Alaska trip this summer
 

Planning a trip to Alaska this coming summer. Leaving Western Pa the last week of June and returning around the first of August. Anyone going to be in the area during that time? Will be riding a 650 v-strom adenture.

I'm considering going around the same timeframe. I'm in southern Maryland. I don't have a dual-sport, though. What is your agenda?

I've thought about riding my strom up there for shits and giggles, but I like to ride slow and look at everything, so it drives people nuts and I usually ride alone.
Do you have some form of strict agenda?

Not really. I've got about a month to play with. Don't mind smelling the roses a little once there, but I'll be looking to just make time on the way to and from, though.

Alaska Trip
 

Enter Canada in Erie, Pa, then across to Edmonton. Dawson creek to Dawson city. Then up to Coldfoot & probably to Prudhoe Bay. Then home Thur Glacier Park & then to the Badlands & home. Will be doing some camping.

A friend and I will be leaving San Diego for Inuvik on July 3rd, scheduled to return on August 3rd.

:rain::stormy:

IF, my riding buddy doesn't end up going (he has a hurt foot), I will ride solo. :mchappy:

Same dates, but I will add the Dalton/Deadhorse to the ride.:scooter:

Dalton/Deadhorse
 

:offtopic:The Dalton up to Prudhoe Bay should be just about mid- July.

Tenequip,
How far do you intend to travel daily? My thoughts are to push to get up there to get the most out of the time available. I typically stop for gas and bathroom breaks only and eat during those stops.

Growler 48
 

Crossing Canada, will probably average over 500 miles/day.

You'll probably save time and money if you enter Canada North of Grand Forks North Dakota unless you need to see the top of Superior.

Garry

Traveling Thur canada
 

Garry
I thing you are probably right, but I haven't been thru that area on the bike. I have ridden thru the Dakotas & it is a little boring.

I will be there sometime between June - August (no clear plan yet).
Plan is to leave San Francisco area around mid May and start slowly going up there (following road #101 towards Seattle).

I'm still trying to iron out details for making this trip. Hoping to coincide with the June departure date.

I am from Alaska, but retired and live in Reno. 1) Northern Lake Superior is stunning. I strongly recommend you go that way. 2) Alaskans have a problem understanding the infatuation with the Dalton. Yes, I understand it goes as far North as possible and is not paved, but if you want to see wildlife go into Denali Park on the Parks HWY between Fairbanks and Anchorage, and if you want to see incredible mountain scenery ride through Kenai south of Anchorage. 3) If you do the Dalton, remember this. In order to make the road better able to cope with the 20 or so 80,000 lbs trucks going up it every day, it is treated with a sulfide solution to make the soil more cohesive. That chemical makes the road very slippery when it gets wet. Take it really easy if it starts raining till you understand how slippery it is. Dave

Alaska Trip
 

Thanks for the comments and advice. I have been in Canada above Lake Superior for work and agree it should be a great ride on the bike. I have read what you are saying about the Dalton being quite difficult in the rain. I am hoping for good weather, if not I will probably only go to Coldfoot. As for riding south, I intend to go down the George Parks Highway to Cantwell. Then take the Denali Highway across to Paxson. This is written as one of the best rides in Alaska.

Tenequip,
Do you plan to visit the Denali National Park or the Chugach Mountains?

Alaska Trip
 

I will be going right pass Denali, but hadn't planned on stopping, because I think the only access is by bus. Not familiar with the Chugach Mountains, but will look into them.

I agree with what checkerdd says. Many a trip has ended on the Dalton and it matters not if you think you're a great rider. The weather changes everything.
The dirt road across to Paxson is fantastic and well worth it. Stop off at "Crazy Dog Kennels" to find out about all things husky.

Looks like there is enough riders heading North this Summer to have a party.
Count us in, we are an Aussie couple on a Tiger 800XC. Should be there during July/August

So keep a lookout for a Triumph Tiger with a large white 8 Gallon Safari tank, wave us done for a chat

Glen and Leeanne

PM Sent.

Late July and August here, I`ll keep an eye out for You,should not be too hard to spot a couple aussies on a giant tiger ...

Top of the World Highway
 

Has anyone ridden the Top of the World Highway between Dawson City, Yukon and Chicken, Alaska?

Hi!,
To add a bit of encouragement, I rode to Prudhoe Bay in August last year. Coldfoot to P.Bay and cross Atigun Pass on 24 August 2013. Atigun Pass was clear though snowing that time. I was on a KLR.

Safe Ride.

Amzah

Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

Top of the World Highway
 

Rbwillia
No I haven't, but I intend to give it a try this summer. I would like also, to hear from someone, who has done it.

Same here. Hope to see some of you guys and gals up there, too!

Are you looking for someone to make the trip with you or just meet up somewhere along the way?

Tenequip,
I responded to your email. Can you verify that you got it? Thanks.

5 of us from WI / IL / CO leaving July 9th. (2) KTM 990's, (1) KTM 690, (1) BMW 650 and (1) DR 650. Going to Inuvik and P. Bay. I'm sure we are bound to meet some of you guys.

If you see a couple of tiny people on a green KLR stop us for a chat. We will be up around Inuvik mid to late July and in Oz next year. We would love to pick your brain about Australia from above the Arctic Circle!

Adrian and Elaine :taz:

Always up for a chat Adrian, we are on a Triumph Tiger 800XC with a huge Safari long range tank and Jesse panniers
Even if we don't happen to cross paths I can point you in the right direction

Glen

I just bought a 2008 r1200 GSA for doing Alaska. Not sure if it's going to be this year or the next. I'll be leaving from New England heading west then cut into Canada from North Dakota. Not sure how far I'll go into Alaska the first go around. Maybe just Hyder, maybe further. I'm retiring from the military this year and want to spend some time on two wheels just riding around to no particular destination.

Tenequip
 

Completed the trip to Alaska in the end of July this year. Great trip, made it all the way to Cold Foot pass the Arctic Circle. (11140 miles)

I am looking for Alaska adventure as well. I'm looking at maybe mid June or late August. I want to avoid RV's and mosquito's as much as possible. I am willing to trade being bitten for the cold and snow if I have to. I have a R1200 GSA. I'll be leaving from the Northeast US. I am flexible in my travel plans. I have allotted 3-4 weeks to make this trip. I don't need to do the Dalton to where I run into that sludge. I can go off the beaten path a figure another way up to the Prudhoe Bay. I have everything I need but a tent. Still weighing my options there. It would be great to hook up with some of my fellow adventure riders!!!!:taz:

I too am heading up to Alaska this year. Probably the first or second week in July. Starting from Clovis Ca (central valley) planning 24 days or so round trip.
My plan is to ride the Alaskan HWY, then play on the Kenai Peninsula. Top of the World HWY on the way home, taking the ferry out of Whittier to Valdez.

If you are heading to Alaska then I suggest if you already haven't, buying a copy of "The Milepost" , This is a travel planner for Alaska , Yukon, British Columbia , Alberta and the Northwest Territories. $35.00 US. You can check it out on line The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner ---- It,s well worth the money

Top of the world
 

I did a awesome trip a couple of years back. WA state up and back. For me the road to Inuvik was better the the haul road to Prudo? Both are fun but all dirt with way less trucks on the Dempster. Top of the world hwy was really nice (take the side trip to Eagle if you have time) and takes you up really high on wide well maintained dirt roads. For a tourist town Dawson is great. I did it on a beat up 99 KLR (still riding it). Have a blast all. Feel free to ask me anything. Many people helped me with ideas from this site before I kicked off. Oh ya do not miss the side trip to Skagway (great ride lame town) then over to Haines (great ride cool town) if the weather is good.

hi guys!

this look like invasion on Alaska.......great to see so many riders going and do things...
i will be landing 14th. June i Toronto whit my bike from UK,
got a few stops to stop by..but route will be sort of: around superior, down to Fargo ND, than north Calgary, Edmonton, Alaska, Dalton....

will be great to catch up whit some of you and exchange few beers and chit-chats from different sides of the pond.



ride safe