Best Time

[donrebyct]

What would be the best time to spend two or three weeks in AK in a rental class C? I'm looking at making the big loop (Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, etc, then down to Valdez, then over to Kenai. We want to see lots of wildlife and scenery.

Our nine day trip by train staying in B&Bs the end of August to Labor Day in 2014 was great, but no wildlife.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Don

[rag-ftw]

Here's a link to some planning aids.

Milepost Wildlife and Glacier Cruises

[rag-ftw]

Ditto on Brooks Lodge in Katmai for BIG grizzles! Absolutely once in a lifetime trip, especially in July. It is very expensive but the experience is worth every penny. The Valley of 10,000 Smokes is worth a visit during this trip also!

[bee_46]

For animals other than the Alaska Highway we found taking the shuttle bus into Wonder Lake in Denali a good route for animals. Bus drivers will stop for photos but you cannot get off the bus for photos unless you are getting off to hike.

We like the Stan Stephens boat trip out of Valdez for marine animals and glaciers as well as the Kenai Fjords trip out of Seward on Resurrection Bay. We have done all of these trips in July and have seen animals on all trips.

For bears you might want to take a trip to Katmai out of Homer in July but this is not a cheap trip. We hope to do this trip this summer ourselves.

Seeing animals along the roadside is hit and miss. We have seen bears on the Alaska Highway and the Yellowhead in Canada and moose in downtown Anchorage and along the Parks Highway.

You can check out the Alaska 2008 blog in my signature to see some of the animals we have encountered in Alaska.

[tonymull]

The reason I recommend the Kenai Fjords Tour and Denali is that the animals in both places are protected, traffic, road in Denali and boat in the Fjords, is limited, and the animals become accustomed to the tour boats and to the buses. They stay in sight rather than run. Usually, not always, animals you see elsewhere on the road system will be moving away from you quickly. Taking multiple trips into Denali will just about guarantee that you will see animals. Have a great trip...you'll need reservations at Denali.

[donrebyct]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Maybe July would be a good compromise.

To tell the truth, I want to drive up. But, my wife is strongly against it, and she's supported by my doctor. But, I'm thinking you only go around once and I should do what I've been dreaming of since I was a teenager.

[hr0082]

On our three trips driving to Alaska, most of the wildlife that we saw was in BC and YT. The journey to Alaska from Mississippi was just as enjoyable as the months that we spent in Alaska. If possible, take the drive and take your time.

[Veebyes]

As long as the weather is fine the scenery is a guarantee. The wildlife is another matter. Maybe you will. Maybe you won't. Luck of the draw. Best wildlife for us has been in Canada on the Cassiar Highway. Had a yearling bear stand right up, paws on the drivers window on our second trip. You just never know. The critters blend in very well & if you don't have a eye & driving at a speed slow enough to stop you will miss them.

The route & time you have are pretty much standard fare for a dash around the loop. Not like there are many road choices in Alaska. 2 weeks is not much time but do your best to stop & soak some of Alaska in.

[2gypsies1]

We spent 10 days in Denali; five at Riley Creek campground and five at Teklanika. We saw all the major critters known to be in the park. Grizzlies were plentiful. This was mid-August.

[tonymull]

The best two places on the road system for scenery and wildlife combined are 1. Denali National Park. 2. Kenai Fjords Tour out of Seward. The more time you spend in Denali, taking the bus in on multiple days, the better your chances. July and August are best for scenery and in mid August on you will get fall colors in Denali. For what you want those are the spots most likely to produce.

[Tee_Jay]

One thought on bear viewing. The Sterling Hyway along the Kenai river near Cooper Landing can sometimes be good. Also, the Russian River around the Ferry and upstream when the Reds are running.

[jnharley]

With the exception of Denali Natl Park, we saw most of our wildlife driving on the Alaska Highway. We saw black bears and bison in BC and grizzlies in the Yukon. We saw moose everywhere though. We only saw one black bear in the wild while in Alaska. We saw lots of sea life on a glacier tour (Stan Stephens Tour) from Valdez.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

We went the last week of May. Still cool and wet weather but we just took rain jackets with zip in liners. Saw bear cub in the road and moose in Denali park. Ditto on Lulu-Belle in Valdez. All day cruise, stops for lunch at glaciers for viewing. Well worth the cost!! Lots of sealife and narrated tour.

[rag-ftw]

Ditto on Alaskan Highway in early spring for animals. We saw more wildlife on the highway than we did during our two summers of 4 months each.
While on your loop spend a week at Teklanika in Denali and ride the first shuttle bus each morning. You will see a lot of wildlife!
Take a sightseeing cruise out of Seward for sea life.
Go for a cruise on the Lulu-belle out of Valdez for whales and glacier vews.
That should take three weeks and whet your appetite to come back and spend the summer when you are able.

[Two_Hands]

We took the train from Whittier to Denali National Park and did not see even one critter from the train. If you want to see animals drive the Alaska Highway. We have driven it twice. Beautiful scenery and plenty of wild animals on and next to the highway.