Wisconsin to Alaska or Bust

[Tkelly]

Deb (V7) and I (Stelvio) are planning a 2-month trip to Alaska and back. Plan is to leave Aug. 1 and get to Anchorage around Aug. 15 via Black Hills, Roosevelt N.P., Saskatoon, Edmonton, Whitehorse, Dawson, Chicken, visit our daughter on Kodiak, then return on ferry from Whittier to Prince Rupert, then to Glacier to Utah Canyonlands, then via Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Planning to camp and stay with friends along the way. We are revisiting a trip we took when first married in 1978, Deb on an R60 BMW and me on a KZ900 Kawasaki. We would appreciate any advice as to routes, things to see and beware of, good campgrounds or motels along the way. We would also enjoy meeting other Guzzi folks along the way. If you are interested, please let me know. We have been riding Guzzis since 1979, so my "New Goose" I.D. is a little out of date; ""Goose Geezer" makes sense. - Tom Kelly (608588-7776, 608-583-7603, thomaskelly45@gmail.com

[rodekyll]

There is another topic regarding alaska started by sbaker.  Look for it.  Lots of planning info there.  You're choosing the right time, but expect sub-freezing weather along the continental divide.  I've had heavy snow along the route all months of the year.

I live in Alaska.  I can maybe answer specific questions.  I'm on the road right now so my internet time is limited, but I'll check in on your planning as I can.

[sbaker]

Hello TKelly:

This year or next??

[ratguzzi]

https://www.themilepost.com/highway-info/highways/cassiar-highway

One of the most scenic routes I have ever ridden on through British Columbia.
JB

[Matteo]

https://www.themilepost.com/highway-info/highways/cassiar-highway

One of the most scenic routes I have ever been in through British Columbia.
JB

Agreed, I see you mentioned Edmonton. I would head for Banf, north on Icefields parkway to Jasper on to Yellowhead highway to the Cassiar.

[tiger_one]

Agreed, I see you mentioned Edmonton. I would head for Banf, north on Icefields parkway to Jasper on to Yellowhead highway to the Cassiar.

+1 on that route!

[twowings]

From what I've read, the Icefields Parkway is NOT to be missed!

[Kiwi_Roy]

https://www.themilepost.com/highway-info/highways/cassiar-highway

One of the most scenic routes I have ever ridden on through British Columbia.
JB

Plus 1 on the Cassiar highway Hyder is not to be missed.

[fotoguzzi]

I'm in Mpls, have tools and trailer if needed.

[TobyJug]

A few years ago I had the great pleasure of driving down the Icefields Parkway (ok I was in a minivan) with my father in law in the passenger seat.  He was in his 80's and had dreamed of such a thing since seeing photos in a school book.  He was like a little kid - just like you'll be - mouth wide open.

[Jim Rich]

Met a fellow at a roadside coffee shop in Georgetown CO. last week who had done just what you plan, in pretty much the same fashion.  He boated up and rode down.  He told me some of what he learned;

(1)  That instead of staying in standard campgrounds at night he started staying in RV Campgrounds / KOAs since he could use the shower and wash his clothes at their facilities overnight and be gone in the morning.  He said the small cost increase was worth it.

(2)  He told me that 1 week into the trip he mailed half of the stuff home that he had packed on the bike, he was over-loaded (a condition I am very familiar with  )

(3)  He also said that if you plan to sleep in your tent on the deck of the ferry, to position you tent as close up behind the cabins as possible  (this was on the rear deck), he said the wind at the very stern of the boat was so strong it was blowing his and other tents flat.  When he was handling his rain fly it wanted to pull out of his hands from the wind force.

Hope this is helpful.  Hope you have a grand trip.  Signed - Envious in Texas

PS.  Put 3K miles on the 07 Norge last week moto camping in the CO. Rockies.  Mighty good stuff.