I live in Alaska and I've been "doing the AlCan" since 1959 by car, truck, RV, and even motorcycle..in all seasons and weather conditions (ONLY summer on bike!)...EVERY trip is an epic adventure and, even at 73 this year, I look forward to the next journey up or down. All that said, if ANYone wants to get a very good idea of what the AlCan journey is like, I highly recommend your episodes..You've nailed it!!
When I drove the ALCAN highway in 1992, I was told that there were 2 seasons in the Yukon, Winter and Construction, easy to see that! Best trip in my life, alone and camped in a tent. The Top of the World Highway was my best memory.
I was in Alaska last year. I am enjoying reliving my trek; this time I do not have to watch out for pot holes or critters. It is a great land to visit.
Thanks for making these videos, they’re very informative and the two of you seem very sensible. We are planning a trip in 2024 and we’ll be watching all your videos. Thanks again.
I just discovered your series. After watching several different vlogs on the Alcan, so far yours includes many views and bits of important information regarding this trip. In fact your recommendation for the roads / video of the road between Destruction Bay and Tok is the best. After driving this area over 20 times, it was good to see your recommendation.
Wow David that is high praise, thank you very much. And we’re really glad you found our recommendations helpful. Given you’ve driven the Alcan yourself quite a few times your feedback really means a lot. Terry and Cindy
Just stumbled across your series - enjoying it very much! In the preliminary stages of planning our next trip up the Alaska Hwy. Our first was in 2018. Like you, we didn't plan quite right and ended up having to rush through that incredibly beautiful section around Muncho Lake, the first time. Now we know better, and are planning to divide up our stops much differently this time, to allow ample time through that area to savour and enjoy it. As you said, it is an incredibly beautiful trip and one that we really didn't expect to enjoy as much as we did. Can't wait to go back!
Thanks very much Yvonne and we're really happy you're enjoying the series. We're glad (and maybe a bit jealous) to hear you're heading back and planning more time for the Alcan and Muncho Lake. Wishing you a fantastic trip!!
@@TrueNorthCamping If you come back to BC and want another incredibly beautiful and memorable trip, I highly recommend taking Hwy 20 from Williams Lake, down the famous Heckman Pass "hill" to Bella Coola. It is simply stunning and your chance of seeing grizzly bears there is almost guaranteed!
I"m assuming that Ranger stays in the camper while ya'll are out at various places, eg. the hot springs? We will be traveling with a 5 lb maltese and appreciate any advice about traveling with pets. Muchas Gracias from Texas!! Great videos by the way.
Hi Stex, let me start by saying Ranger is a wonderful traveller and if we do have to leave him in the trailer we know he wont destroy anything and he wont bark and disturb the neighbours. So our biggest concern when leaving him was to ensure he wouldn’t get hot - so we always left the AC set to come on in case the trailer got warm, but honestly with our Alaska trip, I don’t think it ever did, simply because the outside temperature never really got up there. One thing we are thinking of doing is installing a new combination door lock so that if something happened while we were out (e.g. we get delayed) we could contact the campground and hopefully have someone check on him. And of course if you have internet (starlink etc), you can install a camera or monitor that would let you check in remotely or get an alarm if it got to hot. Hope this helps - have an amazing adventure!
On the Alcan we probably averaged about 6 hours of driving per day, some days a bit more, some less. But I would recommend not thinking youll avg 100 kms/hr (60mph) for those 6 hours. In many places road conditions will slow you down dramatically and if you’re anything like us you’ll also regularly be slowing (or stopping) to take in the vistas or enjoy the wildlife. Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you for the informative video. Will be watching more. You are the second video watched that mentioned the one page sheet from Dawson Creek as being invaluable. Did you buy The Milepost beforehand and if so, did you think it worth getting? I saw a few sample pages and am not certain it will be helpful.
Thanks very much. As for the milepost yes we did buy before hand and found it very useful, both to get an idea of what to expect and to use as we drove to provide a bit of a ‘narrative’ as to what we were seeing. Have great trip!
The mosquitoes were annoying south of Whitehorse....perhaps the worst were at Liard Hotsprings but they didnt stop us from enjoying the springs. Once we got past Whitehorse, up to dawson City and then Alaska itself, the mosquitoes werent bad at all. Now do keep in mind we went later in the season than most people (July-Sept) and from others we spoke to they said the bugs were worse in May-June.@@barrynash1126
@@TrueNorthCamping Our trip in Aug/Sep'23 was almost completely mosquito-free, all the way up the Alcan to Deadhorse, back south to Denali and Homer, across the south coast to Valdez, Haines and Skagway, then south on the Stewart-Cassier highway. Lots of rain along the coast, which probably drowned all the bugs there. ☺ There was a lot of smoke haze in many places, which may have also had an impact. It definitely ruined the views when encountered. Just north of Boya Lake on the Cassier they stopped traffic for an hour while one blaze burned across the highway ahead of us, and when they finally released us, the pilot car took off at over 50mph which we understood when we got to the burn area and it was still smoldering on both sides of the road.
I drove it july 2016...with a 1995 ford f150 w/topper slept in trk topper...best experience ever...stayed in Alaska 100 days...
Sounds like an amazing adventure!
Thumbs up.!!!
I live in Alaska and I've been "doing the AlCan" since 1959 by car, truck, RV, and even motorcycle..in all seasons and weather conditions (ONLY summer on bike!)...EVERY trip is an epic adventure and, even at 73 this year, I look forward to the next journey up or down. All that said, if ANYone wants to get a very good idea of what the AlCan journey is like, I highly recommend your episodes..You've nailed it!!
Wow, that is amazing Ralph, thank you so much. And we couldn’t agree more, it is an epic adventure.
When I drove the ALCAN highway in 1992, I was told that there were 2 seasons in the Yukon, Winter and Construction, easy to see that! Best trip in my life, alone and camped in a tent. The Top of the World Highway was my best memory.
The TOW Hwy was a huge highlight for us to!
(8) consider the Stewart-Cassiar Highway
your information is more than helpful. It is borderline indispensable. Thank you for sharing...and safe travels....
Thank you for the nice video. I love your Sheltie and I have 2 Shelties myself.
I was in Alaska last year. I am enjoying reliving my trek; this time I do not have to watch out for pot holes or critters. It is a great land to visit.
You’re absolutely right Dougal, it is an amazing place to visit! Glad you’re enjoying the series!
Thanks for making these videos, they’re very informative and the two of you seem very sensible. We are planning a trip in 2024 and we’ll be watching all your videos. Thanks again.
Thanks very much Wolfgang! I can assure you Cindy is the sensible one😁
Awesome video and information driven 9 times and you covered stuff I had not seen before! But it’s now on my 2023 itinerary! Thank you
Thanks very much, really glad you found the information useful!
My #1 tip is to bring extra headlights as you may go through several... ;) Don't buy them as needed as they get VERY expensive.
That's a great tip. An option (or in addition), see if you can buy or make what are called "headlight stone guards".
Loving your series! Planning for our 2025 trip up to Alaska.
I’m really enjoying your videos! The information is ver good. Thank you
Found you guys today. Great video. I appreciate your down to earth style.
Thanks so much! Glad you’re enjoying the videos!
I love your sheltie!!! I have 2 of them. She looked like she was enjoying the ride.
Ranger loved the trip. He is such a good traveler and camper. Thanks!
Thats awesome , thanks. Hope you havea fantastic trip!
Thank you for taking te time to share your thoughtful advice, nice job.
Glad it was helpful!
New viewer new subscriber
I just discovered your series. After watching several different vlogs on the Alcan, so far yours includes many views and bits of important information regarding this trip. In fact your recommendation for the roads / video of the road between Destruction Bay and Tok is the best. After driving this area over 20 times, it was good to see your recommendation.
Wow David that is high praise, thank you very much. And we’re really glad you found our recommendations helpful. Given you’ve driven the Alcan yourself quite a few times your feedback really means a lot.
Terry and Cindy
Outstanding. 👍
Thanks very much!
Loving your series. It’s getting me ready for our June 2023 journey.
Hubby and I are heading up this June, too. Maybe we will run into you. 😊
Thank you....and have a wonderful trip!
LUCKY!!! We are planning to go up in July 2025.
Tank you for information and the video reel good
Thank you very much - we’re glad you enjoyed it!
thanks for the tips
You’re welcome! Glad they were helpful.
Just stumbled across your series - enjoying it very much! In the preliminary stages of planning our next trip up the Alaska Hwy. Our first was in 2018. Like you, we didn't plan quite right and ended up having to rush through that incredibly beautiful section around Muncho Lake, the first time. Now we know better, and are planning to divide up our stops much differently this time, to allow ample time through that area to savour and enjoy it. As you said, it is an incredibly beautiful trip and one that we really didn't expect to enjoy as much as we did. Can't wait to go back!
Thanks very much Yvonne and we're really happy you're enjoying the series. We're glad (and maybe a bit jealous) to hear you're heading back and planning more time for the Alcan and Muncho Lake. Wishing you a fantastic trip!!
@@TrueNorthCamping If you come back to BC and want another incredibly beautiful and memorable trip, I highly recommend taking Hwy 20 from Williams Lake, down the famous Heckman Pass "hill" to Bella Coola. It is simply stunning and your chance of seeing grizzly bears there is almost guaranteed!
Thanks for the tip Yvonne - we are planning to head back that way in a couple of years!
(7) get a stand alone GPS.
Agreed. We used our phones and built in gps at different times. Thanks!
You provided great tips. We have Testa River Lodge on our map to stop. We plan to stop at Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park for at least a night.
Thanks ONS! Bring me back a cinnamon bun from Testa😉 and be prepared for mosquitoes when you arrive at Liard. Have a wonderful trip!
I drove the alcan in November 1970 with a 1970 SS 396 I got about 5 miles to the gallon
I bet that was an adventure…and you’re making me not feel quite so bad about our fuel mileage 😉
I"m assuming that Ranger stays in the camper while ya'll are out at various places, eg. the hot springs? We will be traveling with a 5 lb maltese and appreciate any advice about traveling with pets.
Muchas Gracias from Texas!! Great videos by the way.
Hi Stex, let me start by saying Ranger is a wonderful traveller and if we do have to leave him in the trailer we know he wont destroy anything and he wont bark and disturb the neighbours. So our biggest concern when leaving him was to ensure he wouldn’t get hot - so we always left the AC set to come on in case the trailer got warm, but honestly with our Alaska trip, I don’t think it ever did, simply because the outside temperature never really got up there. One thing we are thinking of doing is installing a new combination door lock so that if something happened while we were out (e.g. we get delayed) we could contact the campground and hopefully have someone check on him. And of course if you have internet (starlink etc), you can install a camera or monitor that would let you check in remotely or get an alarm if it got to hot. Hope this helps - have an amazing adventure!
@@TrueNorthCampingthank you so much. Enjoying your adventures!
Wife and I are planning our second trip. How many miles a day did you plan for and do? Great video.
On the Alcan we probably averaged about 6 hours of driving per day, some days a bit more, some less. But I would recommend not thinking youll avg 100 kms/hr (60mph) for those 6 hours. In many places road conditions will slow you down dramatically and if you’re anything like us you’ll also regularly be slowing (or stopping) to take in the vistas or enjoy the wildlife. Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you for the informative video. Will be watching more. You are the second video watched that mentioned the one page sheet from Dawson Creek as being invaluable. Did you buy The Milepost beforehand and if so, did you think it worth getting? I saw a few sample pages and am not certain it will be helpful.
Thanks very much. As for the milepost yes we did buy before hand and found it very useful, both to get an idea of what to expect and to use as we drove to provide a bit of a ‘narrative’ as to what we were seeing. Have great trip!
Our local library has a copy of last year's (2022). Maybe yours does too. Then you can preview it before you purchase.
What time of the year did you start your trip up to Alaska.
We left the first week in July.
@@TrueNorthCamping In the episodes I've so-far watched, you don't mention bugs. Ever get swarmed by Mosquitoes?
The mosquitoes were annoying south of Whitehorse....perhaps the worst were at Liard Hotsprings but they didnt stop us from enjoying the springs. Once we got past Whitehorse, up to dawson City and then Alaska itself, the mosquitoes werent bad at all. Now do keep in mind we went later in the season than most people (July-Sept) and from others we spoke to they said the bugs were worse in May-June.@@barrynash1126
@@TrueNorthCamping Our trip in Aug/Sep'23 was almost completely mosquito-free, all the way up the Alcan to Deadhorse, back south to Denali and Homer, across the south coast to Valdez, Haines and Skagway, then south on the Stewart-Cassier highway. Lots of rain along the coast, which probably drowned all the bugs there. ☺ There was a lot of smoke haze in many places, which may have also had an impact. It definitely ruined the views when encountered. Just north of Boya Lake on the Cassier they stopped traffic for an hour while one blaze burned across the highway ahead of us, and when they finally released us, the pilot car took off at over 50mph which we understood when we got to the burn area and it was still smoldering on both sides of the road.
The ex had a dull task on his truck