Alaska info

“I need some help! I'm planning a grand excursion for two weeks in Alaska i need help deciding on the best area to hike. I'm not interested in climbing mountains, i want to stick to the valleys I'm wanting to get well away from any people,ya know just a little solitude and some fishing....so any ideas on where to go? Many places to choose from but i just can't make up my mind......”

“Keep in mind that you'll be right in the middle of caribou and moose, hunting season.

You also have to be concerned about the onset of winter weather in the north and higher elevations.

You might consider RESURRECTION PASS TRAIL I've got a book on Alaska Backpacking, I'll check it tonight.”

“Heck, get off the plane, have a cab drop you off 10 miles in any direction, and hike.”

“try and find a place not accessible by road, four wheeler or boat. Otherwise it'll be crawling with hunters.”

“Absolutely the Kenai!, South of Anchorage....Been there, Great area, though the elevation is NOT flat, it's not a climbing expedition either! I highly encourage this hike...”

“I would avoid central Alaska (Fairbanks). I was stationed there when I was in the Army and there are mad hunters out there shooting anything that moves. As an MP we had to police these guys because they are authorized to hunt on US gov. property surrounding Fairbanks and Ft. Wainwright. Oh yah, the cold can tear fingers and toes off in a jiffy. If you camp overnight keep you boots in the bag, if not they'll be a #&%!$ to warm up in the morning. Perfect time of year to see the "Norther Lights." Be safe and enjoy the views, they are awsome.

11”

“Thanks for the response guys and "supertroll" i've been considering the Kenie,that will probably be where i go...be safe.”

“I looked in my book. Unless you want to do the Chilkoot Trail, I think Resurrection on the Kenai is your best bet.”

“how about this instead of going to a park with designated trails what say i just hire a bush plane to fly myself and a bud out in any direction and just drop us off? This will require some major tooling up for two weeks in the weeds but i do like the idea better, also i will have to arrange a time and place to meet the bush plane again to be resupplied..i think i could pull it off though...whatchya think?”

“Sure, if you can afford it and have the skills.
Weather is still chancy in mid September, if you go far north or go up in altitude.”

“Take all your supplies with you the first time out. I will be awful costly if you were to have a pilot just fly out supplies for you say mid trip. Make a cache, GPS's it and double back to it would be the best way.

I don't know when you are wanting to do this or where you are thinking of going, but AK only has a few more weeks left before you are going to need either a snowgo or snow shoes etc. to get around. I would plan something for next summer cause you ain't got much time left in my book. Wear alot of orange if you going during the hunting season, I think moose season has started or is starting really soon. Normally late Aug. and first part of Sept. Heads up.”

“Moose and the main caribou season go through Sept 20 in most areas, I believe.

AK Big Game Hunting Regs”

“this is a nice area, but will have some hunters around.

Susitna River”

“we are planning the trip for next summer around the first of june so we still have some time left to work out the details.”

“that's a great time to go to the Denali Highway area. Every time I went around Memorial Day the weather was warm and dry.”

“This is near the Susitna River

”

“Have you thought about a lazy 'float' trip?

I've never been to Kenai or S of 'Las Anchorage' other than my ferry ride and Alcan adventure from Haines to Fairbanks. I have heard Kenai is awesome to say the least. BUT, for some reason, I imagine that those areas down on the #&%!$ula will be more crowded than say other areas of AK. that are more 'landlock' from the major road system. I don't know, the state is freaking huge...

Track down one of those AK. atlases from a major book store and do some investigated over the net.

I loved the areas I went too. And honestly I can't wait to get back there for a spell.”

“Donaldus,

I spent a summer in Alaska way back many years ago. Most of it was on the South slopes of the Brooks Range 100+ miles North of the circle. There's endless solitude, and bush pilots can drop you anywhere, there's lakes all over the place.

I set basecamps, and did out-and-back hikes from there. Pick a compass bearing, hike until 40% of the chow was gone, hike back, rest and resupply, pick different direction..... one of the best times of my life.

You can surf the web and find flying services in the Fairbanks area. Get a phone number and call one. If the one you call doesn't do drop-off / resupply / pick up service to the Brooks Range, the one you call will be able to refer you to one who does.

The Brooks Range is wild, remote, and unmarred by roads (except for the one alongside the pipeline). Avoid the pipeline area and you might go places where no human has walked before.”

“Strider, thanks for the info that sounds exactly like what i'm looking for.I have heard that the Brooks Range is very swampy though,is that true?”

“Not so marshy when you stay on the ridges, but when you drop down to rivers or into valleys into the bogs, it can be tough going. Right now would be an awesome time to be in the Brooks. Tundra fall. I float this time of year in the Brooks would be good, too.

This is looking at Minto Flats from Murphy Dome, near Fairbanks.

”

“"a float" not "I float"”

“Anybody know of some bush plane websites that i can check out? maybe make reservations or somethin?”

“You could start here.

Alaska Air Transportation There are a couple of links on recreation etc.”

“This is a handy site. Alaska Weather Cams”

“Sun's just coming up in Alaska as I make this post. Some good sunrises.”

“Looks like a typical day in Denali NP. This is down near the Parks Highway, I believe.

”

“Not too shabby in Haines either.

”

“This looks like a good resource, too.

Explore North, Hiking and Climbing in Alaska”

“You might find this helpful too. My old stomping grounds, although I knew nothing of the club.

Fairbanks Area Hiking Club”

“Looks like the Denali webcam is refreshing, not the others.”

“Donaldus,

I don't know about swampy per se, but the tundra can be very scary to hike on. In many places, it is crossed by small watercourses cut by snowmelt, but the tundra can grow so thick that it will cover the watercourses. That smoothe carpet of mosses and lchens can have ankle or even leg breaking traps under it. I dropped into one that was about 18 inches deep, and was dam' lucky and didnt take an injury. I tried to stay either to the creeksides, or up on the upper tundra, near the talus where the tundra wasn't so thick that it hid the ditches.

I used Aurora Air Service, out of Fairbanks, it was run by a guy named Jim Pippin. This was early 70's, I don't know if Aurora is still in business, but Jim was one fine pilot.

Take lots and lots of bugjuice. Take long sleeves and pants, kahki at least (or something they can't drill through. Take a face net for sure. Wear ankle weights so the skeeters can't carry you off whole. There were days that the clouds were so thick I could kill five or ten just by closing my hand in the air around my head. I kid you not, you better be prepared for and respect the bugs up there, or they will drive you mad. After awhile, you will pray for wind, to blow them away. Wherever possible, set camp where the breeze hits.

Hot and sunny on the 4th of July. Sideways sleet on the 7th of July. Be prepared for any kind of weather, because it all happens.

It will be the trip of your life.”

“it sure sounds like it strider...wish i could leave tomorrow.”

“My tundra hiking experience would have been a chilling if it were not for the rubber knee high boots that I brought. They were waterproof steel shanked boots and I used duct tape around the ankle to get a tighter snug fit. I don't believe my leather boot and gaiters would have done the trick. That is way I left them back in town.
”

“I found a great Alaska web site with trip reports, awesome maps, and many tips.

http://www.aktrekking.com/”