Comments on Alaska itinerary.
 

I would be really grateful for comments on my proposed itinary for Alaska in August. I've spent a long time planning it using ideas from this and other forums, and I need to feel it's ok, as it will cost a fortune, along with motorhome rental and flights to and from UK. We're a family of 4, with 2 kids who are used to long distance travelling and "adventures"! (I always pack plenty of games/books/spare batteries/dvd's etc etc)

Day 1; Arrive Anchorage,pick up motorhome, shop and crash!

Day 2/3;Travel to Valdez via Glenn Highway, possible flightseeing/visit to Kennicott mines. (Kids have been on small planes and loved them!)

Day 4/5; Valdez, with glacier cruise.

Day 6/7; Travel to Denali via Richardson and Denali Highways.

Day 8/9/10; Denali, possible stay at Teklanika campground, to shorten shuttle bus trips a little, I don't know that we would go all the way to Wonder Lake anyway, will book, but most likely do shorter trip.

Day 11; Talkeetna, flightseeing over Denali

Day 12; Leave unplanned, could do rearranged flightseeing if weather bad on day 11, or travel down to Girdwood area.

Day 13/14; Seward, another boat trip Kenai fjords (kids enjoy boat trips!)

Day 15/16/17; Homer, bear watching one day and whale watching boat trip on another. ( contacted Emerald Air about kids, they were very positive, said they had never had any problems with as young as 6. Said young kids enjoy bears as much as adults but "see" them quicker, so when they get bored, one of them and a parent go off to look for other things for a short while)

Day 18; Unplanned, could be added to Homer or again spend closer to Anchorage, depending on weather etc.

Day 19; Leave Anchorage.

On travelling days, we'll stop frequently for short walks etc.
Does this sound ok, we doing a lot, but it's a long way to come and need to make the most of it!

How old are your kids?

You need to think very carefully about taking a rented RV over the Denali Highway. Some rentals will allow this but take out and pay for all collision waivers etc that is available. And get your permission to drive it in writing an their restrictions- don't expect to drive over 20 mph. Remember NO SERVICES, no cell phones work either. Be sure you are completely able to handle breakdowns, tire changes etc. The road has had very little service in the last 2 years, loaded with pot holes etc.

You could save a day's rental if you pick up your second day and just get a cheaper airport hotel if available??

I also highly suggest you get as large a RV as you can afford. With 4 it gets tight space after a few days. Having a large gas tank and fixed lower bed is a must. :)

The kids are 6 and 12, the 6 year old is a tough little thing, who takes anything we throw at him, his older brother is lazy, but loves wildlife.
We are renting a 30' with slideouts from Great Alaskan holidays, we had a 29' last year and found it easy to drive in Canada, you're right, the more space the better. We'll pick it up on day 1, as we're staying in Vancouver for a night after our transatlantic flight and we'll still be a little ahead( time wise) at the start of day 2, so we'll be up early and want to be on the road.
Great Alaskan holidays emailed me a list of their restrictions, we can do Denali highway, but at less than 25mph and must stop every 10-15 miles to check tyres. I am concerned about breakdowns, and this is the one bit of the trip , I am really not 100% about.

Wow! Sounds like you've done your research and are covering your bases. One of the main things I want to do when we go back to Alaska is to drive the Denali Hwy. The views we saw on the paved 20 miles were spectacular.

BQ, are views that spectacular on the whole Denali Hwy drive?

We saw whales on NW Kenai Fjords boat trip (the 9.5 hr trip), but it's not a whale watching trip. We were just very lucky. The beauty and all the other wildlife make the trip great whether you see whales or not.

Stop at the glaciers on the way to Valdez, and Exit at Seward. Our DD loved the glaciers.

Good luck with your planning! :)

I've driven portions of the Denali Highway 3 times, all encountered breakdowns. It is spectacular scenery, but I would get accurate reports of the road conditions from the state highway department. It was in terrible shape last time I drove it in 2004, didn't even bother last year. You need big clearance like you would get from a 4 WD. Plenty of people drive it. Just be well prepared and purchase all extra insurance waivers, so you have NO deductable or liability.

We drove the Denali Hwy last August -- I thought it was in good shape -- we did have a flat tire 30 miles from the end and used the spare. Our Durango came with a full size spare -- you should check the condition of your vehicles prior to starting out. There are tire repairs at the beg and end of the road but it is a long journey in between. It was very scenic and we did see the Princess cruiseline bus tour and several other RVs. Some tips --
drive slow and in the center of the road until you meet an oncoming vehicle. Most pot holes were along the edge. Be careful when pulling off the road to inspect and take in views -- these areas are not maintained at all.

Our tire was ruined and we were able to buy a cheap spare from Ken's Tires in Cantwell. We paid Thrifty for the cost of a new tire -- which was later reimbursed by our insurance. Chalk it up to part of the Alaskan adventure.

Many thanks for your replies. Could I ask, if we didn't go down the Denali Highway, what is the road, up to Fairbanks and then down to Denali like from a scenery/wildlife point of view? How long would it take from Valdez, if we stopped fairly frequently for photos and short walks?
We wouldn't want to retrace our route across the Glenn Highway.

I don't think you will mind retracing the Glenn Highway -- if it saves you time. We saw stopped and saw the Matanuska Glacier -- you can actually stay overnight in the parking lot for a marginal fee -- with an excellant view of the glacier and beautiful multi-colored painted mountains across the street. I hope you plan to stop in Palmer area -- Independence Mine -- quite interesting and childen will enjoy the freedom to romp around the trails -- well interpretered by the State. We also enjoyed our visit to the musk ox farm -- wonderful animals -- a unique experience -- you can take a short cut to head up to Denali without going all the way back to Anchorage.

On the way to Kennicott -- make a stop at lovely Liberty Falls -- a first rate view without a long trail hike -- a nice place to rock hop and enjoy a snack.

We stayed at Teklanika campground with a truck camper. It was great to pick up the shuttle there. However, I believe we needed reservations a few months ahead of time to camp there in August 2001. Also check to make sure you can take a large RV down that road.

Get a copy of THE MILEPOST, it is the Parks Highway Wasilla to Fairbanks and Richardson Fairbanks to Valdez.

I would spend at least 2 days if doing the Richardson, and another full day in Valdez- at least.

If you are going to Fairbanks, spend a couple days there, plenty to see and do, otherwise go back across the Glenn as already mentioned.