PabloCruise
SILVER Star
If y'all are getting down that way, my Dad is in Homer and can probably recommend some good halibut fishing or bear watching...
Alaska Cruiser Trek 2010
- Thread starter Mark W
- Start date
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Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
- Thread starter
- #342
That is the place Chad. You don't really need a guide. It is just a pretty drive to the end of the road and then you can hike the trails up to the peaks or wherever strikes you. Disregard any warning signs about road condition. Easy two wheel drive all the way to the gate that now closes it off before you reach the top. The existence of the gate is BS, but once you get that far it is no big deal to hike and enjoy beyond it anyway.
Mark...
For those with a few extra days and want a little more overland travel, here are some side trips to consider.
After entering the U.S @ Beaver Creek, a few minute out of Tok will be your first option for a side trip.
Taylor Highway to Eagle:
+ 2-3 days-plan on 5-6 hours drive time each way.
Eagle is one of the oldest most historic towns in the State. The first courthouse in the state was in Eagle, one end of the first telegraph line, the first customs house point of entry, etc etc. The town used be beautifully restored & preserved, literally an outdoor walking museum. However this spring, for the first time ever, the Yukon stacked blocks of ice the size of houses, 3 stories high, then the current pushed them through town like a bulldozer. I do not know what you will find next summer, the ravages of nature, or a little town being restored. This is the end of the road, literally dead ends @ the Yukon
Once in Eagle, follow the signs to the upstream edge of town, to the city boat launch and dip your tires in the Yukon. In fact break out the buckets & rags and a ceremonial washing of your rig in the muddy waters of the Yukon may be in order. Rinse off the miles and refresh the spirit of travel and exploration with the waters of the longest most storied river in North America. The Queen of the Yukon leaves the boat launch for twice(?) daily trips to Dawson (check Holland America’s web site). Not sure if they will still have walking tours of Eagle. This is the heart of Alaskan gold country. The prospectors that were “late to the show” moved down the Forty-Mile River and eventually started the Klondike Gold Rush out of Dawson. Still active gold panning/dredging in the region. Cash only in Eagle
The Taylor highway is dirt, with the worst section north of the top-of-the-world cut-off. Condition of the road is extremely variable one year to the next. Some trips I have flown along @ 50-60 mph, other trips I have been chattering along sideways @ 10 mph. There are campgrounds along the route and a campground in Eagle.
Your next possible distraction will be @ Tok. Either ditch the "direct route" completely and head to Fairbanks, or take a minor detour.
Denali Highway
+1-2 days
To be honest I have always come to Paxton from the south and have not driven the Tok-Delta Junction-Paxton route. Some good things about this side trip. 1) Saves the southern highway from Anchorage to Glennallen for traveling with fellow Trek’ers, 2) it puts you on the door step to Denali National Park, 3) short trails to explore along the way http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ak/gdo/pdf_files.Par.12713.File.dat/05TLAD_trails_brochure.pdf, 3) can be added to your trip without adding a significant detour.
This is a 136 mile mostly dirt highway alongside the Alaska Range. Camping is available on turn outs along side the road, at Tangle Lakes, or down the ORV side trails in the Tangle Lakes Archeological District.
Once @ Cantwell there is a decision, turn south and you are 4-5 hours from Anchorage, or turn North and you are about an hour from Denali National Park. The park will likely kill your vibe. The entrance has been developed to a commercial Sodom and Gomorra. They are so worried about “preserving” the park, you can only enter the park on busses driven by college kids from California with a microphone. There is another entrance into the park made famous in John Krakauer's book “into the Wild” about the kid that lived in a bus and ate berries until he starved to death. The Stampede Trail is a LEGAL RIGHTOF WAY PREXSISTING THE FORMATION OF THE PARK, However most folks figure it is not worth fighting the resources of the federal government, possible confrontation, just to win on principal. (Mark can probably add more background). The last drive on the trail I am aware of was in winter (Apparently the passion to limit access dims when temps drop below freezing and when nobody is writing pay checks).
If you have not taken a side trip by the time you get to Glennallen, consider heading south from Glennallen to McCarthy.
McCarthy / Kennecott:
+ 2-3 days-plan on 5-6 hours drive time each way.
McCarthy/Kennecott is a world class destination for photographers and Mt bikers. Absolutely stunning beauty. Some of the most iconic images of Alaska were taken of the Kennecott/Root Glaciers, and the Kennecott Mine buildings. Mt bikers have over 1,000 vertical feet of trails.
The drit road between Chitina and McCarthy used to be the worst road in Alaska. (Don’t’ even start unless you have two spares.) It has been improved dramatically in recent years, I have driven it a handful of times and never had a flat, but still plan on 3 hours each way.
At the end of the road you will find a collection of small-time vendors offering day raft trips, guided hikes, B&B’s, flight seeing, and a small bar that gets hopping when all the guides get off work. Wrangle-St Elias is the largest Park in the Nation Park system. When coupled with the land on the Canadian side, it comprises one of the largest nature reserves in North America. However most of the land long the road into McCarthy is private land, and the only real camping options are a public campground @ Chitina, or a private pay-to-camp, gravel pit @ the end of the road.
My fingers are tired from typing. guess it it back outside to rake leaves.
After entering the U.S @ Beaver Creek, a few minute out of Tok will be your first option for a side trip.
Taylor Highway to Eagle:
+ 2-3 days-plan on 5-6 hours drive time each way.
Eagle is one of the oldest most historic towns in the State. The first courthouse in the state was in Eagle, one end of the first telegraph line, the first customs house point of entry, etc etc. The town used be beautifully restored & preserved, literally an outdoor walking museum. However this spring, for the first time ever, the Yukon stacked blocks of ice the size of houses, 3 stories high, then the current pushed them through town like a bulldozer. I do not know what you will find next summer, the ravages of nature, or a little town being restored. This is the end of the road, literally dead ends @ the Yukon
Once in Eagle, follow the signs to the upstream edge of town, to the city boat launch and dip your tires in the Yukon. In fact break out the buckets & rags and a ceremonial washing of your rig in the muddy waters of the Yukon may be in order. Rinse off the miles and refresh the spirit of travel and exploration with the waters of the longest most storied river in North America. The Queen of the Yukon leaves the boat launch for twice(?) daily trips to Dawson (check Holland America’s web site). Not sure if they will still have walking tours of Eagle. This is the heart of Alaskan gold country. The prospectors that were “late to the show” moved down the Forty-Mile River and eventually started the Klondike Gold Rush out of Dawson. Still active gold panning/dredging in the region. Cash only in Eagle
The Taylor highway is dirt, with the worst section north of the top-of-the-world cut-off. Condition of the road is extremely variable one year to the next. Some trips I have flown along @ 50-60 mph, other trips I have been chattering along sideways @ 10 mph. There are campgrounds along the route and a campground in Eagle.
Your next possible distraction will be @ Tok. Either ditch the "direct route" completely and head to Fairbanks, or take a minor detour.
Denali Highway
+1-2 days
To be honest I have always come to Paxton from the south and have not driven the Tok-Delta Junction-Paxton route. Some good things about this side trip. 1) Saves the southern highway from Anchorage to Glennallen for traveling with fellow Trek’ers, 2) it puts you on the door step to Denali National Park, 3) short trails to explore along the way http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ak/gdo/pdf_files.Par.12713.File.dat/05TLAD_trails_brochure.pdf, 3) can be added to your trip without adding a significant detour.
This is a 136 mile mostly dirt highway alongside the Alaska Range. Camping is available on turn outs along side the road, at Tangle Lakes, or down the ORV side trails in the Tangle Lakes Archeological District.
Once @ Cantwell there is a decision, turn south and you are 4-5 hours from Anchorage, or turn North and you are about an hour from Denali National Park. The park will likely kill your vibe. The entrance has been developed to a commercial Sodom and Gomorra. They are so worried about “preserving” the park, you can only enter the park on busses driven by college kids from California with a microphone. There is another entrance into the park made famous in John Krakauer's book “into the Wild” about the kid that lived in a bus and ate berries until he starved to death. The Stampede Trail is a LEGAL RIGHTOF WAY PREXSISTING THE FORMATION OF THE PARK, However most folks figure it is not worth fighting the resources of the federal government, possible confrontation, just to win on principal. (Mark can probably add more background). The last drive on the trail I am aware of was in winter (Apparently the passion to limit access dims when temps drop below freezing and when nobody is writing pay checks).
If you have not taken a side trip by the time you get to Glennallen, consider heading south from Glennallen to McCarthy.
McCarthy / Kennecott:
+ 2-3 days-plan on 5-6 hours drive time each way.
McCarthy/Kennecott is a world class destination for photographers and Mt bikers. Absolutely stunning beauty. Some of the most iconic images of Alaska were taken of the Kennecott/Root Glaciers, and the Kennecott Mine buildings. Mt bikers have over 1,000 vertical feet of trails.
The drit road between Chitina and McCarthy used to be the worst road in Alaska. (Don’t’ even start unless you have two spares.) It has been improved dramatically in recent years, I have driven it a handful of times and never had a flat, but still plan on 3 hours each way.
At the end of the road you will find a collection of small-time vendors offering day raft trips, guided hikes, B&B’s, flight seeing, and a small bar that gets hopping when all the guides get off work. Wrangle-St Elias is the largest Park in the Nation Park system. When coupled with the land on the Canadian side, it comprises one of the largest nature reserves in North America. However most of the land long the road into McCarthy is private land, and the only real camping options are a public campground @ Chitina, or a private pay-to-camp, gravel pit @ the end of the road.
My fingers are tired from typing. guess it it back outside to rake leaves.
Last edited:
Ratpuke
SILVER Star
Raking leaves is better than shovelling snow.
Ratpuke
SILVER Star
Throw in your fishing pole some pretty good fishing in town of Hope
Ratpuke
I see some payback coming from that post.
lol
I see some payback coming from that post.
lol
Ratpuke
SILVER Star
Um. It's white and it stinks when it arrives this early in the year....oh and it looks like this:
Ratpuke
SILVER Star
I know. I am just hoping he kept a promise to me and didn't hit right click...save as when I gave him access to a bunch of pics I took of myself one night this summer when boredom induced hyperness took over.
Oh... and it's my fault the rack broke off.
I like a challenge...
Well, I thought I might share my latest challenge with this thread. I'm goin' to Alaska next year, I'm paid up and all for ACT2010. Now there's just one problem
...
I finally needed the motivation to finish what I started. So, if you're feeling sorry for yourself because you don't have time to fit a locker or put a lift kit in before ACT2010, I hope to be able to inspire not only those procrastinators out there but myself also.
I'll be starting a (re-)build thread pretty soon and will use that to tell the story so far and provide updates on the progress as well as showing others how I solved or not as the case may be my build problems. In short I had a bone stock '79 BJ40 that is now being "Morph"ed into my "Alaska" truck.
Truck Spec Highlights:
1HZ
H55F
60 Series axles with FF rear
4.88 R&P
Limited slip rear, ARB front
2.5 OME Sprung under, body lift and major bodywork to accommodate...
37" tires (Probably Cooper Discoverer STT)
Spring flip (to get the "magic 100" wheelbase")
Airbags in the rear to support "expedition" weights
Engine driven hydraulic winch with electric back-up
60 Series PS
York Air
Suspension seats
Snorkel (either Safari or Canadian military)
Endura paint
HAM / 2m Radio, CB for back-up
Webasto (If you live in Canada, Alaska or Minnesota, you'll get it
Some custom TBD sliders
Some custom TBD front and rear bumpers
Some custom TBD fuel and spare tire carrier
Some custom TBD fender flares
Some custom dodads I haven't even thought of yet
Oh... and a bucket load of bodywork to boot.
Wish me luck...I'll need it.
If you aren't already laughing,...it's OK, you can laugh now
Regards,
Jim BTW
P.S. Yes, I have a full time day job. No, I'm not loaded. Fortunately I have accumulated most of the parts over the years wheeling and dealing (wow, did I really take that long to strip down the truck?)
P.P.S. Hope to see y'all in Alaska...
Well, I thought I might share my latest challenge with this thread. I'm goin' to Alaska next year, I'm paid up and all for ACT2010. Now there's just one problem
...
I finally needed the motivation to finish what I started. So, if you're feeling sorry for yourself because you don't have time to fit a locker or put a lift kit in before ACT2010, I hope to be able to inspire not only those procrastinators out there but myself also.
I'll be starting a (re-)build thread pretty soon and will use that to tell the story so far and provide updates on the progress as well as showing others how I solved or not as the case may be my build problems. In short I had a bone stock '79 BJ40 that is now being "Morph"ed into my "Alaska" truck.
Truck Spec Highlights:
1HZ
H55F
60 Series axles with FF rear
4.88 R&P
Limited slip rear, ARB front
2.5 OME Sprung under, body lift and major bodywork to accommodate...
37" tires (Probably Cooper Discoverer STT)
Spring flip (to get the "magic 100" wheelbase")
Airbags in the rear to support "expedition" weights
Engine driven hydraulic winch with electric back-up
60 Series PS
York Air
Suspension seats
Snorkel (either Safari or Canadian military)
Endura paint
HAM / 2m Radio, CB for back-up
Webasto (If you live in Canada, Alaska or Minnesota, you'll get it
Some custom TBD sliders
Some custom TBD front and rear bumpers
Some custom TBD fuel and spare tire carrier
Some custom TBD fender flares
Some custom dodads I haven't even thought of yet
Oh... and a bucket load of bodywork to boot.
Wish me luck...I'll need it.
If you aren't already laughing,...it's OK, you can laugh now
Regards,
Jim BTW
P.S. Yes, I have a full time day job. No, I'm not loaded. Fortunately I have accumulated most of the parts over the years wheeling and dealing (wow, did I really take that long to strip down the truck?)
P.P.S. Hope to see y'all in Alaska...
Last edited:
Jim!!!
Finally.
Pictures.
Thanks!
It's doable.
Least you have a garage!
Now... sign up on FB already.
Yup, like my favourite expression..."Nothing is impossible..."
Oh, yeah, and thanks for the ARB locker now sitting in my garage. Isn't possession 9/10ths of the law?
Facebook, well...I might...
Possession is 9/10 of the law... but isn't force the other 1/10?
DON'T make her mad
Mark...
Yup, pretty sure you are right there Mark. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"
Ratpuke can arm wrestle me for it at the weekend Did my cheque and application arrive yet? Hope so. Damned snail mail.
Jiim BTW
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Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
- Thread starter
- #356
Naw, I do not take promises to ladies about pictures lightly... and... see above "DON'T make her mad"
As to the breakage.... yeah, we were talking and she was distracting me from driving when I hit the bump that finished it off... I can live with that excuse
Besides... I think I had already owned up to snapping the spindles from overload/stress... So the embarrassment of seeing it for all the world to laugh at does not hurt *too* much
Mark...
Ratpuke
SILVER Star
Yup, pretty sure you are right there Mark. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"
Did my cheque and application arrive yet? Hope so. Damned snail mail.
Jiim BTW
You're both so funny. Do NOT underestimate me.... afterall, I'm not your "typical" chick. ha ha. Besides Jim can keep my POS broken locker that I've never even used yet. I'll steal it from him after he fixes it.
Oh, and Jim, your application arrived. Mark spent your $ on donuts, coke and pizza.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
- Thread starter
- #360
You're both so funny. Do NOT underestimate me.... afterall, I'm not your "typical" chick. ha ha. Besides Jim can keep my POS broken locker that I've never even used yet. I'll steal it from him after he fixes it.
Oh, and Jim, your application arrived. Mark spent your $ on donuts, coke and pizza.
"Typical"... ROTFLMAO.... Seeing that word and Ratpuke in the same post... LOL
BTW, Jim... I am in the market for a POS broken locker. I hear you have one for sale cheap?
Mark...
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