wrote:

I plan on flying more or less like driving... i.e. a few long days
during the
boring 2/3 of the trip (OH, IN, IL, WI, IA, MN, ND, SK, AB), and then
slow down a bit
for the interesting parts. Do most people follow the highway up from
BC, YT and
beyond?

I followed the highway from BC. It generally has much better
weather than either the trench or coastal routes.


My folks will be in Juneau at the time, so the destination is a
"home-base."
Most likely fly in via White pass and Skagway if the weather permits.
Well aware of
the bad weather issues of SE-AK, but not necessary as relating to
light GA flight. I
figure it will be clear (ha ha!), or high VFR scud to get down the
pass and the
channel. I don't think a Cherokee's up to IFR into Juneau.

This is a real tough one. Going from Whitehorse to Skagway via White
Pass can be iffy at best when VFR. Even when VFR conditions are being
reported on both sides, White Pass is often socked in. Sometimes for
days on end. If you are IFR capable and the conditions are right (no
freezing, reasonable winds) that might be your best bet.

I used White Pass (VFR) several times to get back and forth to
coastal destinations and let's just say it's a good thing I didn't have
to be anywhere at a specific time. Each time I either had to go over
the top and look for a hole on the other side, or slog through the
marginal VFR under the deck and close to the rocks. The local pilots'
definition of "the pass is open" is probably a lot different from that
of most pilots.

FWIW, I never once made it on time for Customs inspection in Skagway.
Customs is not onsite at the airport. They send someone out from the
highway station. If you're a few minutes late, they leave and you have
to call them back out when you arrive. Apparently, this ticks them
off.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)