Going to Denali in early to mid Dec 09

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Hi Guys,</p>

<p>I'm new here, so first of all, I hope to learn more from everyone =)<br>

Ok, anyway, I'm planning a trip to Denali this early to mid December (I can't have it on any other months, due to my work schedule), so I'll like to get more info from everyone on whether it'll be a good time to take photos of landscapes/animals/northern lights? I'll be going to Fairbanks for the lights, and considering going to other more accessible places (unlikely to hike far) in search of good landscape views. Landscapes are my priority, getting to see wildlife is an added bonus.<br>

What kind of whether am I expecting? Since driving is not allowed in most areas of the park, would renting a snowmobile be a better option?</p>

<p>Thanks, and have a nice day!</p>

<p>Lawrence</p>

[dave_s]

<p>Disclaimer: I haven't been to Denali, but I have a lot of winter backcountry experience in Canada. Couple of comments:</p>

<p>(i) You'll have five hours a day of dim daylight at that latitude, so factor that into your photographic plans. The upside of a high latitude is you get good shadows all day, but the nights are long.</p>

<p>(ii) Snowmobiles are not permitted in most areas of Denali N.P.-- check the NPS website for details. Consider cross-country skis or snowshoes, but be careful out there. </p>

[SCL]

<p>You'll be going close to the shortest daylight hours of the year in a northern latitude. So don't expect lots of light.</p>

<p>Also expect it to be really cold most of the time. I suggest finding a good bar wherever you can, and enjoy the companionship :).</p>

[eric_brody]

<p>I hope you are fully knowledgeable and experienced in handling severe winter conditions. I hope I'm wrong, but your post sounds like you are less than an expert about -40F, dark, snow, winter Alaska conditions. There's no bus service in December in Denali, and while I too am no expert, the idea of snowshoeing around in the dark and cold seems like it might be a challenge. Most self respecting animals are hibernating in December in Denali, one way or another. Dave is correct, it will be dark, cold, and quite inhospitable. The good news... no mosquitos.<br>

Good luck<br>

Eric</p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Dave: Thanks, I'm considering making full use of that 5 hours, which is why I'll need a detailed plan for the trip.</p>

<p>Eric: Yea, I do admit, I've no experience handling such cold conditions.. but this will probably be my one and only time I'll get to watch the Northern Lights (or be in Alaska for that matter), so I do want to make this trip. Definitely, by the time the sky gets too dark for me to drive/trek, I'll be stationed somewhere looking at the Northern Lights/drinking in a bar/sleeping in the hotel.</p>

<p>Anyone knows of any place to shoot the Northern Lights? (preferably near the river)</p>

[steve_kaufman]

<p>Lawrence, the road into the park is closed at mile 3 (park headquarters) in the winter. The pull outs along the Park's Highway are mostly not plowed in the winter. The hotels near the park entrance are also closed. We typically get lots of cloudy weather in the Alaska Range in the winter. The aurora is based on sunspot activity, and lately it's been quiet, with not many nice auroras this past winter. http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/<br>

I live near the park boundary to the south of the entrance. In December we only get about an hour or less of sunshine as it stays behind mountains. The snow can be deep. We typically get nine or ten feet around where we live, but it would be less towards the park entrance. Temperatures in December will generally range from 0°F to -60°F <br>

For the aurora, you'd usually be better off north of Fairbanks. http://www.eaglestation.com/dick/aurora.html gives good information on photographing the aurora. A popular place is Chena Hot Springs: http://www.chenahotsprings.com/</p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Thanks Steve. Would it be a good idea if I took a day to drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage, take photos, stay for a day or two, then drive back to Fairbanks to view the auroras? Do snow storms often occur in December?</p>

[steve_kaufman]

<p>Lawrence, you need to get away from the lights of town to see the aurora well. North of Fairbanks is the ideal location, that's why I gave you that advice. There can be storms in December, with difficult driving conditions along the highway. The storms are generally on the south side of the Alaska range, and through the range, and in the interior (Fairbanks and north) it will be clearer. Clear means cold in winter. -60°F isn't uncommon in December in Fairbanks and areas north and east of there. From Fairbanks to Anchorage in winter, count on a 8 hour drive, but it could be longer. Remember, it's dark most of the time.</p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Steve, yea, I would be travelling out of Fairbanks to view the aurora (either at the Ester Dome or the Chena Springs... in your opinion, which one is a better place?)<br>

The reason why I want to drive to Anchorage is because of the better views over there (Glaciers/Mountains etc), but I don't wanna miss out on the aurora nor the North Pole...<br>

I've planned for a week's stay, do you think it's enough to cover the general view of both Anchorage and Fairbanks? I'll probably just skip Denali, since it'll be like any other snow mountains in winter (i assume).</p>

[steve_kaufman]

<p>Lawrence, while I've been to both Ester Dome and Chena Hot Springs, I have been there in the summer, not in the winter. There are good views of mountains and Mount McKinley along the drive from Anchorage to the Denali Park area. Broad Pass, which is to the south of Cantwell is also pretty spectacular in the right conditions. A week may be enough time, but figure two full days of driving if you plan to go between Anchorage and Fairbanks and return to Anchorage. </p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Steve, thanks, I'll do some research on Broad Pass. Will there be plane/heli sightseeing flights available in the winter? If there are, what are the recommended ones?<br>

Thanks for the recommendations and taking the time to respond, I appreciate it.</p>

[rick_wong]

<p>Lawrence<br>

If you have never been in cold weather before be very carefull dealing with temps below freezing is no place to be if you are not prepared for it. I was up in Fairbanks in 2008 and managed to see and photographed the lights 2 out of the 7 days I was there. I was lucky because I do understand how the lights work and photograph them in the lower 48 and have the proper equipment to deal with the cold.<br>

If you are going to the Hot springs you will not be alone ther will be tour buses and if you want to park in the lot they will charge you for parking if you are not a guest. If there is a lot of snow on the ground there will not be too many places to pull off the road.<br>

If you can get a late flight in and out of Fairbanks book a window seat facing east you will be rewarded with a lightshow above the clouds. Then just be prepared to drive where ever the skys are clear I felt sorry for the people in the tour busses that paided $40 and had to stay put hopeing that the skys will clear during their visit. I on the other hand with a full tank of gas I droved to where the skys were clear.</p>

<p>as for water shots like this one you need to be there in the fall or spring when the water is not frozen and covered by snow.</p>

<p><img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/photos/19018398_iz4Ta-M-2.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /><br>

The other problem you might not of thought of is if you are staying up all night to catch a view of the lights when are you going to sleep if during the day you plan on shooting landscapes and driving?<br>

If you are lucky the area around Denali will be clear and the lights will be high in the sky<br>

<img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/photos/333113383_ELivC-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="365" /><br>

This shot was just north of the park but if you were to have clear skys south of th park the mountains will be in the forground.<br>

If the lights are strong you will be able to see them anywhere in Alaska so check the weather reports and if you are within driving distance go for it but remember what is clear during the day might not be that evening.<br>

<img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/photos/21912666_sVrEB-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /><br>

this one was shot near Whitter Ak. this link will take you to a forum about the lights. <a href="http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraAlerts/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=6e599381832315492b13ad4393b04d73">http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraAlerts/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=6e599381832315492b13ad4393b04d73</a><br>

This past year was a dud for the lights we are in between a solar min and solar Max<br>

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_maximum">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_maximum</a> </p>

 

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Hi Rick,<br>

Which month was it when you were at Fairbanks? I thought there's an 70-80% chance of getting to see the Northern Lights?</p>

<p>My current plan is this:</p>

<p>Day 1: Arrive at Anchorage, set out in the morning towards Seward, stopping at the Alaska Wildlife Center and various sights along the way.<br>

Day 2: Alaska Sealife Center tour, drive to Girdwood.<br>

Day 3: Alpine Air helicopter tour (I'll be alone, so I'm trying to find people who I can tag along with for the tour, since they need a minimum of 2 or 3 people (depending on the tour) before they fly), fly to Fairbanks.<br>

Day 4: North Pole, Chena Hot Springs.<br>

Day 5: Might take a plane tour to one of the Eskimo villages... anyone have cheap recommendations? Otherwise, I'll be around Fairbanks, and going over to Ester dome at night.<br>

Day 6: Winter activities, museums, going out to another place with a good view of the aurora.<br>

Day 7: Set off for home.</p>

<p>I'll definitely catch some sleep in the morning, or I'll just sleep inside the car.</p>

<p>Anyone have good recommendations on flightseeing on helicopters besides the tours from Alpine Air? I like their packages, but if I can't get another passenger to join the flight, I'll have to miss out on the good opportunity for spectacular views of the glaciers/mountains.</p>

[rick_wong]

<p>Hi Lawrence<br>

I was there in March during the spring equinox (The lights are more active around seasonal changes) The problem you have is that we are between the end of a solor min and solor max. it was a dud year this season. <a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/SC24/index.html">http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/SC24/index.html</a><br>

The next peak is around 2011... The chance of seeing the lights also depends on the weather. if there is cloud cover you will be out of luck. To give yourself the best chance of viewing the lights I would start in Fairbanks first and hope to skies are clear if the weather looks bad then go to the backup plans. It looks like you want to see Alaska and hope that you are lucky enough to catch the lights. Not sure where you are from but the winters here in the north can go for days before we have clear skys.<br>

Here was my plan for 7 days.<br>

Fly into Anchorage on last flight of the day from seattle (got in just around midnight)<br>

day 1 head to Fairbanks to capture the Aurora during a 7 day Active display cycle.<br>

Thats it nothing more. here is what happen...<br>

link to my blog of trip. <a href="http://riwong.spaces.live.com/">http://riwong.spaces.live.com/</a><br>

So already you have lower your chances to view the lights. but who know's you might get lucky. I knew someone who booked a trip 6 months in advance the weekend just before christmas (winter equinox) He only stayed for two days and one night. but it was the strongest displays all year and on a clear night.</p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Hi Rick,<br>

This is the only year I'll be able to make the trip, cause I'll be leaving the US after that.<br>

Catching the northern lights isn't my only priority, so I don't plan to miss out on all the other opportunities just for the lights. I guess you can say I'm trying my luck..<br>

Was the Seward Highway hard to drive?</p>

[rick_wong]

<p>Lawrence is winter the only time you can travel? The reason I ask is winter is not the best time to visit Alaska. Not sure where you are from but it gets really cold in Alaska and Fairbanks it can get around -40 F water freezes at 32F. the roads can be covered in Ice and even a 4 wheel drive SUV from a rental will be hard to drive on snow covered icy roads. I would go around the End of Aug., or Sept, You can still luck out and see the lights, the weather will be nicer ( I did a trip to Alaska in September and had the first big snow fall of the season and closed the Highway for a few hours. The days will still be longer about 10 hours instead of 4-5 hours of daylight. I did a trip to sitka on Nov and because the sky was overcast it never got bright all day. Kind of like when the sun sets and the light stays like that all day. Winter is kind of like that in Alaska<br>

if you want just email me at <a href="mailto:riwong@msn.com">riwong@msn.com</a> if you want more info<br>

Later Rick</p>

[lawrence_yeung]

<p>Thanks Rick. Will leave you an email later.</p>

[akphotograph]

<p>Lawrence,<br>

Be sure to stop in Talkeetna on the way to or from Fairbanks. If it is clear, the view of Denali is spectacular and you do not have to stay up half the night to get a sunset shot:) K2 Aviation operates during the winter and if you have the money, they will take you on a tour. I flew with them a couple years ago and got stuck for 4 days in the middle of nowhere, we saw -46 degrees F. in Feb.<br>

<a href="http://www.akphotograph.com/Alaska%20Blog/?p=16">http://www.akphotograph.com/Alaska%20Blog/?p=16</a><br>

I went to college in Fairbanks, it can be bitter cold. The advice given so far has been excellent, you should be well prepared. I would second the recommendation to head for Chena Hot Springs.<br>

Not sure why you want to fly to a Native village in the winter. Most are very small and hard to get to. Once you get off the plane, some are 2 miles from the airport with no transportation. I travel throughout the state and would not recommend going to a small village in the winter, you can get stuck for days if the weather moves in. Alaska Airlines flys to Nome, it has hotels, bars and a chance to see the lights as well.<br>

Mike</p><div></div>