Mainland through Canada to Alaska...

Just wondering if anyone has drove from the mainland USA through Canada to Alaska...

I have 9 days off over Labor day weekend and am thinking of doing a Canadian Road trip........lots of lakes, streams, rivers, small mountains and such......

Any ideas, suggestions.......would be greatly appreciated!

Visit the Tombstone mountain range, you won't be sorry.

David M. Cobb

A couple of years ago, I drove up through Whistler to Prince George. Then drove east to the Canadian Rockies to Lake Louise and Jasper. From Jasper I headed south through Glacier national park then through the Okanogin to Kelowna. We took about eight days and camped at a different spot each time. without a doubt the most senic terrain I have ever seen by far. I think towards the end of September would be a great time to take this trip.

Thanks...the week I have chosen is not negotiable.....I took the week before labor day so that I could also get labor day weekend off too.....

I am looking online now and finding some incredible waterfalls along the way.....

I will check out the Tombstone MTN range...thanks!!!

Darren, I would vote for ditching Alaska and doing a loop through the Canadian Rockies. Either way, swing through Wells Gray Provincial Park if you want waterfalls (cross into BC at Sumas, take Highway 1 east, then Highway 5 north through Kamloops). Most of the falls up north are well off the main roads, but there are a few you'd run right past between PG and Dawson Creek. I'd suggest making the detour to Kinuseo Falls south of Tumbler Ridge (between Chetwynd and Dawson Creek) as well. Absolute beast of a waterfall.

Also, just to keep the timeframe in your head, 9 days is a good amount of time to *comfortably* tour the Rockies loop. If you're going all the way to Alaska, you're probably going to be using close to half (perhaps more) that time just driving.

Thanks Bryan, I am actually looking at that option now......I got waterfalls to shoot in the morning so I have to get to bed.....will be studying all this stuff from now till then.....thanks again..and keep the suggestions coming.....this is gonna be a memorable trip!!!

I am interested in this information as well. I am considering a 10+ day trip on the same lines as you mention. I have mapped a couple of routes into SE Alaska, bacically as a "round trip". I have even looked at one way on the marine highway to shoot marine life.

My biggest concern is the roads. I have heard that they aren't the best in N. BC. Anyone have experience on them as to what I can expect? I would like to travel approx. 300 miles each day, allowing ample time in the morning and evening to shoot.

Everyone I've talked to, who has driven the Al-Can says it takes just short of a week each way if you push it. Marie and I are planning that trip with my sister and brother-in-law sometime after I get my other knee replaced. We're going to allow 3 weeks minimum, and hopefully a month. I've never been to Alaska, and I've always wanted to make that drive.

My brother-in-law pointed me to The Mile Post website. It looks like a great resource for when you are actually able to make that trip someday.

good luck on your trip. This end of Canada is gorgeous country. You'll be glad you when wherever you end up.

AJ - The main roads are fine. The Highways are paved until you get into Yukon and wherever you run into dirt / gravel roads, they seem to be generally kept in much better shape in BC than in the US as long as they're being used (read Logging traffic or the like). When you start to get away from the more heavily traveled corridors is when you might find a higher clearance vehicle to be handy (but this can also be said even in the Vancouver area).