Spring Fling in Homer at Land’s End Resort 2:31 PM (5 hours ago)
It’s a beautiful time to visit Land’s End Resort in Homer. The days are longer and the sun is warmer. Right outside your room is the beach at the end of the Homer Spit. Watch for seabirds, porpoises and otters. You can’t miss ’em.
Take advantage of a special package which includes a tour from Homer across Kachemak Bay to Seldovia with Rainbow Tours.
Stay one night at Land’s End Resort and get one ticket on the “Rainbow Connection” to Seldovia. Stay two nights and get two tickets!
This special Rainbow Connection package is available between May 24 and June 1. The seven-hour tour to Seldovia includes some of Kachemak Bay’s best wildlife viewing, as well as ample time to explore the lovely town of Seldovia. To make reservations, contact Land’s End Resort directly (no online booking permitted for this package): (907)235-0400.
Make your own plans today to visit Land’s End. CLICK HERE for details
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25 percent off Princess Rail Packages + 50 percent off 2nd night at Princess Lodges, Holland America Hotels 15 Apr 11:02 AM (7 days ago)
Take advantage of 25 percent off deals all summer long on Princess Lodges rail/lodge packages.
Choose from several itineraries with 1-3 nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess (near Talkeetna) or a hotel near the Denali National Park entrance…or a combination of both.
Here are a couple of my favorite options:
TOUR 72A: Anchorage-Denali-Anchorage hotel/rail tour 3-days/2-nights, starting May 14, 2025. From $824.25 per person, double occupancy. Includes roundtrip private rail transportation, hotel transfers and accommodations.
TOUR 72E: Anchorage-Talkeetna-Anchorage hotel/rail tour 3-days/2-nights starting May 14, 2025. From $599.25 per person, double occupancy. Includes roundtrip private rail transportation, hotel transfers and accommodations.
PLUS….save 50 percent on second night in May/June at Princess Lodges + Holland America Hotels
Save 50 percent on second night at Copper River Princess, the gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, in Copper Center!
Save 50 percent on second night at Denali National Park, in the shadow of the Great One!
Save 50 percent on second night at the Fairbanks Princess, on the banks of the Chena River in the Golden Heart City!
Save 50 percent on second night at the Kenai Princess, overlooking the spectacular Kenai River and Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing.
Save 50 percent on second night at the McKinley Princess Lodge, the closest lodge to Denali, with a world-famous deck for a fabulous view of the entire Alaska Range!
CLICK HERE to book, or call (800)426-0500 for reservations and information!
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Spring has sprung in Anchorage–and summer’s coming! 15 Apr 10:28 AM (7 days ago)
OK. The flowers haven’t quite pushed through the snowbank yet…but it’s right around the corner. And HEY–at 9:00 pm it’s still light out! YAY!
SAVE THE DATE for upcoming Anchorage Travel Expo at the Dena’ina Center downtown.
WHO: You, your family and friends.
WHAT: Visit Anchorage‘s celebration of all summer activities.
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 , 11a.m.-3p.m. + 5-7p.m.
WHERE: Dena’ina Convention Center, downtown
WHY: Meet the guides, book your attractions and discover what’s new to see and do! Plus–giveaways and prize drawings!
HOW: Admission is free. C’mon down!
Are you entertaining friends and relatives this summer? Do you want to explore what’s new and exciting in your own backyard? Need some itinerary inspiration, looking for ways to save this summer, or a new activity to try? You’ll find it at Anchorage.net
New activities this summer:
- Veilbreaker Skybridges at Alyeska Resort: Suspended 2,500 feet above the valley floor and spanning a total length of 410 feet, these skybridges offer explorers expansive views of Alaska’s wild landscape.
- Hilltop Bike Park: As the northernmost bike park in North America, Hilltop offers lift-assisted downhill mountain biking, a kid-friendly pump track, and features Finn’s Kitchen, providing a spot to relax and enjoy live music concerts.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center: If you haven’t been, make time this season see this extraordinary living museum. The center has completed significant renovations, unveiling four new exhibits and a remodeled main building adorned with sealskin lamps and murals inspired by porcupine quills. Don’t forget to visit the village sites around the lake!
New Places to stay:
Highliner Hotel: Opened in the summer of 2023, the Highliner Hotel offers 16 rooms that blend rustic Alaskan charm with modern amenities, including an in-house coffee shop. Situated on the edge of downtown Anchorage, it provides convenient access to local attractions.
BlueWater Basecamp: Nestled near Eklutna Lake, BlueWater Basecamp offers micro cabins equipped with kitchenettes, bathrooms, and stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. The property also features a reception area suitable for larger group gatherings.
The Aviator Hotel will be rebranded as “The WildBirch Hotel”: Located in the heart of downtown Anchorage on 4th Avenue, The Wildbirch Hotel is a modern, design-forward establishment featuring 251 rooms. Guests can enjoy a street-side restaurant, a lobby bar partnering with a local brewer (Midnight Sun), a boutique shop, and outdoor patios.
LEARN MORE about cool things to do, entertainment and places to stay at Anchorage.net .
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Condor = nice price with cash or Alaska Air miles for nonstop Anchorage-Frankfurt flights + connecting cities 9 Apr 2:36 PM (13 days ago)
Are you headed to Europe this summer? Do you collect Alaska Airlines miles? Then check out Condor Air, which continues its nonstop flights from Anchorage to Frankfurt, Germany, which operate May 17-Sept. 13, 2025. The flights feature Condor’s distinctive new candy-stripe livery–and a new plane, the A330-900neo !
Right now the THURSDAY flights in June have the best prices (subject to change without notice). Fly Anchorage-Frankfurt on June 5, 12, 19 or 26. Return on Thursdays, too. Flights to all of these cities = $660-$700 in BASIC ECONOMY: Rome, Milan, Zurich, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Munich.
Premium Economy Class really is the “secret sauce” on this summer’s nonstops, particularly on the all-new A330-900neo!
The airline flies three times per week (Tue. , Thu. and Sat.), May 17-Sept. 13, 2025.
Economy-class tickets are available on THURSDAYS in June, from $670 per person, round trip. Fly Premium Economy for $1,650 per person round trip (fares are subject to change without notice).
Here’s the rundown on Condor’s Premium Class:
a. More legroom (15cm more than economy)
b. Increased baggage allowance (10kg carry-on and 32kg checked bags)
c. Free drinks with meals.
d. 13.3-inch seatback 4K monitor for movies.
e. Premium menu.
f. Adjustable footrests and headrests.
g. Blankets and oversized pillows.
h. Separate check-in
i. “Wellbeing set” with extra goodies.
j. Headsets.
k. 125 percent Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) for Alaska Air Mileage Plan members. Roundtrip ANC-FRA-ANC = 11,650 EQM .
NEW: Highspeed inflight broadband connectivity now is available onboard.
Flying with Alaska Airlines miles? I didn’t check connecting cities, but here are some good dates for Anchorage-Frankfurt (from Alaskaair.com ) :
JUNE 12-19:
55K roundtrip in economy (+ $251 in fees)
140K roundtrip in Premium Econ (+ $251 in fees)
370K roundtrip in lie-flat Biz class (+ $251 in fees)
JUNE 19-26: 105K roundtrip in Premium Econ (+ $251 in fees)
Condor also offers a fully-flat option for flyers with Business Class. Travelers get a bigger screen (17.3 inches), but I think the biggest feature is the 76-inch lie-flat bed!
Condor’s Frankfurt hub is your gateway to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe. In addition to the connecting flights, Condor offers a “Rail and Fly” program, linking with the Deutsche Bahn rail network.
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Seattle trip report + photo dump 9 Apr 1:20 PM (13 days ago)
Last week we traveled on Alaska Airlines down to Seattle for a fun-filled three days. I’ve said it before but I’ll share one more time for those in back: I’ve been traveling as a tourist to the Emerald City since the World’s Fair in 1962. Yup.
Part of my focus was to use public transit as much as possible, since it’s ridiculously expensive to park your car overnight downtown.
Below, the view from our room at the Astra Hotel:
We got to the hotel from the airport by taking the light rail. Then, from the Westlake Center stop we walked down to 5th & Olive Street…took about three minutes.
Then we boarded the South Lake Union streetcar. It goes right by the front door of the hotel. I snapped this picture from the room:
The Astra Hotel has a futuristic space theme (“Astra” means space in Latin). There are pictures of space and astronauts all over. There’s even an in-house robot “Sparky” that will bring stuff up to your room. Crazy. Sparky was happy to pose for a photo, below:
Since the weather was perfect, we made a couple of early stops on our way to the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden & Glass exhibit (next door). I couldn’t help but stop and take photos of the amazing flowers in bloom.
I recommend getting an ORCA card. It’s easier that trying to cobble together bus fare, etc. Consider getting a $6 daypass if you’re moving around town. ORCA works on buses, on streetcars, on the Monorail and on the light rail from the airport. I used the ORCA card to ride the Monorail!
Before going up the Space Needle, we visited the Chihuly Garden & Glass exhibit. It’s amazing. How Dale Chihuly and his team turn and weave strands of glass is amazing. MUST SEE!
The Space Needle is fantastic. Mind you–it’s not only place to get a bird’s-eye view. The tall Columbia Center downtown has a higher view deck. You actually can look down on the Space Needle from that vantage point.
For dinner, we went to Aerlume, near the Pike Place Market. The restaurant has a stunning view of the water.
Everyone else at the table ordered the scallops. I chose the black cod . I was n-o-t disappointed.
The next day, we spent some time exploring Pike Place Market….where it appears there’s something for everyone. The flowers were especially pretty.
The market is at the top of the all-new Waterfront Steps. Since Seattle took down the freeway which blocked the view (they moved it underground), the transformation is nothing short of spectacular.
The steps go right right down to the Seattle Aquarium. Plus, the aquarium has added a new “Oceans” exhibit which is tucked in under the stairs. There’s a tank in there with 550,000 gallons…enough for some sharks, stingrays and an occasional diver. You can actually talk to the diver when they’re in the tank and ask questions about the sealife. WOW!
For an “AvGeek”, no tour of Seattle is complete without a visit to the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. I took Metro Bus #128 directly to the front door in about 40 minutes. The museum has incredible displays featuring the Space Shuttle “trainer”, Air Force 1 (a Boeing 707), the Concorde SST, an SR-71 “Blackbird” (fastest plane), plus lots of WW1 and WW2 flighter planes. Don’t miss it. My favorite display is outside the museum: a Lockheed Constellation.
We only covered about half of what I wanted to see–so we’ll have to come back and take in a Mariner’s game!
MORE INFO available at Visit Seattle
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Catch the Spirit: Ketchikan 6 Apr 1:43 PM (16 days ago)
Those of you who know me understand that I’m a big fan of Ketchikan, alternately known as the “First City” or the “Gateway City”.
My dear friends and colleagues John Wedin and Steve Rychetnik of The Quest Group just finished a wonderful video which captures the spirit of Ketchikan. Click through. Turn it up.
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It’s a wrap: Alaska Summer Showcase 2025. Fun, frolic and free trips! 28 Mar 11:00 AM (25 days ago)
It’s a wrap. Alaska Summer Showcase winners are bound for adventure this season!
A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE for our winners. And thanks to ALL OF YOU who showed up for our 9th annual travel party! May all of your upgrades be free–and may your miles never expire!
Here’s the list of winners!
Alaska Airlines Two tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies (except Prudhoe Bay)
–Denise M
Alaska Photo Treks Sunset Photo Tour for two
—Cory Y
Alaska Tour & Travel Park Connection for two from Anchorage to Denali
—Jade H
Park Connection for two from Anchorage to Seward
—Kim R
Alaska TourSaver 2025 Alaska TourSaver book
—Curtis P
Alaska Travel Desk 4-day/3-night all-inclusive stay on Nassau’s Cable Beach at “Breezes”
—Karie V
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Wolf Pack Family Membership
—Sam J
Alaska Zoo Family membership
—Patty R
Alaskan Dream Cruises 8-day/7-night luxury small-ship cruise for two Sitka to Juneau
—Karie V
Alyeska Resort Overnight accommodations at Alyeska Resort + spa-for-two + $250 resort credit
—Breean D
Ted Stevens Anchorage Int’l Airport VIP Back-of-the-house Airfield Tour
—Wayne C
Explore Fairbanks Two nights at Wedgewood Resort + Admission to Antique Auto Museum + UAF Museum of the North + $50 Credit at Great Alaskan Bowl Company
—Judith B
GoNorth RV Rental Four-day RV rental
—Sonja H
Her Alaska Travels “Become Travel Rich” coursework on miles and points by Betsey Wilson
—Katherine M
Photo by Alaskafoto/Rob Stapleton
K2 Aviation/Rust’s Flying Service Denali Experience flightseeing + glacier landing
—Dan W
Kennicott Glacier Lodge Kennicott mega-package: Two nights at the lodge w/meals, glacier hike (St Elias Alpine Guides) plus air from Chitina (Wrangell Mountain Air)
—Galen P
Land’s End Resort 2-night stay at Land’s End Resort
—Alex P
Lazy Otter Charters Sightseeing cruise for two Blackstone Bay (April or October)
—Jill C
Lendimi African Safaris $1000 gift card for two people, on safari package of 5 nights or more
—Matt G
Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures Trip for two on Devil’s Canyon Adventure
—Dick L
Northern Alaska Tour Company Arctic Circle Fly/Drive trip for two from Fairbanks
—Josette T
Stan Stephens Cruises: Columbia Glacier cruise for two from Valdez
—Kendra G
Phillips Cruises & Tours 26 Glacier cruise for two
—Jill C
Snug Harbor Outpost $2500 gift card toward fly-in bear viewing at Snug Harbor Outpost
—Chelsea K
The First Class Driver Round-trip VIP airport transfer from within Anchorage area
—Josette T
Unalaska Visitors Bureau Dutch Harbor holiday: one-way ferry tickets, accommodations at Grand Aleutian, some meals, car rental + tour
—Kathy S
Wild Birch Hotel Two nights at Wild Birch + $100 credit at “Crimson” restaurant
—Janet R
Yahoo Matsu Outbound Heli Adventures Knik Glacier Tour for two
—Stew P
Alaska Native Heritage Center Family admission for up to five
—Rachel C
Alaska Railroad Anchorage-Seward roundtrip for two
—Tracy T
Major Marine Tours + Gateway Hotel in Seward Kenai Fjords National Park cruise for two + overnight at The Gateway Hotel
—Lynn S
Riverboat Discovery/Gold Dredge 8 Combo pass for two: visit both Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8
—Brittany S
Land’s End Resort 2-night stay at Land’s End Resort
—Alex P
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Choose your own adventure + your favorite “Kaladi Brothers” coffee drink* 17 Mar 7:05 PM (last month)
We want you to “Choose your own adventure” on Saturday, March 22 at the Alaska Summer Showcase!
But we’d kinda like to know your favorites in advance. And there could be a nice drink from Kaladi Brothers with your name on it!
Here’s how it works:
1. Check out the list of prizes we’re giving away on Saturday at the Alaska Summer Showcase (below).
2. Find the top three adventures you’d like to win. I know…it’s hard to narrow it down. Just do your best. 3. Send an email to scott@alaskatravelgram.com with the following info:
a. Your name (first and last)
b. The Top 3 adventures that you’d like to win
c. Your favorite drink from Kaladi Brothers Coffee
*One entry per person. We will draw at random and award prizes to those who answer all of the questions. There’s a limited number of coffee cards…so when they’re gone, they’re gone!
Here’s a complete list of the adventures and prizes available at this weekend’s Alaska Summer Showcase
1. Alaskan Dream Cruises 8-day/7-night small-ship cruise in Southeast Alaska. Gourmet cuisine. Authentic adventure. From Sitka to Juneau, including Glacier Bay. (SHOW SPECIAL = 70 percent off select sailings ONLY for Alaska residents)
2. Alaska Airlines trip for two anywhere they fly (except Prudhoe Bay).
3. Breezes Resort Four-day/three-night stay at all-inclusive on Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas from Alaska Travel Desk
4. K2 Aviation: Denali flightseeing + glacier landing from Talkeetna
5. Kennicott Glacier Lodge holiday with 2 nights accommodations with meals, airfare from Chitina on Wrangell Mountain Air and 1/2-day glacier hike from St. Elias Alpine Guides
6. 26 Glacier Cruise for two from Phillips Cruises in Whittier
7. Arctic Circle Fly/Drive from Fairbanks with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Fly to Coldfoot and motor back on the Haul Road along the Pipeline’s route, across the Yukon River (or reverse)!
8. Columbia Glacier cruise for two from Valdez, with Stan Stephens Cruises.
9. Land’s End Resort: Two-night stay in Homer at the end of the spit!
10. Alyeska Resort: Overnight stay+ Spa Day for two at the Nordic Spa
11. NEW: Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage. Two-night stay + $100 voucher at “Crimson” restaurant (corner 4th & E St. downtown)
12. Overnight at Wedgewood Resort in Fairbanks, plus admission to Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum from Explore Fairbanks
13. Blackstone Glacier sightseeing cruise (in April or October) from Lazy Otter Charters in Whittier.
14. Three-day SUV/truck rental from Alaska 4×4 Rental
15. $1000 gift card for your Lendimi African Safari in Tanzania
16. Outbound Heli Adventures trip for two to Knik Glacier from Yahoo Mat-Su!
17. Dutch Harbor adventure includes accommodations at Grand Aleutian Hotel, area tour, 2-day car rental, some meals and FERRY tickets from Unalaska Visitors Bureau.
18. 4-day RV rental from GoNorth RV rentals
19. $2500 gift card to Snug Harbor Outpost Bear Viewing package
20. VIP “Black Car” roundtrip airport transfer from The First Class Driver (Anchorage area)
21. Major Marine Tours: National Park Cruise + overnight accommodations at Gateway Hotel in Seward (Bonus Prize)
22. Alaska Railroad: Round trip train between Anchorage and Seward for two (Bonus Prize)
23. Combo Pass from Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks (Bonus Prize)
24. Alaska Native Heritage Center: Family Pass for admission (up to five people)
25. Alaska Tour & Travel: Park Connection for two between Anchorage and Denali + Park Connection for two between Anchorage and Seward
26. Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures: Devil’s Canyon trip for two from Talkeetna
27. Her Alaska Travels: “Become Travel Rich” coursework on miles and points
28. Alaska Zoo: Annual Family Membership
29. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Annual Family Membership
30. Alaska Photo Treks: Sunset Photo Tour for two
31. Alaska TourSaver book (SHOW-ONLY SPECIAL = 50 percent off)
32. Airfare 9-1-1 Text-to-phone low fare alert service. Free annual membership.
33. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: MYSTERY PRIZE I don’t even know what it is!
34. Alaska Travel Industry Association: MYSTERY PRIZE Can’t wait to see the big reveal!
35. Visit Anchorage: Special VIP Travel Basket
This contest only lasts a couple of days (through WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 at 10pm ADT). We will draw winners at random and let you know if you won (by email). Claim your prize at the Alaska TourSaver table (in-person only) on Saturday, March 22 during the Alaska Summer Showcase between 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Questions? Drop me a line: Scott@alaskatravelgram.com
Got tickets? Click here.
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Alaska Summer Showcase: Jump-start your summer March 22, 2025! 11 Mar 5:44 PM (last month)
You’re invited to the ninth annual Alaska Summer Showcase on Saturday, March 22, 12-4pm! Don’t miss the chance to Jump-Start Your Summer. Find out where to go and what to do! Travel prizes! Alaska Native Dancers! Live music! Food trucks. DOZENS of top-shelf Alaska travel professionals with SHOW-ONLY specials (up to 60 percent off)!
Who: You and your friends. Don’t miss it!
What: One-day travel extravaganza — everything you need to map out your summertime adventures.
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 12-4pm.
Where: The Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Why: Will you win your share of $25,000 in travel prizes?
– 8-day/7-night luxury, small-ship adventure cruise between Sitka and Juneau with Alaskan Dream Cruises
– Trip for two on Alaska Airlines, anywhere they fly (including Hawaii, Guatemala, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica)
– Trip for two on the Mighty Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward
– Four day RV rental from GoNorth RV rental in Anchorage
– 4-day/3-night all-inclusive stay on Nassau’s Cable Beach with “Breezes” resort from Alaska Travel Desk
– 26 Glacier Cruise in College Fjord with Phillips Cruises & Tours
– Arctic Circle fly/drive adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company
– Columbia Glacier cruise for two with Stan Stephens Cruises
– Explorer package from Kennicott Glacier Lodge: 2 nights accommodations, plus glacier hike from St. Elias Alpine Guides and air transportation Chitina-McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air
– Denali Flightseeing for two with Glacier Landing from K2 Aviation
– Kenai Fjords National Park cruise for two with Major Marine Tours, plus overnight at the Gateway Hotel in Seward
– Blackstone Glacier cruise for two from Lazy Otter Charters
– Two nights accommodations at Land’s End Resort in Homer
– Overnight accommodations at Alyeska Resort + Nordic Spa package for two
…much more (we’re adding prizes as they come in)!
PLUS: Live music from Todd Grebe & Cold Country. Alaska Native Dancers (at 2pm). Food trucks. F-U-N-! Bring the kids (under 16 = one FREE per paying adult)
How: Get your tickets now through our “MyAlaskaTix” portal. Click here.
We’ll see YOU at the Alaska Summer Showcase on Saturday, March 22, 2025!!!
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Early Season: Save 20 percent at Kennicott Glacier Lodge 11 Mar 4:41 PM (last month)
We stayed at Kennicott Glacier Lodge last fall on the last weekend they were open (Labor Day weekend) in 2023. So these are the most recent pictures we’ve got of the area.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge is reopening on May 24, 2025. Early-season visitors can save 20 percent on their room rates through June 20, 2025. Just call the lodge’s reservations number: (907)258-2350. The discounted rates are valid for the “Main Lodge”, which is where we prefer to stay. The big difference between the Main Lodge and the South Wing is that the newer rooms in the Wing have private baths.
We stayed for two nights at the Lodge. Optional trips are available with St. Elias Alpine Guides, located across the street from the lodge on Main Street in Kennicott…which is five miles up the hill from McCarthy. My favorites are the glacier hike up on the Root Glacier (they have crampons and all the gear). Also, the tour of the old mining buildings is really worth doing. I learn more each time I take the tour.
Getting there: My favorite way to get back to Kennicott is to fly from Chitina with Wrangell Mountain Air. The flight is fabulous–and it crossed the mighty Copper River before flying through some mountain passes and over some incredible glaciers! That didn’t work out this time since there were five of us traveling together and there already were other people on the books. So we drove back–the road is in really good shape. Budget two hours for the 60-mile trip on the McCarthy Road.
There are many picturesque stops on the road–but I was too busy swerving to avoid a bear (REALLY). The Kuskulana River Bridge (Mile 17.2) will take your breath away. It’s one lane…and you can see why they used to bungee-jump off the lower level of the bridge (don’t do it). Further down the road is the Gilahina Trestle (Mile 29) . This all-wood trestle for the Copper Valley Railway originally required a half-million board feet of lumber. It was 890 feet long and 90 feet high when completed in 1911. It’s showing its age now. Don’t climb on it.
On Arrival: Yes, there’s a footbridge. Right at the end of the road, there’s a parking lot (free for lodge guests). Don’t bother with the pay phone at the bridge. It never works. Have the attendant at the parking lot call the lodge for a shuttle. It usually takes about a half an hour to arrive.
The ride up in the van follows an old railbed from McCarthy up to Kennicott, site of what used to be the world’s largest copper mine. You’ll see the glacier off to the left (Root Glacier) and the mountains off to the right .
Once you get to the lodge, the view really opens up and you can see all the way across the valley to the mountains beyond.
Where we stayed: Kennicott Glacier Lodge. We’ve always stayed in the “Main Lodge”, which included the common dining room and shared baths.
Dining: Since it was late in the season, there really weren’t any other dining options aside from the lodge. The good news is the food is really good.
Exploring: Again, the building tour by St. Elias Alpine Guides offers exclusive access to many of the refurbished buildings, including the leeching plant and the power plant and the manager’s office.
But you also can just explore on your own.
Then there are several hikes you can do. Our party opted for a hike out toward the Root Glacier. The weather was great and the group was big enough to make noise and scare off the bears. Another popular hike is to go up in back of the lodge–3,800 feet up to Bonanza Mine. One hundred years ago, hundreds of men lived in the mining quarters to get the high-grade copper. You can still find plenty of copper on the ground–but look out to get the million-dollar view!
I recommend getting a guide to explore the glacier itself. Other guided activities include raft trips on the rivers.
The Kennicott area today is quiet and peaceful. It’s nothing like the riotous scene 100 years ago when the mining enterprise was going on 24 hours a day. The train rolled right up to the mine, picked up the ore and took it back down to Cordova along the Copper River.
Visit the Museum in McCarthy for some history of the region. Lots of photos and memorabilia. Afterwards, wander across the street to “The Potato” for a beer and a sandwich!
It’s always sad to leave…but we’ll be back again.
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