NORTH TO ALASKA! –TOK TO VALDEZ

TRIP DAY – 26, 27

DAILY MILES  -  177 - 88

TOTAL MILES – 4,657

7/10 –Stopped at the Tok Visitor Center on the way out of town to pick up information on the trip south.  We then headed the RV 125 miles down the TOK CUTOFF road toward the Richardson Hwy which would take us to Valdez.  This was a two day trip as there were to be many stops along the way.  Once again this is a two lane “county” type highway and though improved from the Canada roads, we could only average about 45 miles per hour.  Stopping at many turnouts we were rewarded with seeing a trumpeter swan on a mountain pond and Wayne spotted two moose swimming across a lake with his binoculars.  It was like watching a nature film. 

Next we traveled through the Copper River Valley to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park where we spent most of the afternoon at the Visitor Center complex watching the nature film and seeing the exhibits.  This is the largest park in the National Park system – 13.2 million acres of wilderness.  It has many mountain peaks over 10,000 feet, one being Mount Wrangell which is an active volcano.  The park only has two interior roads so is mostly visited via float plane or hiking.  We really enjoyed our visit and learning about the park.

Last night’s camping site was the best ever.  We camped beside Squirrel Creek in a grove of evergreens right in the forest.  The creek was not just a babbling brook but closer to a gushing torrent; I doubt we can ever exceed this experience.

7/11 –Left camp around 7:00 AM and continued south to Valdez.  The mornings drive was one of the most beautiful as we were driving through forested roads facing white capped mountains most of the time.  Also, stopped at Worthington Glacier to take photographs then went over Thompson’s Pass to descend into Keystone Canyon where we stopped at Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls.  Then just 12 short miles brought us to Valdez where we headed to the Visitor Center and checked into the Bayside RV Park. 

Horsetail Falls



Bridal Veil Falls

We have purchased tickets for an all day cruise on the Prince William Sound tomorrow.  I’ll keep you posted.