Originally Posted by
carsnoceans
Thank you so much for the detailed post. Very insightful.
Just couple of additional bits that might help in getting some recommendations.... I'll be there in from 21st to 26th (Aug). I am traveling with a buddy of mine (no family/kids) so mobility factor is high. However, neither of us expected the accommodation, tours or interstate flights to be that high.
1. I did a quick search for Kenai Fjord NP tours. Its $150/pp for 6-8hr tours. Seems a bit pricey but so does everything else. Any recommendations?
2. Is Harding Icefield hike around Exit Glacier? As I understand the Harding Icefield trail ends on the top of the glacier... not sure if it's some other glacier.
4. Whittier > Kenai Fjords NP cruise?
5. Is Northern Lights a possibility in this season (and timeframe)? I believe, there would be some travel required.
6. Kotzebue sounds fantastic. But $300 in airfare and $389/night in hotel is too much. That's over $1000 in additional travel and accommodation.
If Denali NP is out, how about Homer? I could go from Seward to Homer rather than going north. Would it be a good destination for late Aug? Perhaps make it sort of a road trip... Anchorage -> Seward -> Homer ->Coopers Landing -> Anchorage.
As you are already seeing, there are lots of options and opinions for your trip. I still am uncertain of your dates - you arrive at 4am on the 21st and depart just after midnight on Aug 26th? Or is it just after midnight on Aug 25th?
The Kenai Fjords National Park 6 hour or longer tour is definitely worth it. Do a search for some coupons. Toursaver and Northern Lights coupon books have some coupons that even with the cost of the book could make it worth it.
Harding Icefield Trail is an all-day (+-6 hour round trip) hike. Very good hike and strenuous (3,000 foot elevation gain). But it takes a huge chunk of time.
Personally I think Denali NP is worth a trip but only if you spend 1-2 nights and only if you get on a shuttle bus (not tour bus) at least to Eielson Visitor Center. This is an 8 hour bus ride and gives you incredible scenery and an excellent chance of wildlife sightings, especially in late August. Late August is peak fall color time in Denali too, which is my favorite time to be in the park. You can almost always find lodging in Healy (10 miles north of the park - denalichamber.com is a good place to start) or south of the park near Carlo Creek, also listed on the denali chamber site.
Northern Lights could possibly be seen from southcentral or interior Alaska in late August. Denali is as good as Fairbanks and last Aug/Sep I saw them multiple times from Denali.
Personally I think you miss a lot if you don't head to Denali in late August. The T Shirts say 30% of the visitors see Mt. McKinley but that is a PR ploy. I saw it 19 of my first 20 times in the park but those who work hard to see it get rewarded. I drive into the park late in the evening when the chances are better. I am on buses all day, sometimes early and sometimes late, when it is also more likely to see it. I camp inside the park and that also greatly increases the chances.
Nothing against small plane trips in Alaska - they are definitely one of the best ways to see Alaska (as are small boats, thus the Kenai Fjords recommendation).
Maybe something like this:
Aug 21 arrive, sleep, head to Seward, Exit Glacier
Aug 22 8am Kenai Fjords tour, finished by 2pm, drive to Girdwood, Anchorage or Eagle River, overnight
Aug 23 drive to Denali with stop in Talkeetna (flightseeing?)
Aug 24 shuttle bus to Eielson
Aug 25 drive to Anchorage, fly out at midnight if that is accurate
Figure 3 hours to drive between Anchorage and Seward. Figure 6 hours to drive between Anchorage and Denali with stops, construction, etc.