lyntom

I do hate to be such a bother to everyone, but I would really appreciate your looking over these itineraries and giving me your input. Taking into consideration, that we do not want to be driving a great distance on July 4, I at least want the possibility of doing the Harding Ice Field hike with the ranger (it is only on Fridays and Saturdays) and the best time for bear viewing, what do you think?

I promise I won't keep asking questions, if you'll just help me out here.

Thanks, again.

bardo1

I don't see anything. Are these two itineraries shown on a different thread?

lyntom

Duh!! Sorry, I forgot to attach them. The lodgings are not definite--just where I'd like to stay. Basically, I need to know if I have allowed enough time for each place and activity.

Thanks again!

Day/Lodging/Activity
Denali National Park/Seward

6/18--Arrive Anchorage
Overnight Anchorage/Caribou Inn
6/19--Bike Coastal Trail, Flattop
Mtn; Eagle River
Overnight Willow/Alaskan Host B&B
6/20--Flightseeing from Talkeetna
Sled Dog Demo/Hike trails around
entrance
Overnight Denali Lakeview Inn
6/21--Shuttle to Fish Creek Turnaround
Overnight Denali Lakeview Inn
6/22--Discovery Hike or self hike
Overnight Denali Lakeview Inn
6/23--Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine
Overnight Hatcher Pass Lodge
6/24--Hike Matanuska Glacier/Sheep
Mountain
Overnight Sheep Mountain or
Majestic Valley Lodge
6/25--To Valdez/Thompson Pass;
Keystone Canyon to Bridal Veil
Falls
Overnight Blueberry Marys
6/26--Kayak to Shoup Glacier
Overnight Blueberry Marys
6/27--Ferry to Whittier
Overnight Whittier/Soundview
Getaway
6/28--Portage/To Seward
Overnight Seward/Breeze Inn Motel
6/29--Kenai Fjords Northwestern
Glacier Cruise
Overnight Seward/Breeze Inn Motel
6/30--Hike to Exit Glacier/Harding Ice
Field
To Homer
Overnight Homer/Ocean Shores
Motel
7/01--Emerald Air Bear Trip
Overnight Homer/Ocean Shores
Motel
7/02--1/2 Day fishing trip for Sonny
and Neil
Overnight Homer
7/03--To Girdwood
Overnight Alyeska Slope Side
7/04--Anchorage/Bird Creek Trail;
Beluga Point; Turnagain Arm
Trail
Return car to airport at 6:00
p.m. for 8:40 flight


Alternate Route

6/15--Arrive Anchorage
Overnight Anchorage
6/16--Bike Coastal Trail, Flattop Mtn;
Eagle River
Overnight Willow/Alaskan Host B&B
6/17--Flightseeing from Talkeetna
Overnight Denali National
Park/Denali Lakeview Inn
6/18--Shuttle to Fish Creek Turnaround
Overnight Denali Lakeview Inn
6/19--Discovery Hike or self hike
Overnight Denali Lakeview Inn
6/20--Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine
Overnight Hatcher Pass Lodge
6/21--Hike Matanuska Glacier/Sheep
Mountain
Overnight Sheep Mountain or
Majestic Valley Lodge
6/22--To Valdez/Thompson Pass;
Keystone Canyon to Bridal Veil
Falls
Overnight Blueberry Marys
6/23--Kayak to Shoup Glacier
Overnight Blueberry Marys
6/24--Ferry to Whittier
Portage
Overnight Whittier/Soundview
Getaway
6/25--to Homer/Russian River Falls Hike
Overnight Homer/Ocean Shores
Motel
6/26--Emerald Air Bear Trip
Overnight Homer/Ocean Shores
Motel
6/27--1/2 Day fishing for Sonny and
Neil
Overnight Homer/Ocean Shores
Motel
628--To Seward
Overnight Seward/Breeze Inn Motel
6/29--Kenai Fjords Northwestern
Glacier Cruise
Overnight Seward/Breeze Inn Motel
6/30--Hike to Exit Glacier/Harding Ice
Field
To Girdwood
Overnight Alyeska Slope Side
7/01--Bird Creek Trail; Beluga Point;
Turnagain Arm Trail
Return car to Airport @6:00 p.m.
for 8:40 flight

dfrostnh

I think the Soundview Getaway is where we stayed in Whittier since it is in the former Bachelor Officers Quarters. Our mini suite was nice, the continental breakfast was bagel and orange juice. We had a view of the water. They do look remodeled since we were there in 2004 but we didn't have complaint with the inside and it was nice to have a mini kitchen. Because Whittier is a former secret military base, the town is strange with one huge building abandoned and derelict. Our host at the time was new to Alaska, was very friendly but unfamilar with the area. We enjoyed the hike to the falls. A small stack of video tapes were helpful entertainment since there isn't any tv reception. Construction on the new hotel made navigating town a little iffy but that is finished now. Keep in mind that everyone lived in a couple of these huge military buildings and still do except for the abandoned building. It will be convenient for a visit the next day to the Portage Glacier visitors center (listen to interviews of what is was like during the earthquake) and then on to Seward. There seems to be two kinds of b&b's. One where you breakfast with the other guests and can mingle in the common area and others where you don't see anybody else, including the host after you arrive. Some people prefer the privacy, other's enjoy socializing and comparing trip notes. It was clean and roomy but we were glad we were in Whittier for just one night.
I think you might be cutting things a little close on arriving at the airport. People didn't move thru security very quickly. You need a good 2 hours. Keep track of the time. You might want to have an early dinner someplace or a really big late lunch.

repete

July 3-4 will be nuts along the Seward Highway.

Nice trip, tho.

BudgetQueen

Are you looking at touring in Whittier too, otherwise, I wouldn't bother staying there. The glacier boat tours are the highlight.

If you are hiking to the Harding Ice field, I wouldn't also being driving to Homer the same day.

lyntom

BudgetQueen:

The Park Ranger at Kenai Fjords National Park did tell me of a great hike in Whittier called the Portage Pass Trail, which affords wonderful views of Portage Glacier. Although we may do that hike since it is not a long one, I think we will go on to Seward and not stay in Whittier.

Julie304

I agree with BQ about not spending the night in Whittier. Also, I'd say day 3 on your first itinerary is a bit ambitious. I doubt you'll have the time and energy to drive all the way from Anchorage to Denali, do flightseeing in Talkeetna, and hike/see the dog sled demo all in the same day.

Other than that both itineraries sound pretty good. We did a very similar trip two years ago and loved it but it was tiring. By the end of the trip I was feeling pretty exhausted (and I'm in my mid-thirties).

Have a great time!

lyntom

Julie304:

Actually, we had planned to drive to Denali from either Willow or Wasilla. Would that make much of a difference"?

lyntom

How about for Day 2: Bike coastal trail, hike on Flat Top Mtn. do Eagle River Nature Preserve and then go on to Talkeetna? Is this too much distance with what we have planned? We can always leave off the Coastal Trail since we are going to be going to so many other places.

If this is a good idea, it would give us more time for the McKinley flight (which I may cut due to cost), allow time to drive the 20 paved miles of the Denali Hwy., and maybe allow time for more activities in the park.???

outwest713

Sending you my pre-trip notes separately via email. Sounds like you've already done a lot of research, but may be of some use.

Other thoughts:
Whittier - Agree with other posters who suggest not staying in Whittier. Very interesting spot to visit for day and would recommend one of cruises as you do get to see alot of tidal glacieres up close. There are several cruise options. I took a catamaran type boat - their pitch was speed in/out to get you to where the glaciers are concentrated so you can see more. Worked for me. For getting in/out of Whittier, make sure you're on top of the tunnel schedule so you don't waste time.

If you want to see Portage glacier, you need to take the boat ride as the glacier has receded so much, it's not visible from the visitor center. I didn't do the boat so can't speak to whether it's worthwhile, but heard others say it was. If you do cruise out of Whittier and given your plans to hike Harding ice field, you can probably skip Portage.

Coastal trail in Anch is interesting to get up close to the tidal environment of Cook Inlet. I spent an hour walking on bike path, hanging out on exposed mud flats, and felt that was enough. Would suggest skipping biking to allow time for other things in Anchorage - watching the salmon "combat fishing" on Ship Creek the Museum of Hisotry and Art, Aurora slide show at Center for Performing Arts (if it's still showing), Native Heritage Center (a little touristy, but gives you overview of Native Alaskan history and culture).

Flightseeing is pricey, especially for a family, but IMO it's a Must Do, unless the weather is lousy. I was very lucky with weather and it was truly breathtaking.

Seward - spent a couple of hours in the aquarium downtown (forget what they call it, but you can't miss it -right on water at the end of main drag). Very cool, especially the waterfowl exhibit - you can go into enclosure with the birds and there's a viewing tank to see the diving birds underwater.

Exit glacier was fun because you can walk right up to it and get a sense of the mass of the thing (if you ignore the signs!)

For Hiking in Denali, consider just getting off shuttle and walking on the road for a ways. Great views and you can look around without stumbling all the time. The busses go by infrequently enough that you can get a sense of isolation and quiet. just wave a bus and they'll stop to pick you up whenever you want.

Didn't do the sled dog demo, but heard a number of people say it was worthwhile.

BudgetQueen

For clairfication, you only have 3 miles of paved road on the Denali Highway from Cantwell, not 20, that is from the Paxson side.

Yes you have time for your activities day 2 and getting to Talkeetna. Key for flightseeing here is to allow time on both going to Denali park and as a back up, on the return, if possible. This isn't the place to skimp due to costs.

If you want to bike the Coastal trail, I always stay at the Alaska Walkabout, free bikes and right on the trail access, only have to cross one street. With a morning start, you can be back by noon. Still time for the rest of your activity list.

For clairfication, you don't need good weather for flightseeing ON the ground. Can be totally overcast and still have wonderful views of McKinley. I've gone many times and still find it a great flightseeing adventure.

lyntom

We will not stay in Whittier. Now, I just have to decide whether to stop in Seward first or do a long day's drive and go on to Homer. If we stop in Seward, that puts all of our water activities--kayaking, ferry and Kenai Fjords cruise in a row. If we go on to Homer, they will be more broken up.

Thanks, BudgetQueen, for the heads up on the 20 miles of paved Denali Hwy. Since we won't be near Paxson, that takes care of that.

I definitely want to leave time for the McKinley Flight on the way up and then, if we don't get to go, be able to stop on the way back.

Regarding the stop-over at Hatcher Pass Lodge. Assuming we already have taken the flightseeing trip, would it be pushing it too much to stop at Independence Mine, hike a while and then go on to Motherlode Lodge? I was thinking if we did that, the second night, after hiking Matanuska glacier, we could go on to Copper Center or there abouts(?), which would give us more time to sightsee on the way to and in Valdez.

BudgetQueen

Key are early starts and time cushions. Yes your Independence Mine/Copper Center plan is very doable.

earlxx

You need to read answers to your identical questions you posted on TA's forum. Agree with not staying in Whittier.

lyntom

Earlxx:
I'm sorry if my posting identical questions on another forum irritated you, but I was trying to get opinions from a greater number and variety of people--which to me seems like a good thing to do.

Obviously, since I posted the questions, I read the answers.

Thanks to everyone else for your patience and your guidance.

outwest713

BudgetQueen's clarification re: weather for Denali flightseeing is right on target. Given the elevation of the range with Denali, you fly above alot of the weather. We even had some smoke haze at low levels are rose above it to crystal clear skies.