Need Tips on the Alaska Marine Highway S ystem

“Im thinking of taking some time off in mid April for my one year aniversary with my great girlfriend.

Anyone have experience/tips on the Alaska Marine Highway system. I want to camp on the boat with my tent. Is that difficult?

If you are sleeping in the solarium, is it creepy with all the people around?

Please spill the beans.

DH.”

“Im thinking of driving 12 hours from West Yellowstone, MT to Bellingham where it starts. Is it safe to leave my car in Bellingham? I just thought I would add that to all the other stuff I am too lazy to find out about.”

“No time now, I've taken it from Bellingham to Haines, have pics of the deck and some tips. Later today....”

“That is so awesome. I want to do that in 08.

http://boatingsailing.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_alaska_marine_highway_system


try this . I have an Aunt in Anchorage. Keep us abreast of your plans please”

“The official site.

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html”

“Here are my photos, scanned from slides

Tents on Deck

We moved to Fairbanks in June 1992, took two vehicles on the Marine Highway. We got a cabin, but watched the rush for the prime spots on the deck.

Get there very early, as soon as they start boarding there is a rush for the chaise (sp?) lounges under the deck cover, then for tent spots on deck. Looked like a big party to me. The ferry is great, good dining room and viewing decks. The passage is smooth sailing except for one stretch that is exposed to the ocean, the swells get a lot of people woozy.

I believe leaving a vehicle in Bellingham would be pretty safe. Because it is a port of entry from CA, lots of security around.

Get tickets early if you go peak season, as they can sell out, especially if you want a cabin or are taking a vehicle.

The official website used to have plenty of good info.”

“Thanks for the photos! Good stuff!

I have been using the official website, I just have not been able to find anything about them allowing tents on deck. I remember an article in Backpacker Magazine(ehhh..) a couple of years ago and could not find anything on the backpacker mag site, google, or the official website about tent's and any regulations on them, etc...

We do not have much time. I am thinking one day to drive to Bellingham,Wa and one day to drive back, with 5 days in between. Im not sure where it would be really cool to stop and camp or hike...OR if we should just sightsee on the boat the whole time and get as far as we can. Im pretty much clueless about doing this and I always like personal advice or stories from people who enjoy the same things as I do vs. the stuff that you just plan because it looks cool.

Thank you so much for the info on being there very very early.Ill make sure im the first one waiting on that pier!

Anyone else have some golden tidbits for ole DH?”

“this page:


http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/TravelOptions/Amenities/index.html

Quote:Passengers without cabins will find recliner chairs and spaces to roll out sleeping bags. The recliner lounges are popular sleeping areas, as are the solariums, covered areas on the upper deck of each vessel. Some adventurous travelers even put up small tents on the upper decks. Pillows and blankets are available for rent on most sailings. All vessels except the Fast Vehicle Ferries M/V Fairweather and Chenega have public showers.”

“If you have no vehicle, want to sleep on deck, you can easily leave the vessel and overnight along the way.”

“You got Jackstraw!

I will keep posting my info about going, if we decide we have enough time...About 7 days we will most likely go.

Other options are to take my girlfriend backpacking to either Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, or the Grand Canyon. They are all within a day of here.

Im looking at The Navajo trail in Bryce.

Thanks for the input as well!
DH.”

“The funniest part of my trip was the "dog poop deck" At certain times you could get your dog out, take it to this deck and they were supposed to do their business. Yeah sure. Clean ship's deck. All the dogs would sniff around and look at the other dogs hoping somebody would go first. Most of them held it for 36 hours before one finally let go. Ours didn't do it till Ketchikan when we had a couple of hours at the dock and got off.”

“I could just imagine a herd of dogs wizzing on my tent. Ewww.”

“Hrmm. You know, to this day I have not met another TT'er. Maybe I should turn the week into a trip on here. Washington to Alaska!

It would be nice to finnaly meet some of you.”