Hi Darrian,

I have a couple of suggestions for your Alaska itinerary: On your way back from Denali take the Cantwell/Paxson Highway if you're able. It's gorgeous. It's also 135 miles, about 115 miles of gravel... It's a good road, though. Be sure you get gas before you go. This will take you eventually to the Richardson Highway, which will take you to Glenallen and the Glenn Highway, which will take you back to Anchorage. (If you had time to go to Valdez, that's another gorgeous drive.)

If you have time on either end of this portion of your trip take the Hatcher Pass road (You should do this as a loop.) The tarred section (north of Palmer) is lovely, but the western part of the loop, which ends up at the Parks Highway, where you will turn left and go through Wasilla and back to Anchorage, is beautiful.

There are many beautiful hikes in and around Anchorage. One is at the Powerline Pass trail. Park at the Glen Alps trailhead (Don't go to the Prospect Heights trailhead). There is a $5 parking fee. Take the trail at the end of the parking lot. (The trail will be just to the right of the new overflow parking road.) When you get to the Powerline trail take a right (prior to that there will be a marker pointing right to Flattop. Don't take that.). Shortly after you've turned right on the Powerline Pass trail will be a marker for the Middle Fork Loop. Take that. Go down and over the bridge. You'll come upon a marker for the Williwaw Lakes. Take that Left. (You could also go up and over the Pass, but it's arduous, especially hauling gear.) In mid-July this Williwaw Lakes hike is a carpet of wildflowers. Flowers are still there now, though not as colorful (I was just there on Sunday), but at the end of August it definitely won't be a riot of color. It's a beautiful hike, with or without flowers. We often see moose and dall sheep on this hike; moose especially. We did run into a grizzly a couple of years ago on this hike. Wherever you hike in Alaska be aware of this possibility. But don't let it prevent you from hiking. Do make noise.... and bear spray is good to have, also. My husband and I have never had to use bear spray, but it's a good thing to have along, just in case. Most important is just to be a noisy hiker so you won't surprise a bear.

A nice evening walk would be along the Tony Knowles Coastal trail, which is right in Anchorage. There are several great hikes and photo opportunities along the Turnagain Arm, just outside Anchorage. I would avoid the McHugh Creek hike, as there always seems to be one or two "bear happenings" each summer. A drive down Turnagain Arm, past Girdwood, and on to Portage is lovely. You'll see glaciers on the Portage Road. If you take the tunnel to Whittier and then go to the end of the road, (go past the old military housing), you can hike from the road end and get some beautiful photos... or just stop anywhere, once you're past the derelict buildings, for photos.

If you're able to go to Homer, the drive is gorgeous. You will see the Kenai and the Russian Rivers on this drive, also. They're so beautiful... The color is unbelievable. Be sure to stop at Whiskey Gulch, just before mile marker 153 as you're heading south. The road down looks a little scary, due to being steep, but it's a good road; very driveable. Park at the end and walk out on the beach. You can usually see quite a few eagles on this beach. In Homer you can take a water taxi across Kachemak Bay to Seldovia or get dropped off for kayaking. I recommend taking a guided kayak trip. You can also take a water taxi to trailheads in Kachemak Bay for some great hiking. Ask the water taxi person to go by Gull Island. It's amazing. Some great lodging just outside of Homer is the Kenai Peninsula Suites, which my husband and I just discovered. You may be able to get a reduced rate. It doesn't hurt to ask. (My husband and I did.) Ask if the yurt is available. (Two-story, very comfortable, very well-made, amazing.) For beautiful photo opportunities right from the road in the Homer area, drive out East End Road; to the end if you have the time. You'll be glad you did.

On the way down to Homer, if you're able to go, stop in at Hope, which is a true Alaska, very old town. You'll take the Hope cut-off.... just before the cut-off you'll go over a bridge. Look left. The old bridge you'll see is the one everyone drove on to get south before the new highway was built. An impressive reminder of the "old days."

On your way up to Denali stop in at Talkeetna. If the mountain is out you'll have some beautiful photo opportunities on the way in; if it's not out you'll be able to say that you were in Talkeetna. It's shockingly full of people always, which for me detracts from the experience, but it's an interesting bit of Alaskana travels to remember. If you can afford it, the flightseeing trip around Denali is well worth spending the money on. You can check with K2 Aviation to see about availability of flights. The best flight is the one that lands on a glacier and that will take you past Wickersham Wall. This flightseeing trip also flies all the way around Denali, I believe.

A wonderful book to have regarding hikes in Southcentral Alaska is "55 Ways to the Wilderness." I highly recommend it.

I guess that's it.... All good wishes to you. I know you'll have a wonderful trip!

Take Care,
Darcy