Traveling north from Anchorage on Parks Highway, heading to Wasilla or Denali National Park, at about Mile 25, you will see an exit to Thunderbird Falls. Thuderbird Falls and Eklutna Lake are very popular spots for locals on a beautiful day. Whether you want to hike about, bike, fish or just paddle along, this is the perfect getaway for a whole family. Continue reading
Tag Archives: summer fun
Are You Ready For The Alaskan Summer
Alaska’s Summer is in full swing, and the first Denali Star trains have meandered past our office, on their way to Fairbanks and Denali – marking the start of the Summer Tourism Season. There is a lot of preparing to do if you are coming to Alaska this season. If you made your vacation reservation with Alaska Denali Tours, you should already have received your vouchers after making your final payment. You can rest assured that your tours, hotels, Alaska Cruises, and transportation are all reserved and waiting for you. Continue reading
Alaska Cruise Checklist
Starting this year, Alaska Denali Tours is now offering various Alaska cruises. There are many different cruising options available, but here’s what you can expect on one of our standard cruise options: Spectacular Scenery, abundant sea-life, fun activities, and last but not least, memories that will last a lifetime! Continue reading
Spring Vacation
Tiny flowers
Early in the season travelers to Alaska can experience the wonders of the environment come back to life after the long winter months. The tundra bursts to life with vibrant colors of flowers. Freshly melted snow saturating the terrain for the bountiful berry patches later in the year. This is the time for color & renewal the time for the animals to come out of hibernation. Seeing Alaska in the summer in all of its grandeur is nothing like watching the beginnings of life come in the Alaskan springtime. You may see the wobbly legs of the twin moose just born a few hours before. The yawn and sleepy eyes of the great grizzly bear as it sees the world for the first time. A den of Timber wolf puppies scramble to see the new budding flowers and to decide which one tastes the best.
Off in the distance are Denali and the Alaska mountain range, still softened by the winter’s snow, packed into every wrinkle. The view is magnificent. This will be a vacation to come back and revisit in your discussions in the break room.
Hiking in Alaska
Among many adventure activities in Alaska, hiking can be considered as one of the most popular activities. There are miles of wilderness that one can trudge along. Hiking season in Alaska stretches from mid April as the snow on the lower valley melts away until the end of October where fall brings crisp weather condition of many cloudless clear days. One can also go on hikes during winter, it is popularly known as snowshoeing.
Hiking in Alaska
While hiking in Alaska, planning is crucial, and taking into consideration few critical aspects of Alaska’s extreme condition is paramount. First of, weather; clear cloudless day in Alaska can instantly change into cloudy and rainy day with temperature plummeting suddenly. Hence, it is always advisable to have layered clothes, extra warm clothes in the backpack, and rain gear. Second, wild life; it is important to note that hiking trails in Alaska meanders through forested area, low lying tundra and high alpine trails, all home to wild animals like moose, caribou, bear, sheep and wolf. Encountering bear and moose is quiet common while hiking in Alaska, hence always hike in groups, stay on trail, and look out for bear advisory notices at the trailhead. Third, food and water; always carry extra food and water.
Hiking in Alaska is special. Despite being the biggest state in the union, the whole state of Alaska has the population less than 700,000. With such a small population density, only in Alaska just a couple of miles drive away from a city or a town, and one can find themselves in the midst of unblemished wilderness. Come and hike in Alaska, and in doing so enjoy the Alaska the way it is meant to be. Happy Trails!
by Robert Longbow