BananaSlug

We're taking our first trip to Alaska in late June. Would appreciate comments and suggestions on our rough itinerary. I've read many Fodor and TA posts and trip reports, but it sometimes feels daunting trying to narrow down the choices. We've not selected any lodging yet, as well. Much thanks in advance.

Day 1 - Arrive Anchorage (very late)
Day 2 - Explore Anchorage a bit
Day 3 - Leisurely drive to Denali with some sightseeing on the way
Day 4 - Shuttle into the NP with perhaps hike along Savage River (or do that Day 3)
Day 4 - Denali to Seward, explore Seward
Day 5 - Seward: Glacier cruise or possible guided glacier hike
Day 6 - Seward: Glacier hike or glacier cruise
Day 7 - Seward to Homer, stops in the Chugach NF and/or Cooper Landing
Day 8 - Homer: maybe flight seeing Kachemak Bay State Park and the Harding Icefield
Day 9 - Homer: ??
Day 10 - Homer to Anchorage to home

As you can see, the end of the trip looks a little vague. We did want to possibly fit in a glacier kayak trip, but not sure whether that should be out of Seward or somewhere else. Maybe we should fit in a stop between Denali and Seward somewhere?

Gardyloo

I think it's a pretty straightforward plan. Denali to Seward is a pretty long drive but in late June you'll have no shortage of daylight, so not impossible.

A couple of thoughts...

- Seward on the 3rd and 4th of July is packed beyond reason due to the Mt. Marathon race on the 4th. Add the racers and their parties to the cruise passengers coming or going, and the whole place can feel pretty crowded. Don't know if your dates would include the 4th, but just a warning.

- Late June is prime bug season in Denali. As in, get carried away by. You might want to plan your hikes based on "real time" considerations. Bring some nuclear bug dope, or buy some in Anchorage.

I would look at kayaking out of Seward, and I would also definitely plan on a Kenai Fjords cruise while you're there. Even if it means sacrificing Homer it would be worth it.

I wonder if you might consider reversing things; head south first, skip Homer this time, then end at Denali.

For example -

1 Arr. Anchorage
2 Visit Anchorage, night at Girdwood
3 Whittier glacier cruise, night in Seward
4 Day in Seward - Kenai Fjords
5 Day in Seward - kayaking etc.
6 Seward to Anchorage via Hope and Wildlife Conservation Center (at Portage.)
7 Anchorage to Denali
8 Day in Denali
9 Denali to Anchorage
10 Fly home

While Kachemak Bay is marvelous, IMO the drive between Seward and Homer is in large part pretty boring, and you might not have have enough time to do much besides look around and turn around. And Resurrection Bay and the general area around Seward is no slouch on the scenery front. Stop in funky Hope (historic mining village) on the way back to Anchorage.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

BananaSlug

Gardyloo, I'll give some thought to reversing the order. Really doesn't matter, I guess, since we don't have any lodging reserved yet. We'll be ending on July 1 so will hopefully miss the 4th of July crowds.

Thanks for the suggestions!

BigRuss

You listed two "Day 4" entries.

tomfuller

Read my TR for the trip DW and I took to Alaska in early June last year. I rejected the late night arrival into ANC and got a flight that arrived before 10 AM. We spent a few hours in Anchorage with breakfast at the Snow City Cafe before heading to the Microtel in Eagle River.
We drove all the way to a B&B near North Pole and drove back early in the morning for our trip on the shuttle bus out to the Eilson Visitor Center.
It was nearly 10PM when we got back to the B&B but it was still daylight.
We didn't do any kayaking or flightseeing, but I did hike up to the toe of the Exit Glacier.
We stayed at a B&B on the hill above Homer.
The Fred Myer in Eagle River and the Costco in Anchorage have gas stations.
While in the Fairbanks area we visited the museum at the University of Alaska. We also went north of Fairbanks to the spot where Felix Pedro found gold in a stream.
I also found the farthest north geocache that I will ever find.

BananaSlug

Thanks for the suggestions. After much more research and booking most lodging, the new itinerary is:

June 22 Arrive ANC
June 23 Train to Denali and staying at Denali Hostel
June 24 Denali - take NPS shuttle as far as possible
June 25 Denali - hike Savage River, back in time for train back to ANC, p/u rental car and then ??? (see below)
June 26 Somewhere?? to Homer, staying at Bay Avenue B&B
June 27 Homer
June 28 Homer to Seward, staying at Angels Rest
June 29 Seward
June 30 Seward
July 1 Seward to ANC fly home.

My questions are 1) where to stay in Anchorage when we fly in on 6/22. We get in late around 11:30 and catch the train early (8:15 a.m.) the next day. I almost wish we could just sleep in the airport, but something cheap and clean would be best; and 2) where to stay 6/26 between Anchorage and Homer. Thought about Summit Lake Resort but is that too long a drive to start 8:30 p.m.? Maybe something in Girdwood instead to save the bulk of the drive for the next morning?

I know only one true full day in Denali bookended b/w the train may not be optimal, but trying to balance the rest with Homer and Seward. Thanks for the collective wisdom chiming in here! Regards, Terry.

tomfuller

I think you're missing a lot by not going to Fairbanks and staying 2-3 nights in Seward.
As for the late flight into ANC, the Comfort Inn-Ship Creek is close to the Alaska Railroad station and they have an Airport Shuttle.
What time does the train get back to Anchorage?
Since you are missing Anchorage in daylight at the beginning maybe spend a few hours in Anchorage before renting the car to go to Homer.
I enjoyed arriving in Anchorage in the morning and eating at the Snow City Diner and wandering around before heading out to Eagle River (Microtel).

Gardyloo

I think you'd be happier driving to Denali than taking the train and going through the rather lengthy and inflexible yoga needed to get back and forth from the hostel to the WAC, relying on their very limited shuttle schedules. The train ride from Anchorage to Denali is not all that scenic, and if you drove you could stop in a couple of places en route, such as the Eklutna Native cemetery (interesting "spirit houses" near the old Russian church) or even Talkeetna. That would also mean you wouldn't have to be up early to catch the train.

Since you are missing Anchorage in daylight...

On June 23? Hardly; it won't get dark at all.

Since you're keen on going to Homer, if you've driven to Denali you could shoot through Anchorage on the way back and stay the night in Girdwood. The Alyeska Hotel is very nice and you could have dinner at their Seven Glaciers re$$taurant at the top of the gondola, or somewhere in the valley - several nice places.

If you stick with the train, it doesn't get in until 8 PM if memory serves, so by the time you've collected the car you might as well stay in Anchorage.

I'd definitely plan for at least a day in Anchorage at some point. Visit the Native Heritage Center, maybe go shopping at the Native Hospital crafts shop (best in town by a mile) or walk/bike the coastal trail. Look for birds and beasts at Potter Marsh, watch the float planes come and go from Lake Hood, have a burger at the Arctic Roadrunner or fried chicken and one of the world's best milkshakes at the Lucky Wishbone (both old time "locals'" places.

vincenzo32951

I could have written Gardyloo's posts, both of them.