Gulf of America to Arctic Ocean-Canada to Alaska trip coming June 2!

[Hootbro]

Well as someone who has lived in bear country for most of their life…you’d be a fool not to have a gun, camping in Alaska. Bear spray doesn’t cut it.

How does that work if one is crossing through Canada though?

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[LOGS]

Absolutely. And you know it. But I’m done being baited. You’re ignored.

Even though you don't like it, the Gulf has been renamed. If you want to live in fantasy/denial, it doesn't change the facts...

 

[nanook12]

How does that work if one is crossing through Canada though?

Fill out the paperwork for Canadian Customs, shotgun is allowed…

 

[Bjeepz]

That’s what I’m driving 2023 gladiator with SmartCap and rtt!
Thanks for comments … looking forward to Cassiar Hwy.

Once on the Northern part of the Cassiar Hwy you will find very few roads shooting off of it, I was surprised by this the 1st time I travelled down it from Yukon. I suggest if you find a camp spot early along that Hwy to take it. I saw over a dozen bears in a few hrs on that hwy, be aware and drive with reasonable speed around the bends

I also suggest that once you arrive to Watson Lk Yukon to take Hwy 4 heading North, you can detour the Canol Rd, I've driven to the furthest point I could safely alone with my Mojave on 35's 2 summers ago, it is one of my favourite places, much much less ppl to be found, detour all of the side roads for the best exploration experience, did some crazy shelf roads that led to old mining areas. On the way back South head through Whitehorse, great small town with good pubs and all the services you might need. Enjoy Dawson city, lol, it's a funny little hippy town!

If curious about anything I've posted shoot me a msg, I've been up there a couple times, last time my dog and I did an 1100km/660mile not stop canoe trip.

Oh yeah, if you venture about 225km up the North Canol you cross into the Northwest Territories!

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

Great info … yes I will be going up hwy 4 to Carnack then hwy 2 to the Dempster on my trip up. canol road looks very interesting particularly north of hwy 4 ! Might be a little out of my planned path this trip but I’m all about exploring the backcountry so we’ll see, maybe a day detour will fit my schedule .. lol!
On my trip back I will be going through Whitehorse and Cassier hwy so thanks for the tip.

 

[Bjeepz]

Great info … yes I will be going up hwy 4 to Carnack then hwy 2 to the Dempster on my trip up. canol road looks very interesting particularly north of hwy 4 ! Might be a little out of my planned path this trip but I’m all about exploring the backcountry so we’ll see, maybe a day detour will fit my schedule .. lol!
On my trip back I will be going through Whitehorse and Cassier hwy so thanks for the tip.

You can get to the NWT border in a few hrs, well worth the side trip, the road is in pretty good condition mostly. Johnsons Crossing general store has good homemade baking treats if you need a snack passing through that area! Hwy 4 is a dirt hwy, but well maintained, it feels remote. The Lapie Canyon campground was nearly vacant when I was there, stayed down by the water and had the roofed 'shack' with woodstove and picnic table to ourselves. Little Salmon Lk campground was also very quiet when there, it is a beautiful lake for a nice cold morning swim! I don't do many campgrounds but these were so quiet I didn't mind them at all.

If camping near Whitehorse find your way to Fish Lake road area, head up! This is about 2500ft above town. July 3rd, 2023, still patches of snow kicking around!

 

[Snowcavemike]

My bucket list trip begins June 2! 15,000 miles in 67 days. Dulac, Louisiana to Tuktoyaktuk to Alaska to Louisiana.
Mostly boondocking / rustic campgrounds with a rooftop tent.
GEAUX

We did something similar

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

How’s the June fishing in little Salmon lake and Lapie River?

QUOTE="Bjeepz, post: 1525395, member: 26233"]
You can get to the NWT border in a few hrs, well worth the side trip, the road is in pretty good condition mostly. Johnsons Crossing general store has good homemade baking treats if you need a snack passing through that area! Hwy 4 is a dirt hwy, but well maintained, it feels remote. The Lapie Canyon campground was nearly vacant when I was there, stayed down by the water and had the roofed 'shack' with woodstove and picnic table to ourselves. Little Salmon Lk campground was also very quiet when there, it is a beautiful lake for a nice cold morning swim! I don't do many campgrounds but these were so quiet I didn't mind them at all.

If camping near Whitehorse find your way to Fish Lake road area, head up! This is about 2500ft above town. July 3rd, 2023, still patches of snow kicking around!
[/QUOTE]

 

[professorkx]

Following this discussion to gather information, as we are planning a 2026 trip to Alaska with dispersion camping as much as possible, but we will be driving our adventure motorhome and towing the Gladiator for side trips. No way my wife would camp in any kind of a tent in Grizzly country…hence the “Beast”

Good information already posted here…

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

Ha ha … well at least she’s going !!
Remember Grizzlies need to eat too!

Following this discussion to gather information, as we are planning a 2026 trip to Alaska with dispersion camping as much as possible, but we will be driving our adventure motorhome and towing the Gladiator for side trips. No way my wife would camp in any kind of a tent in Grizzly country…hence the “Beast”

Good information already posted here…

 

[smlobx]

Following this discussion to gather information, as we are planning a 2026 trip to Alaska with dispersion camping as much as possible, but we will be driving our adventure motorhome and towing the Gladiator for side trips. No way my wife would camp in any kind of a tent in Grizzly country…hence the “Beast”

Good information already posted here…

That’s an awesome rig! What brand is it?
My wife said the same thing when we were planning on buying something to to to AK. She had two, must haves:
1. Must be hard sided due to bears
2. must have a potty for those middle of the night pee’s.

We ended up with our Hallmark Expedition pop up truck camper and really love it. Here’s a picture of where we camped just North of Attigan Pass!

 

[professorkx]

That’s an awesome rig! What brand is it?

The Beast is a 2022 Thor Magnitude SV34 on an F550 4x4 chassis. It didn’t start life like this, as it had dual rear wheels and low to the ground on 29” street tires. It now has a 2 1/2 inch lift, FOX Shocks, MPT80 tires that are just under 42” tall, the dual rear wheels have been changed to singles, front E-locker, rear limited slip, 4.88 gears, Warn 12S winch in a heavy steel bumper that should be able to take a hit from a large animal, full wall slide, Rigid lights in the bumper that turn dark into daylight, etc.

We go south for the winter (and hopefully Alaska the summer of 2026) and try to dispersion camp as much as possible, so this is our home for several months each year. I just got tired of always being concerned about getting stuck…I no longer get concerned…

Like your wife, my wife wants hard sides (especially in Grizzly country) and all the comforts of home when we go on adventures…the Beast delivers…

 

[23BCJT]

Great info … yes I will be going up hwy 4 to Carnack then hwy 2 to the Dempster on my trip up. canol road looks very interesting particularly north of hwy 4 ! Might be a little out of my planned path this trip but I’m all about exploring the backcountry so we’ll see, maybe a day detour will fit my schedule .. lol!
On my trip back I will be going through Whitehorse and Cassier hwy so thanks for the tip.

I read through the posts and perhaps i missed some of the finer points but I would like to offer up some suggestions as to routes to maximize your sightseeing through BC.

Northbound I would highly suggest the icefields parkway from lake louise to Jasper AB, then north on Hwy 40 to Grande prairie AB and back into BC VIA Dawson creek and FSJ. make sure you plan to stop at Liard river Hotsprings (4 hours north of Fort Nelson) IMO best hotsprings in BC.

South bound if you have the time turn right onto the Cassiar Hwy all the way to Hwy 16 and head to Prince Rupert, Catch the BC ferry to Port Hardy and drive the entire length of Van Island south to Victoria to catch the black ball ferry line into Wash state. ( if you opt for this hit me up for camp spot s on van isl)

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

Thanks

I read through the posts and perhaps i missed some of the finer points but I would like to offer up some suggestions as to routes to maximize your sightseeing through BC.

Northbound I would highly suggest the icefields parkway from lake louise to Jasper AB, then north on Hwy 40 to Grande prairie AB and back into BC VIA Dawson creek and FSJ. make sure you plan to stop at Liard river Hotsprings (4 hours north of Fort Nelson) IMO best hotsprings in BC.

South bound if you have the time turn right onto the Cassiar Hwy all the way to Hwy 1 and head to Prince Rupert, Catch the BC ferry to Port Hardy and drive the entire length of Van Island south to Victoria to catch the black ball ferry line into Wash state. ( if you opt for this hit me up for camp spot s on van isl)

 

[Bjeepz]

I read through the posts and perhaps i missed some of the finer points but I would like to offer up some suggestions as to routes to maximize your sightseeing through BC.

Northbound I would highly suggest the icefields parkway from lake louise to Jasper AB, then north on Hwy 40 to Grande prairie AB and back into BC VIA Dawson creek and FSJ. make sure you plan to stop at Liard river Hotsprings (4 hours north of Fort Nelson) IMO best hotsprings in BC.

South bound if you have the time turn right onto the Cassiar Hwy all the way to Hwy 16 and head to Prince Rupert, Catch the BC ferry to Port Hardy and drive the entire length of Van Island south to Victoria to catch the black ball ferry line into Wash state. ( if you opt for this hit me up for camp spot s on van isl)

I second these most of this! The Liard Hot Springs are fantastic. There are Hot Springs in Whitehorse also, but they’re not comparable and are 3x the cost.

Vancouver island is fantastic. Tofino/Ulcuelet area has become very touristy. Same for the stretch from
Banff to Jasper mentioned above. 2yrs ago the Hot Springs in Jasper were not operating, they again don’t compare to Liard!

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