The wife has agreed to a trip to Alaska next year in the 185 (on 29's). Plan on spending at least a month on this trip. I'm hoping we get lucky with Wx so we can go the coastal route one way, and since I've already flown the AK Hwy I'd like to fly the trench the other. Once in Alaska we'd like to tour the state by air. I will have my fly-fishing gear on board. So:

1. What month(s) would be the best for this trip?
2. What are the "must see" places we should go/stay?

Oh, and the wife doesn't camp so that ain't happening. (although I might be able to drop her at a lodge and strike out on my own for a day or two)

Would be great to meet up with some Alaska BCP'rs while in Alaska.

I've found the best weather to be late Spring/early Summer, say May 20 thru mid-June. If you find yourself in the northern end of the SE Panhandle, you've got a friend here. SE and the gulf coast is the most beautiful part of the state...when the sun is shining.

Hi Phil,

I tend to agree with gb, with the caveat that I also tend to think it depends on what you want to fish for, hunt for, or see... for the last few years due to work constraints my vacation has been from the end of June through mid July, give or take a week on either end... It has proved to be a great time.

A word of caution; I recall your wife didn't do well with bumps, which shouldn't be hard to avoid, scuddy Wx on the other hand... you will probably see your share of...

Trench up and Cassiar down (or visa versa) would be grand, and as you know, any of the routes have enough B&B's, lodges etc to keep a smile on the bosses face

Also, I would recommend being prepared to camp, even if it's not in the 'plan'. Better have it and not need it than really need it and not have.

We can compare fishing notes via PM. There is plenty to be had with lodges, and even more to be had with just short day hops that get you away from the lodge scene

Take care, Rob

gbflyer wrote:I've found the best weather to be late Spring/early Summer, say May 20 thru mid-June. If you find yourself in the northern end of the SE Panhandle, you've got a friend here. SE and the gulf coast is the most beautiful part of the state...when the sun is shining.

Thanks. Hopefully the Wx cooperates and we can drop in.

A number of years ago I did a spring black bear hunt out of Ketchikan. The day I arrived was clear and sunny. The day I left was clear and sunny. Every day of the hunt it rained 24 hours a day. Had a blast. Stunning country for sure.

Rob wrote:Hi Phil,

I tend to agree with gb, with the caveat that I also tend to think it depends on what you want to fish for, hunt for, or see... for the last few years due to work constraints my vacation has been from the end of June through mid July, give or take a week on either end... It has proved to be a great time.

A word of caution; I recall your wife didn't do well with bumps, which shouldn't be hard to avoid, scuddy Wx on the other hand... you will probably see your share of...

Trench up and Cassiar down (or visa versa) would be grand, and as you know, any of the routes have enough B&B's, lodges etc to keep a smile on the bosses face

Also, I would recommend being prepared to camp, even if it's not in the 'plan'. Better have it and not need it than really need it and not have.

We can compare fishing notes via PM. There is plenty to be had with lodges, and even more to be had with just short day hops that get you away from the lodge scene

Take care, Rob

Appreciate it Rob. We'll talk for sure. I will definitely have my camping gear on board. I may well fly the wife to WA commercially so she won't have to endure the inevitable turbulence in Texas and New Mexico, and pick her up there.

Alaska is a huge state, so it's really hard to see in a lifetime, let alone a month. But, there are a lot of great areas you can explore.

Weather: The best weather over much of the state is indeed mid May through about the tenth of July. I used to say that the monsoon starts the tenth of July, and most years that's not too far off. Alternatively, the other dry period is in September. So, it kind of depends on what you want to do, and where you want to go. In June and early July, you can see some pretty warm weather, particularly in the interior. In September, you're going to have very cool nights and coolish days.

I've never spent much time in Southeast Alaska, but I disagree with gb that SE is the most scenic part of Alaska.....it's no doubt some of the most beautiful, but the Wrangell Mountains are truly spectacular, and the Alaska Peninsula is equally spectacular for scenery.

If you're interested in fishing, the early time is a little limiting for salmon, though you can catch arctic grayling, char, and sheefish (inconnu) on the northern rivers at that time of year. The big lakes up north have some nice trout as well. The Brooks Range has spectacular scenery, some good fishing, and the arctic nights are light all night. Hard to beat for exploring, fishing, and sightseeing.

There are a gazillion lodge operations on the AK Peninsula, and plenty of trout and salmon fishing, and the Wrangells have some nice remote cabins and a lodge or two as well. The NPS cabins in the Wrangells are nice, and most are next to strips.

Lots to do and see, no doubt, both in AK and coming and going.

MTV

I hope someday to take a couple monthlong Alaska flight adventures...and I live here...

If the Alaska Peninsula or Bristol Bay make it onto your list, hopefully we can connect.

My top three areas to see up here are the Wrangells, the Brooks Range, and Southwest. I have only made it to the Wrangells with the plane so far, but I'm hopeful that I will hit them all next summer. The airstrips with cabins are a must in Wrangell St. Elias NP. You should have no problem at any of them with the 185. Squash will eventually join in, he has the same rig and has been flying up here for longer than I. Keep us updated, I would love to meet up.

Barnstormer.
Im also planning a 3 week trip next summer to AK if you want some company along the way PM me,
And we can talk Dan

Thanks for the info guys. I'm headed to NM in the morning for an Elk hunt, but will respond when I get back. Keep the ideas coming, I appreciate it.

BTW, I plan on flying to Barrow, I mean why not, been almost to the bottom of South America (not in a plane though), why not almost the top of North America too.

Please keep the suggestions coming. My buddy and I plan to take our Huskies up there next summer. We need suggestions on places to see. I love to fly fish but flying will be the focus.We both love to hunt but June is not the best time. We may could switch to Sept. Brooks Range for Caribou. That would be awesome. First look will be June. Barnstormer, We may see you up there. For sure at Llano fly in again.

I expect to be at my cabin in Atlin, BC from May through September, so if anyone wants to stop by, let me know and I can pick you up at the airport, or if you're on floats, at the lake.

Greg

BTW, I plan on flying to Barrow, I mean why not, been almost to the bottom of South America (not in a plane though), why not almost the top of North America too.

Fly up to Bettles, then through Anaktuvuk Pass and hang a left. It's a beautiful, breathtaking trip.

If you go much past mid-June, talk with FSS about what the ice is doing in Barrow (and Kotz if you go that way). Summer means west winds and open leads in the ice, which in turn means ice fog on the coast. Once it blows in, it is there for days and that stuff is thick. Zero-Zero thick.

But if your wx cooperates, flying the Arctic coast is something you'll remember for the rest of your life. It's unworldly up there.

Gump

I sounds like everyone is headed to Alaska next summer. I am also, and at the top of my list is the St. Elias park. Does anyone have an information about fuel availability there? Is it at all possible to get some fuel delivered to McCarthy?
Thanks,
Charles

MontanaT-craft wrote:I sounds like everyone is headed to Alaska next summer. I am also, and at the top of my list is the St. Elias park. Does anyone have an information about fuel availability there? Is it at all possible to get some fuel delivered to McCarthy?
Thanks,
Charles

You can buy fuel right in McCarthy. You need to set up an account first though with a local company in town. Fairly easy process. It was really convenient being able to buy fuel right there, rather than fly out to Gulkana of fuel each time. PM me for more details.

Oregon180 wrote:

MontanaT-craft wrote:I sounds like everyone is headed to Alaska next summer. I am also, and at the top of my list is the St. Elias park. Does anyone have an information about fuel availability there? Is it at all possible to get some fuel delivered to McCarthy?
Thanks,
Charles

You can buy fuel right in McCarthy. You need to set up an account first though with a local company in town. Fairly easy process. It was really convenient being able to buy fuel right there, rather than fly out to Gulkana of fuel each time. PM me for more details.

You can set up your fuel account in McCarthy by contacting Fireweed Fuel at 907 554 4498.

OMG there is golf in Alaska! I knew there was a course in Anchorage, but looks like there are quite a few around the state:
http://www.alaskagolflinks.com/golfcourses.html

Now I really don't like golf, but my wife loves it. Happy wife, happy life. I told her we'd throw our bags in the wagon and play a few courses. She seems more interested about the trip now.

I'm hoping to tee up a ball in Barrow and hit it into the Arctic Ocean. Is it good form to shoot your golf ball in Alaska if you get pissed?

When I got to King Salmon in 1998 the desk in my new office had a golf ball in it. The ball was orange and had a winter festival logo on it. So apparently some golf happened here...but I have not heard of it again since. According to the locals I asked about it, they made a course on packed snow and ice. Probably not the time of year you were interested in.

Barnstormer wrote:OMG there is golf in Alaska! I knew there was a course in Anchorage, but looks like there are quite a few around the state:
http://www.alaskagolflinks.com/golfcourses.html

Now I really don't like golf, but my wife loves it. Happy wife, happy life. I told her we'd throw our bags in the wagon and play a few courses. She seems more interested about the trip now.

I'm hoping to tee up a ball in Barrow and hit it into the Arctic Ocean. Is it good form to shoot your golf ball in Alaska if you get pissed?

There's a course on Ft Wainwright. I'm no golfer either so I can't say if it's any good or not. Not sure if you need a DOD ID to play but if you do I have some buddies that are still up there I might could ask to sponsor you and your wife for a round.

CamTom12 wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:OMG there is golf in Alaska! I knew there was a course in Anchorage, but looks like there are quite a few around the state:
http://www.alaskagolflinks.com/golfcourses.html

Now I really don't like golf, but my wife loves it. Happy wife, happy life. I told her we'd throw our bags in the wagon and play a few courses. She seems more interested about the trip now.

I'm hoping to tee up a ball in Barrow and hit it into the Arctic Ocean. Is it good form to shoot your golf ball in Alaska if you get pissed?

There's a course on Ft Wainwright. I'm no golfer either so I can't say if it's any good or not. Not sure if you need a DOD ID to play but if you do I have some buddies that are still up there I might could ask to sponsor you and your wife for a round.

Chena Bend course on Fort Wainwright is a very nice layout. You don't need a DOD ID. Usually take until late June to be in great shape. If you were to make it this far North, give me a PM. There are other activities I can hook you up with on post.

Brett