"America's Final Frontier" a Alaska Travel Page by mht_in_la

Alaska became United States' 49th state in 1959. Its mysterious power and vast wilderness promise opportunities to the adventure-minded, who come here year after year seeking escape. It can be a short vacation, a summer job, or a new life disconnected from the lower 48. It's America's final frontier.

Send Photo to a Friend

Crossing the Gulf of Alaska at sunset

To most tourists, Alaska means cruise. There are more people visiting Alaska by cruiseliners than any other way. Therefore the biggest state in the U.S. is often generalized as Inside Passage. I visited Alaska in May 2002. I spent 14 days travelling through its oceans and mountains. It's impossible to visit the biggest state comprehensively in only 2 weeks. But I tried. Most of my photos, travelogues and tips can be found under their own destination. Here in this umbrella location, I'll share with you the itinerary, budget, and miscellaneous info from my trip.

My Must-see List

There are many things that set Alaska apart from other travel destinations. Here's the must-see list I prepared for myself. It's only for your interest. I didn't manage to see all of them either.

********** nature's must-see **********
Glaciers - Alaska has many glaciers. Some are very accessible.
Fjord - Think of Inside Passage as one big fjord.
Aurora - To see the northern lights you need luck. It's best seen in autumn in the interior.
Wildlife - Bald eagles, grizzly bears, dall sheep, caribou, whales, dolphins, etc. But it's not a zoo.

******** cultural must-see ********
Native culture - Totem is a popular local art form, plus many museums to visit.
Russian heritage - The Russians came before the Americans. See their Orthodox churches and villages.
Dog sled - The famous Iditarod race is in the winter. Denali National Park has demos in the summer.
Pipeline - Alaska's economic vessel runs from the Arctic interior to Valdez.
Gold rush remnant - Alaska had its share of gold rush in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Traces of WWII - U.S. built highways, fortresses, and even cities for the battles that never came.

******** other must-see ********
Alaska Marine Highway - The State's public transportation is an integral part of Alaska travel.
Alaska Railroad - Famous for its scenic ride between Anchorage and Seward and around Denali.
Outdoor fun - Fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping, etc. Or just being outdoor is great.
Cruise - To most, Alaska means cruise. You don't need to take them but you can't avoid seeing them.

Send Photo to a Friend

Moose in Homer

My Itinerary (14 days)

Before the trip I spent lots of time researching Alaska. Most things went as planned. I did alter the plan a little at the last minute, such as spending an extra night in Valdez for the Columbia Glacier kayaking tour, which turned out the highlight of my whole trip. The advantage of not travelling in the tourist season is that I didn't have to have everything reserved. I only reserved the critical things such as ferry, rental car, and some hostels to allow some flexibility. Plus, I travelled alone and can easily find last-minute vacancy. The following is the actual itinerary from my 14-day Alaska trip.

Day 1: Fly into Juneau (10:30pm) from Los Angeles via Seattle.
Day 2: Juneau (Mendenhall Glacier, Last Chance Mine, various museums, etc.)
Day 3: Juneau (Treadwell Mine, Mt Roberts, St. Nicholas Russian Church, Governor's Mansion, etc.)
Day 4: Juneau (whale watching). Board AMH Kennicott at Auk Bay(2:00pm).
Day 5: On-board AMH Kennicott crossing the Gulf of Alaska. Quick stop at Yakutat.
Day 6: Arrive Valdez at 4:00am. Walk around Valdez (Small Boat Harbor, Salmon Viewpoint, etc.)
Day 7: Kayak in Columbia Glacier then return to Valdez. Halibut Dinner.
Day 8: Board AMH Bartlett to cross Prince William Sound to Whittier then Anchorage. Rent a car.
Day 9: Drive to Seward. Hike coastal trail by Resurrection Bay. Visit Exit Glacier.
Day 10: Drive to Homer. Visit Ninilchik, Homer Spit, and scenic drive along Kachemak Bay.
Day 11: Long drive to Denali National Park. Visit Park along Park Rd till Teklanika at mile 29.
Day 12: Drive to Fairbanks. Visit downtown, U of Alaska, various museums, pipeline, etc.
Day 13: Drive back to Denali. Hike the Savage River trail. See sled dog demo and Alaska Railroad.
Day 14: Drive to Anchorage. Visit downtown, Ship Creek, Earthquake Park. Board midnight flight home.
Day 15: Arrive Los Angeles Airport (6:45am).

Actual Expenses (1 person, 14 days)

The total expense for my 14-day Alaska trip came out $1,226, very close to my original estimate. About half of it was on transportation. The following is a detail break-down.

Transportation: $543
Among which $311 was on 1-week car rental and gas (I drove about 1,700 miles), and $168 on 2 AMH rides (Juneau to Valdez and Valdez to Whittier). By the way I flied free using my mileage.
Hotel/Accommodation: $199
It includes 11 nights of hostels at various locations (some nights were on ferry and plane). Also, I lost 1 night reservation at Hostel Anchorage due to change of plan.
Food: $206
I only dined at restaurants a couple of times. It's mostly fast food for me. Subway was healthy and convenient for me. Often I bought a foot-long, ate half, and took the other half to the hike. The expense also includes a few rounds of beer with people I met on the road.
Kayak Tour: $185
This is the cost of the 1-day kayaking tour to Columbia Glacier with Anadyr in Valdez.
Photo: $50
It includes film and development for about 120 photos. Did not have a digital camera at the time.
Miscellaneous: $43.
This includes maps, museum fees, laundry, and a car wash after returning from the interior.