Posted by David Taylor on December 5, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Hello fellow AKers. I received an email today from someone planning a photo trip to Alaska in Fall of 2011, he asked for my advice and for me to post the questions on the forum as well.
"David: Can you post this to your forum? I am planning a trip to Alaska for the Fall of 2011. Would like come in to Anchorage and then head to the interior (Denali) and perhaps Fairbanks. If I had to pick 2 weeks for peak fall color in the interior which 2 weeks should I pick. Is there any chance of the northern lights during that time? Am interested in landscapes and wildlife and any suggestions would be welcomed."
My response: "Hello Tom-
Good to hear from you. Great time to come to Alaska, Fall is one of my favorite seasons here - right next to winter, summer and spring:D. They are all great, but the interior fall color can be spectacular. The last 3 years I've been very lucky with fall weather in the interior. I'll be leading a fall color photo tour along the Denali Highway in 2011. I recommend the last week of August and the first week of September for peak fall colors in the interior - but if you are looking for a second option, the first 2 weeks of September can be spectacular a little further south (along the Glenn Highway - Palmer to Glennallen) and shortly after that (mid-late September) for fall colors on the Kenai Peninsula. LOTS of options. There is a chance of seeing the aurora starting in September, probably best to start looking for them around the middle of the month. Earlier than that and it doesn't get dark enough to see them. Of course, the further north you go, the better off you are. I'll be leading 2 aurora tours this winter (the first one is a private tour and has been filled) - if you'd like to hear more about it, here's a link to the tour description page. http://sixtyonenorth.com/workshops-tours/
Fall color in Denali NP can be amazing, lots of wildlife and scenery to photograph. It's fairly strictly managed as well, and access is controlled tightly. That's not to say that it's not REALLY worth it, you just need to come with realistic expectations. I usually head away from the park, along the Denali Hwy (from Cantwell to Paxson). It's wild country, mountains, caribou, moose, lynx, ptarmigan, rushing rivers. Great place, and there is no need for permits or access control except for a few pieces of private property. For the vast majority, it's just wilderness, and fully accessible. Can't wait to go back next year...
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'll be happy to copy and paste this to the so others can offer their input."
If anyone has further recommendations, please post them here for Tom. Thanks!
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on December 11, 2010 at 11:32 PM
I think you offered him great advice David!
The only thing I might differ on is DNP. For me, I would take Denali National Park over the Denali Highway. Sure access is limited in DNP, but then again you don't have hunters in all terrain vehicles crawling all over the place like you do along the Denali Highway. Way too many people for me. But, it is a beautiful area, and it is nice to work from your own vehicle.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on December 14, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Nice suggestions, Dave and Ron. But while I agree with Dave that the Denali Highway is superior to the Park for autumn colors, I disagree on the end of the Denali Highway to choose. I strongly recommend the first 45 miles, Paxson to Maclaren Lodge. And just slightly earlier: the middle two weeks of August. Tangle Lakes and the Amphitheater Mountains can be stunning.
Another possibility for the same time period is the Steese Highway, especially the stretch around Eagle Summit. The road is in excellent condition, and there's are fewer people.
Once warning: avoid areas outside of the PArk September 1-20, which is moose and caribou hunting season in the Interior. Lots of hunters.
Posted by Tom Haxby on December 16, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Jim: Thanks for the advice on the hunting season. The moose and caribou hunting season may change my plans. I would be wanting to hunt them with my camera That may tip things to favor Denali N.P. My guess is that would also make it more difficult to find lodging from Sept 1 - 20. Just did a little calculation and it is about 251 days until August 27th when I plan on being up there. I can hardly wait. Thanks everybody for all of the great information.
Discussion
3 replies"David: Can you post this to your forum? I am planning a trip to Alaska for the Fall of 2011. Would like come in to Anchorage and then head to the interior (Denali) and perhaps Fairbanks. If I had to pick 2 weeks for peak fall color in the interior which 2 weeks should I pick. Is there any chance of the northern lights during that time? Am interested in landscapes and wildlife and any suggestions would be welcomed."
My response: "Hello Tom-
Good to hear from you. Great time to come to Alaska, Fall is one of my favorite seasons here - right next to winter, summer and spring:D. They are all great, but the interior fall color can be spectacular. The last 3 years I've been very lucky with fall weather in the interior. I'll be leading a fall color photo tour along the Denali Highway in 2011. I recommend the last week of August and the first week of September for peak fall colors in the interior - but if you are looking for a second option, the first 2 weeks of September can be spectacular a little further south (along the Glenn Highway - Palmer to Glennallen) and shortly after that (mid-late September) for fall colors on the Kenai Peninsula. LOTS of options. There is a chance of seeing the aurora starting in September, probably best to start looking for them around the middle of the month. Earlier than that and it doesn't get dark enough to see them. Of course, the further north you go, the better off you are. I'll be leading 2 aurora tours this winter (the first one is a private tour and has been filled) - if you'd like to hear more about it, here's a link to the tour description page.
http://sixtyonenorth.com/workshops-tours/
Fall color in Denali NP can be amazing, lots of wildlife and scenery to photograph. It's fairly strictly managed as well, and access is controlled tightly. That's not to say that it's not REALLY worth it, you just need to come with realistic expectations. I usually head away from the park, along the Denali Hwy (from Cantwell to Paxson). It's wild country, mountains, caribou, moose, lynx, ptarmigan, rushing rivers. Great place, and there is no need for permits or access control except for a few pieces of private property. For the vast majority, it's just wilderness, and fully accessible. Can't wait to go back next year...
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'll be happy to copy and paste this to the so others can offer their input."
If anyone has further recommendations, please post them here for Tom. Thanks!
The only thing I might differ on is DNP. For me, I would take Denali National Park over the Denali Highway. Sure access is limited in DNP, but then again you don't have hunters in all terrain vehicles crawling all over the place like you do along the Denali Highway. Way too many people for me. But, it is a beautiful area, and it is nice to work from your own vehicle.
Another possibility for the same time period is the Steese Highway, especially the stretch around Eagle Summit. The road is in excellent condition, and there's are fewer people.
Once warning: avoid areas outside of the PArk September 1-20, which is moose and caribou hunting season in the Interior. Lots of hunters.