Alaska in November?

[photo.moto]

Ok, so I'm at a point in my life where I have the ability and feel the need to go a long way away for an adventure. I want to leave in November and want to do at least 10,000 miles, but don't want to have to learn spanish so that leaves Alaska!

The question is, what is the weather like in Alaska in November? Yes Smartass, I know it is cold. Are the roads covered in snow and ice or is it just balls cold outside? This is my time to go, and I don't want to wait till the summer-thaw. Anyone been in November/December?

Thanks.

[cycletlh]

Stud the tires and carry chains!

I live in N.E. Washington state elevation 2,000 ft. Snow comes anytime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Yesterday it was 75* with a low of 48*. Today the high was supposed to be 54*. We have already had frost and the days are getting shorter. We lose about 3 mins a day, Alaska is losing 6-7 minutes a day.

Riding late fall or early spring the weather can be very nice but you find ice in shaded places. (usually right around or in the middle of a curve)

Proceed with caution!

[photo.moto]

thanks a lot cycleth! I appreciate the advice and will heed your warning. I've never spent any considerable amount of time in the northwest. I was however in Spokane for a few days May of 2006 though, and that is on my list of places to ride through whenever this trip happens - I have family there.

Looks like I'll postpone this trip till the summer or later.

Maybe I need to start looking at a ride to Baja instead

[Bora20]

I live in Kamloops, BC and it has been 0 C here at about 5:30am every morning. I am a 2640 ft.

There has already
been snow in the higher elevations and further up north. Alaska has snow, don't worry.

It isn't undoable (is that a word) but it would be very cold and slippery. Definately sidecar weather.

[AKDuc]

You gotta be kid'n me.

Actually seeing you're in NC I guess I can't blame you for not really knowing what's the conditions are like up here. I actually had my own misperceptions when I went to FL one winter. While some come to Alaska expecting to see snow and igloos, I (born and raised up here) went to FL expecting to see nothin but beaches and bikinis! Yeah baby! Man was I bummed when I experience cold humidiy for the first time in my life AND it even snowed in Tallahassee while I was there! Brrr.

Anyway, back to your wanting to come up in Nov. Maybe you could make it but unless you're really really lucky you probably wouldn't. I'm one of the few who rode around on a studded tire motorcycle last winter. Another was akphotog. Here a link to a nice report with wonderful photos he wrote up a year and week ago : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...59#post3530859

And here's a link to more ride reports if you'd like more pics of ridin in the winter. Fun! I'm the 5th post down and links to more of akphotog's wonderful threads and photos can be found in the 7th post down: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197053

Take care, good buddy. And know that ridin Deal's Gap on my 996 was one of MY best rides EVER! Mark H.

[One Eye Mike]

We had snow 4 hours North of Anchorage 3 weeks ago.
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

[cycletlh]

Baja is a must do in my opinion. Have been twice. Was there last November the week prior to and of the Baja 1,000. Weather was awsome, not even a trace of snow. Saving to do again.

Only went about 250 miles south on the gulf side. Gracias means thanks, Alto means stop. That is about the extent of my Spanish. Not really necessary IMO. Did not even exchange money. A peso is equal to a dime, 10 pesos is a buck. Simple enough for a dumb gringo like me.

Get gas every chance you can! Looking forward to a trip report and when you get to Spokane look me up.

[See-Double-You]

Head South young man. Turn North in about five months, or when you see the birds start to migrate. Seriously; there's no riding to be had up here, unless you're quite crazy. Riding the Alcan in the winter on a MC -- insane.

Not saying it can't be done, just saying it's not the smartest thing in the world to do.

[Osprey!]

Given riding that some folks do around here, I would take the warning and rethink speaking Spanish. Seriously.

While theoretically feasible, what you'd be dealing with sounds downright dangerous if not massively unpleasant.

If you seriously have an issue with Spanish and need to go now, maybe you should try an adventure in Australia or New Zealand. It's now the end of winter/early spring in that part of the world.

[BUBB]

Laird Hot Springs a couple of weeks ago. (end of september)


down the road

[BUBB]

lots of wildlife




he's pointing to where the road cuts up the mountain


off the Alcan - down around Banff

[charliemik]

Check out the Baja thread that's currently staying near the top of the list on this forum. Lots of good info. I've done AK once, in August, and Baja several times. Both are a must-do IMHO.

[FotoTEX]

Alaska Rides this time of year are insane. You can freeze your butt off in June,July, August. This time of year is alot worse. You have waited too long this year for an attempt. Try summer, it will be alot more enjoyable. It is too nice a ride to not do right time of year. I did it this early June and alot of rain but very do-able. Listen to the Alaska based posters, they know best about Alaska weather.