Trifter

As the summer travel season approaches no doubt many people will be travelling to Alaska, America’s “last frontier.”  For people who’ve never been to Alaska, it is hard to comprehend its size. Alaska is so immense that it takes some careful planning to get the most out of it.  Like any vacation, a lot of what can be seen and done in Alaska depends on time and money. Having lived in Alaska for a number of years I realized that a few side trips off the beaten path can be a cheap(er) way to see parts of Alaska that many tourists bi-pass.  The amazing thing about these spots is that they’re not hard to find and they won’t break the bank. These side trips are easily accessible from the main highways of Alaska and are likely to be conveniently close to most people’s travel itineraries.

This is a list of my four favorite places in Alaska.  These secret jewels are on or near the primary road system of Central Alaska.  I would strongly encourage anyone driving to Alaska or flying there and then renting a vehicle to consider one of these diversions.  I’ve offered some small tidbits of information about these gems.  More details and specific directions can be found via internet searches.  My goal here is simply to arouse vacationers’ curiosity.  Each of these locations is unique.  My experience has been that they are relatively un-crowded and they give the traveler a little more of an Alaskan experience than the more typical tourist attractions.

Hatcher Pass

This is a large recreation area of spectacular beauty and diverse activities including historical hikes, scenic hikes, rock-climbing, mountain biking and blue berry picking to name a few.  Hatcher Pass is a favorite recreation spot for Alaskans and is easily accessible from Anchorage.  If you’re a hiker be sure to check out the Reed Lakes trail in Archangel Valley.  Independence Mine State Historic Park, within Hatcher Pass is an old mining town set amidst towering mountain peaks that simply defy description.  Independence Mine offers the history buff with detailed accounts of life in a mining town.  For food and atmosphere, check out Hatcher Pass Lodge – an immense A-frame cabin with food drinks and lodging.  Another Lodge – the Motherlode Lodge is temporarily closed but should re-open in the spring it too offers great food, drinks and lodging. 

Tangle River Lodge

A warm Alaskan experience.  Located on the Denali Highway which connects the Parks Highway in the West to the Richardson Highway in the East, the Tangle River Lodge is a great spot to spend a day or a week.  You can use the lodge as your jumping off spot for fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking or just taking in the expansive scenery.  Comfortable rooms are available and the food is great and the staff friendly.  Although it is on the road system the lodge is fairly remote by most standards of the lower 48 but that is a strength.  You can get a sense of what some of the more distant environs are like without having to take the time or expense of taking a plane or boat to get there. 

Katchemak Bay

Alaska’s first state park, just a short boat ride from Homer.  The unique town of Homer is known as the halibut fishing capital of the world and a visit to Alaska needs to include Homer.  However an equally unique side trip from Homer is Katchemak Bay.  Like everything else in Alaska it is big, over 400,000 acres.  There are a multitude of outdoor activities available in Katchemak bay including dining and art shopping in Halibut Cover and again the physical beauty is beyond description.  If you want to see Katchemak Bay you’ll need to plan a bit in advance as access is by boat from Homer.  However there are plenty of local businesses who provide such access.

Denali State Park

Adjacent to Denali National Park, the state park offers incredible vistas of Mt. McKinley (aka Denali) with fewer people.  My favorite spot is the Little Coal Creek trail which leads to the Kesugi Ridge.  On a clear day these two hikes provide views of the Alaska Range that will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention when framed on your desk or mantle.  

It should go without saying that this list is not even close to exhaustive.  There are thousands of nooks and crannies to be visited both on and off the road system in Alaksa.  But since most people traveling to Alaska stay in the central part of the state I wanted to put together a list that could be accommodated by those travelers in particular.

The most important thing to remember about Alaska is to simply go there.  It is a place like no other in America.  For those who may not have the time or money to travel extensively off the road system, the above listed spots will give you a really satisfying sampler platter of the Land of the Midnight Sun.