Expert: Michael Donaldson - 3/29/2004

Question
Michael ,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Alaska beginning August 14th . We will be in the  Vancouver area for 2 days then board Princess cruise for a 7 day inside passage cruise , we dock in Whittier . We are planning to rent a car and have 8 days to sight see before returning home on te 31st ( from Anchorage ). We lived in Fairbanks for 2 years when we were in the service and want to visit there again but we are familiar with that area and don't need to spend a lot of time there . We want to spend time in Denali , at least 2 days . We are unsure as to which route to take to maximize our time . We enjoy photography but will not be able to do much if any hiking because of my back problems . What can you suggest , any help would be appreciated !
Thanks ,
Carolyn

Answer
Hello Carolyn!

First of all, allow me to apologize for just getting back to you. I've been unusually busy the past few days with both family-life and my job with the airlines...but I'm here now to answer your questions the best I can, so let's get started.

Sounds like you have a beautiful trip planned. (Personally, I haven't done an inside passage cruise yet, but have taken the Alaska Ferry from Haines to Juneau and then back up to Skagway)  Now, I happened to notice from your letter that you mentioned about going to Denali and wanted to know which route to take to maximize your time.  But, I was a little confused on the part about "what route to take". I'm assuming you meant the route from Whittier to Denali, since I'm sure you're familiar with the straight drive from Fairbanks down to Denali already.  If I assumed wrong, please e-mail me at my regular e-mail address that I'll provide for you at the end of my reply and let me know, ok?

Once you leave Whittier, you'll drive right by Portage Glacier to your left (nice stop for photos!)...and then you'll hook up to the Seward Highway and head north to Anchorage. About 30 miles up on that gorgeous highway and with the Turnagain Arm out your drivers window...look for signs for Beluga Point. It's a great place to stop and try your luck in catching a glimpse of swimming pods of white beluga whales...I've seen and filmed them and they're so neat to watch!

Once you get thru the city of Anchorage, you will be on the Glenn Highway and will drive thru Eagle River (nice ritzy area of Alaska) and then heading north towards the town of Wasilla, which is a great place to stop for lunch on your way to Denali National Park.  BUT...before you turn off the Glenn Highway on to the Parks Highway to Wasilla, I highly recommend visiting the town of Palmer first. It's famous for its giant-size vegetables, its "Swiss Alps" scenery, and a close up view of a muskox farm.  Trust me Carolyn, it's worth the trip!

The mountains will be breathtaking as you head north out of Wasilla. The Chugach Mountains to the east and the Talkeetna Mts. to the north, but the BIG mountains start about 70-80 miles past Wasilla where you'll bask in the majestic scenery of the Alaska Range (which includes Mt McKinley) to the northwest. I highly recommend taking a side-trip to the town of Talkeetna and charter a 1-2 hour plane ride over Mt McKinley and its neighboring mountain range. It will be something you will never ever forget. About 2-3 hours north of Anchorage, you will come to "the pearl of Alaska" - Denali National Park. I spent a lot of time inside that park doing my hiking and photography. You will have to park your car at the visitors center and take the bus in, but you can get off the bus where ever you like, go do some easy-going hiking if you'd like, and then just wave down the next bus that comes along when you're tired -- it's a very nice and easy system. The wildlife is in abundance in that park. I have seen wolves, moose, mountain goats, golden eagles, caribou, and of course grizzlies there. So you'll have much to take photos of, trust me.  Of course, you'll also see many of these animals OUTSIDE the park while driving around Alaska, SO KEEP THAT CAMERA READY AT YOUR SIDE!!  

Well, I hope that I helped you out some. Please drop me a short note to LASKANWLF@aol.com to let me know if I answered your questions or not. If you need any more information about "Gods Playground", I'll be right here. Take care, happy traveling, and be safe.

 Michael

p.s.  I forgot to mention earlier, but I, too, was stationed in Fairbanks while in the Air Force at Eielson AFB from 1989-1992.  I miss it up there tremendously!