Flying into ANCHORAGE in JULY of 2003. Looking to view grizzlies and lots of wildlife
Jan 15th, 2003, 09:43 AM
#1
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Flying into ANCHORAGE in JULY of 2003. Looking to view grizzlies and lots of wildlife
Where do you suggest we stay to view wildlife? We would like an upscale resort (if possible or great cabin)! We want to go somewhere that we can drive to from Anchorage.
What we want:
1) beauty beauty beauty
2) something near water
3) glaciers
4) view of grizzlies & other wildlife
5) great resort
Any and all suggestions will be most helpful
What we want:
1) beauty beauty beauty
2) something near water
3) glaciers
4) view of grizzlies & other wildlife
5) great resort
Any and all suggestions will be most helpful
Jan 15th, 2003, 10:17 AM
#2
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Can't recommend a specific place, but check out the town of Seward. You're just a boat ride away from Kenai Fjords National Park, which has all the beauty, wildlife, and glaciers you could want. Can't guarantee you'll see a grizzly -- or even ANY bear (they don't post their schedules) -- but the Kenai Peninsula has LOTS of wildlife.
Jan 15th, 2003, 10:26 AM
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No snide intended, Susan, but you and around a million other visitors.
The most reliable, driveable place for wildlife viewing will be Denali National Park, and in July most of the high-end accommodations available in or near the park (which isn't saying much) will be heavily booked already (mass pre-booking by the cruise ship lines in many cases.)
In view of the timing, I'd recommend you go to www.alaska.com and start reading up on the various parts of the state that are accessible by car from Anchorage, set your priorities (you can't have all your wants satisfied in one place, most likely), and start dialing!
Alternatively, find a travel agent or go through your airline (Alaska AL has excellent vacation planning services) and get on it pronto.
The most reliable, driveable place for wildlife viewing will be Denali National Park, and in July most of the high-end accommodations available in or near the park (which isn't saying much) will be heavily booked already (mass pre-booking by the cruise ship lines in many cases.)
In view of the timing, I'd recommend you go to www.alaska.com and start reading up on the various parts of the state that are accessible by car from Anchorage, set your priorities (you can't have all your wants satisfied in one place, most likely), and start dialing!
Alternatively, find a travel agent or go through your airline (Alaska AL has excellent vacation planning services) and get on it pronto.
Jan 15th, 2003, 02:18 PM
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By the sounds of your post, sounds like you want a one-stop resort near water, beautiful and nearby glaciers.
I second Denali. Some of the Princess Cruise Line "resort" hotels are nearby. One is right outside the entrance. I would not call it a "resort" but it caters to the picky cruise class and is actually nice. Check out their web site for lodging info. Most have the name Princess in the name.
Denali requires a reservation. Make one now (make many) and cancel later. If you wait, it may take you 2 days. You take a bus tour inside the park. (you can drive past first 15 miles) Find how to reserve at nps.gov/dena Take a long bus ride to Wonder Lake. Your chance of seeing bears and wildlife is greater the longer you are on the bus.
On your way, or nearby, grab a flightseeing trip to Denali and the surrounding glaciers. This will be your highlight.
Near Water? hmmmmm.. not sure about that.
The other suggestion of Seward was a good one. Exit Glacier is one you can drive to and actually 'touch' or if daring climb to an ice field. The Fjord tours give you great view of a glacier too, as well as wildlife.
Just south is Portgage Glacier. The most popular glacier because of its proximity to Anchorage (day trippers). make this your last resort plan.
Buy the Milepost. A 'mile by mile' travel book (and also web site). It has great travel tips and suggestions throughout.
I second Denali. Some of the Princess Cruise Line "resort" hotels are nearby. One is right outside the entrance. I would not call it a "resort" but it caters to the picky cruise class and is actually nice. Check out their web site for lodging info. Most have the name Princess in the name.
Denali requires a reservation. Make one now (make many) and cancel later. If you wait, it may take you 2 days. You take a bus tour inside the park. (you can drive past first 15 miles) Find how to reserve at nps.gov/dena Take a long bus ride to Wonder Lake. Your chance of seeing bears and wildlife is greater the longer you are on the bus.
On your way, or nearby, grab a flightseeing trip to Denali and the surrounding glaciers. This will be your highlight.
Near Water? hmmmmm.. not sure about that.
The other suggestion of Seward was a good one. Exit Glacier is one you can drive to and actually 'touch' or if daring climb to an ice field. The Fjord tours give you great view of a glacier too, as well as wildlife.
Just south is Portgage Glacier. The most popular glacier because of its proximity to Anchorage (day trippers). make this your last resort plan.
Buy the Milepost. A 'mile by mile' travel book (and also web site). It has great travel tips and suggestions throughout.
Jan 16th, 2003, 04:42 AM
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I agree that Denali is probably the best, but in my opinion the only way to do Denali is to stay at one of the couple of lodges waaaaaayyyyyy back in the park. You leave your car near the entrance and they will take you by bus nearly all day to the resort nearly 90 miles into Denali. I assure you that you will see wildlife. We loved Denali Backcountry Lodge, great "cabin" like rooms along a stream, a wonderful lodge building, great cocktail and happy hour with everyone sharing experiences, superb food served family style, and lots of options for hikes and day trips, all inclusive. Three nights there makes the best package.
We also enjoyed their sister property, Kenai Backcountry Lodge -- where you are taken there by a half day raft trip down the river and across a lake to the secluded cluster of cabins and lodge -- quite a small complex.
For a more typical resort, Aleyska just below Anchorage is nice, but more like a regular convention hotel.
We also enjoyed their sister property, Kenai Backcountry Lodge -- where you are taken there by a half day raft trip down the river and across a lake to the secluded cluster of cabins and lodge -- quite a small complex.
For a more typical resort, Aleyska just below Anchorage is nice, but more like a regular convention hotel.
Jan 16th, 2003, 06:13 AM
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Susan, it sounds like your plan and interests are similar to what me and my wife's was last June/July. We flew into Anchorage and drove most of our trip. I'll just list some of the highlights:
Land's End Resort in Homer - upscale resort (by Alaska standards, nothing there is the Peabody!) on the tip of the Homer spit (a skinny piece of land created by a retreating glacier) in the middle of a bay with balconies in most rooms and incredible 360 degree views of the water and surrounding mountains. We saw otters, seals, bald eagles and other wildlife from our balcony. The room rates are not that expensive and although we only stayed one night there, I wish we had stayed longer. The drive to Homer is also very interesting with several Russian settlements. Tide pooling in Homer was a real interesting experience. At a very low tide (-4) the intertidal zone near Bishop's Beach (coal point) is exposed and if you hike it (about 4 miles each way) you will see some very odd sea creatures in the pools as well as bald eagles taking advantage of the situation.
Cooper Landing - This is basically a fishing camp town where the Russian and Kenai Rivers converge on the Kenai Peninsula. In July the salmon are running upstream and you can hike the Russian River Trail to the falls and watch the many salmon jumping up them. Needless to say, watch for bears. We stayed at Gwin's Lodge, although that does not meet your upscale criteria. For that, there is a Princess Wilderness Lodge nearby.
Seward - We stayed at the Edgewater Hotel, which was somewhat upscale, but I don't think as nice as the Windsong. The Edgewater was walking distance to the Sealife Center though, and it had free internet access and continental breakfast in the lobby. None of the hotels in Seward, however, can compare to the Land's End Resort in Homer as far as a view goes. Highlights in Seward were the Godwin Glacier Dogsledding (helicopter to dogsled camp on a glacier and you get to drive the sled), the full-day Kenai Fjords boat tour (check to make sure that seas are not too rough before you depart - otherwise they will turn back at the mouth of the bay and give you only a partial refund and a tour of the bay) and Exit Glacier (2-3 hours max). Lots of wildlife (both marine and land) on this tour. Possibilities include orca, humpbacks, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and bears.
Denali- I agree that it the most sure-fire spot for wildlife. We did a package deal with Princess (the only package part of our trip) where we took the glass-domed Princess rail car from Anchorage to Denali and stayed at the Princess Lodge just outside of the main entrance. We did the full-day bus ride into the park as far as the visitors center. The highlight for us, however, was packing our backpacks with lunch and every kind of weather gear possible (it changes fast) and taking a 5-hour hike across a valley to the base of a glacier. Hiking is the only way to get away from everyone else. The only drawback to Princess, is that you get thrown in with the "follow the person in front of you" cruise crowd and Princess expects you to go with their excursion packages rather than just go and do it on your own. Princess definitely had that summer camp feel to it.
All in all, we had a great vacation, but I must say that we enjoyed the Kenai Peninsula more than the area around Denali. We found that area more diverse and the terrain more interesting. I think 2 nights at Denali with one full day in the park is sufficient.
Good luck and have fun.
Land's End Resort in Homer - upscale resort (by Alaska standards, nothing there is the Peabody!) on the tip of the Homer spit (a skinny piece of land created by a retreating glacier) in the middle of a bay with balconies in most rooms and incredible 360 degree views of the water and surrounding mountains. We saw otters, seals, bald eagles and other wildlife from our balcony. The room rates are not that expensive and although we only stayed one night there, I wish we had stayed longer. The drive to Homer is also very interesting with several Russian settlements. Tide pooling in Homer was a real interesting experience. At a very low tide (-4) the intertidal zone near Bishop's Beach (coal point) is exposed and if you hike it (about 4 miles each way) you will see some very odd sea creatures in the pools as well as bald eagles taking advantage of the situation.
Cooper Landing - This is basically a fishing camp town where the Russian and Kenai Rivers converge on the Kenai Peninsula. In July the salmon are running upstream and you can hike the Russian River Trail to the falls and watch the many salmon jumping up them. Needless to say, watch for bears. We stayed at Gwin's Lodge, although that does not meet your upscale criteria. For that, there is a Princess Wilderness Lodge nearby.
Seward - We stayed at the Edgewater Hotel, which was somewhat upscale, but I don't think as nice as the Windsong. The Edgewater was walking distance to the Sealife Center though, and it had free internet access and continental breakfast in the lobby. None of the hotels in Seward, however, can compare to the Land's End Resort in Homer as far as a view goes. Highlights in Seward were the Godwin Glacier Dogsledding (helicopter to dogsled camp on a glacier and you get to drive the sled), the full-day Kenai Fjords boat tour (check to make sure that seas are not too rough before you depart - otherwise they will turn back at the mouth of the bay and give you only a partial refund and a tour of the bay) and Exit Glacier (2-3 hours max). Lots of wildlife (both marine and land) on this tour. Possibilities include orca, humpbacks, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and bears.
Denali- I agree that it the most sure-fire spot for wildlife. We did a package deal with Princess (the only package part of our trip) where we took the glass-domed Princess rail car from Anchorage to Denali and stayed at the Princess Lodge just outside of the main entrance. We did the full-day bus ride into the park as far as the visitors center. The highlight for us, however, was packing our backpacks with lunch and every kind of weather gear possible (it changes fast) and taking a 5-hour hike across a valley to the base of a glacier. Hiking is the only way to get away from everyone else. The only drawback to Princess, is that you get thrown in with the "follow the person in front of you" cruise crowd and Princess expects you to go with their excursion packages rather than just go and do it on your own. Princess definitely had that summer camp feel to it.
All in all, we had a great vacation, but I must say that we enjoyed the Kenai Peninsula more than the area around Denali. We found that area more diverse and the terrain more interesting. I think 2 nights at Denali with one full day in the park is sufficient.
Good luck and have fun.
Jan 16th, 2003, 06:24 AM
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Susan,
Paul's post on Seward and the Kenai is on target. It is where you will see the most wild life and greatest beauty. Denali has never been a favorite of mine. You would need to stay in the park and do a lot of hiking to realy get a feel for it. Most people just take the 4 or 8 hour school bus ride with the driver pointing out small dots in the distance and telling you that that is a grizzly. Your final view of Denali will be about 35 miles from the mountain. Sorry but I can't think of any "upscale resort" in Alaska. Good luck
Paul's post on Seward and the Kenai is on target. It is where you will see the most wild life and greatest beauty. Denali has never been a favorite of mine. You would need to stay in the park and do a lot of hiking to realy get a feel for it. Most people just take the 4 or 8 hour school bus ride with the driver pointing out small dots in the distance and telling you that that is a grizzly. Your final view of Denali will be about 35 miles from the mountain. Sorry but I can't think of any "upscale resort" in Alaska. Good luck
Jan 16th, 2003, 06:35 AM
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My favorite part of Alaska is the Copper River Basin and Wrangell St. Elias National Park. a fly in to McCarthy and Kennicot is the trip of a life time. Check out this great bed and breakfast in Glennallen...spectacular views and wonderfull host: http://www.alaskan.com/caribouhotel/hillhouse.htm
Jan 16th, 2003, 12:17 PM
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I agree with the advice about the Kenai. The scenery is the most awesome we saw and then you have the ocean with the boat tours that show you glaciers and marine wildlife.
We did several grizzlies and lots of caribou and moose in Denali but like the Kenai much better.
I never saw any resorts or hotels that I would call great. Some are just nicer than others.
We did several grizzlies and lots of caribou and moose in Denali but like the Kenai much better.
I never saw any resorts or hotels that I would call great. Some are just nicer than others.
Jan 16th, 2003, 12:18 PM
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I agree with the advice about the Kenai. The scenery is the most awesome we saw and then you have the ocean with the boat tours that show you glaciers and marine wildlife.
We did see several grizzlies and lots of caribou and moose in Denali but like the Kenai much better. Do a search on Denali to get lots of good tips on surviving the day.
I never saw any resorts or hotels that I would call great. Some are just nicer than others.
We did see several grizzlies and lots of caribou and moose in Denali but like the Kenai much better. Do a search on Denali to get lots of good tips on surviving the day.
I never saw any resorts or hotels that I would call great. Some are just nicer than others.
Feb 7th, 2003, 09:36 PM
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Strangely enough, what Susan is looking for does exist... less the road.
Susan, grizzlies and roads/civilization do not cohabitate well. Yes, we see the occasional bear along the highways, and in our yards, but they are generally transient ... just passing through.
To view them with any degree of success, you need to be willing to spend your time where they are and not expecting them to show up at the specific moment in time that you are traveling around that one special corner in the road.
As for drive to resorts, none come to mind. This is because it is a very niched market, and not profitable for an Alaskan property owner who will see no winter revenues from it. ...
But... and here is the good news, resorts DO exist in Alaska! Lots of them. They are where they are because of the "beauty, beauty, beauty" .... The greater percentage of them are on the "water" Either a large lake, or the ocean. And, as it happens, where there is water, there is fish, and fish mean "grizzlies."
Some of these resorts pamper you like a fragile egg shell and have chefs, and stewards, and you name it. Others are more lodge-like and allow you sernetiy and opportunity without actually tying your shoes for you.
I'd search areas like Lake Clark, Illiamna, Kodiak Island, and Prince William Sound. All of which could be done for a few days and then return to Anchorage for a bit of driving and etc.
Susan, grizzlies and roads/civilization do not cohabitate well. Yes, we see the occasional bear along the highways, and in our yards, but they are generally transient ... just passing through.
To view them with any degree of success, you need to be willing to spend your time where they are and not expecting them to show up at the specific moment in time that you are traveling around that one special corner in the road.
As for drive to resorts, none come to mind. This is because it is a very niched market, and not profitable for an Alaskan property owner who will see no winter revenues from it. ...
But... and here is the good news, resorts DO exist in Alaska! Lots of them. They are where they are because of the "beauty, beauty, beauty" .... The greater percentage of them are on the "water" Either a large lake, or the ocean. And, as it happens, where there is water, there is fish, and fish mean "grizzlies."
Some of these resorts pamper you like a fragile egg shell and have chefs, and stewards, and you name it. Others are more lodge-like and allow you sernetiy and opportunity without actually tying your shoes for you.
I'd search areas like Lake Clark, Illiamna, Kodiak Island, and Prince William Sound. All of which could be done for a few days and then return to Anchorage for a bit of driving and etc.
Feb 14th, 2003, 05:33 PM
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We were in Alaska in July of these year.
We also drove from Anchorage and took in Seward and Homer.
The Drive to Seward really has got to be one of the most beautiful drives anywhere.Do check out Exit Glacier it was great.
As for Brown Bears, You can take a day tour out of Homer that will take you to them.They fly you in by Float plane.Yes it is spendy but worth every dime if you can swing it.In July, the Bears will probably be at Brooks Falls fishing for Salmon.There is Rangers there,and you can view the mighty Bears ( lots of them)at Very Close Range.
You might want to look at bearviewing.net. It is the Brooks Falls web site and you can get an idea of what it is like there.You can't book the Homer Bear day trips from this site however.I am not such of the name of the outfits in Homer. I think it might be emerald Air and the other one might be Bald Mountain tours.If you do a web search you should be able to find them.
Another great thing we did in Homer was to do a Whale Watch day trip with Rainbow tours (www.Rainbowtour.net).The Hump back Whales were there. I must say that to was a day we will remember for ever. We saw 40 plus Whales, and many of them Breached ( came up out of the water)for us.We also took the day fjords tour out of Seward and never saw one whale.So we were stunned at what we saw right out of Homer.
We also took a nice little trip over to Halibut Cove on the very Cute Boat Called the Danny J.It was a very nice way to spend an afternoon. Also highly recommend this if you have time.We booked this at www.centralcharter.com.
Hope this is helpful. You will have a great trip. Alaska has all the beauty you are looking for.
We also drove from Anchorage and took in Seward and Homer.
The Drive to Seward really has got to be one of the most beautiful drives anywhere.Do check out Exit Glacier it was great.
As for Brown Bears, You can take a day tour out of Homer that will take you to them.They fly you in by Float plane.Yes it is spendy but worth every dime if you can swing it.In July, the Bears will probably be at Brooks Falls fishing for Salmon.There is Rangers there,and you can view the mighty Bears ( lots of them)at Very Close Range.
You might want to look at bearviewing.net. It is the Brooks Falls web site and you can get an idea of what it is like there.You can't book the Homer Bear day trips from this site however.I am not such of the name of the outfits in Homer. I think it might be emerald Air and the other one might be Bald Mountain tours.If you do a web search you should be able to find them.
Another great thing we did in Homer was to do a Whale Watch day trip with Rainbow tours (www.Rainbowtour.net).The Hump back Whales were there. I must say that to was a day we will remember for ever. We saw 40 plus Whales, and many of them Breached ( came up out of the water)for us.We also took the day fjords tour out of Seward and never saw one whale.So we were stunned at what we saw right out of Homer.
We also took a nice little trip over to Halibut Cove on the very Cute Boat Called the Danny J.It was a very nice way to spend an afternoon. Also highly recommend this if you have time.We booked this at www.centralcharter.com.
Hope this is helpful. You will have a great trip. Alaska has all the beauty you are looking for.
Feb 14th, 2003, 08:29 PM
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It is interesting reading about you guys just taking a hike in the woods of Alaska. I lived there, in Cordova, for 3 years when I was younger, and no one around there took those walks without a gun for protection. Maybe it is different in the parks?
Just driving around, most every day we would see either bears, moose, bald eagles, etc. My dad was a bush pilot up there who delivered the mail to remote parts and also did charters. You can see the most scenic and incredible parts by plane. We used floats mostly and skis, depending on the destination and time of year. From the plane you'd see the whales migrating, glaciers, mountain passes, mountain goats, bears, moose, etc. in the deep wilderness.
One more thing, the summers in Alaska are terrible for mosquitoes. Worse than anywhere else I've been (including the tropics). Make sure you are well stocked with OFF! and clothing to protect you.
Just driving around, most every day we would see either bears, moose, bald eagles, etc. My dad was a bush pilot up there who delivered the mail to remote parts and also did charters. You can see the most scenic and incredible parts by plane. We used floats mostly and skis, depending on the destination and time of year. From the plane you'd see the whales migrating, glaciers, mountain passes, mountain goats, bears, moose, etc. in the deep wilderness.
One more thing, the summers in Alaska are terrible for mosquitoes. Worse than anywhere else I've been (including the tropics). Make sure you are well stocked with OFF! and clothing to protect you.
Feb 15th, 2003, 07:48 AM
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Hi, Quinty,
Just thought I would answer your question about the Bears. The Bears really are not at all interested in people.As long as you don't have food on you and give them their space,they seem to leave you alone too.It is a matter of respect. At Brooks Falls they give everyone who visits, a briefing on how to behave around the Bears.It really is an amazing place.
Just thought I would answer your question about the Bears. The Bears really are not at all interested in people.As long as you don't have food on you and give them their space,they seem to leave you alone too.It is a matter of respect. At Brooks Falls they give everyone who visits, a briefing on how to behave around the Bears.It really is an amazing place.
Feb 15th, 2003, 02:10 PM
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Susan,
I did find the web site for Bald Mountain air in Homer. If you or anyone else is interested in their trips to see the Brown Bear. www.ptialaska.net/~baldmt/home.htm
I did find the web site for Bald Mountain air in Homer. If you or anyone else is interested in their trips to see the Brown Bear. www.ptialaska.net/~baldmt/home.htm
Feb 16th, 2003, 03:03 PM
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Dottie,
I agree that basic safety precautions will solve most of those problems, but reading where people packed a lunch and took a 5 hour hike?
Scary!
In Cordova we had a lot of bear activity. Like I said, maybe the parks were different. Also, people should stay away from the berry bushes (salmonberries and blueberries) where the bears like to hang out.
We found a few there when we were picking berries for jams.
I agree that basic safety precautions will solve most of those problems, but reading where people packed a lunch and took a 5 hour hike?
Scary!
In Cordova we had a lot of bear activity. Like I said, maybe the parks were different. Also, people should stay away from the berry bushes (salmonberries and blueberries) where the bears like to hang out.
We found a few there when we were picking berries for jams.
