What are your planned destinations in Alaska? Thinking about a trip through Lake Clark pass? Dilingham? Checking out the western coast of Alaska? If so....let me know...I'm north of Dillingham. Can give a tour to you and yours of the only Platinum mining dredge in the world....
Mark M.
Platinum Ak.

It looks like the weather in south-central Alaska is going to be better than most areas for the next couple of days. It may favor the trip from Talkeetna down toward Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. A stop into Lake Hood could be fun, and experiencing the largest float plane base is unique and memorable. This could also be a good time to take a flight through Lake Clark Pass to visit Port Alsworth for a good day trip. If you come down to the Kenai Peninsula, Seward may be a good stop especially for kids because there is a great Sea Life Center there that you could visit. Also in Seward you could get a half day wildlife tour on the boat. From Seward, you could fly over the Harding icefield down toward Homer and also visit Seldovia. If you are looking for a more remote experience with fewer people, this could also be a good time to fly to McCarthy and explore the Wrangell St Elias National Park.

Thanks guys! We're basically going where the weather is good, but the loose plan is Talkeetna/Denali and then over to McCarthy and the Wrangells. Looks like the weather is cooperating.

Everybody we meet has been super nice and helpful. The "glamping" here in Fairbanks is tough to give up, but the big mountains beckon. We have about 5 more days in Alaska, and then it'll be time to head back down.

Made it to Talkeetna! OMG, is this place cool!

Kind of crappy weather through the pass, so we could barely see McKinley. Hoping for better tomorrow. I'll add some pictures of the trip through the mountains later today. I'm stoked!

I'm glad y'all hit the dredge! If I'd have thought of it is have put it in my first post of recommendations! It is a little touristy, but fun and full of history.

Have fun down south!

Oregon180 wrote:Made it to Talkeetna! OMG, is this place cool!

Kind of crappy weather through the pass, so we could barely see McKinley. Hoping for better tomorrow. I'll add some pictures of the trip through the mountains later today. I'm stoked!

Just sayin'...if you could 'barely' see McKinley then the weather wasn't that bad...

Glad you are having a good trip. Sounds like fun. I'd love to take another ridiculously long xc with another family member...maybe we can do that sometime to Oregon and back...

Oregon180 wrote:Made it to Talkeetna! OMG, is this place cool!

Kind of crappy weather through the pass, so we could barely see McKinley. Hoping for better tomorrow. I'll add some pictures of the trip through the mountains later today. I'm stoked!

Heck, launch right this minute and you'll get the entire north side of the range bathed in alpenglow.
Right traffic around the mountain. Up Kahiltna Pass and return via Traleika Col. 123.65 on the south side and 122.725 on the north side.
Cheers,
-DP

Oregon180 wrote:Made it to Talkeetna! OMG, is this place cool!

It's like Ashland at 62° N

Some quick pictures from todays trip from Fairbanks to Talkeetna:





So much cool aviation history here!
The old Sheldon Hangar at the village strip:


Sheldon Air Service Beaver:

Love your photos and the entire trip...thanks for the updates.

If you get lost and end up in King Salmon, let me know...

Oregon,
Another gorgeous, cloudless morning on the north side, but looks to be some weather on its way from the west. Seize the morning if you're thinking of flying towards the hill.
-DP

Thanks for the updates O-180. Man, those big valley pictures are the best!

Enjoy the Wrangells.

Hey denali pilot, thanks for all the local info!

I can't figure out how to PM with Tapatalk, so I'll just ask you here: is it worth it to go into PAIN for a part day, take the shuttle in and go for a hike? We realistically wouldn't get farther than the first 15 miles on the shuttle, so I'm trying to decide if we'd really see much on those hikes anyway, or if I should focus on trying to see things from the air.

Thanks, everybody!

Gulkana is a good fuel stop.

When you fly into McCarthy park on the north west side of the ramp. There is a outhouse conveniently located on the northeast side of the ramp. Camping under the wing is very easy. To walk into McCarthy, walk to the northernmost taxiway and cross the runway. Look for a 4-wheeler trail heading into the woods. This is a shortcut to the main road that connects McCarthy to Kennecott. Once you hit the road, turn left and head south into McCarthy town. Food at the Potato is good. Also the saloon serves dinner after about 5 PM. Grab a shuttle from Wrangle Mountain Air which will take you to Kennecott mine. The tickets cost five dollars each way per person.

If you decide to fly into May Creek, the runway is slightly uphill to the Southeast. The cabin is at the southeast end of the runway. Follow the trail heading to the east about 100 yards and you'll find the cabin off to your left. The cabin comfortably fits three, but you could probably do okay with four if someone sleeps on the floor. Don't forget to take your mosquito punks and if you need to, light one in the cabin with the door open and in about 15 minutes the mosquitoes will clear out.

If the weather is good, take a flight up the Chitistone River. You'll pass by Peavine bar and Glacier Creek. Fly up to Chitistone pass, and fly around the Russell glacier. You can then come back over Skolai pass and down the Nizina back to McCarthy. Always be on the lookout for sheep up there.

Thanks, Squash! That's some great,detailed info. Camping at McCarthy sounds like a plan, and it'll be good to be able to drop most of our stuff off there and be light-ish going into the Wrangells.

Oregon180 wrote:Hey denali pilot, thanks for all the local info!

I can't figure out how to PM with Tapatalk, so I'll just ask you here: is it worth it to go into PAIN for a part day, take the shuttle in and go for a hike? We realistically wouldn't get farther than the first 15 miles on the shuttle, so I'm trying to decide if we'd really see much on those hikes anyway, or if I should focus on trying to see things from the air.

Thanks, everybody!

[Edit] I'm guessing that by now your plans have taken shape. Sorry not to have my bird right now in order to connect up. Hope your day went well,
-DP

Oregon180 wrote:Hey denali pilot, thanks for all the local info!

I can't figure out how to PM with Tapatalk, so I'll just ask you here: is it worth it to go into PAIN for a part day, take the shuttle in and go for a hike? We realistically wouldn't get farther than the first 15 miles on the shuttle, so I'm trying to decide if we'd really see much on those hikes anyway, or if I should focus on trying to see things from the air.

Thanks, everybody!

p.s. PAIN is worthwhile, but you won't see much wildlife in the first 15 miles of the park road. You can do a modest to ambitious hike starting from the Savage Camp near 12 mile that is quite scenic, or from the Savage bridge at 14 mile.
Depends if you want to stretch your legs, or see scenery from the air. To my way of thinking, the truly unique opportunity is to fly around the the mountains and glaciers, especially since it is a clear(ish) day. In fact, I'd even consider riding with the pros (TAT, etc) to fit in a glacier landing if the family has never experienced that before. On the other hand, if you want to stretch your legs, a hike in the park may be in order. Can't really go wrong.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:Can't really go wrong.

-DP

x2!

Christmas came early this year! My awesome family gave me the flight of a lifetime in a Talkeetna Air Taxi 185! Holy smokes, was that awesome!

Oregon180 wrote:

Christmas came early this year! My awesome family gave me the flight of a lifetime in a Talkeetna Air Taxi 185! Holy smokes, was that awesome!

Brilliant! That's exactly how I'd have written the story if it was mine to write!
Now don't leave town without a copy of Wager with the Wind.

-DP