arnko37
Port Charlotte FL
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Joined: 08/25/2003
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Has anyone here driven the unpaved 60 mile road to McCarthy? It sounds interesting and I read it is an old railroad bed. We will be towing an 18 ft TT and would like a opinion whether it is reasonably safe to go there by someone who has done it. Thanks in advance.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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Joined: 08/08/2003
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We chose not to take our TC but instead took the one day van tour. If one day doesn't do it for you then you'll need some sort of accomodations. One day was plenty for us. It's a neat place and the mine buildings are great. You will NOT be able to get your trailer into McCarthy because of the river and the footbridge. Once in McCarthy you'll either have to walk to the mine or take a taxi. There's a lodge at the mine but can't remember about McCarthy.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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PA12DRVR
Katy, Texas
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Might find some spots near the footbridge to park with the trailer, but as posted above, you won't be able to take it in to McCarthy.
There are some campgrounds along the way, nearer to the Chitina end than to McCarthy.
Last summer, there were two lodges operating in McCarthy as of May 30th(when I checked last); Ma Johnson's Hotel and one other. Don't know if they're open this year or not.
I personally like the drive to McCarthy, but it can be rough and flat tires are a possibility. It can be very buggy as well, although it's now been 3 years since I drove it. I think it is certainly "safe" but with a high possibility of the PITA factor.
While the old mine is interesting, the best sights in the McCarthy Kennicott area are seen from the air, IMNSHO.
CRL
Temporarily (5  years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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We drove that road in 2006 and loved it. This was a no-RV trip in a rented vehicle (we had to be sure to rent from a company which allowed their vehicles on that specific road; many do not). We had no flat tires, no scary incidents. However, our trip was in good weather and also we saw only one railroad spike and it was lying on the road not poking out of it.
Here is a link to a bunch of official National Park brochures about the area.
Do drive this road! I don't recommend taking the TT along, however. Here is a taste of the roadside scenery:
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aksnowman
Eagle River Alaska
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Joined: 01/28/2006
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It can be driven but the chances for flat tires is greater if the weather has been wet and or the winter snow pack run off has brought more railroad spikes to the surface. Even with flats, a trip to remember...
AK Snowman
Eagle River AK
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timandsusan
San Antonio, Texas
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Joined: 11/15/2006
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We took the van service to McCarty and toured the Kennicott Mine building in 2007 (August). I would not take my F350 or 5th wheel on the road--to much potential for tire problems that I would have to handle either there or later on a 4000 mile trip to Texas. Van service picked us up in Glen Allen and dropped us off at the RV Park. We also met some other travelers on the van and really enjoyed the time while someone else did the driving. Next time--we plan on staying overnite to hike the glaciers.
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driley
Bishop, CA
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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Take your trailer a little past Chitina. The road turns to dirt just as you leave Chitina. You will soon cross the Copper River. Just past the river is a BLM campground on the right. The campground is free. Nothing fancy though. No hookups and not all that well maintained. It is used mostly by locals.
Just across the road from the campground you can check out the fishwheels on the Copper River.
From the campground you can drive out to McCarthy.
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Windwalker55
Missouri
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Joined: 04/02/2003
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We drove it two years ago. It is much improved over what it use to be. I had taken an extra spare tire just for that road but it wasn't necessary. We camped two nights in a parking lot near the bridge. I think it was $10 to park there overnight. We thought the Kennicott mine area was one of the high lights of our trip. You will definitely enjoy it. You could take your camper, just go slow. I think we averaged about 15 miles per hour, but it is worth it.
Larry
2001 Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
Hitchiker II LS 30.5
Alpenlite Laramie LS850 truck camper
One wonderful life partner, my wife of 40 years
"I want people to know "why" I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the
roads weren't paved."
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George The Jeep
Kent, Wa.
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Joined: 10/20/2003
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Go to kennylake.com and take a look. We stayed there last 4th of July for almost 2 weeks with our motorhome. We drove the road to McCarthy with the Jeep Cherokee. We could have taken a van that will pick you up at Kenny Lake. Iam glad we chose to drive in our own rig as we had lots of time to take a lot of pictures. There is a lot to do and see in that area. We went to Valdez twice and many other places.
I hope to do this trip again in 2009. From Seattle I put 6,200 miles on the motorhome and 2,400 miles on the Jeep in 13 weeks.
George
1991 Monaco Crown Royal
1991 Jeep Cherokee on a trailer
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Istew4u
NJ
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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I worked in Alaska for two summers and a group of friends in three cars took a trip to Kennicott for a weekend. All three cars got flat tires, two cars got two each. Every vehicle we saw had flats (including huge machines to work on road)......what a pain. Even with all trouble the trip was worth it as it is such a beautiful place. The inn there is expensive, but includes all food (delicious!!). You park in McCarthy tote everything across a bridge (no POV beyond bridge) where vans pick you up for the rest of the trip. I was a tour guide in Alaska those two summers and this trip is in my top 5 must do in Alaska.
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