We’re always on the look out for adventures which get visitor’s off the beaten path and that can reasonably be experienced in a day or less while in Denali National Park or in the South Denali – Denali State Park region.  So working with two of our local Alaska guide services, we’re excited to be able to showcase two new adventures which we’re sure will be among the highlights for visitors this summer.

The Denali State Park Raft & Kayak adventure starts with a visit to Byer’s Lake in Denali State Park, one of my own favorite places to visit.  Byer’s Lake is located in a pristine setting at the foot of the Kesugi Ridge and offers spectacular views of Mt. McKinley.  Along with your guide, you’ll use sit-on-top kayaks to paddle through the tranquil waters while on the watch for resident trumpeter swans, loons, and beavers. If you haven’t ever tried a sit-on-top kayak before you shouldn’t worry as they are easy to use even for new kayakers. One of the highlights for me while at Byer’s Lake is kayaking over pools of spawning salmon – I’ve also seen signs of bears along the far shore of the lake and the local guides say they occasionally see them from a safe distance away while kayaking. 

From Byer’s Lake you’ll head to a unique, Alaskan lodge & café called Mary Cary’s where you’ll have lunch while enjoying views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Then its onward to your launching ground on the Chulitna River to embark on a peaceful, scenic raft trip that takes you through the stunning Chulitna Canyon and ends 19 miles downstream in the town of Talkeetna.  Transportation is provided from both Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and McKinley Princess Lodge, or if you have your own car you can meet the guides at Byer’s Lake and they’ll bring you back to your car at the end of the day.

(more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Since I was a little girl I’ve enjoyed the sport of dog mushing as both a competitive musher and a spectator.  Every year one of the biggest dog mushing events in the world is held in Anchorage, Alaska. The ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race begins on Fourth Avenue in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday each March. The Iditarod Trail stretches over 1149 miles of Alaska’s vast wilderness. The true race begins a day after, on Sunday from Willow, Alaska. This is where you see the mushers dressed in their cold weather gear and their sleds fully packed with food and equipment for themselves, but mostly for the dogs. From my experience as a musher your number one priority on the trail is your dogs. Each dog is treated with great care to assure they are performing at their very best. Imagine what it’s like to care for not just one Olympic athlete but a team of 16. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

We often get inquiries from folks interested in seeing the Aurora Borealis, locally known in Alaska as the Northern Lights.   During the summer months, it is very unlikely that you would see the Northern Lights due to Alaska’s Midnight Sun.  Alaskans and visitors alike love our Midnight Sun as it provides up to 19 hours of daylight in June (or more depending on your location) and we are often seen enjoying outdoor activities late in the evening.  On rare occasions in fall from Talkeetna to Denali and further North to Fairbanks, we are fortunate enough to have clear skies and atmospheric conditions that result in Aurora sightings.  Lodges such as the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge provide  “Northern Lights” wake up call service upon request.  So, if you are traveling in the fall, be sure to check with the front desk of the lodges that you are staying at to see if they have such service. If they do, the Front Desk will call your room and wake you up, regardless of the time of night, if they observe the northern lights. (more…)

Comments(6) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

 From Anchorage to Girdwood, Seward to Talkeetna, my perfect tour of Alaska continues after an overnight at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge -

Day 6, Get an early start with a guided fishing trip with Talkeetna Fishing Guides on the Talkeetna River. Their pick up is at 7:45am directly from the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. You can purchase your fishing license at the guide service and they’ll set you up with all the equipment you need to go fishing and they will assist you in shipping home any fish you catch as well. After the 5 hour fishing trip it is time for a break, so explore downtown Talkeetna on foot, and stop by Mile High Pizza Pie for a nice warm pizza or calzone.
 
Top off a great day in Talkeetna with a Glacier Landing flightseeing trip of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range with K2 Aviation. This flight is amazing and the knowledgeable pilot will give you all the information you could want to know coupled with the beautiful aerial views of Denali National Park. The glacier landing is a unique experience and the photo opportunities on this trip are once in a lifetime opportunities. After the flight K2 will return you to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge where you can relax and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s Foraker Dining Room where they specialize in fresh Alaskan seafood. (more…)

Comments(2) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Often I’m asked what I think would be the perfect tour if I was visiting Alaska.  Fortunately, I’ve found that each client I work with has different interests and we’re able to customize each trip to meet their unique interests in travel and adventure.  But since I’m asked so often, its easy to imagine the tour I would customize for myself if I was taking an Alaska trip – based on my experience living in Alaska, and working in tourism here. All our packages can be modified to either travel by rail, motorcoach or rental car.  I think the best of option would be to travel in combination of all three modes.

My perfect tour would start out with a visit to Anchorage and then the Kenai Peninsula.

Day 1, Arrival Day! Pick up a rental car in Anchorage and check into the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa.  What better way to adjust to a long day of travel then to take in a spa treatment before enjoying dinner in downtown Anchorage.  My favorite for dinner is the Glacier BrewHouse in downtown Anchorage just up the street from the Sheraton. They have great food and plenty of fresh Alaskan seafood options. (more…)

Comments(6) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

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…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

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…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

When the opportunity arises, I spend a lot of time in Talkeetna Alaska and enjoy visiting with friends at the local restaurants and pubs. For the size of Talkeetna they have a lot to offer a hungry appetite.

Whether you are in Talkeetna on a fishing excursion or perhaps visiting overnight at a Talkeetna lodge, a typical morning in Talkeetna should start with a trip down to the Historic Talkeetna Roadhouse on Main Street. The Roadhouse offers a standard breakfast which comes piled high with eggs, potatoes, and bacon or reindeer sausage (traditional Alaskan sausage made from caribou meat). If that’s not quite your fare they also offer biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, and of course blueberry pancakes. These options are quite delicious and portions are huge so come hungry. If you don’t have time to wait, they offer a large selection of delicious pastry’s to go. Everything from a selection of homemade pies to my personal favorite the raspberry cinnamon rolls. Tables are all family style so you may find yourself seated next to a fellow tourist, a long time Talkeetna local or one of the many mountain climbers. Climbers come to the small town of Talkeetna in pursuit of the highest point in North America, Mt McKinley. The Roadhouse is sure to offer an eclectic Alaska atmosphere and a hearty meal. This is sure to be a one of a kind Alaska dining experience. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post