A loop, by land and sea

[R30A]

Hello all- I am from the northeast, and have slowly been making my way around the US and Canada, crossing off as much of the passenger rail system as I can. I am considering making a trip this winter, around the pacific northwest, getting to complete some more VIA legs, as well as much of the WSF system and get a ride on the Alaska Marine Highway. 

What I have sketched out so far for this trip is:
1/2-3/15 Via Canadian, Vancouver to Jasper
1/4-5/15 Via Skeena, Jasper to Prince Rupert
1/6/15 AMHS Taku, Prince Rupert to Ketchikan
1/7-9/15 AMHS Malaspina, Ketchikan to Bellingham 

My questions fall into two categories: 
1. Are the elements of the trip I have listed reliable in the winter? I could imagine weather putting a big question mark on this...

2. I would have a few days before leaving in the Seattle/Vancouver area, and two days/1 night in the Seattle area afterwards. I won't have a car for this trip, so I am looking for ideas of ferryfanning while I am in the area. (I know I am going to do the Vashon Triangle, as well as both Bremerton and Bainbridge routes.)

-Is there a good way on public transit to combine the Mukilteo-Clinton and Kingston-Edmonds runs into one day? 
-Is there anything BCF runs which I would be seriously missing in the Vancouver area that I should do before boarding the Canadian? I did Seabus last time I was there. I can keep myself entertained on skytrain should there not be any reasonable and reliable daytrips to be made. (I have done so on both of my prior Vancouver trips...)

[northwesterner]

Nov 16, 2014 15:43:06 GMT -8 R30A said:

Hello all- I am from the northeast, and have slowly been making my way around the US and Canada, crossing off as much of the passenger rail system as I can. I am considering making a trip this winter, around the pacific northwest, getting to complete some more VIA legs, as well as much of the WSF system and get a ride on the Alaska Marine Highway. 

What I have sketched out so far for this trip is:
1/2-3/15 Via Canadian, Vancouver to Jasper
1/4-5/15 Via Skeena, Jasper to Prince Rupert
1/6/15 AMHS Taku, Prince Rupert to Ketchikan
1/7-9/15 AMHS Malaspina, Ketchikan to Bellingham 

My questions fall into two categories: 
1. Are the elements of the trip I have listed reliable in the winter? I could imagine weather putting a big question mark on this...

2. I would have a few days before leaving in the Seattle/Vancouver area, and two days/1 night in the Seattle area afterwards. I won't have a car for this trip, so I am looking for ideas of ferryfanning while I am in the area. (I know I am going to do the Vashon Triangle, as well as both Bremerton and Bainbridge routes.)

-Is there a good way on public transit to combine the Mukilteo-Clinton and Kingston-Edmonds runs into one day? 
-Is there anything BCF runs which I would be seriously missing in the Vancouver area that I should do before boarding the Canadian? I did Seabus last time I was there. I can keep myself entertained on skytrain should there not be any reasonable and reliable daytrips to be made. (I have done so on both of my prior Vancouver trips...)

The only thing I would point out about doing this trip in the winter time is the short days. You will be spending most of your journey on AMHS, through some pretty spectacular areas, in the dark. I cannot emphasize enough how short the days are this time of year, and quickly they get much longer as we head towards spring.

[SolDuc]

Nov 16, 2014 15:43:06 GMT -8 R30A said:

2. I would have a few days before leaving in the Seattle/Vancouver area, and two days/1 night in the Seattle area afterwards. I won't have a car for this trip, so I am looking for ideas of ferryfanning while I am in the area. (I know I am going to do the Vashon Triangle, as well as both Bremerton and Bainbridge routes.)

-Is there a good way on public transit to combine the Mukilteo-Clinton and Kingston-Edmonds runs into one day? 

Yes, you can hit both Mukilteo-Clinton in a day, and maybe also get Port Townsend in that if you're interested. Community Transit is the agency that takes care of transit in Snohomish county. The 113 goes between Mukilteo and Lynwood TC (connections to Seattle via Sound Transit 512) and the 116 and 130 travel between Edmonds and Lynwood TC. Note that the 113 runs are timed with the ferry but that the 116 and 130 are not. If you also wanted to hit Port Townsend, you could take the Island Transit #1 to Coupeville and then the 6 to the Keystone ferry terminal. Connections can be long (not that I've actually made them, I used my bike both times I did that trip) but the option is there.

Regarding Vashon/Bremerton/BI, you can hit all three runs and 7 boats in one day, and if you push it to be a little longer you can even get the Point Defiance/Talequah ferry in there. Just take the Water Taxi from Downtown Seattle to Vashon in the early morning (reverse commute runs), ride the Vashon boats, end up in Fauntleroy and take the RapidRide C line downtown. From there you can ride the Bainbridge and Bremerton ferries, in any order you'd like to. A nice day trip IMO, I've do it twice.

[R30A]

Thank you both for your input!
With regards to the AMHS daylight, I understand the desire to see such scenery during the day, but part of the experience I am looking for is to experience the long nights. I intend to visit again sometime in the future, so this is not my only shot at making the trip.

Thank you SolDuc for your advice on grouping the rides! As it stands, It looks like I will have 31st of December, 1st of January in the Seattle, (2nd of January in Vancouver) Arriving the 9th in Bellingham, (hopefully in time to catch the 8:23 to Edmonds, but such is TIGHT.) so I'll have the 9th and 10th too. I am thinking on the 31st I'll do Vashon, and on the 9th I'll try to do Edmonds and Mukilteo. I might try and be on a ferry for new years... Probably a great view for Fireworks! Perhaps the 1140 out of Bremerton or the 1135 out of Bainbridge.

[R30A]

So I have fully plotted out and booked my trip: As planned for now-
12/30- Arrive late.
12/31- Light Rail to downtown, Water taxi to Vashon, ride all the Vashon boats, bus down to Tahlequah, ride the Chetzemoka, Perhaps a Bainbridge or Bremerton round trip too. Thinking of ringing in the new years on a Ferry to Seattle- as before either the the 1140 out of Bremerton or the 1135 out of Bainbridge.
1/1 - Ride the monorail, see non ferry sights. Catch Amtrak 516 out of King street station to Vancouver. Taking Skytrain to the Airport for the hotel.
1/2 - getting up early, catching the 250/257 bus to Horseshoe bay, depending on how much time I have, a round trip to Departure bay, Langdale, or both. Catching the Canadian at 20:30. Sleeping in a HEP-1 coach.
1/3- Arrive Jasper.
1/4 - Via Skeena, Jasper to Prince George.
1/5 - Via Skeena, Prince George to Prince Rupert.
1/6 - Alaska Marine Highway, Taku, Prince Rupert to Ketchikan.
1/7 - Alaska Marine Highway, Malaspina, Depart Ketchikan for Bellingham
1/8 - Alaska Marine Highway, Aboard the Malaspina, wandering the inside passage
1/9 - Arrive Bellingham, Amtrak 513 to Edmonds, ride the E-K boats, Community 116/130 to Community 113 to Mukilteo, Ride the M-C boats, either Sounder, Amtrak or Buses to Everett, Amtrak 517 back to Seattle, Ferry to Bremerton, where I am staying that night
1/10 - Catch whatever I missed in Seattle, Fly back to NY late that night.

If anybody has further suggestions, let me know! Also if anyone wishes to come along, I am not too antisocial

I am getting more excited by the day. Hoping the Evergreen State somehow manages to remain in service for when I get there. Still kicking myself for not managing to ride the Steel Electrics when I was in Seattle back in 2004.

[SolDuc]

Dec 13, 2014 21:01:20 GMT -8 R30A said:

So I have fully plotted out and booked my trip: As planned for now-
12/30- Arrive late.
12/31- Light Rail to downtown, Water taxi to Vashon, ride all the Vashon boats, bus down to Tahlequah, ride the Chetzemoka, Perhaps a Bainbridge or Bremerton round trip too. Thinking of ringing in the new years on a Ferry to Seattle- as before either the the 1140 out of Bremerton or the 1135 out of Bainbridge.
1/1 - Ride the monorail, see non ferry sights. Catch Amtrak 516 out of King street station to Vancouver. Taking Skytrain to the Airport for the hotel.
1/2 - getting up early, catching the 250/257 bus to Horseshoe bay, depending on how much time I have, a round trip to Departure bay, Langdale, or both. Catching the Canadian at 20:30. Sleeping in a HEP-1 coach.
1/3- Arrive Jasper.
1/4 - Via Skeena, Jasper to Prince George.
1/5 - Via Skeena, Prince George to Prince Rupert.
1/6 - Alaska Marine Highway, Taku, Prince Rupert to Ketchikan.
1/7 - Alaska Marine Highway, Malaspina, Depart Ketchikan for Bellingham
1/8 - Alaska Marine Highway, Aboard the Malaspina, wandering the inside passage
1/9 - Arrive Bellingham, Amtrak 513 to Edmonds, ride the E-K boats, Community 116/130 to Community 113 to Mukilteo, Ride the M-C boats, either Sounder, Amtrak or Buses to Everett, Amtrak 517 back to Seattle, Ferry to Bremerton, where I am staying that night
1/10 - Catch whatever I missed in Seattle, Fly back to NY late that night.

If anybody has further suggestions, let me know! Also if anyone wishes to come along, I am not too antisocial

I am getting more excited by the day. Hoping the Evergreen State somehow manages to remain in service for when I get there. Still kicking myself for not managing to ride the Steel Electrics when I was in Seattle back in 2004.

Mukilteo is only served by Sounder and buses (both Everett transit and Community Transit). The fastest way to Seattle will be 113 and 512 for you since Sounder won't be running southbound when you're going to be there.
Also, the Evergreen State is pretty much done now. She's back this weekend because the Puyallup needed to get some work done, but I'm not expecting her to be back for a while. Check the maintenance schedule at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Service/default.htm

[R30A]

Having returned home this last week, I must thank SolDuc for his invaluable advice with regards to planning. I got to ride on each class except the Hiyu (and Sealth if you are distinguishing between Issaquah 100 and 130...) and had a wonderful time in the Pacific Northwest. Next time I need to do a similar trip when the days are longer and also need to make it up to the San Juan island routes.