Help with a road trip

[Wulaw Horn]

I'm going on a road trip I think from San Francisco to Alaska and then back by way of Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone. Anyone (mac for example maybe) ever drive through Canada on the way to alsaka.

What do I absolutely need to do there and is there anything cool between the points on the map I'm talking about.

Going with one cousin who just graduated High School and one who just finished up community college and doesn't start regular college until the fall.

I'm thinking 2 or 3 weeks. Any ideas- must sees, places etc. I've been in like 44 states but never Alaska, Montana, North or South Dakota or Wyoming, so I'm a blank slate there. Am stopping in Portland and Seattle to visit other family along the way, but other than that am completely open to anything that sounds fun and cool.

Also- how long to drive through Canada from Seattle to say Junea (sp?) if anyone has ever done that.

Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.

 

[Shocking_News]

I have been to Montana/Idaho many times. Would recommend Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park. I have driven through both of those and they are pretty cool. Would definitely suggest sticking with your plan of going through Yellowstone.

 

[Alum03]

It takes an infinite period of time to drive to Juneau - there are no roads connecting it to anywhere else. You can take a ferry, but I have never done that.

when I was 19 I drove to alaska to go backpacking, but I left the United States in Montana so I took the Alaska highway. From Seattle you should take the Cassiar highway - starting in prince george. This was the road I returned on. Most of what you get out of this drive will depend on the weather. Its supposed to be spectacular, but the entire time I was on the road the mountains were socked in with clouds and I couldnt see anything.

Along this road you can take a detour to Hyder, Alaska which is a neat old town. Lots and lots of grizzlies in this area.

You should stop at Liard Hotsprings.

You should stop at Muncho Lake.

Whitehorse is a very interesting city. For a place north of 60°N latitude it is surprisingly cosmopolitan and quite pretty.

On your way back through you should go to Banff. Yellowstone is cool, but Glacier NP and the Grand Tetons are tons prettier and not as jammed with people. In eastern wyoming visit Devils Tower national monument and BigHorn canyon national recreation area - almost no one will be there and if the water is reasonably high there is some of the best cliff jumping around. (60-100 feet if you have the guts). When you leave yellowstone heading east make certain you take the Beartooth Highway into red lodge. It will be a detour but it is absolutely fantastic.

In South Dakota The Badlands are oddly beautiful and Crazy Horse National monument (not yet done) should be visited just so you can see how much bolder and larger it is that Mt. Rushmore.

Where is your destination in Alaska?

 

[Wulaw Horn]

Don't have a destination in Alaska. I only have 2 or 3 weeks and I want to do all of it, but I'm open. I said drive to junea but map quest did say take the ferry- thanks for the advice on the infiniite drive

I'm totally open to anything that would be cool to do for an 18, 20 and 30 year old together.

My one cousin has some health issues so cliff diving probably wouldn't be good (he has a colostemy bag) but nothing that would preclude camping, hiking etc.

Thanks for the advice, I'm all ears as to anything else you or anyone else would have to suggest.

 

[CalHornGal]

I've traveled the route between Vancouver and Calgary several times. Not sure if you'll head that way, but the Canadian Rockies are pretty impressive, with great stops in Jasper, the Columbia Icefield (walk on the Athabasca Glacier while its still there!), Lake Louise and Banff. Have fun - sounds like a great trip.

 

[brntorng]

There's plenty to see in South Dakota, especially in and around the Black Hills. Here are some of the better things to consider depending on your interests:

Mt. Rushmore (obviously)
Crazy Horse Monument
Custer State Park (Consider a night at the State Game Lodge and have dinner there, especially if you like wild game.)
Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road for scenic drives
Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park--watch out for the wild burros
Sylvan Lake for a short day hike or picnic. One of the most picturesque mountain lakes you'll see. (Consider a night at the Sylvan Lake Lodge.)
Badlands National Park
Jewel Cave and/or Wind Cave
Climb Harney Peak
Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming
Museum of Geology at SD School of Mines in Rapid City if you're into dinosaurs, etc
Evans Plunge in Hot Springs. World's largest indoor hot springs pool for a refreshing swim.
Mountain stream trout fishing.
Historic Deadwood for slots and poker.
You could easily spend a week or two in the Black Hills, so read up and have a plan since it sounds like you'll have limited time. Traffic can get heavy during the summer and some of the mountain roads are slow without the traffic, so allow plenty of travel time within the Black Hills.
Sounds like a fun trip. Have fun and enjoy the region. Lots of beautiful scenery and more to do than you could manage for the whole summer.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

If you're going to Alaska, get to the Kenai peninsula and visit Homer or Seward.

Also, a little ways north of Anchorage is the Matanuska Valley and glacier. You will never see more spectacular scenery than driving the highway there. Alaska is an incredible place. Don't limit yourself to Juneau only.

 

[Wulaw Horn]

Thanks to those who have replied so far- anyone else have any must see stuff along the route we are traveling?

Thanks

 

[accuratehorn]

There's less traffic if you go in January.