I have not been there but will some day. I did see some post ( adventure sites) to expect delays, sometimes of a day or three. Some times the roads get washed out and it can take a few days to repair. Even driving around the repair might take days.
Let you know what I learn after I get back from my Alaska ride this summer. Leaving in just over a week.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?155803-2017-RockSTOC-NatSTOC-and-then-north-to-Canada-and-Alaska&highlight=
Absolutely! I cannot wait to get going but have to pickup Kathy when she returns from Canada on Monday night.Are you counting down the minutes now?
Just traced Route 40 on google; it isn't exactly a straight line, is it?!?! Wow; looks like a great ride all by itself! I lose it tho at Grande Prairie in northern alberta; WAY north of Lake Louise where the icefields parkway seems to start; what section(s) did you do? Did you motel it or camp or what and how did that work out assuming you didn't make reservations?I went to AK in 2011 from NY. Look on a map west of Calgary and find Route 40. You want to ride along Route 40 from start to finish. It starts at Route 22 and ends up on 93, The Icefield Parkway. This Route 40 was the best part of the trip I hit it going there and coming back. 93 is awesome too I would ride that in its entirety going and coming. The scenery on 40 was the best and going I saw a herd of 20 big horn sheep and coming back I saw a couple of grizzly bears 50 feet from the road. I stopped, got off the bike and joined I guy in his pickup watching them for half an hour.
The Alcan itself has more wildlife on it than the Cassiar in my experience. Just east of Watson Lake there are herds of buffalo and if they are on the road, you will have to decide how to proceed ie, ride into the buffalo herd and take your chances or wait till they clear the road. I followed a car right through them and it was AWESOME riding with the buffalo! If you go early in the summer there will be calves they are adorable. Wives will put up with a lot just to see buffalo babies.
But remember Route 40 Route 40 Route 40....this is the best advice you got.
Route 40 from Route22 to Route 93 (Icefields Parkway) is only about 40 miles long. Thats where 93 ends Grand Prairie. Its starts at Calgary.Just traced Route 40 on google; it isn't exactly a straight line, is it?!?! Wow; looks like a great ride all by itself! I lose it tho at Grande Prairie in northern alberta; WAY north of Lake Louise where the icefields parkway seems to start; what section(s) did you do? Did you motel it or camp or what and how did that work out assuming you didn't make reservations?
Thx for the tip!
GP
Just do it, every trip is different and almost everything you read is dated and virtually worthless other than for very general information. Everything changes daily and the only advice that is really worth anything is from any other rider on the road riding in the opposite direction. If you are not having fun do something different; stay flexible and improvise.Any input from people who have done it appreciated. I am reading all the websites I can but first hand experience - where I can ask questions - is priceless!
GP
Half and half; commercial and Provincial - consider Provincial roughing it. Food only in commercial and even then only enough for one meal at a time. Saw a bear or two in campgrounds but never bothered anything other than dumpsters. More bothered by mosquitoes but on 2 out of 3 of those trips even the mosquitoes stayed away. It was all fun and part of the adventure.that's good info. Thanks; what I am trying to find out. No problem with animals at the campsites? I assume all campsites were commercial type; ie not 'roughing it' at least not in Alberta, BC or north. Have had minor encounters with animals in 'outback' camping so wondering if the more northern stretches would be similar.
GP