Forum or Group for Driving to Alaska Information

[Riverbug]

My wife nor I have ever had a Facebook account, or any other social media account for that matter; unless this forum is considered social media, in which case it's all I have. But now I'm wondering if I need to try something. We are currently enroute to Alaska, taking one month to get there, two months or so in Alaska, another month on our way back down through Canada (after Tuktoyaktuk).

The problem is, tomorrow we will arrive in Banff for 5 days and I've just learned that the Alaska Highway is closed at Fort Nelson due to fires/smoke. I've been sitting here for a few hours finding websites and apps to figure out where to get info on closures and such. Now I'm feeling like a forum or group on Facebook that may have other people traveling to the same place and sharing updates/info might be helpful. But like the question I posted recently about the usefulness of CB radios - I'm not sure if there would be value in signing up for something or not? Any advice?

In the meantime, I'm just scouring 511 apps for each province and Alaska to figure out how to proceed with an alternate route and cancelling our Muncho Lake reservation for this portion of the trip.

 

[Bungy]

My wife nor I have ever had a Facebook account, or any other social media account for that matter; unless this forum is considered social media, in which case it's all I have. But now I'm wondering if I need to try something. We are currently enroute to Alaska, taking one month to get there, two months or so in Alaska, another month on our way back down through Canada (after Tuktoyaktuk).

The problem is, tomorrow we will arrive in Banff for 5 days and I've just learned that the Alaska Highway is closed at Fort Nelson due to fires/smoke. I've been sitting here for a few hours finding websites and apps to figure out where to get info on closures and such. Now I'm feeling like a forum or group on Facebook that may have other people traveling to the same place and sharing updates/info might be helpful. But like the question I posted recently about the usefulness of CB radios - I'm not sure if there would be value in signing up for something or not? Any advice?

In the meantime, I'm just scouring 511 apps for each province and Alaska to figure out how to proceed with an alternate route and cancelling our Muncho Lake reservation for this portion of the trip.

Hwy 97 (Alaska hwy) is indeed closed at Fort Nelson. Information on the closure can be requested at 250-774-6956 or on DriveBC.
On another note, you know the road to Tuk is gravel, right? Also be prepared for snow in Banff! https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-49_metric_e.html

 

[Riverbug]

Thanks. Yep, I found DriveBC now so that will help for BC. Yukon and Alaska have 511 apps I found. I am aware of the road to Tuk so we'll check in Dawson City before heading up this fall. We ran to Calgary for parts yesterday and I saw the mountain tops in the distance...very white. Should be an adventure going to Banff and beyond. Guess we'll be winging it for the next several months. This trip has been on our list since we first got married 35 years ago. It'll take a lot to cancel it now. As long as there's a road to get around we'll figure it out I reckon.

 

[LMagelitz]

My wife nor I have ever had a Facebook account, or any other social media account for that matter; unless this forum is considered social media, in which case it's all I have. But now I'm wondering if I need to try something. We are currently enroute to Alaska, taking one month to get there, two months or so in Alaska, another month on our way back down through Canada (after Tuktoyaktuk).

The problem is, tomorrow we will arrive in Banff for 5 days and I've just learned that the Alaska Highway is closed at Fort Nelson due to fires/smoke. I've been sitting here for a few hours finding websites and apps to figure out where to get info on closures and such. Now I'm feeling like a forum or group on Facebook that may have other people traveling to the same place and sharing updates/info might be helpful. But like the question I posted recently about the usefulness of CB radios - I'm not sure if there would be value in signing up for something or not? Any advice?

In the meantime, I'm just scouring 511 apps for each province and Alaska to figure out how to proceed with an alternate route and cancelling our Muncho Lake reservation for this portion of the trip.

DW says to join the “RVing to Alaska - The Original” Facebook group. You will need to send a request to join. She monitors this almost daily, and they have a whole section on the road closure.

 

[Jason-Texas]

My wife nor I have ever had a Facebook account, or any other social media account for that matter; unless this forum is considered social media, in which case it's all I have. But now I'm wondering if I need to try something. We are currently enroute to Alaska, taking one month to get there, two months or so in Alaska, another month on our way back down through Canada (after Tuktoyaktuk).

The problem is, tomorrow we will arrive in Banff for 5 days and I've just learned that the Alaska Highway is closed at Fort Nelson due to fires/smoke. I've been sitting here for a few hours finding websites and apps to figure out where to get info on closures and such. Now I'm feeling like a forum or group on Facebook that may have other people traveling to the same place and sharing updates/info might be helpful. But like the question I posted recently about the usefulness of CB radios - I'm not sure if there would be value in signing up for something or not? Any advice?

In the meantime, I'm just scouring 511 apps for each province and Alaska to figure out how to proceed with an alternate route and cancelling our Muncho Lake reservation for this portion of the trip.

My wife and I traveled to Alaska last year and the face book group was very helpful. We also met several people from the group along our travels. We had several detours on our way back last year due to fires. Safe travels

 

[kb0zke]

Chad, please keep us posted on your adventures. We're planning a similar trip for next year (delayed from this year). Our general plan is to cross into Canada sometime around Memorial Day and be back in South Dakota before Labor Day. We've been told that this early in the season roads are sometimes closed due to snow. I guess fires can happen anytime.

 

[Lostinspace]

Thanks. Yep, I found DriveBC now so that will help for BC. Yukon and Alaska have 511 apps I found. I am aware of the road to Tuk so we'll check in Dawson City before heading up this fall. We ran to Calgary for parts yesterday and I saw the mountain tops in the distance...very white. Should be an adventure going to Banff and beyond. Guess we'll be winging it for the next several months. This trip has been on our list since we first got married 35 years ago. It'll take a lot to cancel it now. As long as there's a road to get around we'll figure it out I reckon.

Roads are fine, you can go through dease lake up to Watson lake. Hwy 97 has no estimated opening now, but I would expect it to be open next week or so with rhe cold rainy weather we are having. Last I heard they were sending crews up to resart infrastructue.

 

[Riverbug]

DW says to join the “RVing to Alaska - The Original” Facebook group. You will need to send a request to join. She monitors this almost daily, and they have a whole section on the road closure.

My wife and I traveled to Alaska last year and the face book group was very helpful. We also met several people from the group along our travels. We had several detours on our way back last year due to fires. Safe travels

Thanks for your responses. I'll look more into Facebook. I'm hesitant to sign up for it because I'm so bad a social media. Just have a hard time keeping up on it. And based on what everyone I know shares with me, there's so much politics and religion it's hard to stay engaged. But I guess if I find that to be the case I can always close the account.

 

[Riverbug]

Chad, please keep us posted on your adventures. We're planning a similar trip for next year (delayed from this year). Our general plan is to cross into Canada sometime around Memorial Day and be back in South Dakota before Labor Day. We've been told that this early in the season roads are sometimes closed due to snow. I guess fires can happen anytime.

Last year and this year could be exceptions regarding spring coming so early so not sure about typical years. We had been monitoring temps for the areas we would be traveling to mitigate running into weather as best we could. So far, no problems. We entered Canada through Portal, ND and took 10 days to get to Banff. No issues whatsoever on the roads. Been traveling around the mountains here for a couple of days (staying until the 27th) without any issues. The mountain tops are snow covered for sure, which is beautiful. But the roads are clear and except for snow in the woods or mostly frozen Lake Louise, it hasn't been an issue at all. Overnight temps along the drive so far have remained at or near freezing to 40ish. Fingers crossed more of the same as we head north.

 

[Riverbug]

Roads are fine, you can go through dease lake up to Watson lake. Hwy 97 has no estimated opening now, but I would expect it to be open next week or so with rhe cold rainy weather we are having. Last I heard they were sending crews up to resart infrastructue.

Thanks [MENTION=60258]Lostinspace[/MENTION]. I couldn't find any reference to a Dease Lake so not sure where that is or which route it is on? We will stay in Banff now until May 27, and if things change drastically where they are able to open the road by the time we leave, we will continue with our plans to drive the Alaska Hwy up. Otherwise, I am planning to take what appears to be the only other route up, which is 37 to Watson Lake. However, we had to cancel Muncho Lake as we didn't leave enough days between stays to get there taking the longer way around. We will likely now see about taking that route on our return trip.

 

[Bungy]

Thanks [MENTION=60258]Lostinspace[/MENTION]. I couldn't find any reference to a Dease Lake so not sure where that is or which route it is on? We will stay in Banff now until May 27, and if things change drastically where they are able to open the road by the time we leave, we will continue with our plans to drive the Alaska Hwy up. Otherwise, I am planning to take what appears to be the only other route up, which is 37 to Watson Lake. However, we had to cancel Muncho Lake as we didn't leave enough days between stays to get there taking the longer way around. We will likely now see about taking that route on our return trip.

Dease lake is on Hwy 37 about 250km south of Watson Lake. Very beautiful drive up that way, much nicer than the Alaska hwy IMO.

 

[Bungy]

Thanks [MENTION=60258]Lostinspace[/MENTION]. I couldn't find any reference to a Dease Lake so not sure where that is or which route it is on? We will stay in Banff now until May 27, and if things change drastically where they are able to open the road by the time we leave, we will continue with our plans to drive the Alaska Hwy up. Otherwise, I am planning to take what appears to be the only other route up, which is 37 to Watson Lake. However, we had to cancel Muncho Lake as we didn't leave enough days between stays to get there taking the longer way around. We will likely now see about taking that route on our return trip.

How do you plan to go from Banff to join the Alaska Hwy? Icefields Parkway to Jasper then Hwy 40 to Grande Prairie? If so be advised 40 is a terrible hwy. Or do you plan to take 16 to 97 and up to Dawson Creek? That will be a LOT longer than 37.

 

[Riverbug]

How do you plan to go from Banff to join the Alaska Hwy? Icefields Parkway to Jasper then Hwy 40 to Grande Prairie? If so be advised 40 is a terrible hwy. Or do you plan to take 16 to 97 and up to Dawson Creek? That will be a LOT longer than 37.

Unless they open the Alaska Hwy at Fort Nelson by Monday, we'll be avoiding it altogether. So, we will not even go to Dawson Creek. We'll take 16 west out of Jasper over through Prince George and up to connect with the Alaska Hwy near Watson Lake. From there we'll do our whole Alaska loop and up to Tuk, and then decide if we want to make the loop down the Alaksa Hwy this fall or skip it altogether. Our plan had been to go up the Alaska Hwy, down the Cassier, enter into Washington and across back to MN. Would have been a perfect way to take the different routes in one trip. That's life. We still plan to go to Washington so we may end up taking the same route down that we go up for that portion anyway. Not the worst option.

 

[Lostinspace]

Thanks [MENTION=60258]Lostinspace[/MENTION]. I couldn't find any reference to a Dease Lake so not sure where that is or which route it is on? We will stay in Banff now until May 27, and if things change drastically where they are able to open the road by the time we leave, we will continue with our plans to drive the Alaska Hwy up. Otherwise, I am planning to take what appears to be the only other route up, which is 37 to Watson Lake. However, we had to cancel Muncho Lake as we didn't leave enough days between stays to get there taking the longer way around. We will likely now see about taking that route on our return trip.

Hwy 37. Go west almost to Terrace BC, then north on hwy 37 to Watson lake. We live in Prince George and do the clicle route regularly when we go to the hot springs.

R

 

[Bungy]

Unless they open the Alaska Hwy at Fort Nelson by Monday, we'll be avoiding it altogether. So, we will not even go to Dawson Creek. We'll take 16 west out of Jasper over through Prince George and up to connect with the Alaska Hwy near Watson Lake. From there we'll do our whole Alaska loop and up to Tuk, and then decide if we want to make the loop down the Alaksa Hwy this fall or skip it altogether. Our plan had been to go up the Alaska Hwy, down the Cassier, enter into Washington and across back to MN. Would have been a perfect way to take the different routes in one trip. That's life. We still plan to go to Washington so we may end up taking the same route down that we go up for that portion anyway. Not the worst option.

I heard on the news last night that the Alaska hwy is reopening today but they expect it to be very busy with all the residents of Fort Nelson returning home.

 

[Lostinspace]

Highway is open. If you are leaving Banff today traffic will be cleared up by the time u get there. However stock up on groceries in Banff or Hinton , I suspect there will be a few supply chain issues in Fort Nelson

 

[Riverbug]

I heard on the news last night that the Alaska hwy is reopening today but they expect it to be very busy with all the residents of Fort Nelson returning home.

Highway is open. If you are leaving Banff today traffic will be cleared up by the time u get there. However stock up on groceries in Banff or Hinton , I suspect there will be a few supply chain issues in Fort Nelson

I saw that it is open with a pilot car leading in alternating directions. We left Banff this morning at decided to stay tonight at the Columbia Icefields (Monday 27th) and leave in the morning. Discussing whether we should go through Fort Nelson as planned or just take the alternate as I suspect there will be many others in line to get to or through Fort Nelson. Also, wonder if we should be concerned with the fire flaring up again if it was just put out?

 

[Bungy]

Also, wonder if we should be concerned with the fire flaring up again if it was just put out?

That is a distinct possibility, the residents are still on evacuation alert and may have to leave again.

 

[Riverbug]

Update: We went through Fort Nelson yesterday. We were able to keep up to date using DriveBC mainly and talking to people. We decided to stay a few nights Saskatoon Island near Grande Prairie, then an overnight at the Prophet River Wayside Provincial Park which is a defunct campground next to a seldom used emergency airstrip - great free boondocking site. Going through Fort Nelson was no problem regarding fires or pilot car. Waited about 5 minutes for the car to take us through with a half dozen others and we were done. Smoke was not too bad. Spoke with a neighbor at Muncho Lake who is from Fort Nelson. Told me that 4 houses burned, otherwise, no loss of life or other property; two week evacuation was a hassle of course. We did fill the tank in Fort Nelson and just before it was full all power shut off. Apparently, one of the power lines that feeds power from another town was burned in the fire so the remaining line has not been as stable. There has been very little traffic, I'm told this would normally be a busy time on the roads going to AK but most people have taken Prince George route so we may not see much activity until we get past Watson Lake. Anyway, all good so far.

p.s. The trip from Banff through the icefields and on to Jasper is something else. But then taking 40 from Grande Cache to Grande Prairie was no less spectacular!

 

[Bungy]

Good news!