Yeah Jim, its a shame to live so close (relatively) to it and not do it. If I did it again, I probably wouldn't bother driving all the way up into Alaska and just spend more time in the Yukon/BC. I was thinking about checking out Denali, but just didn't think I'd have enough time. I think for Denali, I'll fly in and rent a car for a week.

 

Yup, that's the way to do it. Actually in Denali park they don't let you drive...you have to ride the bus.

(it's a shame they don't do that in Downtown Seattle)

Jim

 

Great pictures! That's the kind of vacation I'd love to experience some day. We are pretty lucky to have that kind of wilderness area fairly close to us. Thanks for sharing.

 

I moved up here to Anchorage in December of last year. It's been great to explore and the 4Runner has really helped to get around off-road. And there's a lot of off-road around here.

I'm interested in your sleeping arrangements, as I had the same idea but am not quite sure how to execute it. I was thinking of a tent-like extention that would let me stretch my 73" frame out in the back with the tailgate down. How well does your setup work, and what would you change? How did you build yours? Pictures? Thanks!

Glad you had a great trip, and remember: If you cut Alaska in half, Texas would be the third largest state!

-Matt
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Matt,

What are you driving, Tacoma or 4Runner? There is a thread somewhere around here with pictures of my cargo box in the back of my 4Runner. From that I basically built an extension that extends the from the cargo box, across the rear seats when they are folded down, to the back of the front seats. It basically gives me a flat surface across the entire back of the 4runner.

 

yeah nice pics david. i was just up on vancouver island for the past week back packing on the west coast trail. it looks like you saw a hell of a lot more wild life then i did. i saw some grey wales and a black bear (on the shuttle bus on the way back to our car on some logging road) and 2 deer that we almost hit driving home. yeah i'm going to build an extention on to my box as well so that i can sleep in the back. i'll be ski buming a little this winter. looks like you had great fun. canada is so much fun. and the people are amaizingly friendly. i even got to hear a lady call a beenie a "touk" or how ever you spell it.

 

Your trip is very inspiring! I wish I could do something like that! Great pics!

Chris

 

Nice shots from Stewart of the glaciers.
I'm heading down that way in a couple months, hopefully will spend some time in the area and soak it all in.

Hope you enjoyed the Yukon!

 

Yeah it was a fun trip. The Yukon was pretty sweet, can't wait to get back.

 

David, very nice description and pix. It's been many years since I've been to Alaska. We're planning a trip next August '05. This will include the Marine ferry from Bellingham with at least one stop to take a side trip over to Sitka and maybe one more side trip.

We'll depart the ferry at Skagway and drive north to Whitehorse then up into Alaska and spend several weeks there before returning home via the highway.
Can't wait! Sometimes the planning and anticipation is almost as good as the trip.

Mick

 

If you have the time, I'd be more than happy to take you on a trail run here in Whitehorse.

 

It's a "toque", eh?

A beanie has a propellor on top.

 

Touque. They don't say that in America?

 

I'll keep that in mind, Scofco, sounds like fun.

Mick