internetwiz

I am trying to figure out how many days I need to spend in Wrangell-St. Elias and also fit a trip to Denali in my itinerary. I have six night between the two places.

How long should I plan on staying in Wrangell-St. Elias? I'd like to do some hiking there and some sort of flightseeing trip.

What is a "doable" stopover point on the way to Denali (via the Glenn Highway)? I was looking at Sheep Mountain or Palmer.

Any help or reality-check would be appreciated.

BudgetQueen

Wrangell-St. Elias- where are you headed??? If McCarthy/Kennicott 2 nights there- BUT usually no major rental car agency will let you drive there, consider flying in. I would break up the drive by getting to Talkeetna, there is nothing in Palmer. And flight options are excellent for McKinley viewing. If you want to break it up another day- then add Sheep Mt. Consider a glacier hike at Matanuska Glacier- cheap adventure at $60pp. Great eats at the Copper landing Roadhouse and the Brown Bear Roadhouse in Glennallen. Then 2 nights at Denali Park.

internetwiz

Yes, we're headed to Kennicott. Affordable Car Rental will let you drive their cars on the McCarthy Road although I'm worried about what happens if you have a flat.

I was concerned that Talkeetna was too far to drive from Kennicott. Do you have any idea as to how long it would take to drive there? I think the McCarthy Road is about 3 hours by itself. How long would it take to get from Sheep Mountain to Healy?

I'll look into Matanuska Glacier. That sounds interesting but not sure if we'll be "glaciered-out" by then.

Thanks for all your postings, Budget Queen. They've really been helpful in my planning.

BudgetQueen

Kennicott is about 100 miles from the Richardson with about 65 of the unpaved. Yes it could take you 3 hours. Be certain to verify the rental restrictions- sometimes they have mph limits too, most important- purchase all the additional waviers, credit card insurance won't cover anything and I know my auto insurance won't either. Verify directly with your insurance. You are on your own with a flat, I don't even recall any services after Chitina???? Also a big problem is cracked windshields, another strong reason to purchase all the extra waivers. You are probably 6 hours from Talkeetna??? And another 3++ Talkeetna - Denali Park. I wasn't real clear but the gem at Matanuska Glacier is the possibility of a great glacier trekk, a whole lot cheaper than the fly ins.

internetwiz

I have the rental agreement. The only restricted road is north of Livengood. Affordable is even cited in Moon's as being the only rental company that allows cars on the McCarthy. I plan on buying all the extra insurance and I think I might be able to add something on to my regular insurance policy, too.

I contacted some of the B&Bs in the Matanuska area. Is there any place that you would recommend?

Pat2003

Sheep Mtn Lodge is a great place to stay. It is a spotless and very close to Matanuska glacier

Clousie

We stayed at Tundra Rose B&B, which is even closer to Mantanuska Glacier. It was quite nice and had a view of the glacier right from the room.

Since you don't seem deterred from driving unpaved roads, I'd strongly suggest that you go over Hatcher Pass. The road is newly paved on the way up, but unpaved on the other side. Nice hikiing trails and an inn at the top. Unfortunately, we didn't stay there so can't make any comments about it.

internetwiz

Is Hatcher Pass the road that goes between Palmer and Willow (it's not labeled on any of my maps)? I like your suggestion Clousie. And we do like to take the back roads so Hatcher Pass sounds great. I had already contacted Tundra Rose and was strongly considering them because of their location, so thanks for the recommendation.

Clousie

Yes, it is the road that goes between Palmer and Willow. My travel info is packed away at the moment, but I think the state map from Alaska should have it marked. It passes by the Independance Mine State Historical Park, which we found to be quite interesting, too. Hatcher Pass Lodge is right next to it.

After staying at Tundra Rose, we spent the day around Hatcher Pass and hiking before spending our next several nights at a good B&B in Willow. We had decided that Denali National Park wasn't where we wanted to go to ride on a bus for several hours. So found that Willow was a good, peaceful base from which we explored Denali State Park and Talkeetna area.

internetwiz

Clousie,

What B&B did you stay at in Willow? Did you like it?

We've had second thoughts about going to Denali and sitting on a bus for 8 hours. I think we're going to opt for a flightseeing trip from Talkeetna and do some hiking in the area.

BudgetQueen

Yes certainly determine your interests but by far Denali Park is a highlight of Alaska travel and greatly enjoyed by many, hiking is superior there in my experience. The scenery by no contest is supurb. 8 hours is nothing and if wildlife is of interest- this is your best opportunity (brochures are greatly enhanced on wildlife sighings, you definately need tours). Myself, I would not choose Talkeetna over Denali Park, Talkeetna is worth an overnight or a stop for dinner etc and certainly flights are just excellent for McKinley views, but the real gem is Denali Park to at least Eielson, again my opinion only.

Wildflower

I agree with BudgetQueen, don't scratch Denali from your itinerary. It is a very special place.
I would do
*Wrangell-St Elias 3 nights (never been there but planning to go next summer and stay 5 nights)
*Sheep Mtn Lodge 1 night (stayed there last July, it is a spotlees place with great hosts and close to Matanuska Glacier. We had a cabin #10)
*Denali 2 nights