Hello. We just started looking into a trip there. I have my Fodor's guide, but have some questions before I read. We can only go 9/23-9/30. We want to fly into Anchorage and see Denali and I think the Kenai Peninsula. We will be driving. We are avid hikers and we love the parks, wildlife and nature. We don't fish or bird watch.

Is there anything to see in Denali, or are we out of luck because of the time of year? What else would you recommend? We really don't want to move around from place to place by plane. We've already taken an expensive vacation this year. Is it even worth it to go if we can't get around Denali? We're not camping, if that helps. Thanks so much.

Denali Park interior will probably be inaccessible by then; the main visitors center closes on Sept 15.

However, I do think you could have a nice time in the Anchorage - Kenai Peninsula - Prince William Sound area. There will still be activities like Kenai Fjord cruises out of Seward, the hiking in the Chugach Mts. near Anchorage can be wonderful in the autumn - good color, no bugs... but it can be hit and miss on the weather. Some years by the last week in Sept. you can see the "termination dust" (snow) creeping down the mountainsides behind Anchorage; it's usually on the ground at sea level by the third or fourth weeks in October, so autumn is a short season. But the city is lively, the colors on the roadsides and tundra are wonderful, things are cheap compared to high summer... it's our favorite time of the year but others may have different views.

Thanks for the info. I love the snow. We were in Yellowstone in February so we're not afraid of a little cold! In your opinion - is it worth it to go if we can't tour Denali? Aside from the 11 hour bus ride, is there a lot of hiking to do there that we will miss because of the time of year? This is definitely a dream trip and I don't want to do it halfway. I could wait - but you know how it goes. The time may never be right.

The last bus tour into Denali NP is scheduled for Sept 14. There are no bus tours after that date.

You can drive parts of the park road with your private car or cycle or walk on the road after Sept 15 (the road remains open until first snow fall).

Does your time frame include flights to ANC or do you have full 7 nights in Alaska? I think personally I would skip Denali on this very short trip and just concentrate on Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula. I suggest spending two nights in Anchorage, two nights in Seward and three nights in Homer. On the other hand I think I would spend an additional night in Anchorage (which means only two nights in Homer) so if the weather is not the best for outdoor activities there is still a lot to do. Be prepared for very windy and cold weather or it may be calm, blue sky and warm. Nobody really knows but bring gloves, scarves, wool hats, waterproof hiking boots, rain gear and hope for the best. You can always buy scarf or hat made of qiviut, the warmest and lightest wool in the world. Just visit the store in Anchorage. You can check them out on line too www.quviut.com
I think Alaska is fascinating any time of the year as long as you arrive prepared. There are endless hiking opportunities in and around Anchorage. Our favorite is Rendezvous Mountain.

Oops!
Check this link as the above one is incorrect.
www.qiviut.com

I also agree, you are too late for Denali Park, so you might just skip it. Concentrating on the Kenai Peninsula is a great option, you may also want to add Talkeetna?? You are going at a time when tourist attractions will be closed, so be certain to verify options. Good chance of Northern Lights.

Thanks for your help so far. I am reading my new guidebook and I've just ordered the Milepost so my questions should get less ridiculous!

Is it really "a waste" to see what we can of Denali from where we can drive ourselves? There's an inn that looks so lovely and my husband really wants to go to Denali. I also saw something about a lottery for cars to have access to that road in Sept. I do plan to enter.

I'm having a hard time from the maps in the book understanding what is and isn't possible. We will arrive in Anchorage on Sat afternoon. We plan to stay there that night, have a look around and a great meal and get a fresh, early start for the morning. Then our flight out of Anchorage home will leave late on the following Saturday night. Is it possible to do some sort of loop from ANC to Seward, across the sound and back to ANC from that side? I've read in some places that the trip across the Prince William Sound is not to be missed but I don't know if we're supposed to go and come back or continue on from Valdez! Can we still Kayak on either side at that time? I wouldn't be comfortable without a guide.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way but we live in NYC and I have absolutely no interest spending time in any kind of a big city. I'm sure Anchorage is beautiful and much nicer than here but we want to be as removed as possible from big city life. I also know some people prefer to have a home base but we kind of like to travel along to a couple of different spots. I like to be able to get as much of a feel for the people and place as possible.

Since we're leaving late on that Sat we are up for a completely full last day. Since it's an all night flight I'd like to be as tired as possible.

I'm very excited to hear the Northern Lights are a possibility. I would love to see them though from that inn in Healy. So they really do exist?!? Is there the slightest, most miniscule chance for a whale of any kind?

I'll look up Talkeetna as well. Out of luck for the lottery. For others, though - there is a lottery for permits for use on the 15,16,17 and 18 of September. Enter in July by mail.

Dohlice,

As you'll come to learn, it doesn't make any sense for someone from NYC to imagine anything in the way of "a big city" anywhere near to Alaska.

Anchorage, while listed at about 250,000 pop., seems to "live" like a town of 50,000.

Also, I drove to Alaska a few years back in early April, and I would suggest from that experience that a September visit will be just fine.

The lakes won't be frozen as they were along the path for me, in April, but most everything "Alaska" will still be there and very prominent.

The mountains will have you in awe, if you're from the eastern U.S.

Your day trips to places like Seward will be quite enjoyable, and a week is enough time to get a considerable experience during off-peak tourism time.

The "Milepost" will really enhance your whole sense of the trip and you'll evolve to have a great time.

Just go for it and don't worry.

There is no loop you can do from Seward. With 7 days,

I would suggest you may want to consider north over the Glenn Highway, see if Hatcher Pass is open to the mine? If available consider www.micaguides.com but again you may be too late?? Look at Staying Sheep Mt.?? Next day scenic drive to Valdez, get an early start- stop and look along the way. over night Valdez 2 nights- see if kayaking available?? Ferry to Whittier, drive to Homer 2 nights, then Seward 1 night. Drive back to Anchorage- home. If you add Talkeetna- skip Homer or Valdez??

If Denali Park is a priority- most everything will be "shut" down and with your limited time- you can see that it will eliminate somewhere else. Very tough choices. I would VERIFY first- before any fixed plans- exactly what is operating, then go from there.

As for northern lights- yes most certainly they exist. You need dark clear nights- meaning, no clouds and must be able to see stars. It is best to invest some time out late at night. I use this site DAILY when in Alaska.
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/cgi-bin/predict.cgi

Thanks for all of your help. I guess it just isn't worth it to go. I wish I hadn't spent all this money on books.

Hold on a second...

First, Denali: The park road may be closed or highly restricted, but the airspace is wide open. With your already limited time, I think even a trip into the park that one would make in high season would be rushed - a day to get there from Anchorage, a day in the park, a day back... that's 3 out of 7 for just one day in the park, when half the visitors don't even see the mountain anyway because of clouds.

If you go in late September you'll save enough on hotels and rental cars (compared to mid-summer) that you could (if you want) use those savings to do more extensive flightseeing. Drive to Talkeetna (or even from Merrill Field in Anchorage or Wasilla) and take a McKinley flightseeing trip instead of all the driving and hotel hoohah. The mountain is better viewing from a plane anyway, plus you'll have a good chance of seeing animals from the air. Even if the mountain is partly (or fully) obscured, you'll still have a great experience seeing the other mountains, the gorgeous forest, river and tundra scenery (including fall color) - you just won't have the joy of driving a few hundred miles including possibly some gravel roads that would make your car rental company do something with a brick.

Second, Kenai and Prince William Sound: Kenai Fjord National Park cruises continue into the first week of October, so there's no problem with getting out into PWS - orcas, seals, amazing scenery, off-season prices. Seward is an easy 2 - 3 hour drive from Anchorage. You can also go on the "26 Glacier" cruises from Whittier until Sept. 30 (well worth it.) While you may not have time to (comfortably) do the Anchorage-Valdez-ferry-Whittier loop route, you certainly can see some of the best scenery in the state in your time.

Here's a possible 7-day itinerary that could work for you and that would make your investment in books worthwhile.

Day 1 - Arrive Anchorage, overnight. Note: daylight is getting pretty short, so you can't use summertime scheduling for excursions, unless you like driving in twilight a lot.

Day 2 - to Wasilla or Talkeetna for McKinley flightseeing. Back to Anc. for the night (thus no breaking of camp.)

Day 3 - To Whittier (1.5 hrs) for 26 Glacier Cruise; back through the tunnel and overnight in Girdwood (dinner at the Double Musky).

Day 4 - To Seward, taking your time. Optional walk/hike to Exit Glacier en route (from roadside - 1/4 to 7 or 8 miles, mild to strenuous.) Overnight Seward.

Day 5 - Kenai Fjords cruise. Dress warmly. Overnight Seward or back to Girdwood or Anc. if time permits.

Day 6 - (Back to Anc.) Hike in Chugach mts behind Anchorage - beautiful country, chance of some snow, but rewarding and convenient. Many trails including Flat Top if the weather cooperates.

Day 7 - Visit Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, go souvenir shopping at Alaska Native Hospital gift shop. Fly off.

It's a "highlight" trip to be sure but Alaska is so big that there's no such thing as a comprehensive tour in a week or a month. Go with what you can manage, but get up into the air to save time and to see an Alaska that you'll never see from the road system.

I haven't totally given up. I checked the flightseeing and they stop before we will get there. So do the glacier hiking tour companies and kayaking in Valdeez, Seward and Homer. I know it would still look beautiful, but there would be so little getting out there and DOING. No physical activity or nightlife just isn't as alluring. I'm going to look more into the Chugach hiking and see what that looks like.

Gardyloo, I like your suggested itinerary for such a short visit but we need to remember that Dohlice doesn't want to stay in Anchorage.
Further I would add that on day 5 - Kenai Fjords cruise she/he needs to dress not just warmly but very warmly and that means gortex windbreaker, wool sweaters, gloves, mittens, waterproof boots, extra clothing in a backpack.

From every place included in Gardyloo's itinerary Dohlice can go hiking. There are hikes everywhere in Alaska, wildlife is abundant especially if you are not trying too hard to see it. One just needs to keep his/her eyes wide open.

As to whales, there is always a chance to see them. Very remote though. Here is interesting info about humpbacks' migration.
I am not certain about gray whales, orcas and belugas.

"Although humpbacks may be seen at any time of year in Alaska, most animals undertake long distance migrations during the fall to temperate or tropical wintering areas where reproduction occurs and the young are born. During spring, the animals migrate back to Alaska where food is abundant. Humpback whales that summer in the north Pacific are from three separate stocks which winter in Mexico, in Hawaii, and in the western Pacific near the Mariana, Bonin, and Ryukyu islands. Whales that summer in Alaska are primarily from the Hawaii stock. Although the length of time needed to make migrations is not well known, one whale that was identified in Alaska was seen 39 days later in Hawaii 2,800 miles (4,500 km) away. When in Alaska, humpback whales tend to concentrate in several specific areas including Southeast Alaska,the area near Kodiak and the Barren Islands, the area between the Semidi and Shumagin Islands, and the eastern Aleutian Islands and southern Bering Sea."
We saw plenty of humpbacks whales around the Barren Islands on a trip from Homer. But that was in July and I am certain the Rainbow Tours company doesn't have those cruises in the end of September.

This post made me think how much I would love to spend the end of September in Anchorage. It is a very quiet time of the year with only few visitors. Anchorage feels more like a big native village than a city

Dohlice, if you decide to take a ferry Whittier-Valdez be prepared for a heavy snow fall in Thompson Pass. It doesn't happen often but it happened many times in September. It was three or four years ago when the highway was closed on my birthday (the end of September) because of snow accumulation. Just be prepared!

Dohlice, why don't you try finding an online forum of Alaskans who can advise you on what exactly is available to do in Alaska during your travel timeframe? Here's one I found just now, but I'm sure you could find more: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alaska-Living/

I think dog-sledding into DNP and around McKinley starts in November, but maybe there are other unique things you could do while there.

Good luck with your planning!

Here's a six (6) hour Kenai Fjords boat tour operating during your timeframe out of Seward:

11:30am Departure - Kenai Fjords National Park; Alaska's #1 Wildlife & Glacier Tour!

Cruises May 6 thru October 8
6-hour cruise (11:30am to 5:30pm)
Fits easily with scheduled transportation
Includes hot lunch served on cruise

$119 for Adults plus tax and fees
http://www.kenaifjords.com/543.cfm

Also, try contacting the places with activities you're really interested in doing. Most close mid-Sept because the tourist industry trickles the beginning of September down to nothing towards late September. Local owners might be willing to arrange something for you.

Good luck with your planning!

Second Gardyloo's suggestion for a flightseeing tour of Denali---I can't recommend this highly enough. You need a day of clear weather, but there are air services that indeed fly into late September (actually, all year'round). Talkneetna Air is one:
http://www.talkeetnaair.com/
And they will even do a glacier landing if you like. I believe it is only the flights that operate out of the Denali airstrip that close by mid-September.

One of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen is that area from the air, on a circuit trip around The Mountain after a fresh snow.


When I lived up there (some years ago), September was one of my favorite times of the year---crisp clear days through September---sunny days with red tundra, and very cold nights. That was in Fairbanks, however; I don't know if the Kenai peninsula has the same weather patterns.

The flightseeing of McKinley is available ALL YEAR long. And I too highly recommend it. Gard offers you an excellent itinerary. Do consider it.

D'oh...

Nobody goes to Alaska for "nightlife", and that goes double for someone who doesn't want to stay in Anchorage.

There is more nature up there than you will ever recreate in anyplace New York, so just turn up and make your own itinerary.

It won't yet be cold enough so that you'll turn into a popsicle, yet tourism will have already slowed considerably. You can't believe how much pure nature lies up there.

All of these fancy, organized tours where you end up with somebody essentially holding your hand aren't what they're cut out to be anyway.

"Avid hikers" who "love the parks" can certainly make a fantastic trip for themselves in Alaska.

It isn't Rhode Island or Delaware... just keep moving if you aren't sure about one location or activity.