dcd

My wife and I have never been to Alaska. We're more the independent type travelers so a cruise to Alaska isn't high on the list. Thinking of going in '07 either in mid to late July or mid to late Aug. Have been reading like crazy here for things to see and do, etc. We love wildlife, moderate hikes, and of course scenery that takes your breath away.

We'd be flying in and out of Anchorage. We'd rent a car there (any thoughts on the car size we should get?) My first draft itinerary looks like this (I suppose the itinerary could be reversed, too--any thought on where to start first?):

Day 1 Arrive Anch and stay local.
Day 2 Drive to Homer
Day 3 and 4 Spend in Homer
Day 5 Drive to Seward
Day 6 Seward
Day 7 Drive to Valdez via ferry
Day 8 Valdez
Day 9 Drive to Healy
Day 10 Healy/Denali
Day 11 Drive to Anchorage
Day 12 Depart

We tend to be active as opposed to sitting still but is this too much? If so, what gets cut? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!!

Miss_Maple

I am sure there will be more Alaska experts to reply but last year we did a similiar interior trip. Flew in/out of Anchorage -- try to schedule time to take in the Anchorage Flea Market (Saturdays) -- many local artists participate -- purchased a pair of beaver skin slippers (daughter loves them, wished I bought a pair for myself!)

My impression is that your trip is a little too rushed. I would add at least another day to Seward -- take the boat sightseeing tour to the glaciers -- you will see lots of ocean wildlife. We took a wonderful scenic hike just outside Seward proper to Tonsina point.

We didn't visit Valdez so I can't say about that. We rented a Durango -- we were a foursome and that was the right size vehicle for us. Gas is reasonable, most locals drive a pickup or SUV. I would advise getting a vehicle with a full size spare tire. Flat tires are common especially if you travel any gravel roads.

You are welcome to look at photos of our trip. Remember -- allow for the
possibility of rain -- and enjoy your adventure.

http://www.camsoft.us/personal2/Alaska/Alaska_main.htm

Julie304

If you liked the north shore of Kauai, you'll really love Alaska. We did a similar itinerary to the one you're suggesting in summer '04 (but in reverse) and I also travel to Alaska at least annually on business.

I agree that it would be good to add a day in Seward so you can do a Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise and also maybe some hiking at Exit glacier. In addition, you haven't really given yourself much time to see the sights in Anchorage. Any chance that you could do 14 days rather than 12? I think your itinerary is doable as is, but all that travel may get a little tiring. The drive from Valdez to Healy, in particular, is a very long day.

Some will probably say to cut out Valdez, since it's more out of the way, but we really loved it there and the kayaking we did at Shoup glacier was one of our favorite days of the entire trip.

dcd

Miss Maple, those are some great photos! Thanx for those and the suggestions.

Julie, yours was one of the trip reports I read. If you had only 12 days, and knowing what you now know, would you concentrate on Homer, Seward and Valdez and skip Denali? I suppose we could spend a night or 2 in Talkeetna where, cloud gods willing, we could see McKinley or, failing that, take a flightseeing tour. Or is the Denali bus trip really worth a visit to the park? Also, as far as how much time to spend in Homer vs. Seward, I'm wondering whether we should spend more time in Seward considering that we probably won't do any fishing in Homer. Dave

dfrostnh

Here's my thoughts on your itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive Anch and stay local.
I would recommend a visit to the Public Market (not flea market) too but it's only on Saturdays and Sundays. Keep in mind it's a 5 hour drive to Homer without stopping so you are wise to devote a full day just to the drive. This is a spectacular drive along the Turnagain Arm. Maybe take the tram ride up Mt Alyeska. You'll have many photo ops.
Day 2 Drive to Homer
Day 3 and 4 Spend in Homer
A full day in Homer might be enough if you don't plan to fish.
Day 5 Drive to Seward
The drive to Seward is about 3 hours. You could get an early start, do some sightseeing around Soldotna and Kenai (I liked the Kenai visitors center in particular and there's a great outdoor wear shop in Soldotna.) You would still have time to visit the Sealife Center in Seward when you got there. Walk around town, day 6 would be a boat trip.
Day 6 Seward
Day 7 Drive to Valdez via ferry
Time is critical because of tunnel opening and ferry boarding. Check to see if you have time to visit the visitors center in Portage. Very interesting.
Day 8 Valdez
Day 9 Drive to Healy
Day 10 Healy/Denali
Day 11 Drive to Anchorage
Day 12 Depart
You should have time for a quick visit to Talkeetna and some hiking around Indiependence Mine/Hatcher Pass but since we haven't been to Denali, not sure if you've given yourself enough time there. Just exploring the Mine area requires a little hiking. They've down a great job restoring some buildings and providing information. Excellent example of Alaskans' ability to build a town in what used to be a fairly remote area. Your flight home is probably in the evening so you have Day 12 to spend in Anchorage.
It's really hard not to do a lot of driving in Alaska but you should be able to get in some short hikes here and there.

dfrostnh

p.s. Our last trip was 3 weeks with a borrowed 1985 Celebrity station wagon. Miss Maple is correct, in some areas you will see mostly SUVs and pickup trucks (plenty of crew cabs). Choose whatever you are comfortable driving and keep in mind the fee for ferrying your vehicle is based on size. There is no need for 4 wheel drive during the summer.

BudgetQueen

I do not recommend driving to Valdez to Healy in a single day. It will be a marathon trip. You are also missing a significant potential for sightseeing, which you will not have any time for. Especially between Valdez and Copper Landing, can be a half day there- at least. Better is to overnight in Copper Center and even then, to Healy is a long trip. So this is one factor I suggest you look closely at and change.

Julie304

Gosh, it's so hard thinking about what to eliminate. I definitely wouldn't cut Denali. The scenery you see in the interior has a very different feel to it than what you see on the Kenai and in coastal areas. If you're going all the way to Alaska, I think you really need to see both. In addition, you just can't beat Denali for wildlife viewing opportunities. Had we not made the trip to Denali, we wouldn't have seen bears at all.

I guess if I had to cut something it would be a choice between Homer and Valdez. Homer is a much more charming town than Valdez and it has better restaurants. Both are beautiful places, but for scenery I would definitely give an edge to the area around Valdez (although the town itself is industrial looking). The drive through Worthington pass was just jaw-dropping. If you're thinking about doing a bear-viewing tour, I would choose Homer, since that's where most of tours leave from. If hiking or kayaking is a priority, I think Valdez has the better options.

Bottom line is you can't go wrong either way--they're both awesome places. Hope this helps!

Julie

earlxx

You are trying too much. I agree with Julie, chose between Homer and Valdez. I am partial to Homer but you can't go wrong choosing either one.
Don't give up on Denali. Spend there at least three nights.
Driving from Valdez to Healy in one day is a crazy idea. BudgetQueen is right. Listen to her

boovt

Alaska is sooo beautiful, you can't go wrong. Homer, Seward , Valdez-kayak to Shoup glacier, really shouldn't be missed.
I also enjoyed Talkeetna, but the bus into Denali wasn't great. For bear viewing catch a flight to Katmai.You can check out our trip .
http://alaska.woodenpropeller.com/
Dave, thanks for the Kauai TR. Enjoyed both of them. Look forward to the jewlery shop, but we don't have the bartering skills.
Good luck, Linda

dcd

Thank you guys for all your insights. Really appreciate it. I now have a much better frame of reference for revising my plans. And when I come up with my second draft, I'll report back for more feedback.

Boovt, thanks for the note about my Kauai TRs. I found your post regarding a photographer there and responded to it.

Dave

Miss_Maple

Final thought to DCD:

Go to your local library and see if they have the 2006 Milepost. This will help you plan your trip and I would order the 2007 Milepost in March when it becomes available. Especially useful for a drive trip but takes a little getting used to how it's organized (along highway routes).

boovt

Dave, thank you so much. If you want an old milepost I'll send you ours. It can't be too different.
If the summer months don't work, please consider a winter trip as well.
We also visited Ak in Feb. It was so very beautiful and quiet. Northen lights, snow shoeing, snow mobileing hot springs, ohhh what a trip!
Anyway, hope I can help. Let me know, Linda

dcd

boovt, thanks for the Milepost offer. I think I'll take you up on that. Not sure how best to give you my mailing address. Let's try this. You email me and I'll reply with my mailing address. My email address is my name in lower case(davidcdavis) at yahoo.com. Thanks again for the kind offer!! Dave

boovt

You've got mail.

waxwing

We visited Alaska on a fairly similar itinerary to yours. Flew to Anchorage during late August, rented a car and drove to Denali, Whittier, Homer, Kenai Fjords, Seward etc. Milepost and the Lonely Planet guide were extremely useful. We did not have prior reservations for lodging, but that was not a problem in late August.

I would recommend staying longer in Denali. The national park is wonderful and they offer several ranger-led walks. You may also want to consider taking the shuttle bus to Wonder lake. It is day-long trip but definitely worth it for magnificent views of Denali backcountry and wildlife.

denalipark

I have spent the past 24 summers at Denali. (I own several businesses there)

I drive to/from Valdez (my favorite place in the state) several times a summer in about 8 hours going across the Denali Highway.

The rental car co's will tell you you cannot drive gravel roads but many folks do it. The highway is in nice shape for a gravel road unless some huge recent storm activity has flooded the road.

So take the 8 hours and add 2-4 hours for stops and you have a long day but it daylight anyway.

The most unseen and historical destination in Alaska is a few hours off the highway between Valdez and the Denali Highway. Wrangell-St.Elias National Park, McCarthy and the Kennicott mine in particular. Overnighting in the historical lodge is quite an experience. If there is anyway you can get an extra 2 days this would be a highlight of your Alaskan experience.