Wall of Shame
This is the place we list some of the places we'd like to go in Alaska but haven't been. We include what we know here so you can make a web site like this, only better.
Walrus Island or Round Island
By permit only (though they're not hard to get) this island is home to 25,000 walruses - only 50 people visit a year. The best time of year is late May or early June. To get there you fly to Dillingham in Southwest Alaska (on Alaska Airlines) and then charter a boat. Because of park rules, once on the island you must stay for exactly three nights, not fewer, not more.
McNeil Bear Viewing
You have to win a permit to go here – depending on the year, you have about a 1/3rd chance of winning. Like Walrus Island you have to go for a certain number of nights – three, I think. We have friends that have gone and have said it was truly amazing, one of the best things they have done since living in Alaska. One downside: when they come back you have to look at hundreds or thousands of bear photos – because other than taking pictures of bears fishing, there is nothing else to do (or even allowed.) Be sure to check with the charter service that drops you off about landing logistics – increased sedimentation in the landing area is forcing the companies to come in just at high tide. One friend who went recently was dropped off at a pond for half a day as they ferried other passengers and waited for the tide. We don’t fully understand the logistics invovled but worth asking around for a reliable charter company.
Kesugi Ridge (2 to 4 Nights)
Okay, we haven’t done this but we’ve heard good things. It’s in Denali State Park – which is huge and borders Denali National Park. It’s 36 miles or so and has apparently the best views of McKinley/Denali. It goes through high alpine and past lakes and is supposed to be quite nice. We can find out more from people who have done it but if you’re interested - in the meantime, here is a web site with more info.
Wood-Tikchik State Park
This 1.6 million acre state park in western Alaska (the largest in the country) is supposed to be amazing, especially for canoeing. Also, a LOT of bears. Here is a link.
Cordova Ice Skating
Under just the right conditions, you can ice skate around icebergs. The giant Copper River passes by the end of a glacier, causing huge chunks of ice to fall into the water (we’ve seen it in the summer and it is quite a sight). Sometimes those icebergs get stuck in the middle of the river when it freezes. And sometimes, the wind blows away the snow, making it possible to ice skate, yes, around icebergs. People who have travelled around the world and done it, say it is fucking awesome. And we believe them.
Denali Road Lottery
One weekend every September the road into Denali National Park is opened to passenger vehicles who have won a car lottery. Kind of cool not to have to take the bus but apparently the road is bit a scary.
Juneau Folk Festival
A giant party every April which draws many repeat fans, especially to the late-night jam sessions in the hallways of the The Alaskan Hotel.
Dawson City Folk Festival
No idea but we hear this festival is fun. We do know, however, Dawson City is in Canada and has a bar where you can take a shot filled with alchohol and an actual human toe.
Drive to Prudhoe Bay
We’d love to drive up and look for muskox or one of the several, hundred thousand strong herds of caribou.
