Alaska
- shimonsolof
- Feb 9, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 14, 2025
Day 1: Wednesday
We started the day at Alyeska, where we took the gondola up the mountain. The ride was breathtaking! The peak was shrouded in clouds, but we still managed to catch glimpses of the stunning views that would be visible on a clear day. After reaching the top, we enjoyed a hike around the rim of the peak before descending the mountain.
Next, we headed to the Eagle Glacier Crow Creek Trail, a relatively easy dirt path surrounded by beautiful forest. We turned around after a while, as we weren't well-equipped for an encounter with a bear, which some other hikers had reported spotting.
We then stopped along the Iditarod National Historic Trail at a small beach with glacier views. We also completed a short hike at a campsite off Portage Glacier Road, which offered breathtaking mountain views.
Day 2: Thursday
We began the day with a helicopter ride with the Girdwood Helicopter Company. We were originally supposed to fly to a glacier for some dog sledding, but due to the warmer spring weather, the glacier had become too slippery for the dogs, so they weren’t operating there. Instead, we flew over the glacier and had the chance to walk on it. Our son even got to use a shovel to dig into the glacier! The glacier we landed on was enormous, and due to the clouds, we couldn’t even see its edges. The flight itself was both scenic and thrilling!
We then moved on to Flattop Mountain. The hike started easy, but soon became steep, narrow, and strenuous in parts. Our son alternated between walking and being carried in a back carrier. The views throughout the hike were absolutely stunning!
We ended the day by driving up Hatcher Pass Road to Summit Lake, where we were treated to gorgeous views of crystal-clear rivers, waterfalls, and towering mountains.
Day 3: Friday
We kicked off the day by making up for the dog sledding that was canceled the day before. We met our group from Summer Sled Dog Adventures at the entrance to Alyeska Resort. From there, we rode a mountain bus up a gravel path to the dogs' summer home. We got to meet and play with the huskies that would be pulling our sleds. These dogs had the cutest personalities and loved being petted and talked to.
Afterward, we watched as the dogs were harnessed to the sled, and then we boarded the summer sled for a thrilling ride around the course. It was fascinating to see how the trainer, a professional Iditarod racer, interacted with the dogs using only grunts and commands. After the ride, we got to hold and play with the new puppies, which was a highlight for all of us!
We then headed into Anchorage to rent bikes and enjoyed a scenic bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The trail offered beautiful views of forests and water, and the best part for our son was riding so close to the airport that we could see planes landing and taking off up close.
Day 4: Shabbos
Since the sun sets quite late in the summer, we had a slow morning and a leisurely meal. We then headed to a local playground where our son enjoyed the swings and slides. Afterward, we walked around a nearby lake, soaking up the warm weather and watching the ducks.
Day 5: Sunday
We drove out to Whittier to catch our Klondike Express ferry. On the way, we passed through the longest tunnel in North America, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. It only has one lane and is shared by cars and a train, so be sure to check the tunnel schedule to avoid any delays.
Once in Whittier, we explored the small village before boarding our cruise. The cruise through Esther Passage was absolutely stunning. Though it was cloudy, we got close views of many glaciers. At one massive glacier, as we were admiring its size, a huge chunk calved off into the water, sending a powerful shockwave through the boat. It was an unforgettable moment. The glaciers we saw were colossal, some still growing, and it was awe-inspiring to be in their presence.
Later, we made our way to our AirBnB in Kenai, where we enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner and some stargazing before calling it a night.
Day 6: Monday
We began the day with our rafting adventure with Alaska Rivers Company. Since our son was young, we opted for a calmer rafting trip. While on the river, we saw salmon jumping and even watched bears hunting salmon in the water. At one point, two bears crossed the river right in front of our boat—an incredible sight!
Due to the rainy weather, we decided to skip our next two planned stops and instead head to Talkeetna, where we spent the night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.
Day 7: Tuesday
We had scheduled an early morning ski plane ride to the summit of Denali, but due to rain and cloud cover, the flight was canceled. Instead, we spent the day driving through Denali National Park, taking in the views and even climbing a few small roadside mountains.
In the evening, we arrived at Denali Park Village, where we spent the night. Once again, we enjoyed a BBQ and stargazing in this remote, tranquil corner of the world.
Day 8: Wednesday
We had an early start with our ATV guide from Backcountry ATV, where we set out on an exciting ride through the interior of Denali National Park in a Jeep. We cruised through mud, splashed through puddles, and even drove straight up a mountainside!
On our way back to Anchorage, we marveled at the fall colors that painted the trees in vibrant hues.
We stopped at Knik River, where we enjoyed the views, crossed an ancient, now-defunct bridge, and even dipped our toes into the icy waters.
Finally, we made our way to the airport for our flight home.
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