jd2jc

Hi all!

Does anyone care to share their experience with the Denali Three-for-Two Shuttle Pass (One adult, any three days for the price of two days) ? I couldn't find much information online, but did confirmed with Denali NPS that the pass is available.

Does one have to board the shuttle at the same time for all three days ? We plan on spending 3 nights at Denali and take the shuttle inside to Wonder Lake for 2 of the days. I read about this Three-for-Two pass and thought, why not just buy it since this pass offer the flexibility of enjoying Denali, weather pending.

thanks much!

BudgetQueen

It depends. My bias for infrequent or first time visitors, unless you have a few weeks in Alaska, 3 days at Denali Park is a lot for some people, myself included. If you are big into hiking etc, yes certainly may be worth it. But if you want an overview of the varied areas of the state and only a week interior Alaska, that eats up a lot of time. I would not consider 2 days in a row, to Wonder Lake, for myself. I have gone in twice on a single trip to Eielson, but stayed in teh area 3 days. The shuttle buses are so cheap anyway. If I remember correctly, you do have to make your bus reservations with 3 for 2? But call them directly and get the current information.

jd2jc

Thanks BQ for your response.

We will be in Alaska for 2 weeks after a cruise in early June and yes, we do love hiking in national parks. We probably won't go all the way to Wonder Lake on consecutive days, but with unpredictable weather, we would like the option of picking which of the 3 days is best.

Since I have your expertise available, please advise on our itinerary (taking advantage of TourSaver discount where possible).

5/27 - Princess cruise
6/3: Kenai (Kenai Landing - 2 nts)
6/5: Homer (Otter Cove Resort - 2 nts)
6/7: Cooper Landing (Princess - 3 nts)
6/10: Copper River (Princess - 2 nts)
6/12: Denali Park Hotel - 3 nts
6/15: Talkeetna (Princess - 2 nts)
6/18: flight at 12:55A

BudgetQueen

5 days is a lot of time to occupy yourself on the Kenai Peninsula unless you are heavy into fishing. Kenai and Homer are only a couple hours apart, I would add Seward instead. I would not stay at Cooper Landing for Seward touring in my opinion, using toursaver coupon??? Again my opinion only, I give toursaver coupon usage for lodging a very low priority. The Copper Princess lodge is worth the time, if you are heading to Kennicott, McCarthy etc. But the best of the scenery is from there to Valdez and since you are in that area, I would strongly suggest you may want to consider Valdez?

With 3 nights in Healy, determine what you want to do 100 miles away at the McKinley Princess, you do have Alaska State Parks, but is way inconvenient for Talkeetna sightseeing being 50 miles away. Again, I would not give so much priority to the coupon lodging usage, unless upscale rooms are a must.

This is clearly only a suggestion.

BudgetQueen

Misread- 7 nights is a long time for the Kenai Peninsula, especially in Kenai (the city)???

jd2jc

Thanks again BudgetQueen for your opinion!

For the first two nights, both of our parents will be with us after the cruise. So not much adventure those days.

Otter Cove Resort is actually across the bay from Homer. We want to do some kayaking, fishing, and hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park.

Isn't Cooper Center within an hour Seward ?

Read that the drives (Anchorage to Glenallen and Valdez to Fairbanks) are especially gorgeous (Richardson Hwy ?) Did I mention we're big fans of National Parks, including Wrangell ?

The 3 nights in Healy is of course for Denali. We'll probably arrive late for the first night at McKinley Princess so we only have a full day to recuperate and enjoy the State Park. Save Talkeetna for last day before driving to airport.

What would you suggest / recommend if we shave off a few days to allocate for something else ?

Upscale lodging is not a must, but comfortable lodging within budget is. Hard for find any B&B/lodging under $100/nt whereas the Princess is $179 for 2 nts. As for 3 nights at Kenai Prncess, there was a "special" on their website where we got a room for $39! (and I did confirmed that they'll honor their price mistake)

birder

If you love hiking, you should consider some of the off-the-beaten path trails between the turn-off to Coopers Landing and Seward. There are some FABULOUS National Forest trails that are deserted because most people just don't care to, or think to stop. If you click on my name, you can look for my trip report (I think I did it in August). Of the trails that we did, I would highly recommend Vagt Lake trail (1.5 miles each way) and Greyling Lake trail (1.6 miles each way).

We had only planned on spending one day on the shuttle bus in Denali. But we LOVED getting off the bus so much to hike around on our own, we decided to go the next day as well. The next time we're in Alaska, I would definitely get the 3-for-2 pass. But as BQ says, it all depends on your preferences - if you're a hiker, you'll love it. If not, you'd probably only want one day.

The Milepost has excellent descriptions of the National Forest Service trails. In addition, there's a NFS welcome center that gives great maps, but I forget where it is. It's actually not the one at Portage Glacier. Shoot, I'll have to try & remember for you!

BudgetQueen

"Read that the drives (Anchorage to Glenallen and Valdez to Fairbanks) are especially gorgeous (Richardson Hwy ?) Did I mention we're big fans of National Parks, including Wrangell"

My opinion, still no comparism to Glennallen/ Valdez which is far superior. Glennallen Fairbanks, way less so, and frankly some only so so scenery. It is worthwhile however to Drive 20+ miles in on the Denali Highway on the paved portion of the road.


As for an hour to Seward from Cooper Landing yes, but unless I had plans there- fishing is it- then I wouldn't add another 1 1/2-2 hours/day in transit. As mentioned there is a lot of hiking trails in the area, so certainly would be worthwhile to research. I believe the Alaska State parks has a trail link??

jd2jc

Thank you BudgetQueen and birder about the NFS trails.

As a follow-up, I booked the Three-for-Two Shuttle Pass by mailing in the form. According to NPS, this three-for-two pass is not yet available online.

BayouGal

We did a similar trip last May/June, and loved every minute of it! We did go ahead and do the Valdez drive, and ARE SO GLAD WE DID IT! Knock your eyes out gorgeous, and changes around every bend in the road. We saw the most moose and waterfalls on that part of the drive. We saw a lot of eagles in Valdez, but saw the most at Anchor Point on the Kenai--be sure to stop there--worth the short side trip. We got a kick out of the large tractor rigs launching boats, and counted over 50 eagles on the beach at one time.

I didn't see where you mentioned when you'll be in Alaska. We stayed at the Kenai Princess (one of our favorites while there) and did the drive to/fro Seward. It was not bad--very little traffic, but as I said, we were early in the season. Gets much worse, read slower, as the summer progresses with more motor homes on the highways.

IMHO, Copper River Princess is a GREAT stop for lunch (and the view), but you may find it ends your day too early if you choose to overnite there--and not that much to do in that area other than the hotel and the small museaum in Copper River. You could drive on to Valdez or McCarthy, depending on your plans.

BQ is right, not much between Healy and Delta Junction (by way of the paved highways, anyway) but the drive from Delta Junction to Valdez is lovely if the weather is nice. We had clouds, but we could still see the Alaska Range, but Wrangell-St. Elias was not visible until we returned from Valdez. The paved section of the Denali Highway from Paxson is DEFINITELY worth the time if you decide to take the route via Fairbanks to Valdez. Great cabins right at the turn off in Paxson owned and run by an Alaskan outdoor expert. The drive from Glennallen to Anchorage is not too great until the road gets closer to the Chugach Range again--nearer the Matanuska Glacier. However, coming from Anchorage, you get the pretty part first, then stare at Wrangell-St. Elias the rest of the way to Glennallen if the weather is clear.

Hope this helps!

BayouGal

Oops! Just noticed that you did say cruise in early June. Does that mean the last 2 weeks of June you'll be doing the land portion? If so, the drive to/from Seward may be a slow going one--something to consider if trying to make the NW Fjords long boat tour (best one IMHO). BQ & repete would be the best to ask.

jd2jc

Thanks BayouGirl for your suggestions.

Our cruise starts start May 27th, so we will be staying at the Kenai Princess in early June (7th to 10th), hopefully traffic won't be too congested.

Then drive through Anchorage to Glenallen and stay at the Copper River Princess for 2 nights, We will definitely take yours & BQ's advice to enjoy the drive to Valdez.

After that, we will drive north through Fairbanks to Healy for the Denali NP. If only the car rental agency allow driving through the Denali Hwy ... anyway, we do plan on driving the first 20 miles or so of paved section of Denali Hwy.

BQ recommend cutting a few days from my Kenai portion of the itinerary. If so, what/where would you recommend for the extra day(s) ?

thanks much!

BudgetQueen

What is your timing?? I would not head up the loop to Fairbanks without 2 days there, I would by pass it and go across the Glenn instead after a loop, Valdez is not a day trip from Glennallen, I would ferry over or from Whittier. See the Columbia Glacier, has the biggest and most calving, ice the size of apartment buildings. This is a highly scenic routing.

BayouGal

From the route it sounds like you are taking, IMHO, it is too much driving to drive from Valdez or Copper River all the way to DNP via Fairbanks. You could do it, but odds are you'd be very tired the next day (which may be your DNP shuttle bus ride?)and surely you will be doing some stopping and sightseeing along the drive--that Denali Hwy drive is 40 mis round trip, and I guarantee you'll be doing lots of stopping, if for nothing more than taking pictures. We stopped along the road near a lake right out of Paxson, and walked a little ways. I stumbled and found my booted foot completely sunken in an old grizzly print. No kidding--those impromtu stops to smell the roses are what you'll love and remember most of Alaska. Anyway, if you have time, break that drive up. Fairbanks may be worth a night to you, and as I said, we loved little Paxson but that stop may be too early in the day to work for you--we did it in the opposite direction.

BQ is so right, Valdez is too far to try to make it a day trip from Glennallen. Plus you would not do the Valdez drive or area justice trying to rush. If you can spend a couple of nights in Valdez, I highly recommend kayaking to a glacier there. You can get closer to Shoup but Columbia has the larger icebergs. We used both larger operators there, and they were equally good. I loved each glacier trip--and they each have their special qualities.

If you still have days left on your trip, then why not try to work in Kennicott Mines, or maybe just a flightseeing trip there, an overnight & tour, and back?

You might also try ice climbing at Matanuska. I loved that glacial area, although some Fodorites were not so impressed. I think it's just that it's so big and visible from the road, but it's a beauty, regardless.

BQ turned us on to so much of this that I'm sure she could offer much better, and more detailed, advice.

Have fun!

jd2jc

Once again, thank you BQ and BayouGirl for your opinions.

I didn't realize Valdez was that far from Copper River Princess Lodge that a day trip would still be "rushing" it. Guess we will look into lodging in Valdez.

Yes, driving all the way from Copper River to DNP via Fairbanks will be one long day, but we don't want to stay just one night in Fairbanks. Trying to reducing the "moving" between lodgings. Since Healy is ~120 miles from Fairbanks, might as well drive on through? Hopefully with the extended daylight, we can still enjoy the drives with stops along the way.

BudgetQueen

If you are looking at a single day drive from Copper Center to Denali Park via Fairbanks you are looking at close to 400 miles. I would instead suggest you look into getting a Denali Highway "approved" car and go that route. They are available from Anchorage, be certain, to NOTE every ding and take photos before you leave the lot. I have driven it, way way superior to your routing.

Since you have no plans to stop in Fairbanks, don't bother the so so scenery of that routing. You are also not factoring in construction which is a given. Last year 25 miles of the Parks was tore up and I ended up in a hour line, waiting for the 20 mph pilot car to return and escort.

The reason Valdez isn't really a day trip is so to enjoy the boat tours, hiking, kayaking which all are just excellent.

jd2jc

BQ, that's exactly what I'm researching for - a car rental agency that permits driving the Denali Hwy. So far, I'm located only one, Levi Car Rental near ANC. This would eliminate looping around Fairbanks, with a much more scenic, relatively shorter distance drive.

thanks!