GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

My wife and I are planning our first trip to Alaska for this summer. I'm sure many here on UHH have some suggestions for places we "must photograph."

(Hey TGanner, I see from your profile you are from Haines. I know we make a stop at Skagway, and I think maybe we stop in Haines also.)

Here's our general overall trip:

We fly to Fairbanks late June then spend 4 days in Denali.

Then train to Anchorage and take rental car down Kenai penninsula. Next day small plane to Lake Clarke NP to hopefully photograph some brown bears.

Last half of our trip is a small boat cruise with Alaskan Dream Cruises out of Sitka. Lots of glaciers, fiords, puffins, otters and whales, we hope. 10 days of exploring from Glacier Bay to Skagway, to Petersburg and lots more.

We've been dreaming about this trip for 30 years. I planned and booked it all myself. Any suggestions for stops along the way?

Thanks,
Greg

Willy Loc: Alaska

This sounds like a great itinerary. I recommend the Silver Salmon Creek Lodge at Lake Clark. Their guides are great and the staff & lodge are all 1st class.
If you can afford the time on the Kenai Peninsula, I would spend a minimum of about 2 days each in Homer & Seward. Seward has tour boat cruises out to Kenai Fjords National Park. I'm not sure what Homer offers as far as tour boats but a day trip to Halibut Cove would be fun.
Be forewarned about this: If you like to capture photos during the "Magic Hours" in June/July you'll be up late in the evening and up early in the morning. Plan on trying to grab some naps during mid day. At these higher latitudes the "Magic Hours" last much longer than they do at lower latitudes. You'll have much more time to take photos in the great light.
If you spend a night in Anchorage & aircraft captures your interest there is Lake Hood which offers some excellent photo opportunities. It is easy walking distance from some hotels which makes it easy to photograph and not miss out on too much valuable sleep. Here are a few of mine to give you an idea of the place.
Have a great trip and if you have any questions I'd be happy to help answer them if I can...

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Willy,

Thanks for the tips. Hey, as I'm getting older I find I like a siesta in the afternoon, so I should fit right in.

Greg

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

My wife & I did our "trip of a lifetime" to Alaska in July. Denali was one of the trip hi-lights and tons of photo ops in that area. We flew into Anchorage, then train to Fairbanks & Danali. We did an inland tour that went on into Yukon Territory (Dawson, Whitehorse & Carcross), then picked up the ship in Skagway for stops in Haines & Ketchikan, then ended up in Vancouver. We thought the inland tour part of the trip was outstanding and much preferred it to all the coastal stops. If we were to do it over again, we'd plan to spend another day or two in Vancouver-Victoria area. While in Denali, we were able to book a 1-day "tour" with a pro-photographer who only takes 3-4 people at a time, but knows best places for time of day and what you want to shoot and provides tripods (you provide the camera). It was $$ well spent. We also did another "photo excursion" with a pro-photog who provided transportation, tripods, etc on a trip around Haines. Got lots of good bear & other wildlife pics there. Both photo excursions were well worth the price - especially liked that it was only 2-3 other photogs with the pro who knows the area and can help getting to the right place for the right target and the right time. I think it's hard to go wrong with ANY Alaska tour, as the enitire area is loaded with photo-ops. If you're in Anchorage on a weekend, ask about the outdoor Market-Festival that takes place every Saturday -- it's a mecca for street photography & gift shopping. Enjoy your trip.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

I think we will be in Anchorage, but not till late. I think the train from Denali doesn't get in until 8 pm. I was visiting with a pro photographer from Haines on another topic. He goes by TGanner here. I think he leads photo tours.

We aren't going to being going north of Fairbanks. I already figure I need to be planning a second trip to Alaska, lol. Someday hope to have the time to drive all the way up.

TchrBill Loc: Houston, TX

Been there, done that. What a trip it was. We flew into Anchorage, took a train to Denali (two nights), took the tour deep into the park. Then we took another train to Fairbanks and boarded a special tour bus that could handle the Dalton Hwy. It was a two day trip with an overnight in Coldfoot, then up to Prudhoe Bay. Our tour bus driver had a Master's in Geology and was able to provide information not all drivers or guides would be able to do. After an overnight in Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay) we flew back to Anchorage, then took another train to Seward for a week-long cruise through the Inside Passage and ended in Vancouver. Then we rented a car and drove up to Whistler, BC for two days. The Whistler trip was actually free because we saved over $600 flying back to Houston on a Tuesday instead of Sunday when the cruise ended. If you plan to drive the Dalton yourself, be careful. You are not allowed to take most rental cars north of the beginning of the Dalton Hwy. If it is your personal car, the drive can be dangerous for someone unfamiliar with the road.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

North of Anchorage, Eklutna Burial ground, Eklutna Lake and Glacier. Eklutna burial ground has spirit houses on the graves, Very interesting and colorful.
When I was there , you cpiuld walk right up to the glacier, but that was 1975.
Bird Creek, south of anchorage, hreat photo ops, South on Seward highway, Portage Glacier.

While in Anchorage you might take the road to Arctic Valley, Just opposite of Fort Richardson.WONDERFUL Views of Anchorage. Bear right at the road to the secret missle base.

Oh if you encounter moose, give them wide passage.
Turnagin passd, more great opportunities.
Actually you can go online and hget a visitors guide for the Kenai, They will have all the places I forgot.
Sewaard, EAGLES EAGLES EAGLES, all over, wonderful town, have some fresh halibut.
If you are going all the way down to Homer, soldotna etc there are wild life preserves along the way.
Be sure to stop at Sportsmans Lodge for refreshments.

The fish may be running by June, so bears will be present.
When Salmon Run bears congregate.

While North of Anchorage you might consider MatSu( Matinuska Sussitna) Valley, Eagle river, Palmer, Susitna.

Anchorage will have a WHOLE lot of plaes to visit, try the Reindeer Sasuage, buy a MOOSQUITO, or some walrus whiskers. Great photoshop on 4th ave.

Earthquake Park south of Anchorage.

Best to send for the Kenai Visitors Guide, might as well get the Anchorage Guide as well.

HAVE FUN bring back lots of shots.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Bill, thanks for the ideas. We better do our first trip before we get too involved planning the second one, but if I drove the entire way, I would match the trip up to the purchase of a new 4 wheel drive pickup. You can't have too much capacity for hauling camera gear, lol.

Bruce, wow I'm going to print these suggestions out and start a new file. One question: How will I know to turn at the secret missile site if its secret.

I will send for visitor packets, thanks.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

well the sign will say TOP SECRET silly. just bear right

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Okie dokie

ringo Loc: australia

Being a Aussie and always ready to help anyway I can,I will stand in for you in case you get sick or something'no need to thank me,just trying to do the right thing by another HOGGER.regards ringo

Fathed Loc: Virginia Dale, Colorado

I've been to Anchorage, Denali, Seward, Juneau and the inland passage and all have great opportunities. Take a flight out of the Talkeetna airport that tours Denali, the view of Denali from air is amazing. From Anchorage airport fly Hudson air for a Brown bear spotting trip across Cook inlet. I can't remember the lake we landed on but it had plenty of bears to film, best money I ever spent. Your trip sounds incredible, good luck!

Fkaufman3 Loc: Florida, LA ie lower Alabama

Good info, I plan on taking my motor home from Florida to Alaska next spring, anyone ever driven to Alaska,
PS if you need someone to Cary your tripod let me know, am finally completely retired and have lots of time

SR71BLACKBIRD

Only if you don't have any common sense or know how to drive

Beemer01

Alaska is a vast and almost endless opportunity for adventure. I found the region north of the arctic circle on the Dalton (for that matter north of the Brooks Range) to be fascinating. Herds of Caribou, clumps of Musk Oxen, and the occasional bear are not hard to find. If you do Denali drive the Denali Highway and you can avoid the crowds of plastic bag clutching tourists. Many feel that this highway, in reality a rugged dirt road, is essential Alaska .