Activities in The Interior
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Paddling the Noatak National Wild River
The Noatak National Wild River is a 16-day, 350-mile float from Lake Matcharak to the village of Noatak, where Bering Air (www.beringair.com) has scheduled flights to Kotzebue. However, the numerous access lakes on the river allow it to be broken down into shorter paddles. The entire river is rated from Class I to II. The upper portion, in the Brooks Range, offers much more dramatic scenery and is usually accessed from Bettles.
The lower half, accessed through Kotzebue, flows through a broad, gently sloping valley where hills replace the sharp peaks of the Brooks Range. The most common trip here is to put in at Nimiuktuk River where, within an hour of paddling, you enter …
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Camper Buses
The alternative to the shuttle buses are the less crowded, more informal camper buses, aimed at ferrying overnight campers, backpackers and cyclists, and offering ample space to stow gear. To take these buses you must have a campsite or backcountry unit reserved along Park Rd, or be toting a bicycle. If you don't have a campground reservation, you can't ride out on the camper bus, but you can probably hitch a ride back on one - a recommended course of action.
As with shuttles, it's good to reserve as far in advance as possible.
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Polychrome Pass Circuit
Polychrome Pass Circuit One cross-country route you might consider off Park Rd is Polychrome Pass Circuit, an 8-mile trek that will challenge fit, experienced day hikers. (Less studly souls might want to do it as an overnight, which requires a permit.) This hike traverses one of the park's most scenic areas. The brilliantly colored rocks of Polychrome Pass are the result of volcanic action some 60 million years ago.
Today the multicolored hills and mountains, including Polychrome Mountain (5790ft) and Cain Peak (4961ft), are a stunning sight in the low-angle light of a clear Alaskan summer day.
The route begins on the west side of Park Rd's bridge across East Fork Toklat R…
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Wilderness Camping
For many, the reason to come to Denali is to escape into the backcountry for a truly Alaskan experience. Unlike many parks in the Lower 48, Denali's rigid restrictions ensure you can trek and camp in a piece of wilderness all your own, even if it's just for a few days.
The park is divided into 87 backcountry units, and in 43 only a regulated number of backpackers (usually from four to six) are allowed at a time. You have to obtain a free permit for the unit you want to overnight in. You may spend a maximum of seven nights in any one unit, and a maximum of 30 consecutive nights in the backcountry.
Obtain permits at the Backcountry Information Center, where you'll find wall …
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Wildlife Spotting
Because hunting has never been allowed in the park, professional photographers refer to animals in Denali as 'approachable wildlife.' That means bears, moose, Dall sheep and caribou aren't as skittish here as in other regions of the state. For this reason, and because Park Rd was built to maximize the chances of seeing wildlife by traversing high open ground, the national park is an excellent place to view a variety of animals.
Roughly 1800 moose roam the north side of the Alaska Range, and the most spectacular scene in Denali comes in early September, when the bulls begin to clash their immense racks over breeding rights to a cow. Moose are almost always found in stands …
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Mt Healy Overlook Trail
This is the longest maintained trail in the entrance area, and the only one in the vicinity that truly lets you escape the crowds. It's a popular trail among day hikers as it provides a good workout and the reward of fine views over the Nenana River valley, Healy Ridge and other ridgelines. The trail veers off the Taiga Trail and makes a steep climb up Mt Healy, ascending 1700ft in 2½ miles. Plan on three to five hours for the hike.
Once on the trail, you soon cross a bridge over Horseshoe Creek, after which there's a moderately steep climb through a forest of spruce mixed with aspen and alder. After a mile you reach a scenic viewpoint where you can gaze upon Mt Fellows …
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K2 Aviation Flightseeing
K2 Aviation Flightseeing When in Talkeetna, it's pretty much mandatory to go flightseeing around Mt McKinley. It's not cheap, but on a clear day it's so worthwhile that it's one of the best bargains in this expensive state.
There are five local flightseeing operations, all well established, all similar with regards to safety, professionalism and price, and all recipients of fawning reviews from their customers. Most offer three different tours: a circuit of Mt McKinley, a ski-equipped landing on one of its glaciated flanks, and a wildlife tour when the peak is clouded over.
The main difference between the companies is the planes they use: some have small aircraft that sta…
reviewed
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Driving the Dalton Highway
Though the Dalton is slowly being tamed - since 2000 around 130 miles have been paved - it's still not a road that suffers fools. In summer the 28ft-wide corridor is a dusty minefield of potholes, its embankments littered with blown tires. Paint scratches and window chips are inevitable, which is why most car-rental companies don't allow their vehicles here. There are few services, such as telephones, tire repair, fuel and restaurants, and none for the final 225 miles from Wiseman to Deadhorse.
The road is open year-round, but you should only tackle it between late May and early September, when there's virtually endless light and little snow and ice. Drive with headlights…
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Hudson Air Service Flightseeing
When in Talkeetna, it's pretty much mandatory to go flightseeing around Mt McKinley. It's not cheap, but on a clear day it's so worthwhile that it's one of the best bargains in this expensive state.
There are five local flightseeing operations, all well established, all similar with regards to safety, professionalism and price, and all recipients of fawning reviews from their customers. Most offer three different tours: a circuit of Mt McKinley, a ski-equipped landing on one of its glaciated flanks, and a wildlife tour when the peak is clouded over.
The main difference between the companies is the planes they use: some have small aircraft that stay below 12,000ft but can …
reviewed
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Talkeetna Aero Services Flightseeing
When in Talkeetna, it's pretty much mandatory to go flightseeing around Mt McKinley. It's not cheap, but on a clear day it's so worthwhile that it's one of the best bargains in this expensive state.
There are five local flightseeing operations, all well established, all similar with regards to safety, professionalism and price, and all recipients of fawning reviews from their customers. Most offer three different tours: a circuit of Mt McKinley, a ski-equipped landing on one of its glaciated flanks, and a wildlife tour when the peak is clouded over.
The main difference between the companies is the planes they use: some have small aircraft that stay below 12,000ft but can …
reviewed
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Talkeetna Air Taxi Flightseeing
When in Talkeetna, it's pretty much mandatory to go flightseeing around Mt McKinley. It's not cheap, but on a clear day it's so worthwhile that it's one of the best bargains in this expensive state.
There are five local flightseeing operations, all well established, all similar with regards to safety, professionalism and price, and all recipients of fawning reviews from their customers. Most offer three different tours: a circuit of Mt McKinley, a ski-equipped landing on one of its glaciated flanks, and a wildlife tour when the peak is clouded over.
The main difference between the companies is the planes they use: some have small aircraft that stay below 12,000ft but can …
reviewed
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Doug Geeting Aviation Flightseeing
When in Talkeetna, it's pretty much mandatory to go flightseeing around Mt McKinley. It's not cheap, but on a clear day it's so worthwhile that it's one of the best bargains in this expensive state.
There are five local flightseeing operations, all well established, all similar with regards to safety, professionalism and price, and all recipients of fawning reviews from their customers. Most offer three different tours: a circuit of Mt McKinley, a ski-equipped landing on one of its glaciated flanks, and a wildlife tour when the peak is clouded over.
The main difference between the companies is the planes they use: some have small aircraft that stay below 12,000ft but can …
reviewed
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Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses are aimed at wildlife watchers and day hikers. They aren't fancy, comfortable, high-tech wonders but big, clunky school-bus-style affairs. On board, passengers armed with binoculars and cameras scour the terrain for animals, most of which are so accustomed to the rambling buses that they rarely run and hide. When someone spots something and yells 'stop!' the driver pulls over for viewing and picture taking.
The drivers are concessionaire employees, not NPS naturalists, but they provide unofficial natural-history information en route. Some are better at this than others.
Day hikers don't need a backcountry permit and can get off shuttle buses anywhere along Pa…
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Paddling the Yukon
During its heyday, Eagle was an important riverboat landing for traffic moving up and down the Yukon. Today it's a departure point for the many paddlers who float along the river through the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The 150-mile trip extends from Eagle to Circle, at the end of the Steese Hwy northeast of Fairbanks; most paddlers take six to 10 days, though some require as few as three.
It's not a difficult paddle, but it must be planned carefully. Kayakers and canoeists should come prepared for insects, but can usually camp either in public-use cabins or on open beaches and river bars, where winds keep the bugs at bay. They also need to be prepared for extr…
reviewed
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Fortymile River
River Historic Fortymile River, designated as Fortymile National Wild River, offers an excellent escape into scenic wilderness for paddlers experienced in lining their canoes around rapids. It's also a step back into Alaska's gold-rush era; the river passes abandoned mining communities, including Franklin, Steele Creek and Fortymile, as well as some present-day mining operations.
The best place to start paddling is at the bridge over South Fork, because the access points south of here on Taylor Hwy are often too shallow for an enjoyable trip. Many canoeists paddle the 40 miles from South Fork bridge to the bridge over O'Brien Creek, at Mile 113 of Taylor Hwy. This two- to…
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Angel Rocks Hiking Trail
Angel Rocks Hiking Trail is a 3.5-mile loop trail that leads to Angel Rocks: large granite outcroppings near the north boundary of Chena River State Recreation Area. It's a moderate day's hike; the elevation gain is 900ft and the rocks are less than 2 miles from the road.
The trail is also the first leg of the Angel Rocks-Chena Hot Springs Traverse, a more difficult 8.3-mile trek that ends at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, at the end of Chena Hot Springs Rd. Roughly halfway along the traverse is a free-use shelter. The posted trailhead for Angel Rocks is just south of a rest area at Mile 49 of the Chena Hot Springs Rd. The lower trailhead for the Chena Dome Trail is practi…
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Paddling the Kobuk National Wild River
Trips along the Kobuk National Wild River often consist of floats from Walker Lake traveling 140 miles downstream to the villages of Kobuk or Ambler. From these villages there are scheduled flights to both Kotzebue and Bettles, another departure point for this river. Bering Air Service (www.beringair.com) can transport you and your gear from either Kobuk or Ambler to Kotzebue.
Most of the river is rated Class I, but some lining of boats may be required just below Walker Lake and for a mile through Lower Kobuk Canyon. Paddlers usually plan on six to eight days for the float. For more information contact the Innaigvik Public Lands Information & Education Center before you d…
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Town Walking Tour
Residents say Eagle has the state's largest 'museum system,' boasting five restored turn-of-the-20th-century buildings. If you're spending a day here, the best way to see the buildings and learn the town's history is to head to Judge Wickersham's Courthouse (cnr Berry St & 1st Ave) at 09:00, when the Eagle Historical Society commences its three-hour town walking tour.
You'll see the Courthouse, Eagle City Hall, the Log Church, Fort Egbert, Redmen Hall, the Customs Building Museum and Amundsen Park, where a plaque commemorates explorer Roald Amundsen's visit. Tours may be available at other times through special arrangement.
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Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
A handful of trails, each less than 2 miles round-trip, wind through the farmlands and forests of Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, an old dairy farm that's become a birders' paradise. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game seeds the area with bird-luring plants, attracting more than 100 species annually, including Sandhill cranes. The Farmhouse Visitor Center, adjacent to the Fish and Game office and reached by the MACS Red Line, has trail guides, bug spray and a list of recent sightings.
Volunteers lead one-hour nature walks at 19:00 Monday through Friday and 09:00 Wednesday.
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Toklat Ranger Station
During 2006 and possibly 2007, Toklat Ranger Station will feature interpretive displays and offer ranger-led programs, including an hour-long tundra hike at 13:00 daily. To make it here in time for the hike, reserve a shuttle bus leaving the WAC by 09:00. The station is functioning as a temporary visitor center until the overhaul and reopening of Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66), on the far side of Thorofare Pass (3900ft).
Several day and overnight hikes are still possible from the Eielson area, including one around Mt Eielson and another to Muldrow Glacier.
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Biking
No special permit is needed to cycle on Park Rd, but biking off-road is prohibited. Camper buses will carry bikes, but only two at a time and only if you have a reservation. Many cyclists ride the bus in and bike back out, carrying their gear and staying at campsites they've reserved along the way. It's also possible to take an early-morning bus in, ride for several hours and catch a bus back the same day.
You can rent bikes at Denali Outdoor Center, for a half day or for a full day. Rates include a helmet, water bottle, tools and lock.
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Arctic Circle Education Adventures
Arctic Circle Education Adventures has a couple offerings that may well be the best way to crack the nut of Kotzebue. If you're just in town for the day, its four-hour custom tour will take you to look for birds - from swans to short-eared owls - explore the tundra and meet Inupiat residents.
Better yet, stick around for a few days and get the real Bush experience at owner LaVonne Hendricks' fish camp, five miles south of town, where you can hike, beachcomb and participate in the local subsistence lifestyle.
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Nome Tour & Marketing
Based out of the Nugget Inn, this caters mainly to larger package-deal groups, though independents are welcome. It operates three tours daily in the summer. The six-hour history-oriented tour includes gold panning at the Little Creek Mine and a hands-on dog-mushing demonstration, while the four-hour wildlife tour heads out along the highways in search of birds and beasts. The two-hour Alaska Native-culture demonstration focuses on Inupiat hunting, dancing and athletic contests.
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Rock Creek Trail
The moderate 2.3-mile Rock Creek Trail leads west to the park headquarters and dog kennels. It's far easier hiking this trail downhill from the headquarters end, where the trail begins just before Park Rd. From here it crosses Rock Creek but doesn't stay with the stream. Instead, it climbs a gentle slope of mixed aspen and spruce forest, breaks out along a ridge with scenic views of Mt Healy and George Parks Hwy, and then begins a rapid descent to its end at the Taiga Trail.
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Granite Tors Hiking Trail
The 15-mile Granite Tors Hiking Trail loop provides access into an alpine area with unusual tors: isolated pinnacles of granite rising out of the tundra. The first set is 6 miles from the trailhead but the best group lies 2 miles further along the trail. The entire trail is a five- to eight-hour trek gaining 2700ft in elevation, with a free-use shelter midway. The trailhead is in the Tors Trail State Campground, at Mile 39 of the Chena Hot Springs Rd.
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