Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Lots of good advice has been given. If you are in the area, check out Hyder, AK. It is the Southern most city in AK and has very close ties to its neighbor Stewart, BC. In fact the only way to get to Hyder is trough Stewart. Interesting Glacier near by and in May the salmon will be running and Brown and Black bears will be hunting them. National Park Service has a very nice viewing area of the action.

One thing I would add is to know the travel distance and time enroute to get to your desired locations - AK really is big - and check beforehand for construction along your chosen route. Delays can be extensive.

Have a great trip!

Bill

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I have been to Alaska three times. If I were to go back I would try to get to Rampart (I worked there in 1952) to see what has changed, and then I would head for Denali (way back in to spend a week and hope I could get some descent pictures of the mountain. The last two times I was there we had nothing but clouds. Good luck on your trip and while there try some salmon fishing, although May is erly for most migrations.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Great suggestion, it is on my bucket list. We did the cruise up the inside passage to Seward, and eight day land tour 20+ years ago.
Duane


ote=Anandnra]Flying in to Anchorage and planning to rent an SUV for the duration.[/quote]

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Hence the need for the long telephoto!!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

From Anchorage, I would suggest a drive down to the Kenai Peninsula to Seward and Homer. You're coming at a good time because the tourist season hasn't really started and the salmon aren't running yet, so traffic will be very tolerable.

Going North, there really aren't any "loops to take, outside of going to Fairbanks, and going by the Parks Hwy, it's 365 miles and going by the Glenn/Richardson Hwys, it's 425 miles. Either way it's a long trip. But then again, weather permitting, you might want to take a drive to Valdez. It's about 300 miles each way, but Thompson Pass and Worthington Glacier are worth seeing, and if there's enough water flowing at that time, Bridal Veil Falls, down closer to Valdez makes for great photography. Bring your wide angle lens for that one.

I really can't suggest much with regards to Fairbanks, but you can drive up the Elliot Hwy to Livengood and Rampart as was previously mentioned. And there is also a nice drive to Chena Hot Springs, about 60 miles from Fairbanks. But stay in a hotel in Fairbanks.

I don't believe Denali Nat'l Park will be open in mid-May, but you may be able to drive in a short distance. We haven't been up there that early in the year. A notable trip, if you can arrange it, again, weather permitting, is a flight seeing trip to Mt. McKinley, er, Denali, in a small plane. It is spectacular seeing it up close. You get to land on Ruth Glacier and take lots of photos. If the weather is nice you may want to bring along some ND filters!!

I hope this helps. You can PM me if you want and we can talk.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

Had another thought: I don't know about the roads at that time of year, but Kennecott is really interesting - an abandoned mining town. But a very nice lodge, lots of hikes, glacier climbing, and touring the mill and power plant. I can't remember but I would guess 60 miles of dirt road. been twice and flew in the first time in small plane, incredible scenery.
I have been to Kotezbue, and while interesting, not so great other than the sun did not go down. OK hotel; I would be more interested in flying to Nome; more town, more history; there are some dog kennels there (used to be anyway) and I would try to get a good dogsled ride somewhere if there is snow.

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

I did follow your link:
WOW doesn't even begin to cover it. Magnificent also come to mind. Thank you for sharing these with us. If any of you didn't take time to look at those pictures, go back and do it.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Yes indeed ... spectacular. I am tingling all over seeing your collection. Will try to fit it in if I can make the schedule work out. Sending you a PM.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Denali NP is a must see, but you will need to take one of the bus trips deep into the park. You will probably see virtually all of the wildlife that the park has to offer and if the weather cooperates you may even get a glimpse of Denali----but don't count on it. To be safe you will need to reserve the bus trip well in advance. Google it for details.

The drive to Seward is interesting as is the drive to and the boat trips off the Homer Spit. Spectacular scenery and great photo ops for birds such as puffins etc. By all means remember to avoid the chili at the Salty Dog Saloon in Homer. Thats the best advice you will receive on this thread. Heed it well====or you'll be sorry.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Thanks everyone for so many wonderful tips - hoggers are great!

We are vegetarian and there's no chili in our diet .....

D and ME Loc: Stevensville MT

Last year we went to AK with friends who live there. They were our "tour guides" and we told them to pick things they had not seen before. The pick was Wrangell-St. Elias NP. Drove from Wasilla to Chitna, took a 1/2 hour flight to Kennicott for 2 days. Can hike to the glacier. Took a tour o
the mining town, took a 1 hour flight over the park. Was a wow ! and did not see anything that resembled something in the lower 48. Stayed at the lodge at Kennicott and enjoyed dining imensily - they have a world class chef. We were there in the spring - took advantage of "shoulder season" rated so got a really good deal. There is also a fall shoulder season. Check it out. The whole stay had unlimited photo ops. Used an 18-250 lens and it served me well.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Thanks D/Me .... That's another pick for Kennicott. Bill had also recommended it above. Will look into the feasibility esp., if we can get a decent deal!