Question re Alaska Trip
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
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From: Chicago
Question re Alaska Trip
I'm taking a trip to Alaska this June and have a question- I plan on taking the Cassiar Highway (Route 37 between Watson Lake and Hazelton) on the return trip from Anchorage to Seattle. It would save me about 130 miles, and I wanted to see some different scenery anyway.
My question is this- the "Milepost" showes a couple of "unpaved" stretches, near Dease Lake and Iskut. How long are these stretches and how bad is the gravel? I'll be riding my '06 FLHTCI, and it will be loaded. If the unpaved portions are too bad I'll ride back on the Alaska-Canada Highway the same way I rode up.
Any information would be appreciated.
My question is this- the "Milepost" showes a couple of "unpaved" stretches, near Dease Lake and Iskut. How long are these stretches and how bad is the gravel? I'll be riding my '06 FLHTCI, and it will be loaded. If the unpaved portions are too bad I'll ride back on the Alaska-Canada Highway the same way I rode up.
Any information would be appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Houston area
Dan,
Sorry I can't answer your question but I'd like to advise you to go that way if at all possible as I think it'd be a very memorable trip.
For 5 years I was part of a relay team from my office that raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society each year by riding bicycles to a different city in North America. We rode from Houston to Fairbanks Alaska (4,400 miles) a few years ago and went up the Alcan Hwy. That in itself was a great experience. However, I drove a van back on the return and went down the Cassier Hwy as we wanted to visit friends in Ketchikan, AK and had to catch a ferry in Prince Rupert, BC.
Anyway, the Cassier was an awesome experience and as I said, I was in a 15 pass van! However, as I was in the van, I really don't recall the issue of lack of pavement as I wasn't concerned about it.
Yet, can only imagine how great it would be on my '07 HD. Great scenery, the forest/woods come right up to the edge of the road. Moose, bears, all kinds of wildlife and not much traffic at all just some motor homes and rv's. I've always wanted to go back and have been trying to find a way ever since I bought my first HD in '03. On a cautionary note, I'm sure the "milepost" does make you aware that gas is very limited along the Cassier and that is correct.
Not sure how you're going to Seattle but I'd assume you'd be going on Rt 16 to Prince George and then Rt 97. Those two roads are also full of awesome scenery, while much more populated. The cities of Kamloops and Kelowna are also well worth a stop. Both have HD dealerships as does Prince George.
Sorry to get longwinded but did want to let you know that the Cassier Hwy and BC is one of the prettiest places I've been. I'd definitely recommend it if you can do it safely.
Sorry I can't answer your question but I'd like to advise you to go that way if at all possible as I think it'd be a very memorable trip.
For 5 years I was part of a relay team from my office that raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society each year by riding bicycles to a different city in North America. We rode from Houston to Fairbanks Alaska (4,400 miles) a few years ago and went up the Alcan Hwy. That in itself was a great experience. However, I drove a van back on the return and went down the Cassier Hwy as we wanted to visit friends in Ketchikan, AK and had to catch a ferry in Prince Rupert, BC.
Anyway, the Cassier was an awesome experience and as I said, I was in a 15 pass van! However, as I was in the van, I really don't recall the issue of lack of pavement as I wasn't concerned about it.
Yet, can only imagine how great it would be on my '07 HD. Great scenery, the forest/woods come right up to the edge of the road. Moose, bears, all kinds of wildlife and not much traffic at all just some motor homes and rv's. I've always wanted to go back and have been trying to find a way ever since I bought my first HD in '03. On a cautionary note, I'm sure the "milepost" does make you aware that gas is very limited along the Cassier and that is correct.
Not sure how you're going to Seattle but I'd assume you'd be going on Rt 16 to Prince George and then Rt 97. Those two roads are also full of awesome scenery, while much more populated. The cities of Kamloops and Kelowna are also well worth a stop. Both have HD dealerships as does Prince George.
Sorry to get longwinded but did want to let you know that the Cassier Hwy and BC is one of the prettiest places I've been. I'd definitely recommend it if you can do it safely.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
Likes: 16
From: Chicago
Thanks, Macker
Thanks for the info- if I didn't still have this pesky thing called a "job" I'd leave tomorrow.
According to the Milepost, the gas stops are limited, I think that the longest distance between towns is about 100 miles, which is fine. I'm also going to be carrying two aluminum 1.5 liter fuel bottles with emergency gas.
According to the Milepost, the gas stops are limited, I think that the longest distance between towns is about 100 miles, which is fine. I'm also going to be carrying two aluminum 1.5 liter fuel bottles with emergency gas.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Bellmawr, New Jersey
Dan,
I hope you post the results of your trip on this forum. I am planning a trip to Alaska from New Jersey in 2010, when I am retired from the military. I plan to take the ALCAN up to Fairbanks, and take the Cassier Hwy on the return trip. Once back in the US, I plan to continue to Cabo and then work my way back to Jersey. I plan to leave 1 July 2010, and spend the fourth of July under Mt Rushmore. I plan to build a website and record my journey. Good luck and Ride Safe!
I hope you post the results of your trip on this forum. I am planning a trip to Alaska from New Jersey in 2010, when I am retired from the military. I plan to take the ALCAN up to Fairbanks, and take the Cassier Hwy on the return trip. Once back in the US, I plan to continue to Cabo and then work my way back to Jersey. I plan to leave 1 July 2010, and spend the fourth of July under Mt Rushmore. I plan to build a website and record my journey. Good luck and Ride Safe!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
I rode to Fairbanks last summer. I found "The Milepost" to be very accurate and a useful tool to find lodging on the road ahead (I didn't make any reservations before leaving). Make sure to get the newest edition before leaving (they come out every year in April/May). There were many sections of the Alcan that were under construction. The area around Kluane Lake, Yukon and about 100 miles north of there (almost to the Alaska border) was the worst...we looked forward to the "under construction" gravel sections on this portion of the road - they were much smoother than the "paved" (if you can call it that) sections of the road! I would not even worry about those "unpaved" sections of the Cassiar Highway. After negotiating the dirt & gravel segments on the Alcan, you'll be a certified "pro" on the gravel sections. Most of the road hazards like frost heaves and really big potholes were marked with a little pink flag on the side of the road. Some of them had pink spray paint around them. Either way, when you see pink paint or flags on the road, pay close attention!
If the Cassiar Hwy still worries you, another option I'd recommend is a ferry through the inside passage. Here's what we did: When you circle through AK and get back to Haines Junction, (on a side note, there is an amazing Chinese restaurant in Haines Junction, right at the T intersection) make a right and take the Haines Highway over Chilkoot Pass and down into Haines. This was one of the prettiest roads I rode on through AK. We caught the ferry in Haines and rode it down to Prince Rupert, BC. This route cut out about 1000 miles of back-tracking on the Alcan and took you to a lot of towns only accessable by boat or plane. If you do decide to take the ferry, book it a month or two in advance. It leaves Haines once every 7-8 days and is usually full.
If the Cassiar Hwy still worries you, another option I'd recommend is a ferry through the inside passage. Here's what we did: When you circle through AK and get back to Haines Junction, (on a side note, there is an amazing Chinese restaurant in Haines Junction, right at the T intersection) make a right and take the Haines Highway over Chilkoot Pass and down into Haines. This was one of the prettiest roads I rode on through AK. We caught the ferry in Haines and rode it down to Prince Rupert, BC. This route cut out about 1000 miles of back-tracking on the Alcan and took you to a lot of towns only accessable by boat or plane. If you do decide to take the ferry, book it a month or two in advance. It leaves Haines once every 7-8 days and is usually full.
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YES both are!! FYI thers is probably one section or another that is "under construction" all the time though, just like anywhere else.
HWY 3 is a very well traveled and populated in parts.
HWY or route 7 I don't have much expierence on but it too is paved and somewhat populated but does go down to the panhandle area.
Both very decent roads for bikes of all kinds.
HWY 3 is a very well traveled and populated in parts.
HWY or route 7 I don't have much expierence on but it too is paved and somewhat populated but does go down to the panhandle area.
Both very decent roads for bikes of all kinds.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Cleveland
I saw this in the forums last year and thought you guys mite like it.
http://www.epilcher.com/alaska/Default.htm
http://www.epilcher.com/alaska/Default.htm