HOGCDR
03-24-2009, 06:29 AM
Note: I consolidated all my episodes into two posting, I could not put them into one because of the size limitation. Part two "Heading Home" is on page 4 of this thread.
As all true motorcycle adventures dream of the ultimate moto trip, I to dreamed of ALASKA!! From watching old movies like "The Call of the Wild" and "Cry Wolf", Alaska was the last frontier for me. Gone are the days of Cowboys and Indians, gone are the days of wooden ships. So my thoughts of taking my horse/wooden ship, now my motorcycle to the "Last Frontier" turned to reality this past spring. :run1:
After reading travel books and surfing the internet, I purchased the first step to my adventure "The Milepost". It is the bible, the guidebook, the starting and ending for planning and executing your adventure to Alaska. After spending most of my life in the military, I have learned that the planning stage is the most important element or stage of an operation. Yes, I will be presenting this thread as though I'm still walking and talking in the services. I will break this thread up into short segments, like a unfolding TV SITCOM, hopefully beter. :boss2:
Let me start by saying I made this trip alone (8,000 miles), without a partner to ride with or to help. This was not the best way to travel this frontier, but it's a factor you need to know. It's much more fun and safer to travel with another rider.
Planning: :think1:
After looking through the milepost I quickly discovered the major obstacles for this trip; Route & Gas.
1. Route: Depending where you live all roads lead to one, "The Alcan". Until you cross the border, you have never seen a road like this. It is the most abrasive asphalt you will ever ride, coupled with a rollercoater of ups and downs. Bottomline: From where ever you live start with new tires, by the time you return or sooner, you'll need a new rear.
http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7343770/ALASKAMAP-th.jpg
2. GAS: Traveling within CONUS (Continental US) we are spoiled, there is a gas station around every corner. Not true when traveling the Alcan or within Alaska. Maps and GPS are great, but they do not tell you when gas stops have closed or the "Gone Fishing" sign is out. It's import to know the distance you can travel, and where gas is located within your safe distance to travel will be.
Both of these issue can be solved by reading and plotting your trip using the Milepost. I took multiple maps and plotted the location of gas, food, camping/motels along my route. Distance traveling through Canada and Alaska can be very great, so plan for the unexpected.
Bellingham Ferry
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Offload Skagway
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Road Construction ALCAN
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Mountian Climbing Alaska
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Rockchip the size of Marbles!!
http://images49.fotki.com/v1465/photos/7/1485527/7344783/alaska_20080618_0503-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1465/photos/7/1485527/7344783/alaska_20080618_0503-vi.jpg)
EPISODE TWO – “ATTACK OF THE ELEMENTS”
You can plan for “Mother Nature” and all her elements both good and bad, but being there is another thing!!
1. Weather: I departed May 29th and plan to be gone 30 days. The weather was projected by the Milepost to be cool and wet. So day-to-day clothing and riding gear need to be planned. Weather varied from cool 50-60’s to cold 20-30’s to light and heavy rain. Staying warm and dry is primary for a good day and trip. Load out is very important; WalMart is not around every corner on this trip.
2. Bugs: Yes there a bugs in the wild, and they a mosquitoes the size of horseflies. Tale heavy duty OFF, head net, long sleeve shirts, and working gloves. You get off your bike to setup camp and they hit you in swarms!! Of course this is not an issue if your sleeping on a bed in a motel, but this site is not about MOTELS!!
3. Wildlife: I do not consider bugs as wildlife, but Moose are and they are big and dumb. In CONUS we worry about hitting a deer, up north it’s hitting a Moose. Like deer they come from out of the air and are as quick as deer, so keep your eyes open and buy a deer whistle. I have an electrical Kuryakyn one that I swear by; it stops them in their tracks. Deer kill more motorcyclists other than cars and drive while drunk, think about it.
WILD LIFE
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LAKES
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SNOW
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COAST GUARD
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EPISODE THREE “GEAR-WHICH SHOES TO TAKE”
Gear from shopping at WalMart or REI, jeans to zip off pants, one-man tents to four man condos is a personal choice. Bottomline, a bike only carries so much stuff. Most of us have motocamped long enough to know what we like and how to pack it, what’s the point of this site and thread but to make recommendation.
1. Make sure what you carry (bags) are waterproof of close to it. It rains there and it can be heavy, cold and miserable. So think about the clothing you taking, cotton is neither warm nor easy to dry! Have backups when you get wet, clothing that’s easy to wash and dry, and pack in ziplock bags. Yes I said ziplock bags. The best advice for traveling is to pack your clothes in different size ziplock bags. What you wear becomes dirty, what you take out is clean. Replace the clean for the dirty in the bags, packs small and everything stays clean in your bag without SMELL.
2. Leathers are great and warm but they become heavy when wet. Synthetics are warm and dry out FAST. I have both; I recommend the synthetics for the above reasons for this trip. Take your full helmet and face shields, rain hurts! Take electric gear if you have it, warm means comfort and fun. Take your camera with a large storage SDHC, pictures tell a thousand words.
3. Food is again a personal choice; remember the KISS principle (mosquitoes means quick and easy). Gas stops mean food stops, there is not allot of 7-elevens around every corner.
4. Bring MONEY!! This trip will not be cheap, food and camping cost big bucks. Stay in a little motel and you need a loan.
5. Misc gear; to think about. Extra gas can for emergency. Headgear net for mosquitoes. Extra road maps marked with gas stops coming and going. NO GUNS!!
MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR CELLPHONE SOFTWARE BEFORE YOU LEAVE, I DID NOT!! I HAVE VERIZON AND SOME TOWERS DID NOT WORK WITH MY OLD SOFTWARE. I HAD TO USE A STRANGERS VERIZON CELLPHONE THAT WORKED TO FIND OUT I C=HAD TO BE IN MY COVERAGE AREA TO GET AN UPDATE.
http://images47.fotki.com/v1476/photos/7/1485527/7343826/ALASKA_20080603_0163-th.jpg (http://images47.fotki.com/v1476/photos/7/1485527/7343826/ALASKA_20080603_0163-vi.jpg)
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EPISODE FOUR “DEPART MISSOULA, MT”
May 29, 2008 Wednesday at 0500 MTN, I departed Missoula, MT for Bellingham, WA. I would depart on May 30, Thursday at 1600 on the Alaskan Ferry for a 3.5-day ride up the intercostals waterway to Skagway, AK. My girlfriend Cheryl recommended I take the ferry since this would be a onetime shot.
The ride traveled I-90 west some 800 miles to Seattle, WA. I planned to stay the night on Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, one of the benefits of retiring military. From I-90 I jumped on I-5 north to Hwy 99 to arrive at the Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry. Short ferry ride to Whidbey Island and up Hwy 20 to the Naval Station.
LOADDOWN AND READY TO GO
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CROSSING INTO IDAHO
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CROSSING INTO WASHINGTON
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HEADING TO SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA
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SITTING INLINE WAITING FOR THE FERRY
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LOADED UP AND UNDERWAY
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DONE FOR THE DAY-BOQ
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EPISODE NUMBER FIVE “THE ALASKAN FERRY”
Departed the BOQ 0600, heading to I-5 on Hwy 20. I crossed over Deception Pass Bridge that runs over The Straights of Juan De Fuca. On I-5 took the Bellingham exit to the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. Here I checked in and was told that boarding would be started at 1300, it was 0900. Jumped back on to search for food and returned at 1000 to wait, and wait and wait!! Lesson learned, bikes are not the first to load, and loading takes hours.
My ferry was the M/V Columbia (Flag ship), four decks (two cabin) and two car decks. She is 418 ft long and 85 ft wide, built in 1974 and refurbished in 2001. Carries 930 passengers, about 104 cabins either 59 two-berths or 45 four-berths, with showers and toilets. Amenities include a dinning room, snack bar, cocktail lounge, theater, gift shop, and video arcade. Coin-operated laundry, lockers, and showers. Two forward lounges, open-air sundeck, and handrails to hold on to if you get sick!! This comment for all you nonsailors. I had a two-berth; it was only I, which made plenty of room for my junk. This is not a cheap venture, it cost for the following: each person, berthing by the cabin size, space occupied for your bike or car (my was minimum 10 ft), food while aboard (no cooking while aboard). PM me if you want the gory details.
Departed 1600 for the first stop Ketchikan 38 hours away.
DECEPTION PASS
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BELLINGHAM FERRY TERMINAL
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M/V COLUMBIA
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http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7343772/ALASKADAY2_20080530_0084-th.jpg (http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7343772/ALASKADAY2_20080530_0084-vi.jpg)
EPISODE SIX “DAY 2 & 3 UNDERWAY-CANADIAN INTERCOASTIAL WATERWAY, KETCHIKIN & WRANGELL, AK”
After sleeping like a baby, 32 years in the navy I awoke at 0500. I ate breakfast and took a tour around the ship to see my new surroundings. The stern (rear end) solarium (sundeck) had 20-30 tents setup for those that were camping. All the lounging chairs were full of sleeping bag people, and all was quiet. The port (left) and starboard (right) views were the same; water to land to mountains and all green. As the day wore on the same view went on for miles and miles; blue water, green mountains. Small towns were few and far between. Lighthouse dotted the landscape with small bush planes (major transportation) flying bye. Mourning turned to afternoon turned to evening turned to bed, if you’re riding alone its boringgggggggg!
Day 3 underway started as the previous, breakfast and more blue sea and green mountains. About 1000 we pulled into Ketchikan, AK, our first ferry terminal port. We offload vehicles and people, then onloaded vehicles and people. I got off and purchased some soft drinks, bread for P & J’s, and chips. We were underway again and our 2nd stop Wrangell, AK at 1700 and you got it, more of the same! I’m going to bed.
1ST FULL DAY UNDERWAY
CAMPING ABOARD A SHIP
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STARBOARD VIEW LOOKING FORWARD
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PORT VIEW LOOKING FORWARD
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STERN VIEW
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BOW VIEW LOOKING THROUGH OBSERVATION LOUNGE
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FIRST TOWN IN CANADIAN WATERS
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LIGHTHOUSE
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NORMAL TRANSPORTATION "CALL A TAXI"
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DAY 3 UNDERWAY
FIRST STOP KETCHIKIN, AK
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FERRT TERMINAL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN
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AIRPORT
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BACK UNDERWAY HEADING NORTH
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WRANGELL FERRY TERMINAL
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EPISODE SEVEN “DAY 4 UNDERWAY-JUNEAU, HAINES, SKAGWAY AND LAND”
This day started early at 0530 with our 3rd stop at juneau, ak the alaskan ferry companies homeport. This is where the crew changes out and most of the ferrys are moured.
Juneau is the state capital and is landlocked with no roads in, odd for the state capital. There is an icefield hovering above juneau. Here we had a major offload and onload. Town was 2 miles away from the ferry terminal, no look see.
Underway again with the same terrian, a few towns with cruiseships moured, and my first and only sighting of a whale. Haines our 4th was a fast stop, in and out.
Now it’s time to pack up because skagway is my last stop and land!! Skagway our 5th and last stop for this ferry, it will unload all, turnaround and head south back to bellingham, wa.
I’m final off the ferry and pointed north at 1600, skagway and then canada. Skagway is the oldest incorporated city in alaska. Established during the klondike gold rush of 1897. Travelers passed through skagway to the yukon goldfields through whitehorde pass 3,295 ft. Skagway went through a few tents to 20,000 to 500 in 3 years. Jimmy stewart was in a movie about skagway!!
Hwy 2 north connects to hwy 1 (alaska hwy-alcan) 98 miles from skagway. I’ll jump on hwy 1 and ride to haines junction for my 1st night stop.
LAST DAY UNDERWAY
JUNEAU THE CAPITAL
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FAIRWEATHER THEIR FASTEST FERRY
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WELLDECK BEING OFFLOADED AND ONLOADED
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UNDERWAY AGAIN, TYPICAL TERRIAN
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WHALE OF PORT BEAM
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LIGHTHOUSE
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HAINES, AK
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SKAGWAY, AK & CRUISESHIP MOURED
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HEADING TO WELLDECK TO PACK MY TRUSTY IRON HORSE
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ON DRY LAND AND POINTED NORTH
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CHILKOOT PASS SEPERATES ALASKA FROM BC 3739 FT
THE NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE ESTABLISHED A MINIMUM OF #1 TON OF GOODS (1 YR)" FOR A MINER TO ENTER CANADA
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MICHAEL LOAD DOWN AND BUNDLED UP
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LOOKING BACK
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FRASER CUSTOM AT 2400 FT NAMED FOR THE CANADIAN WHO HELP BUILD THE WHITES PASS & YUKON ROUTE RAILROAD
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YUKON TERRITORY
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BOVE ISLAND ON BENNETT LAKE
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WHITEHORSE, YUKON NOW TRAVELING ON HWY 1 "THE ALCAN"
HWY 1 RUNS ALL THE WAY TO ANCHORAGE
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MOUTIANS, MOUNTIANS AND MORE MOUNTIANS
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HAINES JUNCTION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1942 DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF HWY 1
HJ IS THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE KLUANE NATION PARK & RESERVE
IT'S 2000 AND IT'S TIME TO STOP
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KLUANE RV KAMPGROUND "THE BUG POPULATION IS VERY LOW"
I WOULD STAY HERE ON MY RETURN HOME
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Episode Eight “Destenation Anchorage”
Departed Haines Junction 0530 heading to anchorage 700 miles away. The ALCAN is like a rollercoaster with a thousands ups and downs. Your speed ranges from 30-60 mph and is dictated by these frost heaves in the road. The side of the road is normally cut back 20 ft and then tundra starts.
Lake Kluane is the largest lake in the Yukan Territory, covering 154 sq miles. Snow covered Kluane Range paralles the hwy and the peaks top 8,000 ft. Major construction around Destruction Bay started in 2007.
And then the highlight of my trip: A brown butt in the distance!! Soon it appears and it’s a Kodaic brown bear, no ****!! I stopped 40 ft behind to get my first shot and then parrell at 20 ft for the second. I did not wait around for his autograph.
About 1045 I came up on the internation boarder station between Yukon and Alaska. The road from Haines Junction to here paraelled the St. Elias Mtn Range on my left and the Dawson Ntn Range on my right. From the border to Tok is a short run, at Tok I turned left to Anchorage. If you continue straight you’re heading for Fairbanks.
From Tok to Anchorage it’s called the Glenn Hwy. On the left are the Wrangell Mtn Ranged fallowed by the Chugach Mtn Range. The Talkeetna Mtn Range is on the right. Out of Glennallen the snow seem heavier in the mountians and the sights are more intense.
Coming out of the mtns is the Matanuska glacier which streches 27 miles. Continuing on is Palmer and then Anchorage. Here I’m staying with Laddie & Linda Shaw, Laddie and I were in UDT-12 together in the early 70’s.
FIRST MORNING VIEW
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KLUANE LAKE
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MY BEAR
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BORDER STATION
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FIRST REAL LOOK AT ALASKA
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MATANUSKA GLACIER
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LADDIE & LINDA'S HOUSE-875 MILES FROM SKAGWAY
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Episode Nine “REST-THE MTN CLIMB-SHORT RIDE”
Spent the night in a dead sleep and awoke ready to spend the day remembering days gone by. Laddie is retired and we spent the morning talking about old times and people from that time. Later in the morning he took his “man dog” out for a walk. Before he got to far he returned and told me to get my camera. Across the street in the back yard was a moose and her two calves.
The next day Laddie tried to kill me, we went mtn climbing. First I’m 20 pounds overweight and Second, Laddie does this for fun. He only has to haul his 5’4” 155 lbs up the mtn, I on the other hand!! Anyway, the sights were great but I hurt for five days after.
Laddie, Nick and I jumped on the bikes for a short ride the next day to Soldotna, AK down Hwy 1 south. It was a semi-wet day but fun to get out. We visited the local HD deal that was having a party!!
THE DOG NEXT DOOR
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THE DAY LADDIE TRIED TO KILL ME
WE DROVE HALFWAY UP THE MTN TO BEGIN WITH AND PARKED
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THAT'S LADDIE AND HIS MAN DOG
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WAITING ON ME, THAT'S A 200MM ZOOM LENS SHOT!!
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ON TOP
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ANCHORAGE BUT A HAZY DAY
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LADDIE AND HIS MAN DOG
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ANOTHER TRAFFIC HAZARD DRIVING OFF THE MTN
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SHORT DAY RIDE
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PARTY TIME
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Episode Ten “ RIDING ALASKA’S LOOP”
MAPSOURCE ROUTE
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LADDIE
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MICHAEL
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This is a 3-day 1000-mile loop of Alaska’s scenic hwy:
1. Anchorage to Fairbanks on Hwy 3 (358 m)
a. General
i. Started 1000, this was Laddie’s first long trip within Alaska even though he has lived there for 25 yrs.
ii. Hwy 3 or Parks Hwy is a paved 2-lane road opened in 1971, named for George a Parks the Gov in 1925-33.
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iii. The weather was cool but clear, not normal (cloudy & rain) for this time of the year.
b. Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge
i. The Princess Lodge belongs to the Princes Cruise ship line
ii. It’s at milepost 132.9 on the south side of Denali NP w/ a view of Mt McKinley (on a good day!!)
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c. Veterans Memorial/POW-MIA
i. It’s located about milepost 147.1, the Metal of Honor Loop within the grounds of Byers Lake, created in 1984.
ii. Laddie was the states Veteran Rep for 5 years before he retired, that’s a Gov appointee.
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d. Denali National Park
i. Milepost 237.1 is the entrance to Denali NP
ii. Formerly named Mt McKinley NP established in 1917, named for former president William McKinley
iii. Renamed in 1980 after adding 4 million acres
iv. Access to the park starts with all the “for show” buildings then leads into a 13-mile 2-lane paved road for public transportation that ends at Savage River.
v. Shuttle Bus run from the Denali Visitor center to various destination pass Savage River on a dirt road up to 11 hours round trip.
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Allot of open country!!
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e. Camped in Eielson AFB FAMCAMP
i. We pulled into our campsite about 2030, both setup his tent and covered our bikes.
ii. The campsite was very clean and setting on a lake, yes the “M” were out in force.
RIDING NORTH TO FAIRBANKS
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CHECK IN
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CAMP SITE
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MORE CARE FOR BIKES THAN US
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2. Fairbanks to Delta Junction on Hwy 2 to Delta Junction to Valdez on Hwy 4 (354m)
a. General
i. Day started early and the weather started great.
ii. Weather turned cold and wet as the morning rolled on.
LAKES & MORE LAKES
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OPEN ROAD
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b. Alaskan Pipeline
i. The pipeline started paralleling the road out of Fairbanks and run to Valdez.
MILES AND MILES AND MILES OF PIPE
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c. Summit Lake
i. The lake starts a milepost 167 at 3,210’ in a Alpine valley.
ii. Turned cold and rainy as we entered Isabel Pass 3,280’ with Gulkana Glacier off to the NE.
HEADING UP TO THE LAKE
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VERY COLD AND WET
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d. Scenic Terrain
i. Allot of Mtns and lakes between Summit Lake and Thompson Pass
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NICE DAY
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e. Thompson Pass
i. At milepost 337, 2667’, snowpacked and COLD (28 degrees).
ii. Worthington Glacier is ½ mile from, but the road is snowpacked.
iii. Record snowfall; 975” one season, 298” one month, 62” in 24 hrs.
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f. Camped in Valdez Glacier Campgrounds
i. Waterfalls
ii. The motel rate for one night is $150-200, camping is great!
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3. Valdez back up to Glennallen Hwy 4 (333m)
i. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
a. Off of Hwy 4, established in 1980, over 13.2 million acres.
b. This is a park for wilderness-oriented activities, Bottomline; not allot for tourist to see.
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A NATIONAL PARK AND NOT A PERSON WAS THERE!
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4. Glennallen to Anchorage on Hwy 1 (304m)
i. Already been down this road when I came to Anchorage.
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Episode Eleven “Heading Home on the ALCAN-Day 1”
The past few days have been raining, so bike travel has been limited. Also encountered a major electronic malfunction, my Power Commander took a hit. I moved it when I installed a separate fuse boxes for my accessories, bUt it got soaked and flooded. The local HD shop drained, dried, enclosed it and I’m up and running. Now I’m ready for the trip home, 2600 miles!!
Day 1: Anchorage to Haines Junction (730 miles)
Departed 6/17/08 at 0500
From Anchorage to Haines Junction would be traveling back over ground I traveled coming in to Anchorage.
The most import lesson learned to pass on is take your map and mark your gas stops. Example: AAA map of “Alaska & Northwestern Canada”
1. Draw your route with highlighter
2. Determine the distance you travel on a tank of gas
3. Use Milepost and mark gas/food stops along your route
4. Use the Milepost-milepost and mark, MP145.6
5. Do not think you can make the next gas stop, GAS UP NOW!!
6. Yes your GPS works, but always have a backup
Remember you will not be traveling at 60 mph; the roller coaster ALCAN will not let you. Watch out for road construction, gravel can be packed or 3-4” deep of very lose rock.
Make sure you have your camera ready, stop and take thousands of pictures. Who cares if they are dramatic, they tell a story!!
MY ROUTE HOME 2600 MILES
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All the pics will be small, click on them to blow up, hope you enjoy as I did!!
AT FIRST LIGHT READY TO RIDE
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MORNING LIGHT
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MATANUSKA GLACIER
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SHEEP MTN 6,300 FT
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TANANA RIVER & VALLEY
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NUTZOTIN MTNS & MT DRUM
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ROAD CONSTRUCTION
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JUST A NORMAL DAY
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OUT OF ALASKA INTO CANADA
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BORDER CHECK AND HAIL
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SAFE AND SOUND
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ON THE ROAD AGAIN
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HAINES JUNCTION AND SLEEP
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Episode TWELVE “Heading Home on the ALCAN-Day 2”
:Popcorn:run1::Popcorn:run1:
As all true motorcycle adventures dream of the ultimate moto trip, I to dreamed of ALASKA!! From watching old movies like "The Call of the Wild" and "Cry Wolf", Alaska was the last frontier for me. Gone are the days of Cowboys and Indians, gone are the days of wooden ships. So my thoughts of taking my horse/wooden ship, now my motorcycle to the "Last Frontier" turned to reality this past spring. :run1:
After reading travel books and surfing the internet, I purchased the first step to my adventure "The Milepost". It is the bible, the guidebook, the starting and ending for planning and executing your adventure to Alaska. After spending most of my life in the military, I have learned that the planning stage is the most important element or stage of an operation. Yes, I will be presenting this thread as though I'm still walking and talking in the services. I will break this thread up into short segments, like a unfolding TV SITCOM, hopefully beter. :boss2:
Let me start by saying I made this trip alone (8,000 miles), without a partner to ride with or to help. This was not the best way to travel this frontier, but it's a factor you need to know. It's much more fun and safer to travel with another rider.
Planning: :think1:
After looking through the milepost I quickly discovered the major obstacles for this trip; Route & Gas.
1. Route: Depending where you live all roads lead to one, "The Alcan". Until you cross the border, you have never seen a road like this. It is the most abrasive asphalt you will ever ride, coupled with a rollercoater of ups and downs. Bottomline: From where ever you live start with new tires, by the time you return or sooner, you'll need a new rear.
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2. GAS: Traveling within CONUS (Continental US) we are spoiled, there is a gas station around every corner. Not true when traveling the Alcan or within Alaska. Maps and GPS are great, but they do not tell you when gas stops have closed or the "Gone Fishing" sign is out. It's import to know the distance you can travel, and where gas is located within your safe distance to travel will be.
Both of these issue can be solved by reading and plotting your trip using the Milepost. I took multiple maps and plotted the location of gas, food, camping/motels along my route. Distance traveling through Canada and Alaska can be very great, so plan for the unexpected.
Bellingham Ferry
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Offload Skagway
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Road Construction ALCAN
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Mountian Climbing Alaska
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Rockchip the size of Marbles!!
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EPISODE TWO – “ATTACK OF THE ELEMENTS”
You can plan for “Mother Nature” and all her elements both good and bad, but being there is another thing!!
1. Weather: I departed May 29th and plan to be gone 30 days. The weather was projected by the Milepost to be cool and wet. So day-to-day clothing and riding gear need to be planned. Weather varied from cool 50-60’s to cold 20-30’s to light and heavy rain. Staying warm and dry is primary for a good day and trip. Load out is very important; WalMart is not around every corner on this trip.
2. Bugs: Yes there a bugs in the wild, and they a mosquitoes the size of horseflies. Tale heavy duty OFF, head net, long sleeve shirts, and working gloves. You get off your bike to setup camp and they hit you in swarms!! Of course this is not an issue if your sleeping on a bed in a motel, but this site is not about MOTELS!!
3. Wildlife: I do not consider bugs as wildlife, but Moose are and they are big and dumb. In CONUS we worry about hitting a deer, up north it’s hitting a Moose. Like deer they come from out of the air and are as quick as deer, so keep your eyes open and buy a deer whistle. I have an electrical Kuryakyn one that I swear by; it stops them in their tracks. Deer kill more motorcyclists other than cars and drive while drunk, think about it.
WILD LIFE
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LAKES
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SNOW
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COAST GUARD
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EPISODE THREE “GEAR-WHICH SHOES TO TAKE”
Gear from shopping at WalMart or REI, jeans to zip off pants, one-man tents to four man condos is a personal choice. Bottomline, a bike only carries so much stuff. Most of us have motocamped long enough to know what we like and how to pack it, what’s the point of this site and thread but to make recommendation.
1. Make sure what you carry (bags) are waterproof of close to it. It rains there and it can be heavy, cold and miserable. So think about the clothing you taking, cotton is neither warm nor easy to dry! Have backups when you get wet, clothing that’s easy to wash and dry, and pack in ziplock bags. Yes I said ziplock bags. The best advice for traveling is to pack your clothes in different size ziplock bags. What you wear becomes dirty, what you take out is clean. Replace the clean for the dirty in the bags, packs small and everything stays clean in your bag without SMELL.
2. Leathers are great and warm but they become heavy when wet. Synthetics are warm and dry out FAST. I have both; I recommend the synthetics for the above reasons for this trip. Take your full helmet and face shields, rain hurts! Take electric gear if you have it, warm means comfort and fun. Take your camera with a large storage SDHC, pictures tell a thousand words.
3. Food is again a personal choice; remember the KISS principle (mosquitoes means quick and easy). Gas stops mean food stops, there is not allot of 7-elevens around every corner.
4. Bring MONEY!! This trip will not be cheap, food and camping cost big bucks. Stay in a little motel and you need a loan.
5. Misc gear; to think about. Extra gas can for emergency. Headgear net for mosquitoes. Extra road maps marked with gas stops coming and going. NO GUNS!!
MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR CELLPHONE SOFTWARE BEFORE YOU LEAVE, I DID NOT!! I HAVE VERIZON AND SOME TOWERS DID NOT WORK WITH MY OLD SOFTWARE. I HAD TO USE A STRANGERS VERIZON CELLPHONE THAT WORKED TO FIND OUT I C=HAD TO BE IN MY COVERAGE AREA TO GET AN UPDATE.
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EPISODE FOUR “DEPART MISSOULA, MT”
May 29, 2008 Wednesday at 0500 MTN, I departed Missoula, MT for Bellingham, WA. I would depart on May 30, Thursday at 1600 on the Alaskan Ferry for a 3.5-day ride up the intercostals waterway to Skagway, AK. My girlfriend Cheryl recommended I take the ferry since this would be a onetime shot.
The ride traveled I-90 west some 800 miles to Seattle, WA. I planned to stay the night on Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, one of the benefits of retiring military. From I-90 I jumped on I-5 north to Hwy 99 to arrive at the Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry. Short ferry ride to Whidbey Island and up Hwy 20 to the Naval Station.
LOADDOWN AND READY TO GO
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CROSSING INTO IDAHO
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CROSSING INTO WASHINGTON
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HEADING TO SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA
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SITTING INLINE WAITING FOR THE FERRY
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LOADED UP AND UNDERWAY
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DONE FOR THE DAY-BOQ
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EPISODE NUMBER FIVE “THE ALASKAN FERRY”
Departed the BOQ 0600, heading to I-5 on Hwy 20. I crossed over Deception Pass Bridge that runs over The Straights of Juan De Fuca. On I-5 took the Bellingham exit to the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. Here I checked in and was told that boarding would be started at 1300, it was 0900. Jumped back on to search for food and returned at 1000 to wait, and wait and wait!! Lesson learned, bikes are not the first to load, and loading takes hours.
My ferry was the M/V Columbia (Flag ship), four decks (two cabin) and two car decks. She is 418 ft long and 85 ft wide, built in 1974 and refurbished in 2001. Carries 930 passengers, about 104 cabins either 59 two-berths or 45 four-berths, with showers and toilets. Amenities include a dinning room, snack bar, cocktail lounge, theater, gift shop, and video arcade. Coin-operated laundry, lockers, and showers. Two forward lounges, open-air sundeck, and handrails to hold on to if you get sick!! This comment for all you nonsailors. I had a two-berth; it was only I, which made plenty of room for my junk. This is not a cheap venture, it cost for the following: each person, berthing by the cabin size, space occupied for your bike or car (my was minimum 10 ft), food while aboard (no cooking while aboard). PM me if you want the gory details.
Departed 1600 for the first stop Ketchikan 38 hours away.
DECEPTION PASS
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BELLINGHAM FERRY TERMINAL
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M/V COLUMBIA
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EPISODE SIX “DAY 2 & 3 UNDERWAY-CANADIAN INTERCOASTIAL WATERWAY, KETCHIKIN & WRANGELL, AK”
After sleeping like a baby, 32 years in the navy I awoke at 0500. I ate breakfast and took a tour around the ship to see my new surroundings. The stern (rear end) solarium (sundeck) had 20-30 tents setup for those that were camping. All the lounging chairs were full of sleeping bag people, and all was quiet. The port (left) and starboard (right) views were the same; water to land to mountains and all green. As the day wore on the same view went on for miles and miles; blue water, green mountains. Small towns were few and far between. Lighthouse dotted the landscape with small bush planes (major transportation) flying bye. Mourning turned to afternoon turned to evening turned to bed, if you’re riding alone its boringgggggggg!
Day 3 underway started as the previous, breakfast and more blue sea and green mountains. About 1000 we pulled into Ketchikan, AK, our first ferry terminal port. We offload vehicles and people, then onloaded vehicles and people. I got off and purchased some soft drinks, bread for P & J’s, and chips. We were underway again and our 2nd stop Wrangell, AK at 1700 and you got it, more of the same! I’m going to bed.
1ST FULL DAY UNDERWAY
CAMPING ABOARD A SHIP
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STARBOARD VIEW LOOKING FORWARD
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PORT VIEW LOOKING FORWARD
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STERN VIEW
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BOW VIEW LOOKING THROUGH OBSERVATION LOUNGE
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FIRST TOWN IN CANADIAN WATERS
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LIGHTHOUSE
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NORMAL TRANSPORTATION "CALL A TAXI"
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DAY 3 UNDERWAY
FIRST STOP KETCHIKIN, AK
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FERRT TERMINAL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN
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AIRPORT
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BACK UNDERWAY HEADING NORTH
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WRANGELL FERRY TERMINAL
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EPISODE SEVEN “DAY 4 UNDERWAY-JUNEAU, HAINES, SKAGWAY AND LAND”
This day started early at 0530 with our 3rd stop at juneau, ak the alaskan ferry companies homeport. This is where the crew changes out and most of the ferrys are moured.
Juneau is the state capital and is landlocked with no roads in, odd for the state capital. There is an icefield hovering above juneau. Here we had a major offload and onload. Town was 2 miles away from the ferry terminal, no look see.
Underway again with the same terrian, a few towns with cruiseships moured, and my first and only sighting of a whale. Haines our 4th was a fast stop, in and out.
Now it’s time to pack up because skagway is my last stop and land!! Skagway our 5th and last stop for this ferry, it will unload all, turnaround and head south back to bellingham, wa.
I’m final off the ferry and pointed north at 1600, skagway and then canada. Skagway is the oldest incorporated city in alaska. Established during the klondike gold rush of 1897. Travelers passed through skagway to the yukon goldfields through whitehorde pass 3,295 ft. Skagway went through a few tents to 20,000 to 500 in 3 years. Jimmy stewart was in a movie about skagway!!
Hwy 2 north connects to hwy 1 (alaska hwy-alcan) 98 miles from skagway. I’ll jump on hwy 1 and ride to haines junction for my 1st night stop.
LAST DAY UNDERWAY
JUNEAU THE CAPITAL
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FAIRWEATHER THEIR FASTEST FERRY
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WELLDECK BEING OFFLOADED AND ONLOADED
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UNDERWAY AGAIN, TYPICAL TERRIAN
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WHALE OF PORT BEAM
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LIGHTHOUSE
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HAINES, AK
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SKAGWAY, AK & CRUISESHIP MOURED
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HEADING TO WELLDECK TO PACK MY TRUSTY IRON HORSE
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ON DRY LAND AND POINTED NORTH
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CHILKOOT PASS SEPERATES ALASKA FROM BC 3739 FT
THE NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE ESTABLISHED A MINIMUM OF #1 TON OF GOODS (1 YR)" FOR A MINER TO ENTER CANADA
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MICHAEL LOAD DOWN AND BUNDLED UP
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LOOKING BACK
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FRASER CUSTOM AT 2400 FT NAMED FOR THE CANADIAN WHO HELP BUILD THE WHITES PASS & YUKON ROUTE RAILROAD
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YUKON TERRITORY
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BOVE ISLAND ON BENNETT LAKE
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WHITEHORSE, YUKON NOW TRAVELING ON HWY 1 "THE ALCAN"
HWY 1 RUNS ALL THE WAY TO ANCHORAGE
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MOUTIANS, MOUNTIANS AND MORE MOUNTIANS
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HAINES JUNCTION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1942 DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF HWY 1
HJ IS THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE KLUANE NATION PARK & RESERVE
IT'S 2000 AND IT'S TIME TO STOP
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KLUANE RV KAMPGROUND "THE BUG POPULATION IS VERY LOW"
I WOULD STAY HERE ON MY RETURN HOME
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Episode Eight “Destenation Anchorage”
Departed Haines Junction 0530 heading to anchorage 700 miles away. The ALCAN is like a rollercoaster with a thousands ups and downs. Your speed ranges from 30-60 mph and is dictated by these frost heaves in the road. The side of the road is normally cut back 20 ft and then tundra starts.
Lake Kluane is the largest lake in the Yukan Territory, covering 154 sq miles. Snow covered Kluane Range paralles the hwy and the peaks top 8,000 ft. Major construction around Destruction Bay started in 2007.
And then the highlight of my trip: A brown butt in the distance!! Soon it appears and it’s a Kodaic brown bear, no ****!! I stopped 40 ft behind to get my first shot and then parrell at 20 ft for the second. I did not wait around for his autograph.
About 1045 I came up on the internation boarder station between Yukon and Alaska. The road from Haines Junction to here paraelled the St. Elias Mtn Range on my left and the Dawson Ntn Range on my right. From the border to Tok is a short run, at Tok I turned left to Anchorage. If you continue straight you’re heading for Fairbanks.
From Tok to Anchorage it’s called the Glenn Hwy. On the left are the Wrangell Mtn Ranged fallowed by the Chugach Mtn Range. The Talkeetna Mtn Range is on the right. Out of Glennallen the snow seem heavier in the mountians and the sights are more intense.
Coming out of the mtns is the Matanuska glacier which streches 27 miles. Continuing on is Palmer and then Anchorage. Here I’m staying with Laddie & Linda Shaw, Laddie and I were in UDT-12 together in the early 70’s.
FIRST MORNING VIEW
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KLUANE LAKE
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MY BEAR
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BORDER STATION
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FIRST REAL LOOK AT ALASKA
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MATANUSKA GLACIER
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LADDIE & LINDA'S HOUSE-875 MILES FROM SKAGWAY
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Episode Nine “REST-THE MTN CLIMB-SHORT RIDE”
Spent the night in a dead sleep and awoke ready to spend the day remembering days gone by. Laddie is retired and we spent the morning talking about old times and people from that time. Later in the morning he took his “man dog” out for a walk. Before he got to far he returned and told me to get my camera. Across the street in the back yard was a moose and her two calves.
The next day Laddie tried to kill me, we went mtn climbing. First I’m 20 pounds overweight and Second, Laddie does this for fun. He only has to haul his 5’4” 155 lbs up the mtn, I on the other hand!! Anyway, the sights were great but I hurt for five days after.
Laddie, Nick and I jumped on the bikes for a short ride the next day to Soldotna, AK down Hwy 1 south. It was a semi-wet day but fun to get out. We visited the local HD deal that was having a party!!
THE DOG NEXT DOOR
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THE DAY LADDIE TRIED TO KILL ME
WE DROVE HALFWAY UP THE MTN TO BEGIN WITH AND PARKED
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THAT'S LADDIE AND HIS MAN DOG
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WAITING ON ME, THAT'S A 200MM ZOOM LENS SHOT!!
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ON TOP
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ANCHORAGE BUT A HAZY DAY
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LADDIE AND HIS MAN DOG
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ANOTHER TRAFFIC HAZARD DRIVING OFF THE MTN
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SHORT DAY RIDE
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PARTY TIME
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Episode Ten “ RIDING ALASKA’S LOOP”
MAPSOURCE ROUTE
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LADDIE
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MICHAEL
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This is a 3-day 1000-mile loop of Alaska’s scenic hwy:
1. Anchorage to Fairbanks on Hwy 3 (358 m)
a. General
i. Started 1000, this was Laddie’s first long trip within Alaska even though he has lived there for 25 yrs.
ii. Hwy 3 or Parks Hwy is a paved 2-lane road opened in 1971, named for George a Parks the Gov in 1925-33.
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iii. The weather was cool but clear, not normal (cloudy & rain) for this time of the year.
b. Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge
i. The Princess Lodge belongs to the Princes Cruise ship line
ii. It’s at milepost 132.9 on the south side of Denali NP w/ a view of Mt McKinley (on a good day!!)
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c. Veterans Memorial/POW-MIA
i. It’s located about milepost 147.1, the Metal of Honor Loop within the grounds of Byers Lake, created in 1984.
ii. Laddie was the states Veteran Rep for 5 years before he retired, that’s a Gov appointee.
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d. Denali National Park
i. Milepost 237.1 is the entrance to Denali NP
ii. Formerly named Mt McKinley NP established in 1917, named for former president William McKinley
iii. Renamed in 1980 after adding 4 million acres
iv. Access to the park starts with all the “for show” buildings then leads into a 13-mile 2-lane paved road for public transportation that ends at Savage River.
v. Shuttle Bus run from the Denali Visitor center to various destination pass Savage River on a dirt road up to 11 hours round trip.
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Allot of open country!!
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e. Camped in Eielson AFB FAMCAMP
i. We pulled into our campsite about 2030, both setup his tent and covered our bikes.
ii. The campsite was very clean and setting on a lake, yes the “M” were out in force.
RIDING NORTH TO FAIRBANKS
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CHECK IN
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CAMP SITE
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MORE CARE FOR BIKES THAN US
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2. Fairbanks to Delta Junction on Hwy 2 to Delta Junction to Valdez on Hwy 4 (354m)
a. General
i. Day started early and the weather started great.
ii. Weather turned cold and wet as the morning rolled on.
LAKES & MORE LAKES
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OPEN ROAD
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b. Alaskan Pipeline
i. The pipeline started paralleling the road out of Fairbanks and run to Valdez.
MILES AND MILES AND MILES OF PIPE
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c. Summit Lake
i. The lake starts a milepost 167 at 3,210’ in a Alpine valley.
ii. Turned cold and rainy as we entered Isabel Pass 3,280’ with Gulkana Glacier off to the NE.
HEADING UP TO THE LAKE
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VERY COLD AND WET
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d. Scenic Terrain
i. Allot of Mtns and lakes between Summit Lake and Thompson Pass
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NICE DAY
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e. Thompson Pass
i. At milepost 337, 2667’, snowpacked and COLD (28 degrees).
ii. Worthington Glacier is ½ mile from, but the road is snowpacked.
iii. Record snowfall; 975” one season, 298” one month, 62” in 24 hrs.
http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0370_edited1-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0370_edited1-vi.jpg)
http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0373-th.jpg (http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0373-vi.jpg)
f. Camped in Valdez Glacier Campgrounds
i. Waterfalls
ii. The motel rate for one night is $150-200, camping is great!
http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0324-th.jpg (http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0324-vi.jpg)
http://images47.fotki.com/v1473/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0380-th.jpg? (http://images47.fotki.com/v1473/photos/7/1485527/7344775/ALASKA_20080610_0380-vi.jpg?)
http://images12.fotki.com/v213/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0320-th.jpg (http://images12.fotki.com/v213/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0320-vi.jpg)
http://images45.fotki.com/v1481/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0318-th.jpg (http://images45.fotki.com/v1481/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0318-vi.jpg)
3. Valdez back up to Glennallen Hwy 4 (333m)
i. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
a. Off of Hwy 4, established in 1980, over 13.2 million acres.
b. This is a park for wilderness-oriented activities, Bottomline; not allot for tourist to see.
http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0333-th.jpg (http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0333-vi.jpg)
A NATIONAL PARK AND NOT A PERSON WAS THERE!
http://images18.fotki.com/v342/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0335-th.jpg (http://images18.fotki.com/v342/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0335-vi.jpg)
http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0337-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0337-vi.jpg)
4. Glennallen to Anchorage on Hwy 1 (304m)
i. Already been down this road when I came to Anchorage.
http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0331-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1456/photos/7/1485527/7344776/ALASKA_20080611_0331-vi.jpg)
Episode Eleven “Heading Home on the ALCAN-Day 1”
The past few days have been raining, so bike travel has been limited. Also encountered a major electronic malfunction, my Power Commander took a hit. I moved it when I installed a separate fuse boxes for my accessories, bUt it got soaked and flooded. The local HD shop drained, dried, enclosed it and I’m up and running. Now I’m ready for the trip home, 2600 miles!!
Day 1: Anchorage to Haines Junction (730 miles)
Departed 6/17/08 at 0500
From Anchorage to Haines Junction would be traveling back over ground I traveled coming in to Anchorage.
The most import lesson learned to pass on is take your map and mark your gas stops. Example: AAA map of “Alaska & Northwestern Canada”
1. Draw your route with highlighter
2. Determine the distance you travel on a tank of gas
3. Use Milepost and mark gas/food stops along your route
4. Use the Milepost-milepost and mark, MP145.6
5. Do not think you can make the next gas stop, GAS UP NOW!!
6. Yes your GPS works, but always have a backup
Remember you will not be traveling at 60 mph; the roller coaster ALCAN will not let you. Watch out for road construction, gravel can be packed or 3-4” deep of very lose rock.
Make sure you have your camera ready, stop and take thousands of pictures. Who cares if they are dramatic, they tell a story!!
MY ROUTE HOME 2600 MILES
http://images46.fotki.com/v1483/photos/7/1485527/7344781/HOME-vi.jpg
All the pics will be small, click on them to blow up, hope you enjoy as I did!!
AT FIRST LIGHT READY TO RIDE
http://images45.fotki.com/v1481/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0586-th.jpg (http://images45.fotki.com/v1481/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0586-vi.jpg)
MORNING LIGHT
http://images17.fotki.com/v349/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0589-th.jpg (http://images17.fotki.com/v349/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0589-vi.jpg)
MATANUSKA GLACIER
http://images47.fotki.com/v1454/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0591-th.jpg (http://images47.fotki.com/v1454/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0591-vi.jpg)
SHEEP MTN 6,300 FT
http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0593-th.jpg (http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0593-vi.jpg)
TANANA RIVER & VALLEY
http://images43.fotki.com/v1324/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0595-th.jpg (http://images43.fotki.com/v1324/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0595-vi.jpg)
NUTZOTIN MTNS & MT DRUM
http://images12.fotki.com/v217/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0599-th.jpg (http://images12.fotki.com/v217/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0599-vi.jpg)
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
http://images49.fotki.com/v1458/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0602-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1458/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0602-vi.jpg)
JUST A NORMAL DAY
http://images15.fotki.com/v234/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0605-th.jpg (http://images15.fotki.com/v234/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0605-vi.jpg)
OUT OF ALASKA INTO CANADA
http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0611-th.jpg (http://images45.fotki.com/v1480/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0611-vi.jpg)
http://images49.fotki.com/v1457/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0608-th.jpg (http://images49.fotki.com/v1457/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0608-vi.jpg)
BORDER CHECK AND HAIL
http://images47.fotki.com/v1462/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0613-th.jpg (http://images47.fotki.com/v1462/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0613-vi.jpg)
http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0614-th.jpg (http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0614-vi.jpg)
SAFE AND SOUND
http://images47.fotki.com/v1478/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0616-th.jpg (http://images47.fotki.com/v1478/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0616-vi.jpg)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
http://images44.fotki.com/v1471/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0621-th.jpg (http://images44.fotki.com/v1471/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0621-vi.jpg)
http://images12.fotki.com/v254/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0622-th.jpg (http://images12.fotki.com/v254/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0622-vi.jpg)
HAINES JUNCTION AND SLEEP
http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0623-th.jpg (http://images46.fotki.com/v1482/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0623-vi.jpg)
http://images16.fotki.com/v301/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0624-th.jpg (http://images16.fotki.com/v301/photos/7/1485527/7344781/alaska_20080617_0624-vi.jpg)
Episode TWELVE “Heading Home on the ALCAN-Day 2”
:Popcorn:run1::Popcorn:run1: