October trip to AK

I will be photographing in the Arctic in mid October. On my way back south, I want to spend the last week of Oct in another area of Alaska. I am interested in landscape and wildlife photography. It seems that I have picked a bad time of year for this. Denali roads might be closed. Vehicle rental for the Dalton Hwy that time of year seems impossible. Wildlife is scarce. I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Any part of the state works for me. Thanks.

Hi Glenn,
For wildlife, Glenn Alps in Chugach State Park is great that time of the year. The moose head up for the rut, sometimes there can be over fifty moose in one area. The colors will be past prime but there will be plenty of big bulls (unless we get a huge dump of snow) The first year I lived in Alaska, it was below zero by mid October with snow already on the ground (in Anchorage).

Good luck and enjoy our beautiful state,

Carl

The end of October is not the best month to be a photographer in the interior of Alaska. It can be pretty freaking cold with little snow.

If you have the time, you should hit up the SE. I was in Haines at the end of October one year and it was great.

Here is a workshop that is a year out, but should give you an idea of what is down there.

http://www.sixtyonenorth.com/beh109.html

(How 'bout that plug, Dave?)

Thanks for the tips. I will check them out today. One other thing. I am thinking of coming a week early instead of staying a week late. So, if I got there around Oct 7, what would be the possibilities in places like Denali?

The first 30 miles are open until snowfall closes it. I have seen years where that stretch of road was still open almost until Thanksgiving, but other years where it was closed by mid-September, you never know.

I should point out, this can be a slow stretch of road, and it won't provide access to some of the more scenic locations or Mt. McKinley viewpoints.

Glenn,
I would really forget about Denali, that is just a bad part of the year. If you want to photograph the mountain, consider a flight or working from the south side like from Kesugi Ridge of Peter's Hills. Honestly, you should just head south, down the Kenai.
Carl

I've got to agree with everyone else - you're somewhat limited for photography that time of the year, at least in the interior. I agree with Carl that the Kenai Peninsula could still hold promise. But if you'll be in the interior - remember to check the aurora forecast for the nights, then get out/away from the cities and find a good location with clean foregrounds. Auroras up here can be the most exciting subjects you've ever seen. The bald eagles should be gathering in Haines, although it can be logistically difficult getting there. Hope your trip - wherever you go - is a great one. You've found a great resource here on this forum. We've got some incredible talented and knowledgeable people here.
Skip - I'm sending bunches of good karma your way

You folks have been very helpful. I appreciate it. One more question. The eagles at Haines would be great. I see two ways to get there. Drive from Fairbanks or Anchorage, or ferry from Juneau. From the perspective of photo opportunities, any suggestions on which would be best? I have about 5-7 days available.

The drive from Fairbanks/Anchorage to Haines is a long one, plus it involves crossing the Canadian border (so a passport is a necessity - I believe). If you drove it straight (and in good weather - which can't be guaranteed), you'd be looking at around 15 hours or so. Realistically you're looking at probably 2 days each way - which will really limit your time "in country" at Haines. The drive from Fairbanks probably isn't much different. I'd say fly to Juneau and catch the ferry - but I'm interested in hearing what others may have to say. The other option is to catch a local flight from Juneau to Haines, faster but planes are getting grounded a lot due to weather, so less reliable. The ferry is the lifeblood of the panhandle of Alaska - they always run.

As others have noted, Interior Alaska is pretty seriously winter in October. The leaves will all be down, the critters will be hunkered down and there is a risk of snow everywhere, especially at higher elevations. Without snow, it's pretty ugly. In Fairbanks on October 7, the average high is 36, the average low is 23, and there's about ten hours of sunlight.

Aurora can be good, but we are still near the low point of the 11-year solar activity cycle. You can view predictions of aurora activity that are usually pretty accurate.

The Haines Bald Eagle Festival will still be a month away, but there should still be decent numbers of eagles at Haines, and lodging might be a lot easier than during the festival itself. Don't go without a place to stay. I really like Fort Seward B & B.

The odds for decent photos are best in southeastern Alaska, but be aware the weather can be really, really grey and wet in late fall and early winter in southeast Alaska. The rain gauge in Ketchikan uses feet instead of inches for a reason.

Unless you are pretty experienced at winter driving, I wouldn't attempt the drive to Haines from Anchorage or Juneau. In good weather, it's the better part of two days. In bad weather, the pass between Haines Junction, YT, Canada and Haines can be closed, sometimes for a long while. The ferry ride from Juneau to Haines can be scenic if the weather is decent and the run is in daylight. If you can, take the regular ferry and not the "fast ferry." Try to line up a rental car in Haines; it's a long walk from downtown Haines to the Bald Eagle Sanctuary.

Thanks very much to all who responded. Haines it is, by boat. Got the room, got the car, now I just wait. Hopefully I'll get a decent photo or two!

If your in Juneau over a weekend, I would be happy to show you what might be your most promising options. Actually, you can try me on weeknights too, but work can get pretty busy. Best of luck with weather and with your photography.