Aleutian Islands

I am planning to finally make a trip out to the Aleutians next year and wondered if anyone on the forum can offer any location suggestions, lodging recommendations, etc.

I'm interested in photographing landscapes, geology, historical buildings, native culture, boats/nets, flora and wildlife.

I spend time in Alaska every year (normally 2 or 3 times a year on fires) and have been to many unique parts of the state, but have never been out to the Aleutians. I know weather is pretty "iffy" anytime, but suggestions on best time of year to go also appreciated. Probably best time for me would be before or after fire season - spring (April/May) or fall (Sept/Oct).

Thanks for any suggestions or information you can pass along.

..Marcy

I haven't been there, but have talked to plenty of friends that have - and even my wife. I had a couple of thoughts / reactions to your post. First, I wouldn't worry about the fire season out there. Even here on the coast in Seward we are rarely effected - out there I don't think you will ever encounter smoke unless it is from Russia.

Second, I was always surprised at how late summer arrived out there - at least at Dutch Harbor. I don't think things turn green until well into June. I would target middle of summer, late June, July. I would definitely avoid September / October - very wet and windy on the coast - typically the worse weather of the year.

Thanks, Ron -

......and just to let you know, I work in fire so am busy during fire season and can't travel, that's why I talked about going before or after fire season. LOL! Not that I was worried about fires on the islands.

Ok, so if the best time to go is middle of the summer, that will probably leave me out. I'll just have to deal with the weather issues and go in spring - maybe around end of May or first week of June.

Thanks again,

Marcy

I have also heard mid-summer is the only window for travel. Otherwise the storms are big and apparently make it nearly impossible to approach the "wilder" shores due to crashing surf, high winds, and submerged dangers/rocky coastlines. These areas are barren and forbidding enough on a good weather day - let alone a stormy one. Best of luck!

Hi David

Yeah, I've talked with several folks who work up there and they basically said the same thing. Soooooo, it looks like I may be looking at May/June for best chances to get in there.

Thanks again,

Marcy

LOL - gotcha you Marcy! We had lots of smoke and fires up here last year - though you were trying to avoid that - that makes more sense.

Your biggest problem out there will be access and mobilitym Marcy. You can fly in and out of Dutch Harbor and King Cove/Cold Bay, Akutan and Sand Point most reliably, followed by Adak, And of course, not all those are Aleutians, per se. After that it gets more difficult and expensive. I've been out that way a number of times over the years, but once you reach those "hub" communities, it's hard to move beyond. You need a local boat, or rarely, a charter flight. I've had the best access to the remainder of the Aleutians while on fishing boats. And of course, it's mostly viewing them from the water and not getting ashore.

The place that left me with the most burning desire to get ashore is Castle Cape. Talk about geology!!!

Thanks, Hank - appreciate your feedback.

I know a couple of folks at Dutch, and also over at St.Paul island - so have a few "local" contacts and that's pretty much the feeling I got from them. Also, I know there are a couple companies that offer tours to the area, and I may have to do something like that. (I really prefer to go with just one or 2 other people, though, not a group.)

Hmm, maybe I need to check out Caste Cape since that's my "thing" - Geology. LOL!



Thanks again, Hank.

Marcy

If you can get to Castle Cape, you won't regret it for a moment! Wow. Dynamic landscape photography and geography from all I saw from just offshore.

The Pribilofs aren't the Aleutians, but are the most interesting place of the lot. Among the actual Aleutians that are reasonably accessible, Adak is probably the best, and has decent accommodations. Dutch Harbor, not so much.

Alaska Airlines flies to Dutch Harbor, but it's $pendy. Use travel miles if you have them. While the risk is lower in spring and summer, be prepared to be stuck there a while if the weather comes down.

Hi Jim

Thanks for your input - appreciate your comments!! (Funnily enough, my ex-husband was in the Navy and back in the late 70's we almost got stationed in Adak!!) I think I've narrowed the travel time to late May/first part of June and have made some contacts up there so will see how things work out.

Thanks again,

Marcy