Alaska by June

DirtRideRoader · 03-29-2006, 09:47 AM

I know this has been beaten to death, but in this day of global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea levels, what would be the earliest time of the year to attempt to ride to Alaska?

I know, it all depends on the weather. I have been snowed on every summer I have ridden through the Rockies.

I was scheduled to go in July. Contract was rumored to last through June. It is up the end of this month. Is April out of the question? How about May?

I am just not sure how long the SO will allow me to sit around and wait. Plus, the earlier I go, the cooler it will be crossing Texas. Which is a full first day of the trip.

keith in alaska · 03-29-2006, 12:16 PM

If it were my trip, I would be crossing the Canadian border mid-May. May and June are usually our driest months. You will be ahead of the RV's and the passes will be clear..... unless a freak snow occurs.

Foto Veloce · 03-29-2006, 12:33 PM

Awesome, thanks for the info. My contract is done this month as well so I'm looking at pushin my planned trip up a lot. Mid May huh? Hm.. I could do that!

Can't wait! I want to go NOW!

DirtRideRoader · 03-29-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foto Veloce

Awesome, thanks for the info. My contract is done this month as well so I'm looking at pushin my planned trip up a lot. Mid May huh? Hm.. I could do that!

Can't wait! I want to go NOW!

You are cheating. You are 2500 miles closer than I am. Tell you what, I'll meet you mid-May on the Candian Border over in Montana somewhere.

Foto Veloce · 03-29-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrr1150gs

You are cheating. You are 2500 miles closer than I am. Tell you what, I'll meet you mid-May on the Candian Border over in Montana somewhere.

Well, I guess that's sort of true. but consider this.. when I got to Baja.. anyone south of me I can paint with the same brush..

Montanna huh? Love Montana.. lots of nice girls and open skies.

I've I'm not toe-deep in the sand of Cabo around then.. I'm SO in.. of course I need to find a place to live between now and then too.. LOL

DirtRideRoader · 03-29-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foto Veloce

Well, I guess that's sort of true. but consider this.. when I go to Baja.. anyone south of me I can paint with the same brush..

Untrue Bwana, you are closer to San Diego than I am. 1467 miles for me, 1264 for you. I am on the West side of Houston, it is a full day to get across Texas. 761 miles to New Mexico.

CBXMan · 03-29-2006, 03:01 PM

I have been doing a little research the last year for a trip to Deadhorse this summer and this is a list of the actual highs & lows in Fairbanks and Deadhorse last May & June.

DirtRideRoader · 03-29-2006, 05:23 PM

Can you say Electric Clothing?

I don't think it has ever been -4 here in SE Texas.

DantesDame · 03-29-2006, 06:47 PM

Sure makes a helluva a difference once you go over the Brooks Range! 'course, that's also one of the best parts

Gusgus · 03-29-2006, 07:13 PM

Those temps could be a bit mis leading since it can be cold in prudhoe, when 3 miles before it was warm and the reverse could be true, since the Arctic Ocean is so close.
My trip north last summer was very warm until my arrival into Prudhoe.
A great ride even though the weather is a mixed bag.

gatkinson · 03-29-2006, 07:15 PM

I'm looking to be in Vancouver right around the first of June. Will be heading to Inuvik, Fairbanks, Homer and then back to Utah. May pass somewhere along the way, Yellow GS from Utah.

1150Anchor · 03-29-2006, 11:59 PM

I have ridden in May and my experience around the 15th was not the greatest. I hit plenty of cold North of Whitehorse and the Kluane Lake areas. 22 -30 degrees farenheit. I have made two subsequent trips in May in the fourth week with much better luck for weather. Still hit some cold in northern Yukon on one trip, but more like 34 degrees for 50 miles or so, not 300+. I am leaving Anchorage this year around the 26th. Spring and Fall happen real fast in the far north latitudes and pay no mind to the calendar. Later is better in my experience, but hell with global warming, it could be hot as hell. By the way keep spray DEET bug dope handy, if you have to stop for fuel or road construction, the gnats are amazing at times when there is no breeze. You may get lucky and not need it, but could turn out to be the best 5 bucks you ever spent. That's my 2 cents....Will

RDJEff · 03-30-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBXMan

I have been doing a little research the last year for a trip to Deadhorse this summer and this is a list of the actual highs & lows in Fairbanks and Deadhorse last May & June.

Yeah, we had some unusual cold spells last spring!

I'd say you're safe to ride any time after May 15. The later you wait, the more rain you're likely to see. And do bring your DEET, the bugs can be a bit intense at times...

keith in alaska · 03-30-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrr1150gs

Can you say Electric Clothing?

I don't think it has ever been -4 here in SE Texas.

If you wait for good weather to go to Deadhorse, you will never get there

My suggestion for Mid-May riding did not include the Northslope

AKBMW · 03-30-2006, 09:47 AM

I went down 24th of may and it was chilly at night. Hyway 37 rocked

03-29-2006, 09:47 AM	#1
DirtRideRoader ^OP Armed and Dangerous Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Oddometer: 396	Alaska by June I know this has been beaten to death, but in this day of global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea levels, what would be the earliest time of the year to attempt to ride to Alaska? I know, it all depends on the weather. I have been snowed on every summer I have ridden through the Rockies. I was scheduled to go in July. Contract was rumored to last through June. It is up the end of this month. Is April out of the question? How about May? I am just not sure how long the SO will allow me to sit around and wait. Plus, the earlier I go, the cooler it will be crossing Texas. Which is a full first day of the trip. __________________ Chris IBA #23263

03-29-2006, 12:16 PM	#2
keith in alaska Valley Gruver Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Knik Lake, Alaska Oddometer: 432	If it were my trip, I would be crossing the Canadian border mid-May. May and June are usually our driest months. You will be ahead of the RV's and the passes will be clear..... unless a freak snow occurs. __________________ Alaska....where the roadkill is a little fresher and a lot bigger!!

03-29-2006, 12:33 PM	#3
Foto Veloce The Free Radical Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Oddometer: 376	Awesome, thanks for the info. My contract is done this month as well so I'm looking at pushin my planned trip up a lot. Mid May huh? Hm.. I could do that! Can't wait! I want to go NOW! __________________ '05 KTM Adventure ADVTour Blog Fotos Blog Carrera Tails

03-29-2006, 03:01 PM	#7
CBXMan Studly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Western Kentucky Oddometer: 566	I have been doing a little research the last year for a trip to Deadhorse this summer and this is a list of the actual highs & lows in Fairbanks and Deadhorse last May & June. CBXMan screwed with this post 11-16-2012 at 05:08 PM

03-29-2006, 05:23 PM	#8
DirtRideRoader ^OP Armed and Dangerous Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Oddometer: 396	Can you say Electric Clothing? I don't think it has ever been -4 here in SE Texas. __________________ Chris IBA #23263

03-29-2006, 06:47 PM	#9
DantesDame Ridin' Fool Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Basel, Switzerland Oddometer: 1,671	Sure makes a helluva a difference once you go over the Brooks Range! 'course, that's also one of the best parts __________________ You don't know unless you ask. http://www.dantesdame.com/ <--- Rides! Rides! Rides!!

03-29-2006, 07:13 PM	#10
Gusgus Banned Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Su Valley, Alaska Oddometer: 5,308	the brooks Those temps could be a bit mis leading since it can be cold in prudhoe, when 3 miles before it was warm and the reverse could be true, since the Arctic Ocean is so close. My trip north last summer was very warm until my arrival into Prudhoe. A great ride even though the weather is a mixed bag.

03-29-2006, 07:15 PM	#11
gatkinson nOOb for GS dirt riding Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Spanish Fork, UT Oddometer: 87	I'm looking to be in Vancouver right around the first of June. Will be heading to Inuvik, Fairbanks, Homer and then back to Utah. May pass somewhere along the way, Yellow GS from Utah. __________________ Gary '01 1150GS

03-29-2006, 11:59 PM	#12
1150Anchor Happiness Is A Warm Gun Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 135	Alcan in May I have ridden in May and my experience around the 15th was not the greatest. I hit plenty of cold North of Whitehorse and the Kluane Lake areas. 22 -30 degrees farenheit. I have made two subsequent trips in May in the fourth week with much better luck for weather. Still hit some cold in northern Yukon on one trip, but more like 34 degrees for 50 miles or so, not 300+. I am leaving Anchorage this year around the 26th. Spring and Fall happen real fast in the far north latitudes and pay no mind to the calendar. Later is better in my experience, but hell with global warming, it could be hot as hell. By the way keep spray DEET bug dope handy, if you have to stop for fuel or road construction, the gnats are amazing at times when there is no breeze. You may get lucky and not need it, but could turn out to be the best 5 bucks you ever spent. That's my 2 cents....Will __________________ Life. One thing leads to another, before you know it....your Dead. Mongo just pawn in game of life.

03-30-2006, 09:47 AM	#15
AKBMW Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2005 Oddometer: 713	I went down 24th of may and it was chilly at night. Hyway 37 rocked __________________ 05 1200GS SOLD :( 09 R1200 ADV :) 2013 Prudhoe to Key West T2T (tip2tail)

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