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We were warned- McCarthy Rd to McCarthy, Alaska Roadtrip
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- čas přidán 9. 12. 2023
- As if the Dalton Highway was not enough, let's do another pothole gravel dirt roadtrip! This time we are driving the 60 mile McCarthy Rd from Chitina, Alaska to McCarthy, Alaska. We've heard lots about it. And there are certainly lots of signs warning us before we start so... is it really that bad? Watch to find out. It sure has some beautiful landscapes and cool bridges, though.
Once we arrive in McCarthy, we eat at The Potato and explore the small Alaskan town. And we get some rest for a long day getting to and exploring a glacier. That'll be in the next video.
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Part 2 of us visiting Kennecott Mines and Root Glacier is now up! Watch that video next⛏️🧊
Hope you had a great time. 🌞
I purchased five acres in McCarthy (after seeing pictures in a 1973 Alaska Magazine) between the two forks of the river, beyond the first bridge past the parking area.
The single lane, 62 mile road between Chitina and McCarthy was made in the ‘60s by disassembling the old, derelict Copper River and Northwestern (“Can’t Run and Never Will” Railroad tracks, which once ran copper ore from the mine, south to Katalla, and using its gravel bed. For many years, the steel tracks remained visible, dipping in and out of the brush along the side, with piles of the old timbers. It was recommended to bring a good spare, or two, because the railroad spikes often popped out of the gravel bed.
There also used to be several vintage wooden railroad bridges, but they eventually disappeared after people started harvesting the Timbers for their homes.
The first time we went into McCarthy, it truly resembled a ghost town. The store still had bags of staples, tins of food, and dry goods. The mine office up the hill at Kennecott had receipts and paperwork scattered all through the building.
At the time I purchased the property, there were about six full time residents, though that number diminished after Louis Hastings went nuts and shot everyone who showed up to greet the mail plane. Eventually, quite a few hardy folks moved to the area, and these days, it can be quite busy with tourists during the summer.
We had a great time, thank you! If we ever return to Alaska we hope to get out to McCarthy again. Thank you for your recollection of your life there; it’s fascinating and I enjoyed reading about it. What a life and what a place to live it!
I did this drive in 2000 (if you could even call it a road) with my son. it was a very unimproved road back then. We lucked out, we didn't get the flat tire until we were back on pavement. A railroad spike sliced the tire of which we were unaware of until the flat. I hear today the road is cared for and no longer an adventure into the wilds of Alaska. If in Alaska, go, see it, you will not be sorry looking over the copper mine, the old houses and the Inn.
Wow what an adventure! Stressful, but one you and your son will always remember. The road is not as bad these days. The population of McCarthy has tripled since 2000. There were 42 folks back then now there’s 120. Quite a few people visit during the summer too. So maybe they keep it maintained better now. It’s still a wild place. We will show the mines, old houses, and glacier in the next video. Stay tuned Jerry😃
The quality of your footage and story telling is getting better with each video. You are really helping me in my planning for next summer. I think you will have a huge channel, just keep up the amazing work. Thanks & enjoy the journey!
Thank you for the encouragement 😊 We still have so much to learn but we did improve significantly in 2023. Practice makes perfect 👍 we are excited for your Alaska trip; it’s going to be epic!
When I did a 2-month trip on the Yukon River it changed my life... Alaska is a beautiful beast that cannot be tamed.. you have to bend to her rules and you are at the mercy of the greatest wilderness on Earth..
Great job on the video guys..
Woah a 2 month Yukon River trip? By kayak? Where did you start and end? We passed by the Yukon twice. In Whitehorse, Yukon. And on the Dalton Highway there’s a bridge over the Yukon. But you probably saw it on your trip! Your description of the Alaskan wilderness is spot on. And you realize how fragile a human is out there. We got a taste of that in our kayaking Portage Lake video that’s for sure. Thanks for watching! 😃
That was incredible. I kept on thinking if there were a rock slide y'all would be stuck. The thing I love about Alaska is when the sun is shining and that beautiful view of the mountains and rivers. Magnificent!
Oh yea that section of McCarthy is the scariest. No safe way to do that section just a matter of not being at the right place at the right time when the rock slide happens. We waited for a sunny day to do the drive and ended up getting a sunny week in McCarthy in August. Which one of the waitresses at The Potato said is strange because it usually rains all of August. We were blessed with those gorgeous views and glorious warm sunny weather all week. We were so grateful to end our Alaska trip like that 😊
Thank you for taking me on this great adventure. Alaska - awesome and scary. Be safe young people. God bless you!
We appreciate you watching! Alaska is wild and wonderful and can definitely be scary for us fragile humans. God bless you too!
I drove accross that railroad bridge before it was rehabbed. No guard rail and 2x12 planks only where your tires go. Park service hadn’t taken it over and you could climb anywhere into the buildings. Climbed on top of the asbestos covered boilers and looked through paperwork in the offices from 1930s. Amazing.
Wow that’s incredible! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Stunning drone shots, thanks for making us feel like we were there also!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for being here & commenting 😊
GREAT video. We stayed at Wrangell View RV park (7/27/23) and did the van tour / shuttle to the mines to save the wear and tear on our RV. We had heard real horror stories about the road eating tires. Washboard yes but not as bad as the stories. Your video brought back many great memories from just a few months ago. Fantastic scenery. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing that we didn’t know that was an option! A good idea to save the RV from all that strain. We’re glad you got to experience this too. It’s so beautiful! Our next video of Kennecott Mines and Root Glacier is out now too!
from australia, I love alaska I watch all the shows about it,, mccarthy so deep in history, what a place and what a railroad to build to get there back in the day. Quite frightening to know once upon a time it was bustling with people now a ghost town. thanks for the great footage ! amazing
Exactly; almost everyone left in a matter of weeks and left all this behind 😧 Incredible to think about. Thank you!
Wow! amazing views with that drone! fantastic!
Thank you! You should check out the next video too, I love the drone shots of the abandoned mine in that one. I think you’ll like them too. It’s so beautiful!
Awesome drone videos!!
Thank you so much! 😃
🎉 Awesome video 🎉 You guys are awesome Thank You for sharing 🎉
Thanks for being here! 😊 you’re pretty awesome too! 😎
Beautiful!! Hard to believe that Trestle was built in 8 days!
This wooden train trestle was originally 890 feet long and 90 feet high, required one-half million board feet of timber, and was completed in eight days in January of 1911 as part of the Copper River Northwestern Railway to transport copper ore from Kennecott to Cordova. There is a gravel pullout with vault toilets and a 1/2 mile trail that leads south from the restroom. For your safety, be bear aware along the trail and do not climb on the trestle structure since it is in disrepair.
So stunning up there! Thank you for sharing your journey 🥰🤟🏼
Wow that’s incredible! We didn’t know it was built in 8 days. And in January- the coldest part of winter!
Those were some tough old boys!
So unbelievably remote, and so majestic. First time I've seen the drive to there , great video !
Isn’t it cool how you can see new places that you’ve never seen before through CZcams? Love it! Thanks for watching😊
I live on 28 miles of county dirt roads including my 4 mile private drive in the high country. I wish my commute into town was on those roads. My guess, the folks of McCarthy have posted all the warning signs to keep the beauty in and the people out. And from the TV series I suspect that's true and don't blame them a bit. I'm sure the long winters can make that road live up to the warnings but that's part of living in the beauty. This was on my bucket list, but life changes happen and had to scale back the dreams.
Thanks
Your county dirt roads must be terrible! Yea in the winter is when it’s probably the worst here. With time, the number of railroad spikes to puncture tires on probably decreased too. It’s not as bad as expected but still took us 6 hours to do the 60 miles bc of the washboard. With the heavy truck camper on the truck, it went down into each washboard groove. It would have been amazing to see in person but I’m glad you could at least experience it a bit through our video!
We lived 11 miles before you get to Chitna for 29 yrs. I delivered Fuel and Propane for a few years out to McCarthy before working for DOT.
Wow! That’s a long time. You must know everything there is to know about Alaska. Do the locals have their own fuel station in McCarthy? We don’t remember seeing one but maybe we just missed it.
Love your videos! And the narration is great too!! Thanks!
Glad you love them! It makes it all worth it. We appreciate the feedback 😊
I just love you guys. Dare anything, that is what we call "Adventure". The beautiful bridge shot crossing the copper river with the view was amazing . The Cliffside was dangerous, it felt like anything could happen, but nothing matters when it comes to amazing views and sceneries. The second crossing which was a wooden bridge was breathtaking, the view of the canyon was spectacular. The wooden railway bridge was unique, and the drone shot made it more captivating. Lastly the food at The Potato looked delicious and yummy, especially the dessert 🤤. The vintage cars were interesting. Looking forward to your next adventure, the hike to the Glacier and mines.
Alaska is full of adventure! And the most beautiful landscapes and views 🤩 thank you so much for watching our adventures, we love having you here💛 the next video with the mines and glacier will be incredible. How could it not with these stunning locations? See you then! Have a blessed week!
Good video. Drove slow. Showed real road conditions. Interesting place. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to your family too! ⭐️
as a canadian viewer that was refreshing to watch!!!
Thank you! 😃
Love the buildings and towns. Can't believe the 100k for the house. Love the bridges too.
Thanks for watching & taking the time to comment, we appreciate it 👍 have a blessed week 💛
My wife and I flew to McCarty around the same time this past summer thanks for the views for the other option to get to McCarthy.
Glad to share! It would be awesome to see by plane too.
When I was there in the 90s, there was no foot bridge, we had to sit in a basket and pull ourselves across with cables & pullies...
We saw that! It’s still there, just abandoned & probably unusable now. That must’ve been more fun though 😄
I remember doing that too.
It's one heck of a drive down that road. I have drove it about 20 times in 2023. When it's graded it's not bad
Wow 20 times?! 😯 Do you live there? Did you get any flats or anything while driving it that many times in 2023?
I worked out there at a gold mine outside of mcarthy. No flat tires as I run some aggressive tires on my trucks for that reason.
In 1990, I headed towards McCarthy. After 20 miles of non-stop washboard roads I turned around when half my teeth got shaken loose.
😂 sounds about right 🤣
I've driven that road to McCarthy a number of times over the past 25 years. If you're into backpacking at all....that road gives access to the Dixie Pass Trailhead. The hike follows much of Strelna Creek up and over into Dixie Pass. One advantage of backpacking Dixie Pass is you're able to park right at the Trailhead.
Wow! Never heard of it- just looked it up. The views are beautiful! Great idea for a backpacking trip. Thanks for sharing 👍
We stayed at McCarthy one night and at Kennicott one night - and took a flightseeing trip. It was all good :-) For the glacier walk you can rent crampons at Kennicott Lodge
So much fun! Great tip about renting crampons there 👍
Great video 📹 guys ❤
Thank you 🤗 glad you enjoyed it!
wow great video!
Glad you think so! 🙂 happy new year! 🎆
I have to say, that road appears to be in amazing condition! from the parking lot at the end of the road, looks like those little tiny, smart cars or whatever that little red one was on the left was even able to make it.
True! Only things are not getting stuff fall on you on that cliffside which is out of anyone’s control. Then dodging potholes and just driving through washboard gravel road for most of the way. All of which doesn’t require a big rig. Just some patience😅
Several years ago there was a reality show about some of the residents of McCarthy. If I remember correctly, back in the early eighties a resident went on a shooting spree and killed several residents there. Sad part of such a small towns history but the place seems like a cool destination to visit. Safe travels.
Yes you’re remembering correctly. A horrific event and just so sad that it happened. People survive out in these extremes just to be killed like that. The real hero is one guy who got shot, I believe through the face, and still hopped on a plane to get authorities that ultimately caught the guy. It really is a charming little town in the beautiful remote Alaskan wilderness. Wait til you see the mines and glacier in the next episode! 😧
@@NickandJulie looking forward to it. Take care.
I dip netted the copper river in the 80s it was an awesome adventure
Nice! It’s a fast moving river must have been kinda scary dipnetting here. Do people tie themselves to something just in case?
I bungee jumped off that Kuskalana Bridge in the 90's
That’s terrifying 🙀
@@NickandJulie agreed. I am afraid of heights. Facing that fear there wasn't a cure
I live in Arkansas at the edge of the Quachita National Forest. The roads in the forest are worse than what I have seen in several videos of the McCarthy rd. Tricks for driving these roads. Have 6 ply rated or higher tires that are in good condition. Keep your speed under 15 miles per hour. Slow down when the road worsens. I drive these mountain roads frequently, and have never had a flat tire. Be prepared. City dwellers will have more problems because they like to go fast.
I can imagine the little narrow forest roads are so much worse than this. Overall, it’s definitely not bad. Just the washboard all the way. And the railroad spikes that are left over can get your tires but I think the number of those spikes goes down over the years. The sketchiest part is at the beginning on that cliff side where there can be a landslide anytime but after that it really isn’t that bad. Beautiful place.
Didn’t they have a show about McCarthy town and the mines. I watched it. I love the shows about people that live off grid in Alaska.
Yes they did, it’s called Edge of Alaska. I heard a lot of it was scripted though 🤔 it’s still interesting to see how much the town has changed since 2014.
In 81 there was NO guard rails on the one lane high railroad bridge.
Well that’s terrifying 😨
We went through there in '95. That bridge was plank, the road was so full of potholes had to drive about 20 mph.
Washboard was terrible.
Bridge was in much worse shape.
There used to be a cable tram across the river. You had to pull yourself across river.
Wow! The bridge has improved and now there’s the footbridge over the river. Roads are still bad. We drove 10-20 mph the entire way bc of the washboard and potholes.
I drove it in June. Very rough and washboard but drivable by most any vehicle.
That’s a great way to sum it up in one sentence. We totally agree! How was the weather when you went? Were you able to get out to the mines and glacier?
The weather was dry and nice. No problems with access
That cabin heavily surrounded by trees,I believe you have to swing from tree to tree(like Tarzan:)
😂 I just imagined that in winter with the ice & snow covered branches! Less swinging more falling 🤣
Jane will catch ya:)
P.S. if you like this video, check out our other Alaska videos. They are just as good as this one! Thanks so much for watching, liking the video, and commenting! It makes a huge difference to our small channel! 💛 -Nick & Julie
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I have eaten at The Potato in Valdez. Did not know they jad one in McCarthy. Did you try their amazing french fries?
Yes sir! In the last video actually! 🤤
Cool, I'll watch it.
Why didn’t you stop on the bridge and fly your drone up the canyon “ incredible shots” once oppor.
That would’ve been a cool shot too. Can’t think of everything as we film on the go.
Drove that road in July 2022 all wash board very rough Trip
Yes it took us 6 hours to drive the 60 miles 😅 the weight of the truck camper pushed the truck down into each groove. Not fun. We’d rather dodge potholes than drive washboard roads 😂
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Chitna has almost zero crime.
That is a benefit of a tiny community. I believe like 80 or so people live there?
How much of the time did you NEED 4wd ? Could it have been done with 2wd ?
We went in the summer; we did not use 4wd at all. Yes it can be done with 2wd in the summer. We would recommend getting nice all terrain tires because of the sharp rocks.
The only thing I hope is the people from out west and up north don't see this and rush in and turn it into another mini NYC , Los Angeles, or Atlanta the way they have all the small southern rural towns around me .
It’s been crazy in the past couple of years hasn’t it? Things are changing quick. I think McCarthy will be alright. Not much there, pretty remote, and winters are too cold & long for most people to handle.
That’s crazy… my gas in California is more expensive than that 😂😢😢😢
Why is that?? So strange. Gas in the east coast is 3.50-4.00.
@@NickandJulie California has high gas tax and state fees so the gas prices are the same be we have to pay more because of the fees and tax… it’s between $4.90 and $6.50 a gallon here and some stations are as high as $9.00
Chit-na... ?? What happened to the "i" ?
Not sure! No ‘i’ seems to be how everyone pronounces it so we just go along with it 😆
Or just have fun
We’re having fun, thanks 😃
Since the demise of the tv show, it looks like the town has really gone downhill. It wasnt a lot to begin with.
We’ve never seen the show, we should check it out to see how much it has changed.
@@NickandJulie Can't remember the name of the show. There was a guy named Neil who came in a bought up most of the town and worked hard to fix it up. He fully believed he could make it a tourist destination and give tours of the mine outside of town after reopening portions of it.The show lasted three or four years.
@@centexan wow that sounds really interesting like something we’d watch especially now that we’ve been there. I wonder if his business came to be 🤔 I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for sharing!
How much for the whole works
No idea
Why does that place even exist?
Back in the day, it came to be to provide goods and services to workers from the nearby Kennecott mines which we’ll visit in Sunday’s episode 😃 stay tuned!
Mining towns exist today all over North Western American states. They are a staple of our history and some still operational well over a century old. I'd do excursions like these over cruises or trips around the world any day.
@@HighCountryRambler we’ve also been to a mining town in Arizona. It’s titled Tombstone,Arizona and Bisbee, Lowell. Pretty cool area out there too. We really enjoyed it.
Too cool, amazing camera work. Beautiful place, thank you both for sharing 🤗👍
Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed the video! 😊
Does the lake go with everything water rights. Come on i aint a dentist
Not sure I ain’t a realtor
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I will pay $50,000 for everything including water and mineral rights
Probably won’t be enough the old cabin alone is like 100k
Alaska is like going back in time. A time before drug crime
Exactly. Out in these remote areas, time seems to stand still.
You need to read the book about McCarthy and his search for various McCarthy bars and pubs worldwide. It includes this trip to McCarthy, Alaska and his adventures there. Quite humerous.
Sounds intriguing! Did you recognize any places that he wrote about in the video?
Hey turn around and git my answer
We’re not in Alaska anymore