One more question: If we leave Seward by 9:00 a.m. and do the stops and some hiking along the route (Bird Creek, Turnagain Arm, etc.) should we plan to go all the way to Talkeetna or stop in Willow. Or, are both of them too long a drive? The next day, we will go on to Denali.

We have only one night to play with, so if we make the Sheep Mountain to Valdez a two-night trip, then we probably need to go as far as Willow from Seward.

Thanks.

Not much in Willow, but the drive to Talkeetna would be a long one from Seward. If it's just for an overnight to break up the drive, then I guess it's up to how far you want to drive once you leave Seward. Stopping at the many great stops could easily eat up most of your day.

Yes, Bayougal, it is just to break up the drive, because I know we will be stopping at many points of interest. I was thinking of the Alaksan Host B & B in Willow. Of course, we could stop in Wasilla, but Willow is only another 26 miles.

If you don't want to overnight in Anchorage, then I'd stop where you found a B & B you like. After leaving Anchorage, that stretch until you get closer to Denali is somewhat boring scenery. We could actually see Denali that day so I literally flew down that road to try to get closer before it clouded over.

Then the next day you're going on to Denali? How much driving do you want to do prior to Denali? You could make that long drive (it's not like you'll be driving after dark LoL) to Denali, but you must consider the next day if you'll be on the school bus/shuttle bus in DNP. If we had 2 drivers, I'd do the whole thing, splitting the day between both drivers. But that is in hindsight based on the excellent weather we had on the day we were there last. Who knows what it may be like when you are there. And getting through Anchorage can be slow at times. Tough calls.

Thanks, Bayougal. I appreciate your always being so helpful.

We can either have an extra night going from Sheep Mountain to Valdez stopping in Copper Center and doing the Liberty Falls hike before we continue on with the hikes on the way to Valdez or an extra night getting to Denali.

I'm sorry, I know I've seen your itinerary but I can't remember - are you going to be spending any time in Anchorage? I will go look for your itinerary now, and get back to you.

Okay, which itinerary did you decide on, the first one or the alternate? Ah, heck, just cut and paste the most recent itinerary on this thread if you want to. Then we'll really fine tune that extra day/routing situation you are concerned about. Are you still going to Independence Mine and overnighting Hatcher's Pass?

BTW, whatever choices you make, it sounds like you are planning a top notch trip! I'd LOVE to go along on this one - looks like you are doing it all, and doing it well!

Caligirl discusses driving from Seward to Denali here: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34888943

Bless your heart, Bayougal. You are always so nice and positive. The lastest itinerary is below. Now, lest someone get upset with me, I will tell you that I also posted it on another thread for Pat2003 in answer to a question she asked.

I have one night to play with and can put it in either on the Anchorage to Sheep Mtn. to Valdez leg or the Seward to Denali leg. I have booked the bear trip for the 26th but probably can change it if I hurry.

Thank you for your interest and help.
If ever you want to visit the beautiful mountains of Virginia, please let me know and I'll return the favor.
6/20--Arrive Anchorage
Overnight Anchorage
6/21--Pick Up Car
Matanuska Glacier (We could do
Eagle River, Eklutna, Musk Ox
Farm here)
Overnight Sheep Mtn. (Or Copper
Center Princess?)
6/22--To Valdez:
Bridal Veil Falls; Horseshoe
Falls, Thompson Pass,
Worthington Glacier, Shoup or
Goat trail? (We do want to see
the museum and the hatchery)
Overnight Valdez Best Western
6/23--Kayak to Columbia Glacier
Overnight Valdez Best Western
6/24--Ferry to Whittier
To Homer
Overnight Homer
6/25--Emerald Air Bear Trip
Overnight Homer
6/26--Water taxi to Kachemak Bay SP--
Pratt Museum (back-up day for
bear trip)
Overnight Homer
6/27--To Seward
Hike to Russian River Falls
SeaLife Center
Overnight Seward
6/28--Kenai Fjords Cruise (probably 9
hrs.)
Overnight Seward
6/29--Exit Glacier/Hike to Harding Ice
Field
Overnight Seward
6/30--To Girdwood/Portage Visitor
Center/Tram/Hike
Overnight Girdwood
7/01--To Talkeetna/Bird Creek Trail,
Beluga Point, Turnagain Arm
Trail, Potter's Marsh, (time for
Eagle River, Eklutna if not
first day?)
McKinley Flightsee (if not
enough time for 7 pm flight,
will do the next morning
Overnight Talkeetna
7/02--McKinley Flightsee if not time
or weather conditions the night
before
To Denali National Park
Hikes at entrance/Sled Dog Demo
Overnight Denali
7/03--Shuttle to Fish Creek or Wonder
Lake (bugs too bad this time of
year?)
Overnight Denali
7/04--Ride shuttle; get off and hike
Overnight Denali
McKinley Flightsee if not
possible on way up
7/05--To Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine
Overnight Hatcher Pass Bed and
Breakfast (Or Hatcher Pass
Lodge)? Or in Palmer? Or back to
Anchorage?
7/06--Alaska Native Heritage Center;
Coastal Trail, Earthquake
Park/Other sites we didn't see:
Eagle River and/or Eklutna
Drop car at 7:15-7:30 for 10:05
p.m. flight

What a fabulous trip you have planned! You are going to have such a wonderful time!

Based on your itinerary, this juggling one day really is the least of all you've had to figure out. If it were me, I'd make reservations to accommodate all of my options on my extra day(s) at lodging that can be canceled day of, and cancel the option you see is not best for you when you get there and see what works. It'll be a little hassle keeping the paperwork and making phone calls but you'd be a little more flexible and not so tied down. Be sure you have the phone #s with you and a calling card to make those calls. (Cell phone may not have service.) We made reservations for each night, but didn't do 2 options per night with a couple of days I wasn't sure about ahead of time. We would have used our time more wisely had I done this, but it worked out fine anyway. You'll do fine whatever you choose.

6/21 My opinion only, I'd choose Sheep Mtn lodging, but again, this is where res at both Sheep Mtn & Cooper Ctr might pay off. If you don't spend as much time in Sheep Mtn area, then you might want to be on the road to Copper Center. Personally, I found Copper Center to be a nice sightseeing stop, not necessary to overnight unless doing Kennicott maybe. 6/22 might be a long day going from Sheep Mtn to Valdez (to include your worthwhile stops) but it'll be a great day. Maybe try to get an early start. The changing views and beautiful scenery will keep you refreshed.

7/1 Overnighting Girdwood, then going to Talkeetna for an overnight is an pretty easy drive.

7/3 Ask BQ about bugs. We went in June, and there weren't many bugs yet. But you could always get off the bus at Fish Creek if Denali is not out, and catch a shuttle back from there instead of going all the way to Wonder Lake.

7/5 All good options, I'd say choose the one that appeals to me most. For me, it'd be the H.P. Lodge, so DD would experience what it's like in cabins with outdoor johns.

Sounds like you've really done your homework, and I can see some of your routing is done due to availabilities, etc. Can hardly wait to see the trip report!!! ;-)

I hope this helps, but you've done a fine job with planning and research, so I think this will be the easiest of all your decisions.

To answer the basic question, yes go Seward to Talkeetna, there is nothing in Willow- but make your last grocery stop in Wasilla to load up for Denali Park. There is more in Talkeetna and it's a great funky town, good resturants and gives you better chances of flying, and an easy day to Denali Park.