Forum Discussion

PartyOf_Five's avatar
PartyOf_Five
Explorer
May 06, 2019

Go West! (But where?)

We'd spend $2000 taking the feet from Prince Rupert to Juneau; yikes!

As a point of comparison, would you suggest we take a drive (side excursion) West and go to:
- Haines, from Haines Junction
- Homer, from Anchorage (220 mi rt)
- 120 mi Valdez to GlennAllen

Or just stay on the loop (Hwys 1,2,3)?
  • I've always thought that the drive to/from Valdez / Glennallen is one of the more scenic on the Alaska road system, particularly if the weather is good.

    I don't know that the jaunt from Haines Junction would be a whole lot different than what you've seen / will see already.

    The drive to Homer is long and, while it can be nice, it's usually only the last 60 miles (with the views across the inlet) that strike me as being scenic. Homer is a neat little town but (IMNSHO) a bit overhyped and can get a bit of a "tourist-trap" feel on the spit.
  • I would go to all three. From Haines Junction to Haines is about 160 Oh Anchorage to Homer is 220 each way. The silver fishing is real good in Valdez in late August You can walk to the Worthington glacier on the way in. I live in Homer and will be stopping in Haines on the way home. Leaving in 3-4 days from Phoenix.
  • I liked Homer as a side trip from Anchorage, and the drive can be interesting, but frustrating as well, depending on when you do it (day of week, time of day) for traffic on the Seward/Sterling Hwy. I can see how the spit might make some think "touristy" but we didn't. We watched the planes land on the water, on our way out to the municipal campground. We were actually passed by a motorized hang glider, while driving to the end of the road. I laughed when I saw the local package store, aka "The Rum Locker". Great name, very amusing "pirates and swashbucklers" themed name. It even had a Starbucks in the local Safeway, which was a nice touch. The views from the little welcome center rest area at the top of the hill as you approach the town, are spectacular, as they are from just about every other elevated viewpoint along East End Road.
    My greatest regret and error, was to completely miss the tunnel to Whittier when we were right there. Didn't know about it until we got home.
    Alaska is definitely worth the drive/sail/flight. We plan on returning soon.
  • There is a bunch of highway construction on the Sterling Highway between Cooper Landing and Sterling, and then again south of Soldotna this summer.

    A suggestion for one of the most scenic Highways in America would be from Anchorage to Seward (around 120 miles one way)
  • A suggestion for one of the most scenic Highways in America would be from Anchorage to Seward (around 120 miles one way)

    One of the standouts from our first trip there. I'd recommend visiting the Alaska Sealife Center while in Seward. If you are looking for a great meal, try Ray's on the Waterfront.
  • What do you mean side drive? Aren't you spending about a month in AK?
    I wouldn't drop big $ on the ferry, although it was super cool. We took it from PR to Haines and most of the entire boat ride was just spectacular scenery.
    If you want to take a boat ride, I'd go fishing for a day. At the end of the day you'll have $100s worth of fresh fish to eat.
    Man, so many things to do. We were up there for a year (living and working, not just vacation) and didn't see the half of it.
    Off the top of my head:
    -Loop form Whitehorse thru Dawson and Chicken.
    -Haul Road to Coldfoot or all the way to Deadhorse
    -Denali Hwy
    -Kennicot mine/MacCarthy
    - Valdez
    -Kenai Peninsula
    Too much to type. If you need suggestions or a couple fishing holes, PM me.
  • We took the train from Anchorage to Seward, and it was well worth the expense. We used the tour saver booklet for a two for one price. We drove to both Homer and Valdez, and I wouldn't want to miss either. We spent about five days just hanging out on the spit and driving around the area. The drive to Valdez is spectacular, and I wish we had spent a bit more time there.
  • The drive(s) from Anchorage to either Seward or Valdez are very scenic, if the weather is nice (meaning clear).

    Having just done both drives in the past 10 days or so, if the weather is crappy, the drive to Seward is still nice; the drive to Valdez, not so much.

    That being said, if there are equally bad clouds and fog at the actual towns, I think Valdez is still fairly scenic, while one loses the view of the bay that a big part of what makes Seward scenic (IMNSHO).