Our 2013 Alaska RV Adventure

Leaving Alaska southbound on the Alaska Highway

Friday morning found us underway early joining the Alaska Highway southbound crossing the U.S. – Canadian border about 80 miles distant around 11 AM. From here the highway deteriorated on our trip up and does not disappoint for the return. Not more than a mile into Canada we hit our first invisible frost heave with a jolt. From here the road got worse as we were barely able to distinguish construction zones from “normal” pavement. This lasted until we reach Destruction Bay on Lake Kluane about 180 miles away. We endure the road though the scenery in wonderful.

Just south of the lake we are rewarded with sighting of a very large Kodiak Bear sitting near the road just looking around for a while before sauntering off to eat some more berries. We fuel in Haines Junction and then stop for the night at the Otter Falls Campground about 40 miles east. By this evening we have left all the smoke from the forest fires in Alaska to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

By the way, the days are getting shorter here by about 6 minutes per day that is noticeable. We are also seeing the first signs of fall foliage today.

Crossing the border in Yukon

Sharon and Joy sadly say goodbye to Alaska

Yukon construction project

Border crossing through Customs

Destruction Bay Police Vehicle

Approaching Kluane Lake

Yukon's St. Elias Mountain Range

They use the term "Highway" loosely up here"

Glenhallen to Tok and Top of the World Highway

Once again Wednesday was beautiful as we continued north to Glenhallen, then took Highway 1 (Tok Cutoff). While in Glenhallen Don and Bob went to Napa Auto to purchase two replacement batteries for the motor home. We had been having a minor electrical problem for a few days and thought that the batteries might be suspect due to their age. New batteries installed, we were on our way north. About 35 miles from Tok and the Alaska Highway our engine shutdown. After a long phone call with Freightliner, Bob and Don were able to get the coach running again and we continued to Tok RV Village.

We discovered one other problem – we had broken the hitch mounts on the motor home where it mounts to the frame. The Jeep was still attached but we needed repairs before continuing. Willard Auto in Tok was able to re-weld the hitch Thursday morning. Later in the day we drove the Taylor Highway to Chicken, AK and the Top of the World Highway to the Canadian border. Returning we stopped for some souvenirs in Chicken as we headed by to Tok.

Again, we spent the night in Tok before continuing along the Alaska Highway southbound. We are all a bit sad that this will be our last full day in Alaska – where has the time gone?

RV Report: Tok, AK diesel fuel $ 4.64 gallon
After traveling the Top of the World Highway, I finally found a road that I would recommend you not take an RV. Highway north to Chicken is very drivable.

Just before leaving Kennicott Lodge

We wait in comfort and civility for a ride

Downtown McCarthy has one street 50 yards long with 3 businesses

Here is the only hotel with restaurant and saloon across the street

Joy and Sharon finally decide on a sightseeing flight

About 5000 feet headed up onto the icefield

Now at 8000 feet over Wrangell Ice Field

Unbelieveable scenery

Kennicott glacier

More of the ice field

We survive it all once again

Motorhome in for a new hitch after breaking it on the Tok Cutoff

Where Top of the World Highway starts toward Dawson City, YK

Forest fires provide ample smoke during the drive

Fire is about 200 miles to the southwest still putting out this smoke

Kennicott and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Monday finds us underway about 30 miles down to Chitina on the Edgerton Highway. From this small community we continue on the McCarthy Road, a sixty-mile gravel road that traversed beautiful but desolate country before arriving at the McCarthy Bridge (the end of the road literally). A short walk across the bridge, we climb aboard a waiting van for the last five miles up to Kennicott Lodge. The National Park Service now owns about 2800 acres around the area that includes the Kennicott Mine (closed in 1938) and the town. We check in and are assigned Room 17. Rooms here are very nice decorated with period furniture and pictures. Dinner is served family-style at 7 PM for about 60 guests.

Tuesday dawns clear as we sit enjoying a buffet breakfast looking over Kennicott Glacier. After a walking tour of town we prepare to depart traveling back down for a brief stop at McCarthy (contains one street, 3 business along a hundred-yard stretch of dirt road).

We have been enjoying the Alaska Tour Save Book during our trip through Alaska. It costs $100 and is available on-line and at Safeway stores. It has all types of buy one-get one free coupons for tours, hotels, museums, Alaska Railroad and other fun things. While at Kennicott Joy and Sharon could not decide about taking the flightseeing tour, figured it was expensive. As we were leaving we ran into a couple we had met earlier and they were raving about the flight. That’s when Joy and Sharon discovered a Tour Saver coupon. Suddenly the girls decided and even though we were leaving – they called and booked a flight at 3:30 today. Yippee, it was wonderful. Thanks again Alaska Tour Saver book. We arrived back at Kenny Lake and our motor homes about 8 PM.

View of Copper River near Chitina, AK

Downtown Chitina

Start of the McCathy Road

View north toward Wrangell Range

Copper River

29 miles into McCathy Road

We enjoy a beautiful day with friends

A quiet and still lake reflects the mountain above

Over a foot-bridge to a waiting van from Kennicott

Kennicott Copper Mine and Lodge from a distance

Welcome to Kennicott Lodge

NPS now owns and is restoring the mine

Joy and her "older sister" Sharon

Restored powerplant

glacial moraine covering the glacier ice

Ready for dinner we sit on the lawn

Valdez to Kenny Lake, AK

We departed Valdez on Sunday morning headed north about 115 miles to the Edgerton Highway and the small town of Kenny Lake. Before we depart we visit a fish hatchery on the opposite side of the Sound passing the infamous docks where the Exxon Valdez ran aground spilling 53 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. The razor-wire fences and ominous warnings by the FBI do not make sightseeing here a welcome act.

Bob boards his ERA flight back to Anchorage Sunday evening

Travel is quite normal as we climb out of Valdez upward some 2,500 feet in elevation and break out into beautiful sunshire (something we have not seen since arriving in Valdez). We settle at the Kenny Lake Mercantile and RV Park for a quiet evening.