From Valdez - To Delta Junction of Tok?
We will making our way over to Valdez next week, looking forward to it. When we leave, the direct route would take us to Tok, but we also hear that the drive to Delta Junction is spectacular too. ...
Forum Discussion
For me, it really depends on what the purpose of my trip. The Richardson Hwy was originally the only way to drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage, prior to the Parks hwy being completed in the early 70s. I especially enjoy the Glennallen to Delta section of the Richardson if I am not in any hurry. I have always had better fishing on it than the Glenn Hwy from Glennallen to Tok (known as the Tok Cut Off). These days, most of the land along the Richardson in that area is privately owned by the Aetna Regional Corp. but they do sell fishing permits for a reasonable costs the last time I was through there. The old lodge at Sourdough, burned a few years back and was rebuilt after being closed a couple of years. Sourdough Lodge had the best home made blueberry pies to be found, IMHO. They also had a huge dog, looked like a cross between a bear and a Volkswagon. A gentle giant that had a couple of talents, that I ever saw. One is he could open the screen door with his paw, as well as a person and he wasn't a picky eater. When standing on all fours, he was eye ball level with the tops of the tables in the cafe. He would visit the different tables and check what everyone was eating and then try to mooch some bites from the favorites. He was worth a stop just to feed him a few french fries and last bite of my burger. LOL
Anyway, you will find the Alaska Oil Pipeline follows the Richardson Hwy in that section of Alaska, lots of photo opps of it. The Gulkana River is also along side the highway much of the way and it is a good fishing stream, spring through fall. Has a good fall run of steelhead trout, close to the mouth of Paxson Lake, if they interest a person in trying to catch them. Then at Paxson intersection, go west on the Denali Hwy, paved for the first dozen miles or so, to the Tangle Lakes area for a few day of remoteness and often good fishing for grayling. Take lots of bug spray as they tend to be vicious up till the first couple of good frosts in fall time.
So I can make an easy weeks trip out of getting from Glennallen to Delta. If I am in more of a hurry to head south then I will take the Tok Cut Off and usually camp for a night or two. Eagle State rec Area is a good campground about a dozen miles south of Tok. Several nice CGs in Tok and most services available. Some nice gift shops also there if anything you have forgotten to buy. Also stop at the gas station at the junction to the village of Northway. They, most of the time, have locally made art objects for sale. The people of Northway are known for the baskets and sewing work they do. You buy from them and you are supporting local artists, not some big corporation somewhere.
Not sure if the Black Rapids Glacier Lodge, on the Richardson is open these days or not. It has had a history of periods, of being open and others of being closed. Nice views from there.
Anyway, you will find the Alaska Oil Pipeline follows the Richardson Hwy in that section of Alaska, lots of photo opps of it. The Gulkana River is also along side the highway much of the way and it is a good fishing stream, spring through fall. Has a good fall run of steelhead trout, close to the mouth of Paxson Lake, if they interest a person in trying to catch them. Then at Paxson intersection, go west on the Denali Hwy, paved for the first dozen miles or so, to the Tangle Lakes area for a few day of remoteness and often good fishing for grayling. Take lots of bug spray as they tend to be vicious up till the first couple of good frosts in fall time.
So I can make an easy weeks trip out of getting from Glennallen to Delta. If I am in more of a hurry to head south then I will take the Tok Cut Off and usually camp for a night or two. Eagle State rec Area is a good campground about a dozen miles south of Tok. Several nice CGs in Tok and most services available. Some nice gift shops also there if anything you have forgotten to buy. Also stop at the gas station at the junction to the village of Northway. They, most of the time, have locally made art objects for sale. The people of Northway are known for the baskets and sewing work they do. You buy from them and you are supporting local artists, not some big corporation somewhere.
Not sure if the Black Rapids Glacier Lodge, on the Richardson is open these days or not. It has had a history of periods, of being open and others of being closed. Nice views from there.
