So, I was thinking about driving the FJ up to Prince Rupert (did this once before by motorcycle) this summer and then taking the ferry up to Juneau,with a day trip to Skagway and then back on the ferry to Seward.
Back on land, I'd drive over to Homer and then back up thru Anchorage and Denali to Fairbanks and then back to the states via Hwy 1 to Whitehorse, Dawson Creek, Edmunton & Calgary to Great Falls and Salt Lake City and then back to San Francisco.
I once took a dead end road about 40 miles out of Fairbanks to a run down resort, but I was wondering ... how far can you actually drive up towards the Arctic Circle and still get gas for the drive back?
I've got the MAF aux tank now and, if I keep my speed down should be good for at least 550-575 miles one way and am looking for some interesting places to explore. Doesn't have to be serious "off road' (gravel and dirt roads are fine).
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Marty
2007 Titanium Metallic Toyota FJ Cruiser (4x4 SUV)
2006 Mineral Gray Dodge Ram SRT10 Quad Cab
2006 Driftwood Pearl Toyota Prius Hybrid
2002 Absolutely Red Toyota MR2 Spyder
1999 Red Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport (4x4 Rockcrawler)
Drive to McCarthy,
It's not off road really, but many rental car agencies up here make you sign something saying that you will not take your rental vehicle on the McCarthy road (or the Denali HWY and Hall Rd). To get there you take the Edgerton HWY (30 miles south of Glennallen) to Chitna and the road starts there. It's about 60 miles in from Chitna. Once you get there you will actually have to park and walk the last mile to McCarthy (an old turn of the century mining town).
The Denali HWY is another good drive and it's in the same area, except north of Glennallen.
By the way, the AK state ferry doesn't go to Seward anymore (hasn't for about 2yrs.) It does stop in Whittier (It's the Kennicott and it will be going from Juneau to Whittier then Kodiak and finally Homer before turning around and making the reverse trip back to Juneau).
No idea on where the last gas station on the Haul road is, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have much trouble making it to the Arctic Circle.
I am not an FJC owner, but I am back up here (2 weeks now) after retirng from the military. I am ready to wheel again, so if anyone is intersted in wheeling sometime this summer post up. and attached are the pictures of my rigs and my wifes burban and my son's FJ40 there a little out dated because all o f my good more recent pictures are on an external hard drive in with my stuff.
Thanks for the tips for driving to the Arctic Circle, the link to the travel guide and the heads up about Seward.
Google maps still shows a ferry connection to Seward, but after looking more carefully at the Alaska marine Hwy System site, it's obvious that there's no more ferry service there. Looks like Whittier is where I'll get off instead, unless I just head north from Skagway.
I better get to work. I have a lot of planning to do and not much time to get started if I'm going to make this trip happen this summer.
__________________
Marty
2007 Titanium Metallic Toyota FJ Cruiser (4x4 SUV)
2006 Mineral Gray Dodge Ram SRT10 Quad Cab
2006 Driftwood Pearl Toyota Prius Hybrid
2002 Absolutely Red Toyota MR2 Spyder
1999 Red Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport (4x4 Rockcrawler)
Let me know when you'll have some time for a ride and I'll try and get some people together. I'd like to go on a Saturday this next time and not have to worry about time, I really would have liked to checked out the glacier area more. I was even thinking about setting up a camp out.
water level is rising! better hurry...
You up for a trip this Saturday (5/3)? I haven't been out there since the last big snow, but was there a few days before that and the water at Jim Creek was probably 18" deep, maybe 24" in a couple spots, but i had no trouble getting my new ATV across so it couldn't be that bad.
I'm going to have to play it by ear at this point, I've been issuing job after job, deadline after deadline, I can't get a good read on anything that far in advance, I may end up working. My intent is to play on the weekends now that "summer" has hit. I'll watch the work load and the weather.... keep ya posted.
You up for a trip this Saturday (5/3)? I haven't been out there since the last big snow, but was there a few days before that and the water at Jim Creek was probably 18" deep, maybe 24" in a couple spots, but i had no trouble getting my new ATV across so it couldn't be that bad.
well, I did a good job of keeping you NOT posted - sorry. I had sick kids, one is better and off to school today, the other is still down for the count.
I hope you got out there and had some fun. We'll try again another day.