend the loop with the ferry. On the other hand I was quite happy to drive to Bella Coola and back, rather than make loop, especially since I'd already driven the length of Vancouver Island several times.
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paulj
Seattle
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I just read that you are planning this trip in the second half of September and October. The Bella Coola ferry route might not be running then, still, the drive to Bella Coola is an option.
If you are going to camp, I'd suggest looking at BC Provincial Parks web site to check the closing dates for parks you intend to use. Inland ones close earlier due to approaching winter weather.
By that time you will be getting wetter weather along the coast. You might get a week long dry spell, or week long wet spells.
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jambo101
Montreal
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paulj wrote:the drive to Bella Coola is an option.
Doing that road with an RV would be an adventure as its about as twisty a road as i've seen.
"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."
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paulj
Seattle
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I agree that parts of the Bella Coola road pushes the limits of what a large RV can handle, especially if driven by a 'flatlander'. But an experienced mountain driver in a rental class C shouldn't have problems. Going up (headed inland) should be easier, since brake overheating wouldn't be a problem. There's also the matter of the gravel and calcium chloride (dust control agent).
Of the roads I've driven south of Prince Rupert, the Bella Coola route has the greatest 'Alaska' feel, especially at the start of the gravel part west of Anahim Lake.
I've seen such a rental on a much narrower and curvier road, the High Line along Anderson Lake between Seton Portage and D'Arcy. It's certainly possible that he didn't know what he was getting into. 
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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Just wonderin aloud here....most/many of the contracts that people sign when renting an RV includes stipulations such as..no off pavement travel. If a person in a rental was on the gravel section of ANY road..but we're talking Bella Coola here...they'd need to be sure that the contract allowed for such.
Gary Haupt
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