Spring road trip: Epic drive from Montana to Alaska

Photos by Ben Adkison, for CNN
2 minute read
Updated 4:11 AM EDT, Fri May 13, 2016
Once west of the Rockies and into Canada, there are half a dozen primary routes if you want to drive to Alaska. The Cassiar Highway through British Columbia connecting to the Alaska Highway is popular. Photographer Ben Adkison started his journey in Montana and snapped this image in Canada's Yukon territory, north of Haines Junction.
Driving to Alaska from the Lower 48 —
Once west of the Rockies and into Canada, there are half a dozen primary routes if you want to drive to Alaska. The Cassiar Highway through British Columbia connecting to the Alaska Highway is popular. Photographer Ben Adkison started his journey in Montana and snapped this image in Canada's Yukon territory, north of Haines Junction.
Ben Adkison
Flowing out of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier can be seen along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta. This parkway through Banff and Jasper National Parks is the best route to see the Canadian Rockies and connects you to the Cassiar Highway.
Canadian Rockies —
Flowing out of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier can be seen along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta. This parkway through Banff and Jasper National Parks is the best route to see the Canadian Rockies and connects you to the Cassiar Highway.
Ben Adkison
This camp site down a logging road off the Yellowhead Highway offered Adkison an incredible view of Mount Robson Provincial Park. At nearly 13,000 feet, Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Camping with a view —
This camp site down a logging road off the Yellowhead Highway offered Adkison an incredible view of Mount Robson Provincial Park. At nearly 13,000 feet, Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Ben Adkison
The old mining town of Hyder, Alaska, is located off the Cassiar Highway along the coast. As you pass through these former gold rush zones it's smart to carry extra gas. Stations can be separated by great distances and aren't always open in spring or winter.
Gold rush —
The old mining town of Hyder, Alaska, is located off the Cassiar Highway along the coast. As you pass through these former gold rush zones it's smart to carry extra gas. Stations can be separated by great distances and aren't always open in spring or winter.
Ben Adkison
Animals seem to be around every bend in the road in the Yukon Territory just east of the Wrangell Mountains. Black and grizzly bear begin to emerge from hibernation in spring and are often seen foraging along the roadside. Waterfowl take advantage of thawing lakes as they migrate north. Caribou can be found further north.
Wildlife —
Animals seem to be around every bend in the road in the Yukon Territory just east of the Wrangell Mountains. Black and grizzly bear begin to emerge from hibernation in spring and are often seen foraging along the roadside. Waterfowl take advantage of thawing lakes as they migrate north. Caribou can be found further north.
Ben Adkison
Located in the Canadian city of Whitehorse, Adkison says the Yukon Brewing Company has the best beer along the whole route through Canada. The facility offers tours and samples.
Yukon Brewing Company —
Located in the Canadian city of Whitehorse, Adkison says the Yukon Brewing Company has the best beer along the whole route through Canada. The facility offers tours and samples.
Ben Adkison
Not long after Whitehorse the highway continues north skirting the towering Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. These peaks mark the border between Canada and Alaska.
Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains —
Not long after Whitehorse the highway continues north skirting the towering Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. These peaks mark the border between Canada and Alaska.
Ben Adkison
Along the Alaska Highway you can straddle the U.S.-Canada border.
Alaska-Canada border —
Along the Alaska Highway you can straddle the U.S.-Canada border.
Ben Adkison
For many travelers, the Wrangell Mountains (here from the Alaska Highway between the Canadian border and Tok, Alaska) offer the first encounter with giant mountains inside Alaska.
Just the beginning —
For many travelers, the Wrangell Mountains (here from the Alaska Highway between the Canadian border and Tok, Alaska) offer the first encounter with giant mountains inside Alaska.
Ben Adkison
For those hoping to prolong spring or even winter, the drive north to Alaska is a good choice. Frozen lakes and snowy peaks thaw slowly, grudgingly giving way to the new season. Anchorage isn't far away now ... but civilization can wait one more day.
Almost there —
For those hoping to prolong spring or even winter, the drive north to Alaska is a good choice. Frozen lakes and snowy peaks thaw slowly, grudgingly giving way to the new season. Anchorage isn't far away now ... but civilization can wait one more day.
Ben Adkison
Road trip to Alaska
CNN  — 

Inspired by signs of spring – longer days, warmer temperatures, waterfowl migrating north – the great road trip to Alaska is a rite of passage for many travelers.

One of our favorite nature photographers, Ben Adkison, recently hit the road, leaving the country’s fourth largest state (his home in Montana) bound for its biggest.

Montana and Alaska are separated by vast and sparsely populated swaths of Canada, making the drive a true wilderness epic.

Adkison says he and his travel companion timed their trip just before summer sets in to avoid the rush of tourists.

Related article Witty signs keep drivers focused on tricky Alaskan road

Starting in Missoula, Montana, they followed Highway 93 to the Icefields Parkway in Alberta.

Then the pair headed west to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway through British Columbia, and onto the Alaska Highway through the Yukon Territory into Alaska.

Ten days and 2,000 miles after leaving home, they wrapped up in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.

The gallery above documents Adkison’s journey and some of its most memorable stops.

These include a spontaneous campsite with an incredible view of the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain, ghostly mining towns left over from 19th-century gold rush days and what Adkison calls the best beer in the sprawling region.

Born and raised in Montana, Adkison is a freelance photographer and mountain guide.

His photos from remote corners of the world can be found on his Facebook, Instagram and website.

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After a 45-minute flight on a small ski plane, climbers land at Kahiltna Base Camp, sometimes called Kahiltna International Airport because climbers from all over the world fly in to attempt to climb Alaska's Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley. At <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/us/mount-mckinley-shrinks/">20,237 feet</a> it's the highest peak in North America.
Climbing Denali: Base camp —
After a 45-minute flight on a small ski plane, climbers land at Kahiltna Base Camp, sometimes called Kahiltna International Airport because climbers from all over the world fly in to attempt to climb Alaska's Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley. At 20,237 feet it's the highest peak in North America.
Ben Adkison/CNN
The longest section of the West Buttress route on Denali follows the Kahiltna Glacier and winds through ridges of rock and ice and crevasse fields as it gains elevation.
Lower mountain —
The longest section of the West Buttress route on Denali follows the Kahiltna Glacier and winds through ridges of rock and ice and crevasse fields as it gains elevation.
Ben Adkison/CNN
There's no such thing as "light and fast" on Denali. With the food, fuel and cold-weather clothing required for a three-week expedition, packs can weigh 60-80 pounds. Until much of the food and fuel is spent on lower elevations, climbers use sleds to haul gear up the mountain.
Sleds and packs —
There's no such thing as "light and fast" on Denali. With the food, fuel and cold-weather clothing required for a three-week expedition, packs can weigh 60-80 pounds. Until much of the food and fuel is spent on lower elevations, climbers use sleds to haul gear up the mountain.
Ben Adkison/CNN
While only halfway up to the peak, from base camp, the established camp at 14,200 feet is thought of as the advanced base camp and launching point for high camp and the summit. Elaborate camps are set up with snow walls and kitchen tents dug into the snow.
At 14,200 feet —
While only halfway up to the peak, from base camp, the established camp at 14,200 feet is thought of as the advanced base camp and launching point for high camp and the summit. Elaborate camps are set up with snow walls and kitchen tents dug into the snow.
Ben Adkison/CNN
After leaving the advanced base camp, climbers clip themselves into a section of ropes attached to the snow and ice. These ropes, called fixed lines, allow climbers to safely ascend the steep and icy slope between 15,000 and 16,000 feet.
Fixed lines —
After leaving the advanced base camp, climbers clip themselves into a section of ropes attached to the snow and ice. These ropes, called fixed lines, allow climbers to safely ascend the steep and icy slope between 15,000 and 16,000 feet.
Ben Adkison/CNN
Denali rises 3,000 feet above Mount Foraker, the second tallest mountain in the Alaska Range, and nearly 10,000 feet above many of the other surrounding peaks. Climbers can look down on much of the climbing route as if they're in an airplane flying over the mountains.
Above it all —
Denali rises 3,000 feet above Mount Foraker, the second tallest mountain in the Alaska Range, and nearly 10,000 feet above many of the other surrounding peaks. Climbers can look down on much of the climbing route as if they're in an airplane flying over the mountains.
Ben Adkison/CNN
The ridge that traverses from the top of the fixed lines to high camp is one of the most technically challenging parts of the West Buttress route. It requires steep snow climbing and crossing narrow, knife-edge sections all while wearing a heavy pack.
Treacherous section —
The ridge that traverses from the top of the fixed lines to high camp is one of the most technically challenging parts of the West Buttress route. It requires steep snow climbing and crossing narrow, knife-edge sections all while wearing a heavy pack.
Ben Adkison/CNN
Situated on a small plateau at 17,200 feet, high camp is the last stop before a summit push. Due to the thin air at this high elevation, climbers ideally stay here only a night or two to keep their strength up for the 3,000-foot summit push.
High camp —
Situated on a small plateau at 17,200 feet, high camp is the last stop before a summit push. Due to the thin air at this high elevation, climbers ideally stay here only a night or two to keep their strength up for the 3,000-foot summit push.
Ben Adkison/CNN
Starting mid-morning, to avoid the bitter cold of night and early morning, a summit bid can range from 8 to 18 hours. Calm winds and clear weather are essential for a safe summit day because frostbite and high-altitude illness are real dangers high on the mountain.
Summit day —
Starting mid-morning, to avoid the bitter cold of night and early morning, a summit bid can range from 8 to 18 hours. Calm winds and clear weather are essential for a safe summit day because frostbite and high-altitude illness are real dangers high on the mountain.
Ben Adkison/CNN
Each year only about half of the 1,000 or so climbers who attempt Denali make it to the summit. Unless you're an experienced mountaineer with cold weather experience it's best to join the roughly 50% of climbers who go on guided expeditions. There are five guide companies, including <a href="http://www.mountaintrip.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mountain Trip</a>, licensed to guide on Denali. The gallery's photographer and author, Ben Adkison, is in the rear left of the photo.
Summit —
Each year only about half of the 1,000 or so climbers who attempt Denali make it to the summit. Unless you're an experienced mountaineer with cold weather experience it's best to join the roughly 50% of climbers who go on guided expeditions. There are five guide companies, including Mountain Trip, licensed to guide on Denali. The gallery's photographer and author, Ben Adkison, is in the rear left of the photo.
Ben Adkison/CNN
Denali summit: What it takes to climb North America's highest mountain

Ben Adkison’s photos from remote corners of the world can be found on his Facebook, Instagram and website.