Decided to Rent a Car in Skagway - tips/advice?

[vermonter16]

DH and I decided to rent a car in Skagway through Avis. Are there any 'must sees' that we should not miss or places to eat? Is Whitehorse worth making the trip? I plan to get at the car rental early to be able to get out of town quickly. Also - leaning towards downloading the Murry's Guide as well. We'll be in Skagway 12 May - hoping that we'll be able to see some green on Emerald Lake.

[Stormsam]

We have booked a car on May 13th from Avis and are really excited about the drive. I have purchased Murrays guide and it has some great info, would highly recommend it for the price. I emailed Murray and he is optimistic about the ice being gone from Emerald lake by the time we get there. Have a great trip.

[mapleleaves]

http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/klondike-highway.html

[huskyguy]

http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/klondike-highway.html

 

Last updated many years ago apparently. There haven't been toilets at Bove Island for almost 20 years, the Caribou Hotel has been closed for several years, etc.

[Budget Queen]

Murray's guide is "necessary", in my opinion. He updates every year.

 

With both of you going mid May, there will be a lot of snow on White Pass and in the Yukon. I give very high percentages to Emerald Lake still being frozen. I've traveled frequently a week later where that was the case consistantly.

 

As for Whitehorse, it's a boring ride after Emerald Lake, and a big drop off in scenery. There is a Harley Shop and a Walmart, but usually won't be a lot of time to do any activities.

 

A MAJOR suggestion, I always make, is to SET your trip milage to zero, in Skagway. The mile posts aren't always easy to see and not at every mile, some are missing, over grown etc.

[mapleleaves]

it's still a good resource. I use these types of guides for the mile marker of interesting viewpoints, sites, places of interest, etc.

The Alaska Milepost is my favorite resource for diy road trips in alaska.

[amandawi]

We are renting a jeep in Skagway June 17th. Through the jeep company they will give us a map & suggested route to take along with a narrated cd if we want to listen to it.

 

What is Murray's guide?

[Budget Queen]

We are renting a jeep in Skagway June 17th. Through the jeep company they will give us a map & suggested route to take along with a narrated cd if we want to listen to it.

 

What is Murray's guide?

 

 

A little misleading, there is no "suggested route", it's either the Klondike Highway or Dyea Road.

 

The narration (which is likely only for the Klondike Highway) may be a good option, if you can keep track of it. :)

Edited May 1, 2014 by Budget Queen

[amandawi]

A little misleading, there is no "suggested route", it's either the Klondike Highway or Dyea Road.

 

The narration may be a good option, if you can keep track of it. :)

 

I assume it means they will give us the route for both the Klondike Highway & Dyea Road labeled with what we will see & where.

[Budget Queen]

I assume it means they will give us the route for both the Klondike Highway & Dyea Road labeled with what we will see & where.

 

Sounds like it. :)

 

It would be of benefit to see if it can be sent to you ahead of time, or get Murray's Guide- which is likely much more extensive, over 15 pages. This would familiarize your plans for the drive.

[huskyguy]

A MAJOR suggestion, I always make, is to SET your trip milage to zero, in Skagway. The mile posts aren't always easy to see and not at every mile, some are missing, over grown etc.

 

To avoid being confused right from the start, though, Mile "0" is at the ferry terminal. For gas, the "new" one (Corner Gas) is 5-6 cents cheaper and there are many pumps instead of just 2.

[Glaciers]

Getting out of town early is a very good idea. Last time we rented in Skagway one of us picked up some sandwiches at a deli that we had called in while on the ship that morning and the other went to pick up the car as soon as we could get off the ship. Since we weren’t the first ship in port that day there was already a long line and the wait was over 30 minutes. The tour buses depart first and head up the highway although it is nice if you can beat the rest of the traffic.

[theloo]

To avoid being confused right from the start, though, Mile "0" is at the ferry terminal. For gas, the "new" one (Corner Gas) is 5-6 cents cheaper and there are many pumps instead of just 2.

 

Where is the new station? I asked in a different post, but never got a response.

[Budget Queen]

To avoid being confused right from the start, though, Mile "0" is at the ferry terminal. For gas, the "new" one (Corner Gas) is 5-6 cents cheaper and there are many pumps instead of just 2.

 

Yes, I know the mile zero is at the ferry, but, If the car is set at Avis, it would be within a mile of trip log. :)

 

Wow, finally another gas station? Must have been a big undertaking!!!

 

 

Thanks for the updated information.

Edited May 1, 2014 by Budget Queen

[Budget Queen]

Where is the new station? I asked in a different post, but never got a response.

 

4th and Main

[huskyguy]

Wow, finally another gas station? Must have been a big undertaking!!!

 

It was actually new about 15 years ago, but has been closed for the last decade or so. It's unmanned, cards only.

[AnJ]

I purchased Murray's Guide and downloaded it to my iPad and iPhone... I think it was and is well worth the $5 to have it. It lists places to stop, mile markers and has plenty of pictures, and lots of other information.

[theloo]

I purchased Murray's Guide and downloaded it to my iPad and iPhone... I think it was and is well worth the $5 to have it. It lists places to stop, mile markers and has plenty of pictures, and lots of other information.

 

An update is planned for later this month, so if you're leaving in June or later, there might be better information soon.

[Giantfan13]

DH and I decided to rent a car in Skagway through Avis. Are there any 'must sees' that we should not miss or places to eat? Is Whitehorse worth making the trip? I plan to get at the car rental early to be able to get out of town quickly. Also - leaning towards downloading the Murry's Guide as well. We'll be in Skagway 12 May - hoping that we'll be able to see some green on Emerald Lake.

 

Sometimes it pays to wait a bit before heading off to Emerald Lake as many other people have the same idea as you. Not that it will bring traffic jams, but we left a bit later and were the only ones at the lake when we arrived. We took our time going, stopping at many places. The return trip we really didn't stop that much.

 

Along the way, stop at several waterfalls, to admire some of the majestic scenery, a stop by the 'Entering the Yukon' sign is a must, a stop in Carcross is a must as well as a walk in the desert. We had brought some sandwiches off the ship and made a little picnic at Emerald Lake, and arrived back in Skagway in plenty of time to still wander about the town for a while.

 

If you are interested, here are a few pix from the trip

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain388.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain397-1.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain407.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain410.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain418.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain427.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Budget Queen]

It was actually new about 15 years ago, but has been closed for the last decade or so. It's unmanned, cards only.

 

OK, I know where it is, I have walked by it. :)

[huskyguy]

Sometimes it pays to wait a bit before heading off to Emerald Lake as many other people have the same idea as you.

 

Timing is important. Not many people (relatively speaking) leave Skagway at 08:30 or so, MANY more leave later (including the tour bus hordes). The best light at Emerald Lake is in the morning - your photo shows that by the time you got there, you'd missed it.

[Giantfan13]

Timing is important. Not many people (relatively speaking) leave Skagway at 08:30 or so, MANY more leave later (including the tour bus hordes). The best light at Emerald Lake is in the morning - your photo shows that by the time you got there, you'd missed it.

 

I guess we'll just have to do it again :D:D:D:D:D

 

Cheers

 

Len

[datagirl]

Has anyone done train in the morning and rental car in the afternoon? We are in Skagway Saturday June 28, 7am to 9pm. I believe the shorter train excursions return to port by 1 pm. Trying to figure out both train and drive in the most flexible, cost effective manner. Three if us traveling (3 generations ranging in age from 5 to 70+).

[Budget Queen]

Has anyone done train in the morning and rental car in the afternoon? We are in Skagway Saturday June 28, 7am to 9pm. I believe the shorter train excursions return to port by 1 pm. Trying to figure out both train and drive in the most flexible, cost effective manner. Three if us traveling (3 generations ranging in age from 5 to 70+).

 

Yes, people have done this. It would be extremely important, however, to make sure your rental pick up time is accurate, and you might also want to call and verify this, or pick up the car prior to the train, if able.

 

As frequently mentioned, you need about 5 hours for the drive.

[Eaglecw]

If you rent a car from Avis be one of the first ones there when they open the door. 2 years we rented a car from Avis and drove up to Whitehorse, stopping along the way to see the sights. We had a wonderful afternoon in Whitehorse doing the tourist things. Last year I heard they had a mileage limit on rental cars that would only let you go as Far as Emerald Lake.