Alaska Master Thread

[Dan]

Wow, since when is there Chabad in Palmer? A son/son-in-law of the ANC shaliach? What services do they offer, and anyone spent time there who can report on the experience?

Looks like a son.

[lansky]

Palmer may work, and has Chabad.

glennallen/gaokona as real as it gets

[ual902]

$162 per person for the Denali bus tour makes sense? Is this the price?
https://reservedenali.ahlsmsworld.com/ReserveDenali/Plan-Your-Trip/Tour-And-Activity-Search/Results

[Traveler718]

Definitely sounds high. I just checked, and when we went in 2014, the Eielson bus was $34.50 per adult, and the (longer) Wonder Lake bus was $47.25. I'm sure the price has gone up in 6 years, but it shouldn't have quadrupled, unless it's due to Covid and to compensate for reduced capacity. Then again, I'd be shocked if they're running the standard bus tours this season, so maybe the bus tour you're seeing is something else? I'd contact a ranger at the visitor center to clarify what's available this season, and what it costs.

[SSLPhD]

Definitely sounds high. I just checked, and when we went in 2014, the Eielson bus was $34.50 per adult, and the (longer) Wonder Lake bus was $47.25. I'm sure the price has gone up in 6 years, but it shouldn't have quadrupled, unless it's due to Covid and to compensate for reduced capacity. Then again, I'd be shocked if they're running the standard bus tours this season, so maybe the bus tour you're seeing is something else? I'd contact a ranger at the visitor center to clarify what's available this season, and what it costs.

Was this for the tour bus or just the transit bus? Sounds like transit; the tour is significantly more.

[lansky]

Another reason to fly over it and not take the bus

[SSLPhD]

Another reason to fly over it and not take the bus

I've taken a bus to Kantishna and done a flightseeing tour. They are totally different experiences.

[lansky]

Right ones much better then the other considering how much the bus cost now I don't even see the debate which one to do

[SSLPhD]

Right ones much better then the other considering how much the bus cost now I don't even see the debate which one to do

One may be better than the other, but which one is better will be different for each person.  (Personally, I thought they were both great.  Would hate to have to choose one.)

[g8trgr8t]

In Denali normally the best thing to do is the 7-9 hour bus tour. I assume it's off for this summer. If so, ask the rangers for advice. On the way back to ANC, you pass straight through the very cute town of Talkeetna. You also pass through Wasilla, home of Sarah Palin (we met her when we were there!). And you also have the Iditarod Museum nearby as well. The Alaska State Fair is in the area, though I don't know if it's on this year, and if you'll be there at the right time, but we really enjoyed it. Near ANC, you have Alyeska to the south, and Hatcher Pass with Independence Mine to the North (?). You could also try to squeeze in Knik Glacier boat tour (amazing!).

The park busses started running as far as Eilesen visitor center (only bathrooms open)  July 1 but they are heavily discouraging getting off and waiting for another bus. Busses have 1 person per seat now. The hotel is offering a bus tour into Kantinisha but it costs $185 vs $85 for park bus to Eilesen.

Flightseeing around Denali with or without glacier landing from Talkeetna. Mahays jetboat tours out of Talkeetna are running. No state fair this year.

Matanauska glacier is approximately 1.5 hours from Palmer or 2 from Anchorage and you can get guide and go hike on glacier there

Can rent bikes in Anchorage and ride Tony Knowles trail where we often see moose.

Hatcher Pass is nice on a sunny day. Some great hikes there. Lower and upper Reed lake is my favorite hike there.  Many other good hikes in Chugach range around Anchorage

[g8trgr8t]

$162 per person for the Denali bus tour makes sense? Is this the price?
https://reservedenali.ahlsmsworld.com/ReserveDenali/Plan-Your-Trip/Tour-And-Activity-Search/Results

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

$43.50 for "shuttle" bus to Eilesen. If I had time, I would do it 2 days if you can stand that much time on a school bus. Each day can be so different and it increases your chances of seeing wildlife and possibly Denali being visible

[g8trgr8t]

Anyone familiar with any car\RV companies that offer drivers cars\RV  to be driven from AK to the lower 48 for free in order to return the cars or RV's?

Cannot get across the Canadian border even if you find something like that. I have only seen options for taking campers to AK, not from

[g8trgr8t]

Seward is 2:20 or so from ANC and you can take a boat there for whale watching and to see the glaciers of Kenai Fjords NP

Just be aware that there is one road and if/when there is an accident the road can be closed for hours at a time. We were stuck at a dead stop for 6 hours  earlier this month due to a crash

[g8trgr8t]

Ketchikan or Juneue for a day or 2? Or somewhere else that can fly From ANC?

Have you considered Fairbanks?  You can take the train there

[Something Fishy]

Cannot get across the Canadian border even if you find something like that. I have only seen options for taking campers to AK, not from

Transit from US48 to Akaska via Canada is allowed so long as it is direct.