Alaska in May or September 2009
 

We are planning our Alasks Land Cruise for 2009. Would you go in May, and why in terms of more or less exposure for the animals and sights. Why September? Please give us your input, any comments will be welcome and appreciated. Any reccomendations for the best/less expensive transportation. Please share your experiences. Thank You.

May will be less crowded and probably cheaper. Early September will be best for Denali and Katmai (bears) if you want to see the animals at their finest and the tundra at Denali turning red and orange. Things shut down pretty quickly after the first week or two in September though.

Some of the places on the coast will be good at both times, so it depends a bit on whether you are interested in going to Denali.

We were at Denali early June and the roads had juwr recently opened for the season.

We just went to Alaska in May, arriving 5/15. The weather is less rainy then, but things are just beginning to open. Denali opened just the day before we got to the park, and was only plowed to mile 30. However, we saw Mt. McKinley clearly on all 3 days there. The weather overall was very clear (but crisp!),and I understand is typically less rainy. It was certainly not crowded -- we have pictures of us standing in the middle of the road on the highway to Denali taking pictures of ourselves with Mt.McKinley in the background, and not a car passed by for 5-10 minutes.

We travelled with 2 other couples. We all agreed that was a great time to go. However -- aside from the probable rain, we also thought September would be a great option. Except, as Bill_H said, most things sut down around Labor Day.

It is best for Denali Park after June 1 so to get some distance into the park. And then again, before the shuttle buses stop running mid Sept. Sept, can offer beautiful fall colors in Denali Park, Early season in Denali can have many sightings of baby animals. Both have their positive points. It would depend on WHEN in May and Sept you are looking perhaps???

Due to our originally planned cruise being cancelled (ship needed to be drydocked for mechanical problems), we ended up on the very last cruise of the season (September 23rd, I think). The weather was cool, misty, rainy, and many, many shore excursions were cancelled - especially those involving aircraft. Perhaps, because of the weather, we saw little to no animals. The shopping was good though, since we were the last shot the shopkeepers would get for the year!! We are going again this year - earlier!

Thank you all. You helped a great deal. May 20th 2009 it is.