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Q. Denali and Kenai Fjords...
Asked by John Black
(K=1047) on 12/31/2002
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I will be going to the Great White North in a couple months. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what to see where to go. We are planning on several days in Denali as well as Valdez, Seward, and Whistler. Thanks again guys.
JB
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Steve Kaufman
(K=2748) - Comment Date 1/1/2003
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John, you didn't say when you were planning your trip. Depending on the time of the year, there are advantages to different areas. Why Valdez? What do you plan to do in Whitier (I'm assuming you didn't mean Whistler)? What have you planned for Denali? Camping or lodging? What are your interests? Seeing mammals, birds, or landscapes?
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John Black
(K=1047) - Comment Date 1/1/2003
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Whittier... Sorry about that. We are tentatively planning on Alaska in the End of May beginning of June. We are planning on renting an RV and camping within the park. Hopefully (we are chasing them down now) camping in the interior of Denali. Goal is to shoot mammals and landscape. I have been there once, but we rushed through. This time we are planning on 4 days in Denali then nights in Valdez, Whittier, and Seward near the tail end of the trip. Thinking in Kenai, possibly taking a couple of boat trips into the fjords and also possibly hiking near exit and portage glacier. Are there any cool spots that I have not considered? Have 14 days total. Thanks.
JB
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John Black
(K=1047) - Comment Date 1/1/2003
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Sigh... Hold tight, I think some members of my group just changed those Alaska plans. Thanks for the help.
JB
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Steve Kaufman
(K=2748) - Comment Date 1/8/2003
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John, things got sort of crazy here, and I forgot to come back and answer some of your questions. If you aren't traveling to Alaska this summer after all, well maybe this will help in the future, or help other people. May is a bit early for the interior of the state. Early May is spectacular (1-6th) for shorebird migration in places like Homer's Kachemak Bay and in Cordova at Hartney Bay. Whales also pass by in May, and trips to view them leave from Seward. The main "tourist season" begins in mid June.
Denali has a limited access road. Travel is restricted pretty much to bus travel which the park provides (under contract) for a fee. You are allowed to drive to your campground, but only as far as Teklanika Campground. A motor home may only be used in Riley Creek (park entrance), Savage (mile 12) and Teklanika (mile 28). Sanctuary (mile 22) Igloo (mile 32) and Wonder Lake (mile 87) are tent only campgrounds that require taking a bus.
There are lodges at both ends of the park road. They are pretty expensive, and normally full (require reservations).
Seward is the main gate to the Kenai Fiords. There are a number of boat companies taking trips into the Fiords. The Northwestern Lagoon (a long day trip) is one of the highlights of the park.
Whitier is the entrance to Prince William Sound, a spectacular area of fiords, glaciers and marine wildlife. There are boat trips in the Sound, but not quite as organized as Seward yet. The state ferry leaves from Whitier and runs to Cordova and Valdez.
One thing to remember is Alaska is a large state. From Denali to Seward would take about 9-10 hours of driving. From Valdez to Anchorage, it's a very long drive, or a 12 hour ferry ride. There is always the temptation to try to "see it all", but in Alaska it's often best to intimately explore one or two areas on a trip, and make plans for future trips to see more regions.
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