Alaska Cruiser Trek 2008

[Midlifer]

I hope someone can send me a Garmin track file of this trip, it would be really cool to check out the profile.

[Clutchee]

Originally Posted by Kroll

She sure captures some amazing photos.

Dont worry folks.....as many of my fellow cruiser heads know.....I'll take enough photos for everyone to have a full album.

At GSMTR a few weeks ago I took over 350 pictures.....not all were the best but many were GREAT!

Look forward to meetin everyone & as always .......ready to lend a helping hand.

[medicbob]

Originally Posted by Midlifer

I hope someone can send me a Garmin track file of this trip, it would be really cool to check out the profile.

Consider it done.. Just remind me when I get back Aug 1

[Mark W]

We'll need to talk on this subject some while you guys are here... but in general I'd ask that you not make any broad commitments to share accurate trail info. once it is put there it has a way of spreading... and getting back into more local hands.
Like anywhere else, we have our share of posuers and webwheelers up here... who have no business being put on the trails on their own. Give them a gps log off the internet, with trailheads shown and a line on the map to follow... and they think they are ready to go.
Trouble for them ... for example when they have problems with a river crossing they should never have tried... 50 miles into the mountains.
Increased traffic and impact on sometimes fragile trails, that I have put a lot of effort in to finding or in some cases making... time in th field... time overflying..., time networking with old sourdoughs.
Then there is the increased attention during hunting season... Hunting camps and prime habit can be closely held secrets... this area has it's share of both.
And the pilfering and theft for unattended minesites and flat out historical ruins.

All in all... this is public land that we are on... but knowledge of the area represents a major investment. And there are other reasons to not want to encourage use by those who are not wiling to work for it and to respect the area and all that is there. And by those who simply should not be encouraged to be out there without someone to offer guidance... for their own safety.

Obviously it is not for me to deny access... but most of us try to not toss information out too easily to whoever might find it.

In general trail routes and locations and such are held close to the vest up here. It is one thing to share with a small select group who come up from the '48 and travel the trails with us. But it is another to provide the information to anyone who may find it... either some of our locals who may be less than admirable or any enthusiastic but unprepared "adventurers" on a road trip north.


I may upset some here on this board by taking this attitude... But I submit that "things are different here"... and I'll stand by that . Just ask some of the folks who have come up to run with us in the past.

Or ask Bruce and Charla about our explorations last year... and that was in a fairly well known and used area too...

If you want to share the route info... just be very careful with who... and please do not post it up on a web page or any other approach that puts it out there for the world. Something like that would probably, almost certainly mean the end to any future Treks... the gains from the Treks come nowhere near the losses that such disemination could result in. :(


Mark...

[The Dude]

Mark,

Speaking of trails, have you decided where you are taking us yet? How is the melt going this year? We where about three weeks behind "normal" run off.

I really like the idea of getting over to Paxon if possible?? How is the Denali highway? A Cruise down that and then back through Anchorage would be perfect for us!

I can't wait.

[Mark W]

It is as decided as it can be


We will go it at the Tok. We will cross Via Gillette Pass to the Slana. up to the headwaters of the Slana and via an unnamed pass to the head of the east fork of the Chistochina.. Then Via Chisna Pass to the middle fork. will will head up the west fork and see if conditionbs will allow us to reach and cross the Gakona.
we will head down the middle fork and se if we can make the connetion to a nore southerly crossing of the Gakona.
If either of these work out for he group... we will come out at Paxon.

Another option will be an extraction via the Chistochina river route. Our fall back will be to return to the Slana and follow it out to Mentasta.

It is all dependent on the make up and capabilities of the group.. what sort of ground we cover/time we make, what sort of things we have to distract us (breakage... exploring on foot...), weather, and any real time changes to th trails/rivers.

The only way to pin it down solidly to to that the most conservative and least adventuresome options right at the start :(



Mark...

[medicbob]

11 more days and counting. I am thinking about skipping the the Fort Nelson and Fort St, John route and opting for the Cassiar Highway. Any thoughts? How much longer should I count on going that way? FYI on the way back we will be traveling from Haines to Price Rupert via ferry..

[JACOBYWESTERN]

Hmm...RandMcNally says Prince George to Watson Lake via Hwy 97 (Ft. St. John) is 822 miles and 16hrs. 40min. driving time.

Prince George to Watson Lake via Hwy 37 (Cassiar Hwy.) is 765 miles and 16hrs. 35 mins. driving time.

10+ yrs. ago, the Cassiar used to be all gravel, rocky, a little rutted, really dusty when dry, a bit muddy when wet with a few wooden one lane bridges so RVs stayed off it and you had less slow traffic. In 1998 in FJ40s, we averaged 50MPH on the Cassiar - it was a bit slower than Hwy 97. Today the Cassiar is much improved and it would probably be a wash as far as driving time is concerned.

The Cassiar is beautiful for it's endless low mountains of green trees and quiet solitude but the I think Hwy 97 offers a wider variety of terrian to enjoy.

On the way home, if you're getting off the ferry at Prince Rupert, you'll already be driving Hwy 16, the East/West portion of the Cassiar route so I'd say take Hwy 97 on the way North.

Why not take the ferry all the way to Bellingham, WA on the way home?

[coldtaco]

Cassiar is probably still mostly gravel and take lots of fuel as there are not very many fuel stops that I can remember. I think it is probably a better way, but I drove it in the middle of winter back in 94 I think, more scenic until you get on the highway to Prince George.

[JACOBYWESTERN]

Hey Coldtaco,

Do you think your friend with the Super Cub would be up for a flight to Tok if we need emergency parts this year?

[coldtaco]

I guess it would all depend on alot of factors. Consider the cost of AvGas for one, then the weather, then the distance, then would he have the time available to do the round trip, ect...

[akcruzers]

Originally Posted by JACOBYWESTERN

Hey Coldtaco,

Do you think your friend with the Super Cub would be up for a flight to Tok if we need emergency parts this year?

Morning Gent's
I think it would be a good idea to have the phone number for 40 mile air and the Tok NAPA just in case. It's not that long a run and a couple of trucks could run out in and emergency but AIR SUPPORT is always a good thing!

I'm wishing I wouldn't have signed the contract for this job out west. Just doesn't look like I'm gonna make this one ;-(

AKCRUZERS

[medicbob]

Originally Posted by JACOBYWESTERN

Hmm...RandMcNally says Prince George to Watson Lake via Hwy 97 (Ft. St. John) is 822 miles and 16hrs. 40min. driving time.

Prince George to Watson Lake via Hwy 37 (Cassiar Hwy.) is 765 miles and 16hrs. 35 mins. driving time.

10+ yrs. ago, the Cassiar used to be all gravel, rocky, a little rutted, really dusty when dry, a bit muddy when wet with a few wooden one lane bridges so RVs stayed off it and you had less slow traffic. In 1998 in FJ40s, we averaged 50MPH on the Cassiar - it was a bit slower than Hwy 97. Today the Cassiar is much improved and it would probably be a wash as far as driving time is concerned.

The Cassiar is beautiful for it's endless low mountains of green trees and quiet solitude but the I think Hwy 97 offers a wider variety of terrian to enjoy.

On the way home, if you're getting off the ferry at Prince Rupert, you'll already be driving Hwy 16, the East/West portion of the Cassiar route so I'd say take Hwy 97 on the way North.

Why not take the ferry all the way to Bellingham, WA on the way home?

THanks Darrell, Hwy 97 is the plan for now. I made the ferry reservations quite some time ago. Not sure what I was doing then either!

Does anyone else need a contact list?

[macneill]

Wow, this looks like an absolutely amazing trip. I wish I had a rig that could do it.

After seeing the pix, I'm fairly certain the 100 would not fair well...

[The Dude]

Woohoo. Getting closer everyone!! I have a count down list in my garage that's getting smaller and smaller. Parts went off for powder coat this morning!!

I am worried about fuel consumption so I upped our carrying capacity to 80 litres. Two underneath and two cans on the back. I hope this works:

[JACOBYWESTERN]

Hey Brad, nice use of available space there. I just now clicked on your "Marmaduke" link in your sig. Nice wagon! I look forward to seeing that monster in action.

I just finished some maintenance work on the 80 this evening. Feeling much closer to prepared now.



So Medicbob, I think you're the first to start heading North - this Saturday is it? I still can't believe you own a RTT and you're not bringing it If you're still sagging the rear, sure, but don't do it just because you're worried about being too heavy on the trail. This trip isn't excessively muddy.

Wait, I know....you bring it North to use on the way up and I'll carry it and use it during the Trek! Then I'll just happen to forget to give it back

Does it reduce your MPH on the highway?



BTW everyone, as we tally up total rigs for the Trek, don't forget two more 40's driven by locals that should be along. They're not active on MUD but I'll see about adding their contact info. to our master list.

I'm terrible with names, it'll take at least a day on the trail before I remember everyone's name - I apologize in advance.



-Darrell
Anchorage, AK

[aktundra]

Greetings 2008 AK Trek'ers !

I will have family visiting and a full house until July 8th, but if folks coming up for the Trek need a place to stay in Anchorage before or after the Trek PM me. (ANC is about an hour south of Mark's shop and 5-6 hours south of Tok)

Seems like one thing or another has kept me from doing the ACT, and this summer looks like no exception. Even if I can't make the party, glad to provide logistics or base camp support.

[Ratpuke]

The Peace Canyon Toyota Swamp Donkeys extend a hand to all of you travelling up to ACT this year. To reiterate what Deny offered previously - if anyone needs a place to crash, a driveway to use to fix their rig, wants a shower or just wants to stop by and say hi, let me know

We're located in Fort St. John, BC (~mile 47 of the AK highway... 45 mins or so up the road from Dawson Creek).

Charla

[The Dude]

Hi Charla. We will definitely stop in or go for dinner or buy you a beer

I am not sure when exactly we are going to get there but we will let you know.

[AKcruzr]

Alright, I thought I would post up, I just finished my second full trip up the ALCAN again this year. The road from Haines Junction is even worse now than the last time, construction is going to slow you down and the road is going to beat you to a pulp. But other than that its a beautiful drive. The worst price for fuel was, Diesel @ $1.60 and reg unleaded $1.51 a litre in Watson Lake, YK. Thats approximately $6.40 a gallon for diesel. There were a lot of gravel sections and lots of rough stretchs SLOW way down for the warning signs.
Hopefully I will be able to make the Trek and get to meet some great Cruiser people.

[coldtaco]

When I drove up a few weeks ago, I found the highest price at the lodge at Muncho lake (I think it is called just west of the tallest pass) It was like 1.66ltr. Haines Junction was the second highest or equal to that of Whatson Lake at around 1.55ltr. So, fill up at Whitehorse and try to make it across the border, but that's around 450mi if I remember correctly. Then you can fill up at Border city just maybe 5-7mi after the border crossing. Next would be at the Northway cutoff and then Tok. Use the Shell/3Bears on the left side as you enter town, it would be the first gas station, but no services there, just pumps.
Enjoy the Trek, was hoping to make it again this year, but not possible

[Mark W]

Originally Posted by JACOBYWESTERN

Hey Brad, nice use of available space there. I just now clicked on your "Marmaduke" link in your sig. Nice wagon! I look forward to seeing that monster in action.

I just finished some maintenance work on the 80 this evening. Feeling much closer to prepared now.



So Medicbob, I think you're the first to start heading North - this Saturday is it? I still can't believe you own a RTT and you're not bringing it If you're still sagging the rear, sure, but don't do it just because you're worried about being too heavy on the trail. This trip isn't excessively muddy.

Wait, I know....you bring it North to use on the way up and I'll carry it and use it during the Trek! Then I'll just happen to forget to give it back

Does it reduce your MPH on the highway?


BTW everyone, as we tally up total rigs for the Trek, don't forget two more 40's driven by locals that should be along. They're not active on MUD but I'll see about adding their contact info. to our master list.

I'm terrible with names, it'll take at least a day on the trail before I remember everyone's name - I apologize in advance.



-Darrell
Anchorage, AK

Darrell... I assume you are talking abut Kevin and Larry?... If you are aware of any others planning on being here... ????


Also... I have learned that the Lower slate Creek Minesite has finally sold... the new owners may or may not understand how rights of way work... We may have to take a look at going around by way of Mankomen Lake... very muddy... and the connection to the Gakona will be muddier than what you have seen so far in that area. In both cases I expect that the challenge that has the potential to stop us will be mud, bog and marsh.


Mark...

[medicbob]

Well as expected, a little bit of a hold up on my end. Long story short.. wife flying to Chicago on Sunday to be with my daughter in law. (going to be a grandpa) wifes father having by pass surgery tomorrow. Hoping all goes well down here and everyone is able to be healthy and taken care of before I leave. There will probably be a short delay on my departure. Shouldn't effect us too much. I had lots of fluff built in on travel time. Between the sagging medium slee springs and visions of Desert Dude buried to the frame I decided to leave the RTT at home. THanks for the offer though.. Hah! I appreciate all the offers received for lodging, etc. Great to have updates on fuel prices. Every bit of help is appreciated, especially now. I will post up right before I leave and hope to have contact via the forum or get a phone call to update me on where and when we are meeting. I will be at the Snowshoe Inn in Tok on JUly 10th and 11th. May the force be with me (I expect that the challenge that has the potential to stop us will be mud, bog and marsh)

[JACOBYWESTERN]

Originally Posted by AKcruzr

Alright, I thought I would post up, I just finished my second full trip up the ALCAN again this year. The road from Haines Junction is even worse now than the last time, construction is going to slow you down and the road is going to beat you to a pulp. But other than that its a beautiful drive.

Pat, just to clarify, the rough, frost heaved section you're speaking of is from Haines Junction on up to the US border - roughly a 200 mile section, correct?

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Ratpuke

The Peace Canyon Toyota Swamp Donkeys extend a hand to all of you travelling up to ACT this year. To reiterate what Deny offered previously - if anyone needs a place to crash, a driveway to use to fix their rig, wants a shower or just wants to stop by and say hi, let me know

We're located in Fort St. John, BC (~mile 47 of the AK highway... 45 mins or so up the road from Dawson Creek).

Charla

We're still planning on driving to AK and back from CO a couple weeks later and would love to get together with you and all the Swamp Donkeys either on our way to or from AK. Definitely gotta stop by my cruiser buds in Calgary too. Happy cruisin'!