Alaska/Alternatives to Denali?

[artyom_kopp]

I need some advice on good backpacking and photography locations near

Faibanks. I am a lousy amateur photographer, but a good backpacker. I'll be

in Fairbanks in June, and as long as I am there, I want to grab my camera

equipment and go backpacking. I know Denali Park is close, but I am afraid

to go there because of the crowds - I've heard they get thousands of people a

day in June. Are there alternative locations near Fairbanks that have good

scenery and no people? Suggestions from locals especially would be greatly

appreciated. I don't need trails and can cover a lot of ground, so in the time I

have I can probably get 40-50 miles from the road. I "leave no trace" so I

won't trash your neighborhood.

 

Thanks a lot for your advice,

Artyom

[mark_chappell]

Denali may get a lot of visitors in June but nearly all of them simply ride the tour buses.

I've been told by several park service employees that once you walk even a short distance

from the roads and organized campgrounds, you won't see anybody. In most of Denali

the park is so wild that there aren't even any hiking trails -- you just go where you want.

[moorman]

<p>Has been many years since I was in that part of the world, and most of my experiences around Fairbanks were by car, not on foot.</p>

 

<p>I do recall that the drive to <a href="http://www.chenahotsprings.com/map.html">Chena Hot Springs</a> was a nice one. Not sure how busy that area is these days, only visited there once.</p>

 

<p>Gold Dredge #8 is near Fairbanks and makes for some interesting pictures.</p>

 

<p>A quick Google search came across a list of scenic spots from the <a href="http://www.fairbankshiking.org/outings.htm">Fairbanks Area Hiking Club</a>. You may be able to get some ideas from those folks if you don't find sufficient information here.</p>

[cwphoto]

Just south of Denali NP on the Parks Highway is Denali STATE PARK.

With a ridgetop trail known as Kesugi Ridge with some of the best views of McKinley Peak. Few people, no permits.

[john lehman, college alask]

Much of the Chena Hot Springs area as well as the area with good hiking towards Central was burned this summer. South of Fairbanks, in addition to Denali STATE park as just mentioned, the (dirt) Denali "Highway" between Paxton and Cantwell goes through lots of good backpacking terrain on the Paxton half.

 

Personally my wife and I tend to leave the Fairbanks area and drive to St. Elias National Park or to the Tombstone Mountains in the Yukon when we want to get away.

[roy1]

Another vote here for Denali state park. <br>

We backpacked from Little coal creek to Bryce lake in about 3 days ( a little less maybe, due to the long hours of daylight)... look into it, it was a great park of our trip.<br> have fun.<p>

wishing i was in your shoes.<p>

--Roy

<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/2628379-lg.jpg"><br> Kesugi Ridge. Denali State Park.

[Jerry_]

You can 'hike' parts of the oil company 'haul' road north out of Fairbanks. Plus the Glen Allen Highway that runs to Anchorage has a number of areas that you can hike. Be sure to have waterproof boots as the boggy areas are standing water over perafrost in the 'summer' months.

[dogbert]

I was in Denali in August. I agree with the comment that most of the people who visit are on tour buses. I was one of them. The tours are organised in such a way that there is little opportunity for the bus people to stray far from the road or even leave the bus for more than a few minutes. Once you are off the road, you will only need to share the park with a few professional nature photographers and bears.

[tom_walker1]

Try the White Mountains National REC Area, the Pinnell Mountain Trail fits your needs. The advise about Denali State Park is excellent but it is totally WEATHER-dependent. You can find info on the net for both.

 

Tom Walker

[Off_The_Wall_Photography]

I just returned from 10 days in Denali. If you leave the entrance area & take the park bus into the park & hike away from the one road, you'll be able hike & photograph to your hearts content without crowds of people. In June there will probably be lots of people in the established campground (which are close to the road, but you can camp most anyplace - with some restrictions - like out of sight of the roadway).

By all means go to Denali, most of the visitors that actually go into the park use the buses and don't venture far from the roadway.

[micheal_kelly]

The Pinnell Mtn Trail is a good choice north of Fairbanks. The White Mtn trails are too wet in the summer. Granite Tors on the south side of the road to Chena Hots Springs would be closest to Fairbanks. Many areas close to Fairbanks will be tundra/wet in the summer making hiking less than ideal.

 

Don't be afraid to backpack in the park. They limit the number of backpackers in each area and none of the bus tourists will be visible.

[walkinman]

<p>Hey Artyom,</p>

 

<p>Don't be afraid to visit Denali NP. The crowds aren't too

bothersome if you're backpacking, especially in June. Once

you've got a permit and you getin the park, off the bus, andstart

walking, you're done with the hassles of the regulations. The

hiking there can be excellent, and the photography goes without

saying. Denali State Park is a nice option too, and the views can

be outstanding, but IMO, the NP is a much better option for an

experienced backpacker. If you choose to go elsewhere,

particularly off-trail, don't fool yourself that you'll cover much

ground though .. walking on the tundra is FAR slower than most

people imagine. 5 miles a day is a strenuous hike for a

moderately experienced backpacker. If you have any specific

questions, don't hesitate to contact me. </p>

 

<p>Cheers</p>

 

<p>Carl</p>

 

<a href="http://www.AlaskanAlpineTreks.com">Alaskan Alpine

Treks</a>

[wallbanger]

try hyder alaska the southern most point of alaska. from July through till september grizzlies visit the creek there. The downside is its a lighting horror story usually when the bears show up its poor light early morning and late evening. Be prepared to use 800 iso at low shutter speeds unless they show up during the day. Fantastic scenery and friendly people. The observation deck was free last year but the might charge in 2005. Its unique in the fact only got 80-100 people no gas station no bank no cops rely on stewart BC for supplies. And no american customs post. Check out these web site www.fishcreek.com My website where i have small file grizzly shots is

http://community.webshots.com/user/glengaffney Also there are black bear eagles and other birds plus great scenery like glaciers. Well you know what nature is I was there in August this year and no bears showed for 5 days. A lot of photographers left then about 7 bears showed up in one day.