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Started By
Message
Heading to Anchorage next Friday
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:27 pm
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:27 pm
I have 4 nights and 3 days to explore the area. It's basically a bucket list trip, thanks to CuseTiger's weekly cheap airfare threads ($310 RT from MSY).
The first night and morning, we'll drive to Seward, check out the area, see the Sealife Center, go on a Grey whale cruise. I was hoping to drive to Exit Glacier that afternoon, but it looks like the access road will still be closed. If the weather is clear in Whittier, we may check out Portage Glacier.
We'll end up in Anchorage that night and we're pretty much open after that. The Aurora Forecast is looking good for a couple days, so we're praying for clear skies. We plan to watch the weather/aurora forecast and stay in Talkeetna on what looks like the best night.
This trip will basically be just explore/photography type of trip. Are there any must-see places that you would recommend (places to eat, photograph, general cool things to see)?
The first night and morning, we'll drive to Seward, check out the area, see the Sealife Center, go on a Grey whale cruise. I was hoping to drive to Exit Glacier that afternoon, but it looks like the access road will still be closed. If the weather is clear in Whittier, we may check out Portage Glacier.
We'll end up in Anchorage that night and we're pretty much open after that. The Aurora Forecast is looking good for a couple days, so we're praying for clear skies. We plan to watch the weather/aurora forecast and stay in Talkeetna on what looks like the best night.
This trip will basically be just explore/photography type of trip. Are there any must-see places that you would recommend (places to eat, photograph, general cool things to see)?
5
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:29 pm to LSU Tigershark
Fly fishing for huge Alaska fish would be taking up all of my time. Everyone I know who has gone to Alaska said it is friggin amazing. Jealous that you are going.
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:32 pm to LSU Tigershark
I am going in August to a lot of the same places you are going. Instead of staying in anchorage we are staying in girdwood, at the alyeska mountain resort.
Please post some follow up info and pics, I'd be very curious to see what you do.
Please post some follow up info and pics, I'd be very curious to see what you do.
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:35 pm to JumpingTheShark
I'd be more into halibut fishing, but it would just be too long of a drive and take an entire day for a couple hours of fishing. April is too early to fish the streams. I believe salmon run in late May/June.
I'm hoping to see some glaciers, some wildlife, a peek at Denali, and the northern lights to top everything off
I'm hoping to see some glaciers, some wildlife, a peek at Denali, and the northern lights to top everything off
Posted on 4/14/16 at 2:38 pm to RonFNSwanson
quote:
Instead of staying in anchorage we are staying in girdwood, at the alyeska mountain resort.
I think there's an animal refuge near Girdwood that we might go see that has a lot of native animals...moose, bears, muskox, etc. We might check it out
Posted on 4/14/16 at 2:41 pm to LSU Tigershark
As far as places to eat, Moose's Tooth, Humpy's, and Glacier Brewhouse are always a great meal.
Posted on 4/14/16 at 3:06 pm to 3deadtrolls
Is the reindeer sausage any good up there? I'm interested in trying some different foods that you can't really find down here
Posted on 4/14/16 at 5:43 pm to LSU Tigershark
I've had it in the airport, but that's about it. It's all about seafood up there.
Posted on 4/14/16 at 11:04 pm to 3deadtrolls
I'll definitely have some fresh halibut. I've never been a fan of salmon.
I'd like to try some king crabs, but I've heard that they're still crazy expensive there, because they aren't exactly "local." They come from the far West Alaska, so you don't get a local price you would expect
I'd like to try some king crabs, but I've heard that they're still crazy expensive there, because they aren't exactly "local." They come from the far West Alaska, so you don't get a local price you would expect
Posted on 4/18/16 at 5:40 pm to LSU Tigershark
Bump for any more recommendations
Posted on 4/18/16 at 8:53 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
I think there's an animal refuge near Girdwood that we might go see that has a lot of native animals...moose, bears, muskox, etc. We might check it out
The old townsite of Portage, near the turnoff to the Portage Glacier. Bear Valley is spectacular but don't go out of your way to see the Portage Glacier. Stop by Girdwood on your way to Anchorage
I'm surprised Exit glacier is closed, not much snow this year. If you can do a day cruise to Kenai Fjords, do it.
North of Anchorage Hatchers Pass is gorgeous. You can drive the Fishook red and come out at Willow which is just South of Talkeetna . Catch sight of the Dr Suess house if you can. Talkeetna Is an awesome place if you can beat the hordes coming up on organized tours. Just sit by the River for an amazing view of Foraker and Denali. I could easily live in Talkeetna
Dr Suess house. Some lawyer built it. He looks like Santa Clause
This post was edited on 4/18/16 at 9:12 pm
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:12 pm to RogerTheShrubber
When you say don't go see Portage glacier, do you mean don't try to see it from the town of Portage? It's my understanding that it isn't visible from Portage due to receding. My plan was to hike to the top of Portage Pass Trail, to get views of Portage glacier and Whittier. That's only if Whittier weather looks clear. Let me know if you think that's a bad idea. 
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:15 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Sunday night looks to be a very strong aurora forecast. Would Talkeetna be a good spot to have some decent scenery for northern lights photography with low noise pollution? Or do you know of a better area, not too far from there or Anchorage?
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:36 pm to LSU Tigershark
Talkeetna is perfect. Amazing little town, good view of the aurora. , little light pollution, great view of Denali and awesome people
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:40 pm to LSU Tigershark
Weather willing do the hike. You can't see the glacier from the visitor center anymore.
I was offered a job at the Ferry Terminal in Whittier as a Manager, but turned it down. I'd be there now if I had taken it. There are some fantastic glacier day cruises from Whittier to black stone Bay and College Fjord too
I was offered a job at the Ferry Terminal in Whittier as a Manager, but turned it down. I'd be there now if I had taken it. There are some fantastic glacier day cruises from Whittier to black stone Bay and College Fjord too
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:41 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I'll probably find a cheap place in Talkeetna on what looks like the clearest night with the best aurora forecast. Are bears out of hibernation yet? I'm hoping to get some decent wildlife shots...moose, bears, eagles, whales, puffins, porcupine, etc
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:57 pm to LSU Tigershark
Two maulings in the past week. One off the Denali Hwy and a teacher got mauled on a school outing near Haines today. It's going to be a bad year. I've got some good pix of black bears though, usually don't see many til May
This post was edited on 4/18/16 at 10:03 pm
Posted on 4/18/16 at 10:02 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
I'll probably find a cheap place in Talkeetna on what looks like the clearest night with the best aurora forecast.
Lots of mountaineers use Talkeetna as the jumping off point to Denali. There are a couple of roadhouses there that are neat because you can hang out with them .
If you have a large budget, the Talkeetna Lodge has an incredible view of Denali but it's expensive. The roadhouses are more to my liking
Posted on 4/19/16 at 5:34 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Two maulings in the past week.
I'll try to avoid that
Posted on 4/24/16 at 8:43 pm to RogerTheShrubber
So far, we've seen whales, Eagles, mountain goats, caribou, seals, sea lions, Prince William Sound, Resurrection Bay, Denali National Park, great view of Mount McKinley (Denali).... All in a day and a half. We're going back to Denali park after having a bite to hopefully see some bears. I'm really hoping to see the lights tonight. So far it's looking good
I have some really good pics so far. I'll post an update in a few days with them
I have some really good pics so far. I'll post an update in a few days with them
This post was edited on 4/24/16 at 8:47 pm
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