lyntom

O.k. I am almost ready to make the car and plane reservations, but I need help making final plans. Can you please comment on the following itinerary? Also, please tell me if I have too much time or not enough time for each place.

Tentatively scheduled for June 21 - July 9 but we could do it a week earlier. I definitely want to do a bear flightseeing trip, so thought that this week would be better than earlier. The plane fare and car rental is the same for both time periods.

June 21: Arrive Anchorage at 7:40 P.M.

June 22: Pick up car and drive to Talkeetna; hopefully do a flightsee with glacier landing.

June 23, 24, 25: Denali National Park. The plan is to arrive mid-afternoon and do some of the hikes at the park entrance. Day 2 would be a shuttle to at least Fish Creek. If we stay only two nights,we would get off and hike some before getting on another bus. If we stay 3 nights, we would take one of the Discovery Hikes with a park ranger the next day.

June 26: Palmer or Hatcher Pass. Is this a good stopping point before continuing on to Sheep Mountain? We do want to do the Hatcher Pass drive and Independence Mine. Also want to hike Matanuska Glacier.

June 27, 28: Sheep Mountain Lodge (if available) Is this too much time? Our ultimate goal is Valdez, so is staying at Sheep Mountain for one night sufficient?

June 29 30: Valdez--We we want to stop at all the scenic points on the way here and do some hiking around Thompson Pass, etc. Also want to do some Kayaking and perhaps a Columbia Glacier trip.

July 1, 2, 3: Want to ferry to Seward and three nights there, but may have to turn around and drive back--depends upon cost. Plan to do the Ididaride with Mike Seavy, Exit Glacier hike to Harding Icefield, and 9 hr. Kenai Fjords NP cruise. Also, the Sealife Center.

July, 4,5, 6: Homer--A bear viewing trip, hopefully with Emerald Air (I know I have to make plans soon; if the date already is booked, I will change the dates of my trip accordingly. hopefully a trip to Kachemak Bay for some hiking and/or Halibut Cove, the Pratt Museum and maybe some fishng.

July 7: Girdwood--Either ride the tram up and hike down or the opposite, or hike both ways. Also, Portage and other stops on the way.

July 8: Back to Anchorage with stops at Turnagain Arm, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, etc. If time, bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and see the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

July 9: Late flight home--we could do the flight home on July 8 since we wouldn't have to be at the airport until 6:40 P.M. if you think it would give us enough time to do the drive from Girdwood with all the stops and also to explore Anchorage a little?

We could do the trip in reverse. I scheduled Homer for near the last thinking that later would be better for bear viewing.

As far as stopping in Palmer on the way back from Denali: is this even necessary? Would the drive from Denali (I imagine we won't be able to drive the Denali Highway since we will be in a rental car)to Sheep Mountain be too far considering we want to do Hatcher Pass and Matanuska Glacier? Or, should we forget about Sheep Mountain and spend one night in Palmer and one in Glennallen? I can figure out the mileage but don't know how long to expect in driving time.

If we could cut off a day somewhere, it would be helpful--I just don't know where is the best place to cut--maybe DNP?

Thanks!

lyntom

Sorry, but I forgot to ask if we drive to Seward from Valdez instead of taking the Ferry, what suggestions do you have regarding stoping points before Seward?

I've also thought about doing the trip like this:
Girdwood-1 night
Homer-3 nights
Seward-3 nights
Talkeetna-1 night
DNP--2 nights
Palmer or Hatcher Pass Lodge--1 night
Valdez--2 nights
Make our way back to Anchorage, possibly stopping at Sheep Mountain for 1 or 2 nights.

dfrostnh

Overall, sounds like a great itinerary. But, Hatcher Pass is not open before July 4, it depends on road conditions but don't miss Independence Mine. We stayed in Palmer, visited the Mine in the morning, stopped at Transportation Museum in Wasilla, and had plenty of time in Talkeetna. Did not do a flightseeing trip though. Check for any summer solstice events. You might be able to cut a night from Seward. The Sealife Center is small and I think they stay open until 8pm. You might be able to visit on the day you arrive. Check dates for 4th of July parades in Homer and Kenai. Kenai's parade is big and there's some food booths in the small park. Although you don't go thru Kenai on July 4th (or whenever they have the parade) it's right next to Soldotna which you'll drive thru on your way to Homer. The Pratt Museum is open July 4 but you might check about what might be closed. This year the Girdwood Forest Fair was held July 7,8 & 9. The dates vary each year. The tram is a fun ride but expect a lot of traffic during the fair. The fair is a great opportunity to buy crafts made in Alaska and chat with the craftspeople. The food is very interesting, not what you'd find in the lower 48 and the music is fun. Check their website. I almost saw a bear very close-up attracted by the smell of food but just saw the bushes moving when I heard people hollering. You'll also want to stop at the Russian River Ferry to watch to salmon fishermen. You will also be in the area when net fishing is permitted, so check the beach in the Kenai area. Don't skimp a day if you don't have to. A week early may be a little too early for the salmon runs. We were there for 3 weeks ending July 6. The first week there wasn't anything happening at the Russian River fishing area, but later it was mobbed. Read the Anchorage Daily News everyday for news about fishing and local events. We did the Boardwalk Hotel package in Seldovia the weekend before July 4. I seem to recall that Seldovia is popular for the July 4th weekend. We enjoyed the boat ride over, night at the hotel and flightseeing trip back but Seldovia is very small. Make sure to do the Skyline Drive that overlooks Homer. There are websites devoted to daily Iditarod news. You might want to keep track of how the Seavey's are doing (there could be more than one in the race).

BayouGal

Dfrostnh offers great advice, as always. I'm emailing Jetset to look over your itinerary. She's a local and may be able to offer further insight.

Hope you get to do the flightseeing trip over Denali. It was a highlight for us. Also, we drove the 20 paved miles of Denali Hwy from Paxson and next trip we will find a way to drive the Denali Hwy. I think it'd be so worth it!

We didn't stay at Hatcher Pass Lodge while there, but I wish we would have. Also wish we'd have allowed time to do some ice trekking or climbing Matanuska. You might be surprised how near Sheep Mtn is to Palmer and Independence Mine. Your timing is good if you want a full day at Matanuska. You will not need both a night in Palmer and Glennallen to accommodate driving distances/times. You should do the overnights you have planned at Hatcher Pass Lodge and Sheep Mtn along the way if you have activities that require more time along the way. There is nothing around Glennallen, unless you are going to Kennicott. Make sure you stop by the Copper Center Princess for the view. Also a good lunch location if it works for you.

Driving time: that's tough. Glennallen Hwy is in good shape but 2 lane. Sometimes frost heave repairs create gravel areas where you have to slow down or risk some chipped windshields. And a slow going RV can really slow things down, but once you get past the mountains around Matanuska, there's lots of straight-aways where you might get a chance to pass.

Wish we'd had the money and time for a flight to Kennicott, but can't do it all in one trip! ;-)

The drive in to Valdez is incredible, as I'm sure you've read. Where are you staying in Valdez area? There is a great cabin outside of town, or Blueberry Mary's has a terrific location if there's 2 of you.

We saw lots of salmon being caught right there in the fishing hole in Homer. I hope you get to make a halibut and/or salmon trip - it's like a boat tour while fishing. Yes, better to do Homer at the end for bear viewing and if you fish, you might want to fly your halibut home with you - we did!! And boy, was it so worth it!!!

If you want to do anything in/around Anchorage, like the Tony Knowles and more, then I'd keep the July 9 departure. Just depends on how much time you want around Anchorage.

Sounds like you've done your research and have a great itinerary.

BayouGal

Oops, it's Glenn Hwy not Glennallen. Also, we saw lots of bear along the Matansuka River between Palmer and the glacier so be on the lookout.

oleg

Your plan will work either way - wheteher you go to Talkeetna first or to Girdwood first.
Your itinenary is ambitious but realistic in the timeframe of 18-20 days. If you do it as planned, be prepared to shed a lot of $$$. I just have a few comments that others may or may not agree - just my 2 cents.

"June 22: Pick up car and drive to Talkeetna;
hopefully do a flightsee with glacier landing."

The key word is "hopefully" - cancellations are rather frequent due to the weather. Although your chances to make it are better in June, I'd plan some alternative this day in case the flight is cancelled.
Alternative is skipping Talketna and going straight to Denali.

June 23, 24, 25: "Denali National Park. The plan is to arrive mid-afternoon and do some of the hikes at the park entrance."

Drive to the Ranger Station (Mile 15), park there, and hike there instead. There are some trails to the top of the mountains (made by the sheep) with good views of Savage River.

" Day 2 would be a shuttle to at least Fish Creek. If we stay only two nights,we would get off and hike some before getting on another bus. If we stay 3 nights, we would take one of the Discovery Hikes with a park ranger the next day."

Stay 3 nights. I encourage you to hike as much as possible. Hiking in Denali is magestic and not difficult because you can hike along the road, deviate from it, and return to it. Buses are frequent and they will pick you anywhere along the road.

" June 29 30: Valdez--We we want to stop at all the scenic points on the way here and do some hiking around Thompson Pass, etc. Also want to do some Kayaking and perhaps a Columbia Glacier trip."

If you eventually going to Kenai Peninsula, is it really necessary to visit Valdez too? Would that not be duplication of scenery? I'd consider dropping Valdez and spending these 2 nights elsewhere (1 more night in Denali?)

" July 1, 2, 3: Want to ferry to Seward and three nights there, but may have to turn around and drive back--depends upon cost. Plan to do the Ididaride with Mike Seavy, Exit Glacier hike to Harding Icefield, and 9 hr. Kenai Fjords NP cruise. Also, the Sealife Center. "

Do not waste time on Sealife Center. You will see it all live during your full-day cruise to Northwestern Fiord. Exit Glacier hike to Harding Icefield: tough, 7-mi hike. If you want challenge, it is fine. If going just for views and wildlife - not necessary.

" July, 4,5, 6: Homer--A bear viewing trip, hopefully with Emerald Air (I know I have to make plans soon; if the date already is booked, I will change the dates of my trip accordingly. hopefully a trip to Kachemak Bay for some hiking and/or Halibut Cove, the Pratt Museum and maybe some fishng."

"July 7: Girdwood--Either ride the tram up and hike down or the opposite, or hike both ways. Also, Portage and other stops on the way."

Is it necessary to spend a day & night in Girdwood by the time you have seen all this?!

For substantial Glacier viewing, I'd take a 128 Glacier tour from Whittier spending 1 extra night in Anc.

caligirl56

I think you should definitely try to spend at least a full day in Anchorage. The Anchorage Museum of History on Art is quite good--you could do both the Native Heritage Center and it in one day. The Tony Knowles Trail is also a fun ride--lovely views--and you might well see a moose in your path.

I would say that the Harding Icefield trail is a must if you are in reasonably good shape. It was a highlight for us. --Walking up through wildflowers with the glacier just behind them. We also saw a blackbear and her cub walking across a patch of snow. And then up by the icefield, there can be lots of mountain goats. If it is really fogged in, the hike might not be quite as worth it--but otherwise, I would highly recommend it!

(You will be there a few weeks earlier than we were--I don't know if that would make a difference in trail conditions and scenery--might be something to check into).

jetset1

If you do have time for visitng Girdwood and want to hike the trail to the top, they let you take the tram back to the hotel for free.
Hope your back is up for it.. mine just about ruined my weekend because of the incline, and bring lots of water.
Also, there are black bears in the area, but the hotel sends atv's to patrol and they are scaredy bears, so they move when they hear noise.. the trail beside the hotel goes through the woods and has a bridge with a hand operated mechanism to get to across to Crow Creek Road.. it's an option if you don't want to tackle the mountain and the woods smell great.. look for watermelon berry bushes and blueberries too.
Hope your bear excursion works out.. have a safe trip and good luck, J.

Fabio

lyntom

We also did Denali first and Katmai Bear viewing at the end, thinking that it was much better to save the best highlight for the last. If I went back I would change it and would do the bear trip at the beginning, saving some off days in case of cancellation due to weather conditions.
We booked with Emerald Air for the day before our last day of vacation. The trip was cancelled and the next day (our last full day of vacation) it was already fully booked. We were really very lucky to get the very last two seats with Bald Mountain on the last day, and the trip was NOT cancelled !
It was fabulous !
As the bear viewing and Denali Park are the two not to miss things to do in Alaska, I would also not do the Denali at the very end.
The first day at Denali was rainy and foggy, the second one, which was not planned to be there, was fantastic and Mt McKinley was OUT ! We did the bus ride again ! Then, as the lodging was already fixed in Girdwood for that night, I had to drive from Denali to Girdwood after the Denali full day bus ride arriving at 2am in Girdwood. It was crazy but well worth !!
Save at least 3 nights for Denali, as well !!

wannabe3

There's always such good advice on the forum. Here are my two cents: Definitely three nights in Denali--the night you arrive, the night after your bus trip, and the night after you've hiked around Denali. We stayed at the Denali Lakeview Inn in Healy and really liked it. Don't skip the ride to Valdez, but don't do it twice. The ferry from Valdez to Whittier is expensive, but it is a gift you give yourself of not having to drive all those miles. Also this year's toursaver book had a 2for1 at the Copper River Princess, which was the most scenic and least expensive (with the 2for1) of all our accommodations, and one night here could replace one night in Valdez.
Two nights in Seward could be okay...if you squeeze a lot into the two days.
I think your orginal itinerary with Homer near the end is best. We saw the 4th of July parade in Homer this year--got to see the Eagle Lady in the parade. Friends of ours went to Seldovia for their 4th of July celebration. Both were fine. You could cut a day in Seward and add another day in Homer, depending on the weather forecast, to give you a better chance to see the bears. Defintely, stop in Girdwood if the Forest Fair is there. We were there this year and bought most of our soveneirs there. Best yet, my husband bought my anniversary present there and saved it until we returned home. We also loved biking and hiking the Coastal Trail in Anchorage and bought the rest of our soveneirs at the Title Wave bookstore--used and new books.
You have an ambitious itinerary, but one that will allow you to explore some really beautiful areas of Alaska. You also have a good mix of multi-night and one night stays. Enjoy the planning!

lyntom

Many thanks to all of you. I've spent most of yesterday and today working on and revising my itinerary.

I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions.

Wannabe3: Until your post, I had just about given up on the side trip to Valdez. I had tentatively decided to do an all day kayaking trip to Blackstone Bay out of Whittier instead the one to Columbia Glacier. Is anyone familiar with the Blackstone Bay trip?

I believe we could come back to Palmer from DNP and visit/hike around Independence Mine, then on to Sheep Mountain where we could do the Matanuska Glacier the next day before continuing on towards Valdez. Would the Copper Princess be a good stopping point or is it too close to Sheep Mountain? If that's the case, perhaps we could make the Copper Princess after hiking the glacier.

Thanks again.

Bayougal: What is the name of the cabin outside Valdez?

caligirl56

We did the Blackstone Bay trip last July with Alaska Sea Kayakers. The most amazing thing was how peaceful it was--only one tour boat went through there all day. We could hear bangs from the glacier calving--even before we rounded the bend and could see it.

We had a lovely lunch and then paddled to another glacier where we could get out of our kayaks and hike right up to it.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

Have not been to Columbia Glacier--so I can't help you compare!