FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Need suggesstions for a 11 day trip to Alaska
Old May 13, 2008 | 7:38 am
  #3  
FBKSan
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AS MPVG
Posts: 482
My first thought is that Day 6 could be a little heavy on the driving, depending on what you want to take photographs of. It's about 2 hours 30 minutes from Glennallen to Valdez and then another 6-ish hours to Anchorage. Depending on how early a start you get, that could leave you a decent amount of time in and around Valdez, or it might not.

The drive into Valdez is beautiful, though a valley with steep hills and some amazing waterfalls. There's also the Worthington Glacier on Thompson Pass, which is certainly worth a stop (or at least it was when I was younger). The city of Valdez is small and quirky, and since you're not fishing you may decide it's not all that interesting. At the same time, it's kind of a neat town, and there are some decent glacier cruises, hikes, etc.

Also, and others may disagree, if you're spending an entire day taking the bus trip to wonder lake, I'm not sure you'll need another day in Denali. If you are into hiking then you might want to set off on your own that day in the park, which could be fun. But there's not a whole lot more to see/do at the park besides the bus tours (except rafting or air tours, I suppose). Another option would be to take your time heading up to Fairbanks and park there. I'm biased (I grew up there), but a little extra time in Fairbanks could be enjoyable. The musk ox farm is interesting (and might be photo-worthy), as is the University museum. You can avoid the touristy stuff, for sure. But you may find that you want to stop from time to time on the drive from Denali to FBKS and on to Glennallen (which is a beautiful drive in some parts).

Last edited by FBKSan; May 13, 2008 at 7:45 am
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