Things to do in ANC
#31
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Posts: 62
Where's Prominence Point and Bodenburg Butte? You're making me feel like an outsider in my own town! :D
The road to Exit Glacier's only a couple miles long. The rental car companies don't care about those. They want you to stay off of the long gravel highways (Denali, Dalton, Dempster, etc.) to save wear and tear on their cars. A couple miles isn't going to hurt.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...28453&t=h&z=16
Bodenburg Butte is a popular Palmer hiking destination. Take the Glenn Hwy to the Old Glenn Hwy. Drive almost to Palmer. You'll see a huge hill soaring to the left of the highway. That's the Butte. The old access point is my favorite. It's at the end of the first straight section of Bodenburg Butte Loop at the base. It's on private land and is $3 donation per car. There's another newer access point on the other side of the Butte. It's about 800' tall and takes maybe 45 minutes to climb if you are in average shape. It starts off steep, but gets easier. And there are easy routes and less easy routes to the top. The hike down takes half the time.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...=lmc:panoramio
The dirt road to Exit Glacier was a 16-mile roundtrip. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...=lmc:panoramio
Last edited by Roginator; Jul 2, 2008 at 2:41 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
Prominence Point is one of the newest, ritziest subdivisions in town. It winds up the side of a steepish hill. Take the Seward Highway south to Rabbit Creek Rd, turn right at Goldenview and you should see it on the left after about 1/4 mile.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...28453&t=h&z=16
Bodenburg Butte is a popular Palmer hiking destination. Take the Glenn Hwy to the Old Glenn Hwy. Drive almost to Palmer. You'll see a huge hill soaring to the left of the highway. That's the Butte. The old access point is my favorite. It's at the end of the first straight section of Bodenburg Butte Loop at the base. It's on private land and is $3 donation per car. There's another newer access point on the other side of the Butte. It's about 800' tall and takes maybe 45 minutes to climb if you are in average shape. It starts off steep, but gets easier. And there are easy routes and less easy routes to the top. The hike down takes half the time.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...=lmc:panoramio
The dirt road to Exit Glacier was a 16-mile roundtrip. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=seward,+ak&ie=UTF8&ll=60 .185233,-149.635334&spn=0.152093,0.455246&z=12&lci=lmcano ramio
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...28453&t=h&z=16
Bodenburg Butte is a popular Palmer hiking destination. Take the Glenn Hwy to the Old Glenn Hwy. Drive almost to Palmer. You'll see a huge hill soaring to the left of the highway. That's the Butte. The old access point is my favorite. It's at the end of the first straight section of Bodenburg Butte Loop at the base. It's on private land and is $3 donation per car. There's another newer access point on the other side of the Butte. It's about 800' tall and takes maybe 45 minutes to climb if you are in average shape. It starts off steep, but gets easier. And there are easy routes and less easy routes to the top. The hike down takes half the time.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...=lmc:panoramio
The dirt road to Exit Glacier was a 16-mile roundtrip. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=seward,+ak&ie=UTF8&ll=60 .185233,-149.635334&spn=0.152093,0.455246&z=12&lci=lmcano ramio
I think it's this one--it was under construction at the time this imagery was taken:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
I've seen that butte many times. Never thought to try and hike it, since there are much taller mountains right next to it!
It's been awhile since I've been to Exit Glacier. Maybe I need to go back down there and re-familiarize myself with those roads.
However, I can confirm that the rental agencies really aren't worried about people going to Exit Glacier. If you get in an accident or a rock chip on that road, it's possible they may use the fine print to give you grief, but most of them probably don't even know it's a gravel road (I didn't!). They're mostly concerned about potential damage to the cars (especially the undercarriage and suspension) on the long, rural highways I mentioned earlier. Calling it a violation of the rental agreement is really just a way to discourage travel on them.
#33
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
I think it's this one--it was under construction at the time this imagery was taken:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
#34
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Since this thread really has more to do with the state than the airline, we'll switch it to our Alaska Forum.
Please continue to follow and contribute to the thread at it's new home.
Thanks.
___________________
Cholula
Alaska Airllines Mileage Plan Co-Moderator
Please continue to follow and contribute to the thread at it's new home.
Thanks.
___________________
Cholula
Alaska Airllines Mileage Plan Co-Moderator
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
Of course! That's where all the rich people live!
Umm, let's try again. I tested this one--it should work:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
Umm, let's try again. I tested this one--it should work:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
#36
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,176
I'd say the one towering must is Club Paris on 5th downtown. The Paris Special burger (with some ground tenderloin and on a french roll with au jus) is memorable for lunch, and the 14 oz. filet mignon is a must for dinner. They own the "best steakhouse" local award.
Would also give a nod to Local Burgerman/Arctic Roadrunner at Airport Rd. and Old Seward Hwy. Fast food, but I like the setting, the halibut sandwich and onion pieces and blackberry shakes. A bit reminiscent of the Varsity in Atlanta on a smaller scale and with different offerings.
As for activities, the museum and that Omnimax/earthquake similation place might make some sense on days when the weather isn't good.
Would also give a nod to Local Burgerman/Arctic Roadrunner at Airport Rd. and Old Seward Hwy. Fast food, but I like the setting, the halibut sandwich and onion pieces and blackberry shakes. A bit reminiscent of the Varsity in Atlanta on a smaller scale and with different offerings.
As for activities, the museum and that Omnimax/earthquake similation place might make some sense on days when the weather isn't good.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
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Posts: 23,196
That Onmimax/earthquake place is gone. I only went there once. Sort of "meh" to me, but fun for a tourist. Just across the street in the Performing Arts Center, though, they still do the northern lights slideshow, which can be kind of neat.
However, there is a newer (maybe built around 2000 or so) addition to the options in town: the Alaska Native Heritage Center out at Muldoon and the Glenn. It's spendy ($20 or so per person, last time I checked), but worth it for the visitor. It's actually run by a consortium of Native groups and will give you a better look at the way of life of the traditional peoples of Alaska. (More real, anyway, than the commercialized cruise-ship version.)
However, there is a newer (maybe built around 2000 or so) addition to the options in town: the Alaska Native Heritage Center out at Muldoon and the Glenn. It's spendy ($20 or so per person, last time I checked), but worth it for the visitor. It's actually run by a consortium of Native groups and will give you a better look at the way of life of the traditional peoples of Alaska. (More real, anyway, than the commercialized cruise-ship version.)
#38
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
Ah, interesting. Haven't driven up around Prominence Point itself, but if you drive to the south end of Goldenview and then wind up into the hills from there, there is an absolutely massive house with (seriously) a three-story-tall picture window on the front. I think it's on Mt. McKinley View Drive (strange name, since the angling of the valley means you can't actually see Mt. McKinley). I've been trying to find out who lives in that house, as it is surely the nicest house in the state.
I think it's this one--it was under construction at the time this imagery was taken:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
I've seen that butte many times. Never thought to try and hike it, since there are much taller mountains right next to it!
It's been awhile since I've been to Exit Glacier. Maybe I need to go back down there and re-familiarize myself with those roads.
However, I can confirm that the rental agencies really aren't worried about people going to Exit Glacier. If you get in an accident or a rock chip on that road, it's possible they may use the fine print to give you grief, but most of them probably don't even know it's a gravel road (I didn't!). They're mostly concerned about potential damage to the cars (especially the undercarriage and suspension) on the long, rural highways I mentioned earlier. Calling it a violation of the rental agreement is really just a way to discourage travel on them.
I think it's this one--it was under construction at the time this imagery was taken:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...05558&t=h&z=18
I've seen that butte many times. Never thought to try and hike it, since there are much taller mountains right next to it!
It's been awhile since I've been to Exit Glacier. Maybe I need to go back down there and re-familiarize myself with those roads.
However, I can confirm that the rental agencies really aren't worried about people going to Exit Glacier. If you get in an accident or a rock chip on that road, it's possible they may use the fine print to give you grief, but most of them probably don't even know it's a gravel road (I didn't!). They're mostly concerned about potential damage to the cars (especially the undercarriage and suspension) on the long, rural highways I mentioned earlier. Calling it a violation of the rental agreement is really just a way to discourage travel on them.
I had no idea who owned the land soooooooo long ago. No one seemed to care. The school bus stop closest to the house was on Golden View about a mile off Rabbit Creek. Used to be a very lonely area.
I guess it isn't that way now!
Edited to add: I spent some time with your map. The neighborhood ski lift was much further south. The area was called Keno Hills. No idea what it is called now. Not a clue. With much effort managed to find where our little cabin is/was. The street now has a name. Named streets!
I'd be so lost driving up there!
If we'd had any money we could have bought some of that land fairly cheap. Of course, we didn't have any extra money.
Last edited by oldpenny16; Jul 2, 2008 at 7:48 pm
#39
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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Wow. Well, the next neighborhood to the south is now Potter Valley, I think, which is another hoity-toity neighborhood. Was that where your ski run was?
#40
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jackal, we weren't all that far from Potter Marsh (but there was no direct road). We came and went via Rabbit Creek Road and Golden View. Ran Golden View until there was a dead end and headed up mountain. Made a left turn off Golden View continuing to go up, another left turn on to a road that was only open in the summer and then another left. If the roads had names in those days, it was a secret.
The winter road took longer. You didn't drive the summer road in the winter unless you had the bad luck to live on it.
Our view was of Cook Inlet. Flat Top was up and behind us. Between us and Golden View was a settlement of Native People. I bet that is gone now.
We had very little by way of public services including road clearing. We did that for ourselves. The neighbors worked on it together.
We always managed to get to work.
Rabbit Creek was paved but Golden View was only paved for a wee distance. The rest was all 'natural'.
We had a big ring embedded in our driveway that we used to winch the cars up when it was really icy. You couldn't block the road by parking on it.
Not sure if I want to see what it looks like now!
The ski run ran down the utility easement. Neighbor's built it so the kids could ski from home. It was an old rope tow that someone had made. Worked reasonably well for a long time. The kids just ran wild and did what they wanted. Bunches of boys would go off camping and no one worried at all.
The winter road took longer. You didn't drive the summer road in the winter unless you had the bad luck to live on it.
Our view was of Cook Inlet. Flat Top was up and behind us. Between us and Golden View was a settlement of Native People. I bet that is gone now.
We had very little by way of public services including road clearing. We did that for ourselves. The neighbors worked on it together.
We always managed to get to work.
Rabbit Creek was paved but Golden View was only paved for a wee distance. The rest was all 'natural'.
We had a big ring embedded in our driveway that we used to winch the cars up when it was really icy. You couldn't block the road by parking on it.
Not sure if I want to see what it looks like now!
The ski run ran down the utility easement. Neighbor's built it so the kids could ski from home. It was an old rope tow that someone had made. Worked reasonably well for a long time. The kids just ran wild and did what they wanted. Bunches of boys would go off camping and no one worried at all.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
Maybe this weekend I'll go driving around up there and take some pictures for ya.
#44
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
However, I can confirm that the rental agencies really aren't worried about people going to Exit Glacier. If you get in an accident or a rock chip on that road, it's possible they may use the fine print to give you grief, but most of them probably don't even know it's a gravel road (I didn't!).
In fact my traveling companion remarked that it's probably one of smoothest pieces of road we've found in Alaska. Ever.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
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Posts: 23,196
Must've been paved within the last week, then--any older and it'd be as pot-holed and frost-heaved as every other Alaskan road!