Because of its vicinity to Mt. McKinley, Denali State Park provides outstanding views of “the mountain” throughout much of its 325,000 acres.  Most visitors to Denali State Park access the park at Byer’s Lake which has a campground, day parking, and is the base for both lake kayaking and guided hiking operations. Both of which are provided by local guide services. Transportation is available from nearby McKinley Princess Lodge which is also located within the state park, about 16 miles south of Byer’s Lake. (more…)

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Talkeetna, Alaska is the departure location for climbers attempting to ascend Mt. McKinley, and Talkeetna is a great place to visit enroute to Denali as well. On a recent trip to Talkeetna my friends and I took a flightseeing trip of Denali National Park which included a landing on Mt. McKinley’s Ruth Glacier. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to do some flight seeing. The sun was shining high in the clear blue sky, and Mt. McKinley loomed in the distance. Clear as a bell, the sunlight sparkled off of her snowcapped peaks only magnifying her natural beauty and grandeur. As we walked towards K2’s Talkeetna office, I could feel the anticipation and excitement building inside me. This was going to be my first time ever flying in a small fixed-wing plane. As my friends and I completed the check-in process I began to notice that although I was still really excited, some of that excitement had turned into slight apprehension but as soon as we lifted off the nervousness quickly was forgotten. (more…)

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Q: Where can I store my luggage at Denali National Park?
A: If you are going into Denali National Park for an overnight in Kantishna, or perhaps you are camping inside the park, you have several choices on where to store your excess luggage. The Park concessionaire offers a baggage check service located across from the Alaska Railroad Depot. Just follow the foot path between the Denali Park Visitor Center and the rail depot. It is hard to miss as its adjacent to the Park “bus stop”. The cost of storing a bag is $5 per calendar day. This location is convenient for clients arriving off of the Alaska Railroad or the Park Connection Motorcoach which drops off at the rail depot as well.

Also, if you are staying in a Denali hotel after your trip into Denali Park, most hotels will store your luggage for your return with proof of a reservation being held. You’ll want to make sure the bell desk notes on the your checked luggage which day you are planning on returning to claim the bag and check in to the hotel.

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This past summer my family from Maine was up visiting so naturally we took them on a day cruise into the Kenai Fjords National Park. There are many cruises to choose from but based on my experience, I recommend the 3:00pm departure. Since many visitors to Seward are only passing through for the day, or are busy taking one of the many fishing charters, they take one of the earlier departures which covers the same route but offer a more basic meal on board. Combined with an overnight in a Seward hotel the evening prior, the afternoon tour give’s you the opportunity to explore Seward in the morning, and then spend the rest of the day enjoying Kenai Fjords National Park while dining on prime rib and salmon. There are also fewer vessels touring the fjords in the afternoon which makes it a nicer experience as well.

What makes the mid-afternoon departure at 3:00pm unique is that they stop at Fox Island enroute to pick up freshly cooked barbeque salmon. For 2009, we hear they are adding prime rib to the menu. This is the same menu that is served for the 10:00am National Park Cruise which stops for a visit to Fox Island. The difference is that having the dinner on-board adds an elegant touch to a fine evening in Seward on a cruise. (more…)

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If you want to take a luxurious fly in fishing trip for the day from Anchorage, the Rusts’ Fly-in fishing trip to Riversong Lodge is fantastic.

Our trip began bright and early at Lake Hood in the Rusts Flying Service headquarters. We were greeted by the staff, check-in was very efficient. The staff was very friendly to chat with, even that early in the morning. After checking in, we relaxed for a few minutes, viewed the displays around the lobby, and most importantly, took the staff’s recommendation to use the restrooms before taking off since it was about a 40 minute flight and there are no restrooms are on board the planes. The pilot came into the office and we were escorted out onto the docks where our plane awaited. Rust’s operates 4, 6 and 9 passenger float planes and we boarded one of the smaller ones – a four passenger plane on floats. (more…)

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