North to Alaska ~~
- Thread starter desertgirl66
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Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Guys, thanks a bunch for all the kind words of encouragement. Dave we will be sure and check out that spot along the Cassiar.
We have made it to Vancouver B.C. - man what a city! Not wanting to spend much time around the big cities we will be heading north after stocking up on supplies - I am sure Kristina will post here blog when she meets me here at the local coffee spot...
Here are my latest blog updates
it might be a while on the next ones - hang tight
We have made it to Vancouver B.C. - man what a city! Not wanting to spend much time around the big cities we will be heading north after stocking up on supplies - I am sure Kristina will post here blog when she meets me here at the local coffee spot...
Here are my latest blog updates
it might be a while on the next ones - hang tight
dmc
Adventurer
Desertdude said:Guys, thanks a bunch for all the kind words of encouragement. Dave we will be sure and check out that spot along the Cassiar.
We have made it to Vancouver B.C. - man what a city! Not wanting to spend much time around the big cities we will be heading north after stocking up on supplies - I am sure Kristina will post here blog when she meets me here at the local coffee spot...
Here are my latest blog updates
http://web.mac.com/desertdude/iWeb/Desertdude.to.Alaska/Blog/Blog.html
it might be a while on the next ones - hang tight
You guys headed through Hope and Fraser Canyon or up through Whistler and Lillooet (sp?). Both have their advantages. I prefer the Whistler route. You won't see another car once you leave Whistler for hours.
dmc
desertgirl66
WEMT
paulj
Expedition Leader
I should have mentioned this earlier, but if you have the time, there are some interesting backroads north of Whistler.
- the paved route from Pemberton to Lillooet is by way of Duffey Lake. It has some good hills that challenge the RVs, but are a piece of cake for cars.
- a gravel alternative is the Hurley Road to the west, and then along the shores of Carpenter Lake. I haven't done that yet. Supposedly you can get 'before and after' T shirts for this road. I don't know if it is clear of snow yet.
- In Lillooet you might ask about taking back roads up the west side of the Fraser to the Big Bar ferry. This is a nonmotorized reaction ferry. There's a nice provincial park campground at Big Bar Lake.
- If you go up the east side of the Fraser, consider taking the 'shortcut' over the Pavilion hills (turn off at Pavilion). This is gravel with some good grades (14%).
- At Kelly you have the choice of a paved road to Clinton and the main highway north, or staying on gravel to Jesmond and the junction with the Big Bar road.
- A spectacular road between the Jesmond road and Big Bar is the High Bar road. This road has a 3km set of switchbacks that drop at 25% grade down to the Fraser river. Without low range you are likely to smell your brakes.
- you can continue of gravel roads all the way up to Williams Lake. There's a suspension bridge over the Fraser at Gang Ranch, and back roads through this massive ranch and surrounding forest all the way up to hwy 20.
- There are some serious 4x4 trails in the area between Carpenter Lake and Gang Ranch. Some of the BC 4x4 clubs have trip accounts online for this area.
And further north, just before the turnoff to the Cassiar, take a side trip to see the First Nations communities around Hazelton.
Some pictures from my travels in this area a couple of summers ago can be found at
http://www.pbase.com/paulj3/fraser
- the paved route from Pemberton to Lillooet is by way of Duffey Lake. It has some good hills that challenge the RVs, but are a piece of cake for cars.
- a gravel alternative is the Hurley Road to the west, and then along the shores of Carpenter Lake. I haven't done that yet. Supposedly you can get 'before and after' T shirts for this road. I don't know if it is clear of snow yet.
- In Lillooet you might ask about taking back roads up the west side of the Fraser to the Big Bar ferry. This is a nonmotorized reaction ferry. There's a nice provincial park campground at Big Bar Lake.
- If you go up the east side of the Fraser, consider taking the 'shortcut' over the Pavilion hills (turn off at Pavilion). This is gravel with some good grades (14%).
- At Kelly you have the choice of a paved road to Clinton and the main highway north, or staying on gravel to Jesmond and the junction with the Big Bar road.
- A spectacular road between the Jesmond road and Big Bar is the High Bar road. This road has a 3km set of switchbacks that drop at 25% grade down to the Fraser river. Without low range you are likely to smell your brakes.
- you can continue of gravel roads all the way up to Williams Lake. There's a suspension bridge over the Fraser at Gang Ranch, and back roads through this massive ranch and surrounding forest all the way up to hwy 20.
- There are some serious 4x4 trails in the area between Carpenter Lake and Gang Ranch. Some of the BC 4x4 clubs have trip accounts online for this area.
And further north, just before the turnoff to the Cassiar, take a side trip to see the First Nations communities around Hazelton.
Some pictures from my travels in this area a couple of summers ago can be found at
http://www.pbase.com/paulj3/fraser
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S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
Desertgirl66!!!!!!!!!
I'm a former Northwest boy.....grew up in Seattle.....riding those Ferrys all the time! I can really appreciate that!.....and the scenary!
Have a Blast.......and keep us posted!!!!!!!!!
Be Safe!!!!!!!!!
~Mark
I'm a former Northwest boy.....grew up in Seattle.....riding those Ferrys all the time! I can really appreciate that!.....and the scenary!
Have a Blast.......and keep us posted!!!!!!!!!
Be Safe!!!!!!!!!
~Mark
desertgirl66 said:Hey everyone!!
We are having way to much fun!!! Awesome everything!!
On our way to Whistler, more incredible scenery and fun camping.
New installment HERE
Wearing lots of jackets--but getting warmer here in BC.
Miss y'all and our best to you guys and gals!
desertgirl66
WEMT
VikingVince
Explorer
Hey guys...I've been reading your blogs...sounds like you're having a great time:victory: What a great adventure! Alasaka is definitely on my agenda! Liked your bear sightings!!! Since you're in bear country, what precautions do you take? Like I'm thinking, all your food is in your vehicle directly under where you sleep, right?...hmmmmm. I presume you remove all clothing that you've cooked/eaten in before climbing into bed....but then where do they go...into the vehicle? Not trying to make you lose any sleep:elkgrin: I know you've thought/planned everything carefully...just wondering about this one...since my sleeping situation with the Flippac is pretty much the same as yours. Have a great one! 
Do you have a name yet for the "Alasaka song?" :wavey:
Do you have a name yet for the "Alasaka song?" :wavey:
paulj
Expedition Leader
When we traveled to Alaska with a Wildernest campertop a number of years ago, I put the food boxes and cooler in the cab at night. I didn't worry about cooking clothes etc.
Canadian National Parks have a strict 'bare campsite' policy. That is probably good enough for most of Canada and Alaska. Few of these bears have learned to tear doors off of cars, yet.
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/docs/v-g/oursgest-bearmanag/sec7/og-bm7a_E.asp
paulj
Canadian National Parks have a strict 'bare campsite' policy. That is probably good enough for most of Canada and Alaska. Few of these bears have learned to tear doors off of cars, yet.
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/docs/v-g/oursgest-bearmanag/sec7/og-bm7a_E.asp
paulj
VikingVince
Explorer
paulj said:
Yeah, that certainly makes sense and most folk with outdoor awareness would follow those steps...glad it worked out for you with no problems! I was assuming (maybe incorrectly so but probably not) that a bear could smell food through the hard side of a vehicle...and then go up on its hind legs and slash through the soft sided sleeping area...maybe unlikely but could happen...so I guess it's just part of the risk and if your number is up...well...:smilies27 :smilies27
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
My blog has been updated HERE
I had a mega melt down on the blogging due to some funky Wifi - But I fixed most of it
as far as the bear thing - after being up here and talking with a few locals. It is not to much of a problem. The bears have plenty to eat up here in Alaska - and they really don't like people.
It is really nice to come up here to Alaska and finally see fist hand what is up
More coming...
Edit: fix linky
I had a mega melt down on the blogging due to some funky Wifi - But I fixed most of it
as far as the bear thing - after being up here and talking with a few locals. It is not to much of a problem. The bears have plenty to eat up here in Alaska - and they really don't like people.
It is really nice to come up here to Alaska and finally see fist hand what is up
More coming...
Edit: fix linky
Last edited by a moderator:
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
PS it is almost 11:30 pm full daylight and raining - we have a tarp set-up from the 80 and we are working on the blogs outside - :Wow1:
Scott Brady
Founder
Awesome
I am really enjoying your writing, which is getting quite creative with great style. Good stuff.
I can see you enjoying the daylight. On my first trip to Alaska I went for about 5 days with little sleep, then I crashed :smilies27
I am really enjoying your writing, which is getting quite creative with great style. Good stuff.
I can see you enjoying the daylight. On my first trip to Alaska I went for about 5 days with little sleep, then I crashed :smilies27
kcowyo
ExPo Original
Following this has been almost as good as being right there with you two. Almost that good....I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes they could be there too.....Desertdude said:
Great to hear the 'Cruiser and mosquito proof clothing are doing such a fine job!
Oh, and you guys eat better on the road than I do at home.....:chowtime:
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