A photographer friend of mine is planning a trip to Alaska next year. He will be taking a float plane to where the Grizzlies catch the salmon but other than that no real plans. Does anyone have any guidance or tips such as when best to go and what to be sure to see etc? They will be driving as well. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Japakomom
Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier
July usually is the best month weather wise. There is so much to cover size wise. How much time will your friend be spending there? Your friend really needs to concentrate on a few areas and then make plans from there. Does your friend want wildlife, people, scenery, or all the above? If he already has a float plane ready to fly him out, can he have them continue to take him to other destinations that are off the beaten path?
Actually, June is the best month for weather. It’s a bit unpredictable in July, and August is sketchy at best.
I believe he will be there a week and he generally focuses on wildlife. I will let him know about going in July or August. Thanks
Alaskan Mosquitoes are 747 size and F-22 Raptor sized in penetration power. The later in the season the better.
I had a great time in September. It rained. But so what? 🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧
Japakomom
Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier
Wingpilot wrote:
Actually, June is the best month for weather. It’s a bit unpredictable in July, and August is sketchy at best.
I always prefer July, June you can still have snow on the ground if you go to higher elevations (Hatcher Pass) and snow has been known to still be on the ground at lower elevations too. (in prior years anyway)
I was up on Hatcher Pass this July and you could still see snow around, although the road was open.
Japakomom
Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Alaskan Mosquitoes are 747 size and F-22 Raptor sized in penetration power. The later in the season the better.
They are smaller the later in the season. They start out huge and at least they are easy to swat.
Japakomom wrote:
I always prefer July, June you can still have snow on the ground if you go to higher elevations (Hatcher Pass) and snow has been known to still be on the ground at lower elevations too. (in prior years anyway)
I was up on Hatcher Pass this July and you could still see snow around, although the road was open.
Hes, generally the Hatcher Pass Road isn’t opened up until July 1. Lots of snow up there. The weather is best in June, but some of the higher elevations aren’t accessible until later.
All good information! Any recommendation on definite locations to visit for the wildlife?
Japakomom
Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier
Denali always has wildlife sightings along the road. Does your friend hike or want to go off road? Heading up towards Glennallen or up to Tok on the highway you can see wildlife just off the highway. Personally, I would find a guide that can take your friend off road and help get closer to wildlife viewing chances. It is kind of like hunting - sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not.
He does plan to go off the road and hike in where he can. Good to know.
rgeremia1 wrote:
All good information! Any recommendation on definite locations to visit for the wildlife?
The truth is, critters are where you find them, and even a guide can’t guarantee that you’ll find wildlife. But here are a couple suggestions: for large birds, such as eagles, visit Homer or Valdez (pronounced Val-deez). For bears, it’s the McNeil River, but you’ll have to fly in. For small waterfowl, such as ducks, geese or terns, Potter’s Marsh just south of Anchorage along the Seward Hwy is a great place to go, as is Westchester Lagoon in West Anchorage.
Od course, Denali Nat’l Parks is great, but don’t expect to be guaranteed of seeing any wildlife. And just so you know ahead of time, your chances of seeing the mountain—Denali—is only 30% at best, as it tends to make its own weather due to the hugeness of the landmass. I’m not a hiker, so I can’t really address that aspect, although lots of folks do hike in the park.
I know he plans to fly into McNeil so he's got that covered. As always I knew that the UHH's would come through. Thanks Again!
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