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Alaska trip and bringing your motorcycle to Alaska by ferry?

avigil

Training Wheels
I talked to folks at the Alaska Ferry System when I was at the International Motorcycle Show in Seattle last month. Since then I've been thinking a lot about doing a trip up to Alaska this coming summer. They said that you can take a ferry from Bellingham up to different areas in Alaska with your motorcycle. You could then ride back. Or vice versa. Has anyone done this? It sounds like it could be a great trip and the sights could be beautiful. BTW, I would most likely do the ride back 2-up on my 2014 Concours. And both of us aren't afraid of a little cold (we took a trip up to Victoria this last weekend with temperatures getting down to mid 30's along the way). And we'd definitely do this in the summer.

I'm assuming it would be about a week's ride from Seattle to somewhere like Whittier, Alaska. Then a few days up there to ride around and a 3-4 day ferry trip back, so I'd need to allocate at least 2 weeks for something like this. I'm super excited about this, but I want to make sure I get as much information as I can from folks who have done it before so I'm prepared.

 
Friend and small group did this 3 yrs ago.  Issues.
His comment next time he would take ferry north and then ride south
so the ferry reservation schedule wasn't hanging over your head.
 
Besides that would he recommend it? I'm assuming ride north so then you have flexibility to ride back at your own pace. Were there any other issues besides that? Any trouble with the roads or things like that? Do you know the routes he rode and the route he took on the ferry?
 
Hey Tony. I rode up and back this past fall but had looked into ferrying one way. I agree on taking the ferry North and riding back. Looking into costs, timetables, and ports I choked on how expensive it is. The more frugal and adventurous crowd tends to take advantage of the limited shelter space on deck by going without reserved berths/rooms. Some ships allow pitching of tents in semi sheltered area on the deck. ADVrider and Horizons Unlimited forums will cough up lots of relevant details if you search there.

You may save a few bucks and get more nice riding in by riding up Vancouver Island south to north and hop the inside passage ferry from Port Hardy. The Tsawwassen or Port Angeles ferries would set you up nicely to ride the west side of VI for the excellent run from Sooke, Port Renfrew, Cowichan Lake and through to the Trans Canada Highway. Depending on how much time you can allot for riding I would consider arrival ports such as Valdez, Whittier, Seward and Homer. Whatever ferry you choose if it docks at any of those ports, you'll be golden.

For your ride south from the Alaska/Yukon border the Cassier is way better in so many ways. I rode most of the paved roads while up there and would gladly help you with route suggestions. A road report of my trip is in the works but progress is kinda glacial at this point. Look for it in the new year. In the mean time I would suggest one thing above all others that will definitely point you where you should go that being the best guide book and map for your trip. The Butler motorcycle map for Alaska and Lee Klancher's "The Adventurous Motorcyclist's Guide to Alaska". Butler was offering a discount on the pair last time I checked.
 
I have no experience with the ferries up to Alaska, and in fact have no experience riding a motorcycle there, either. But I have done a fair amount of driving in Alaska.

The drive between Anchorage and Valdez is one of the prettiest drives I've ever been on, and I've been to a lot of scenic places, including Norway. Also, between Anchorage and Seward is also very pretty, but it pales in comparison to going to Valdez.

The drive between Anchorage and Valdez is about 5 hours if you only stop for fuel, the drive to Seward is about half that.

A co-worker rode from Seattle to just across the Yukon/Alaska border, and roundtrip that trip took 9 days. They averaged just over 400 miles per day. It is a LONG way from Seattle to Alaska, no matter which way you go.
 
Tony:  When I lived in AK we figured in round numbers it was 48 hours driving time from Anchorage to Seattle.  Drive it all at once, one hour a day for 48 days, your choice.  Get a copy of The Milepost.  It's a great aid to planning.  Plan to stop at Liard Hot Springs, BC; it's a good place to soak.  Never took the ferry or biked it but have driven it in 1962 (round trip), 1967 (one way), and 1990 (one way).

JathkaJoe
 
A couple of years ago I took the ferry from Skagway to Prince Rupert. I would rather ride. You are going along a rain forest and it does rain a lot. We never saw any scenery because of the rain and clouds. It was rather boring.
 
IIRC the fare alone from Port Hardy to Valdez peak season is over $700. Living in the Seattle area that's more than you're likely to spend on gas for the whole trip. While you're looking at taking a ferry North give a thought to short cutting your way NE to pick up the Alaska Highway via Prince George/Chetwynd or Blue River and the whole nine yards through Jasper. If I lived were you do I`d be good with Cassier both directions and maybe a short ferry ride from Prince Rupert over to Port Hardy or vis versa.
Hey Tony tell us bit more about how you like to tour ie. mileage, camper or not, goals, interests, mile munching vs shutterbug flower sniffer yada yada.
I wore my electric vest probably everyday, grips were on too...but the temps were in the low sixties,fifties to forties which I prefer. Are you gonna be two up from the start?
 
You can see areas taking a Ferry you can't get to by road. I have only done the ferry from Haines to Skagway. Rode the Alaska hwy up and the Cassiar back.  If you haven't already, get a copy of the Milepost. it's the bible for traveling to Alaska. Then do it....fantastic trip, amazing scenery, and met people I have stayed in contact with since my first trip 30 years ago.
 
I'm planning to take a 'big' trip this summer as well and look forward to what others recommend.  Is it feasible to do a trip up to Yukon territory on a C14?  Are the roads in generally good condition?

Thanks, Tony
 
Tony, from where you are, it's paved highway (mostly 2-lane) all the way to Watson Lake, Yukon, on Hwy 97.....you'd hit it at Cache Creek, west of Kamloops.....about 1300 miles from the border to Yukon.  Lots of wilderness beyond Prince George, beautiful.
 
Hey Tony
How about riding down for the National Rally in Cortez mid June? the 2013 rally was my first and it was a blast. Give's you an excuse to ride all those roads/areas you just mentioned.
 
I rode up to Alaska last summer with a small group.  We took the ferry back from Haines,AK to Bellingham, WA.  This was at the end of a month long trip, and it was a nice break from riding.  The ferry stops in a few ports on the way down, giving you an opportunity to see some of the stops that the cruise ships visit as well.  I highly recommend it and would do it again.  So much to see, that is not accessible by roads. 

The cost for the ferry and the bike was approximately $850. Four of us split a room together, which was an additional cost.  There are different levels and sizes of rooms, so prices there will vary.  If you are going to do it, book your room early as there aren't enough rooms for everybody that travel on the ship.  Many people set up a sleeping bag in the day room or theater each night, though you do have to pick up fairly early each day so the passengers have a place to go as the passengers wake up each morning. 

Some set up a tent on the fan tail.  I found the fan tail area was a little strong with the boats exhaust fumes though.  A lot of people were fine with it and set up there though. The food is good and reasonably priced, with a dining room and a cafeteria set up. 

Having your own room gives you your own bath and shower, which we all wanted. 

In all it was a great experience and something I would highly recommend.




 
Interesting thread.

In 1975, I took a bus from San Francisco to Dawson Creek, BC.  From there I drove the AlCan Highway to the Kenai Peninsula, where I spent the summer.

In 1984, I did the cruise from Vancouver up the inland waterway for ten days ... after riding the train from Toronto.

Even 40 years ago the roads in Alaska were mostly paved and passable, although the AlCan was 1,500 miles of mud, dust and gravel/rocks. :motonoises:

The area of AK where I cruised (Juneau, Skagway, Haines, etc.) were not connected to anywhere by roads.  There is no road to Juneau, for example.

My brief online search of AK ferries didn't connect Bellingham, WA / Vancouver with Homer, AK on the Kenai. 

Riding from Homer back to America (the "outside") would be fabulous.  The Kenai is heavenly.  The Yukon is spectacular.  British Columbia's Fraser River canyons are exquisite.

Not sure what Muncho Lake looks like these days or if Hope, BC, is still pristine (since Rambo blew it up) but it would be nice to find out.

Have fun. :beerchug:


RJS
 
Tony said:
I'm assuming it would be about a week's ride from Seattle to somewhere like Whittier, Alaska. Then a few days up there to ride around and a 3-4 day ferry trip back, so I'd need to allocate at least 2 weeks for something like this. I'm super excited about this, but I want to make sure I get as much information as I can from folks who have done it before so I'm prepared.
Travel time to or from Alaska can be tallied on a clock or a calendar, depending on how a person likes to travel, and it varies tremendously.  I've done Anchorage to Seattle in 60 hours total time... and I've taken almost a week to do it at other times.  Talking to a friend a couple of days ago who usually takes 8 days from the border to Anchorage.  Going back home to Alaska is always quicker for me ;D and usually includes at least one thousand mile day.

Driving south in a cage used to include visiting friends and relatives in Southeast Alaska so I would take the ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert.  A few years ago it was still winter up north here (and I was feeling wimpy) so I pulled the bike down to Haines on a trailer and took the ferry from there to Bellingham.  A beautiful trip, but for me it was 1 1/2 days too long.  By the time we passed Prince Rupert I was ready to feel some pavement under my tires.  In addition, the trip up the Skeena River valley out of Prince Rupert has always been most enjoyable.  Also, riding down through the Thompson and Fraser River canyons south of Cache Creek is one of my favorite things to do on two wheels. 

There are a limited number of ferries scheduled out of Bellingham every month, so advance reservations are absolutely necessary.  From Prince Rupert to Haines or Skagway sailings are a little more frequent, so it can be a little easier to get a reservation closer to sailing time.  The advice to take a ferry northbound and ride back south is good, whether you sail from Bellingham or ride to Prince Rupert and sail from there.  The ferry ride up through the Inside Passage definitely gives you a look at a part of Alaska you can't see from the highways up north.  For a brief comparison you may like to look at some photos I've posted on the GL1800Riders forum.  The last page has a few from that ferry trip south to Bellingham in '03: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?300060-In-Alaska-Not-Every-Road-Is-Paved

Be aware - if you were to allow yourself a month to tour around Alaska you would only have time to touch a few of the highpoints.  The first trip, if you don't torture yourself by trying to see to much in too little time, only whets your appetite for seeing more of the state.  After living here for nearly 60 years there are still places I need to see for the first time.  If you take the ferry from Bellingham to Whittier you will come ashore on the Kenai Peninsula which has some very good scenery and good riding.  From what you've stated, you won't be allowing yourself sufficient time to ride on up to Fairbanks - and the ride up the Parks Hwy (AK-3 IIRC) isn't the most scenic part of Alaska despite being within view of Denali - The Great One.  But departing the state toward the South 48 would give you the opportunity to take a side trip down to Valdez as one respondent already suggested.  If the weather was clear when you pointed yourself northeast toward the Alcan Hwy at Tok you would get a great view of the north side of the Wrangell Mts, such as this view I get just 3 miles from home -
IMG_1366_05rcPan-X2.jpg


The ride over Chilkat Pass into Haines is another one I highly recommend.  Both that pass and White Pass out of Skagway are made for motorcycles, in my opinion.  The kind of riding where you have to concentrate on riding over looking at all the awesome scenic beauty.

If you felt a little adventurous on the way south you could shave a few miles off riding down to the West Coast by taking the Cassiar Hwy.  While it has the reputation of being a bit rough, I've done it on both my C10 and GL1800 with no issues. 
 
60 yrs. in Alaska. WOW!.  I was there in '73 on a Boy Scout trip when all 1100 mi. of the Alcan was still gravel. :eek:  Hope to come back someday.
 
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