Alaska Travel Guide, Pre-trip Preparation and Attractions Introduction to Alaska, the End of the World
Preface
“When you have seen all the mountains, rivers and people in this world, then come to Alaska.” This is probably because the beauty of Alaska is more magnificent than anywhere else in the world!
Alaska, the last frontier at the end of the world, stands quietly by the Bering Strait, speechless and boundless, yet attracting countless people to explore.
Best time to travel to Alaska
Summer is Alaska's golden season for tourism, and autumn is its vibrant, dreamy season. But winter in Alaska can seem rather dull. Aside from the Snowpiercer, glacier hiking, chasing the aurora, hot springs, dog sledding, and ice fishing, there seems to be little else to capture your attention.
If you're craving a desolate world, then winter Alaska will surely satiate your desires. Head north, crossing the Arctic Circle, where ice and snow blanket the landscape. Spend the night at Yukon River Camp, cross the Continental Divide, follow the oil pipeline that winds through Alaska from north to south, gaze at the boundless frozen tundra, and experience the polar regions, wilderness, frozen earth, and snow along the Dawton Highway. It's a world beyond words.
Alaska History Brief
In June 1741, Danish explorer Vitus Bering discovered Alaska, the point connecting Asia and America. Western nations subsequently began colonizing Alaska, marking the beginning of Russia's colonial history. However, due to the extreme cold, it was the Russians, a nation known for their fighting spirit, who remained and had a significant impact on Alaska.
The Crimean War broke out. Fearing the loss of its Alaskan colony to Britain, Russia sold Alaska to the United States. Secretary of State James Seward purchased the territory for $7.2 million. Beginning in 1897, gold and abundant oil reserves were discovered in Alaska. This once worthless frozen land was transformed into a coveted resource hotbed.
Today, Alaska, the largest enclave in the United States, has become a legend. Its desolation and frontier are waiting for people to explore.
Oil pipeline project
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, stretching nearly 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) from Prudhoe Bay in the north to Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska, was built in 1977 at a cost of nearly $8 billion. A symbol of American pioneering and a supreme example of human perseverance, it was the world's first crude oil pipeline to extend into the Arctic Circle. This monumental undertaking has astonished the world since its inception.
In this bitterly cold region, pipeline construction presents even greater challenges due to its remote location and harsh surrounding environment: it must traverse three mountain ranges, active faults, vast permafrost, and the regular migrations of reindeer and moose. Consequently, nearly half of the pipeline had to be built overhead rather than buried underground to prevent permafrost thawing and the resulting movement.
One cannot help but marvel at the American Empire's advanced engineering technology and foresight. Their construction not only serves their own interests but also takes into account the ecological environment, animal protection, and future development. On a northbound Alaskan journey along the lonely Dalton Highway, the oil pipeline will accompany you.
Dotonbori Highway, one of the world's ten most deadly roads
The Dalton Highway begins 73 miles north of Fairbanks on the Elliott Highway and ends in Deadhorse, on the Prudhoe Bay Oil Fields on the Arctic Ocean.
This road traverses Alaska's boreal forests, crosses the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle, straddles the Brooks Range, and passes through Atigun Pass on the Continental Divide before finally crossing the Arctic tundra to Dead Horse and the Prudhoe Bay oil fields near the Arctic Ocean. Built to transport supplies for the oil pipeline project, it runs parallel to the pipeline and is the most isolated road in the United States.
Before the 1990s, this highway was only accessible to large trucks, and even today, that's the only traffic year-round. The Dotonbori Highway is constantly covered in snow, and to prevent slipping, the road is paved with gravel rather than asphalt. Furthermore, the route winds through mountains and hills, with long, winding roads and a lack of cell phone service.
In order to protect vehicles, many rental vehicles do not allow self-driving vehicles to drive on the Dalton Expressway. Common large car rental companies such as Hertz and Avis will not be responsible for rescue if you drive on the Dalton Expressway privately and an accident occurs, and you will have no way to ask for help.
Only a few specialized rental companies offer vehicles suitable for driving on the Dawton Highway. These vehicles, along with life-saving equipment and tires, are specifically designed for the route. They also include satellite phones, first aid kits, spare tires, sleeping bags, and other essential features. They also offer snow or all-season tires, punctured with small studs to protect against road debris. There are a few service points along the Dawton Highway, offering basic accommodations, gas, and supplies.
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a dazzling display of light that appears above the high magnetic latitudes of the planet's North Pole. Essentially, the aurora is an optical phenomenon caused by the interaction of charged particles blown in by solar storms with atoms and molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere in the uppermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere (100-200 kilometers above the ground).
Because the Earth's own magnetic field is like a protective umbrella, pushing away most particles and blocking them outside, the magnetic fields of the Earth's North and South Poles are like a funnel, and some particles will enter it. Therefore, the two ring-shaped belts near 67° north and south magnetic latitudes become auroral belts.
While the aurora can appear year-round, it can only be seen under dark skies, so the best time to see it is from September to early April, when daylight hours are shortest. Auroras can also appear during the day, but they are less noticeable due to the brightness of the sun.
Observing the aurora has a lot to do with the weather. If the clouds are too thick at night, the aurora cannot penetrate the clouds and it will be difficult to see. Therefore, clear and cloudless weather is also the main prerequisite for the aurora.
What Alaska has to do to prepare
Daily necessities
What to bring:
①Waterproof, cold-proof and windproof long coat + snow pants (if you are going to be in the snow for a long time, windproof and waterproof must be good)
② Thick-soled waterproof snow boots or work boots (waterproof and waterproof, definitely not the kind of snow boots like UGG)
③Thick thermal underwear (customizable, the warmer the better)
④ One pair of cold-proof gloves and one pair of thin gloves (use the thin ones when operating the camera)
⑤Thick socks, prepare a few extra pairs
⑥Windproof hat and scarf (not afraid of strong wind and rain, hihi)
⑦ Warm baby, mask or face mask (When you stand in the snow for three or four hours, you will find that no matter how thick or warm the shoes are, they can't save your frozen feet. Putting two warm baby in your shoes is the best way to see the aurora. Mask is a direct measure to keep your face warm. When you stand on the glacier and feel the cold wind blowing across your face, you will understand how important a mask or face mask is)
Phone Card:
T-Mobile has no signal in Alaska, so it's best to buy an AT&T prepaid card. (No card has signal on the Dalton Highway, unless you have a satellite phone.)
Photography tools and aurora observation
Photography tools:
① Camera or mobile phone: SLR or mirrorless camera are both acceptable. Ordinary mobile phones cannot produce good results. Apple phones really cannot produce good results at night, unless there is a big aurora explosion, which is not common.
② Wide-angle lens: To capture the aurora, starry sky, and ground, an ultra-wide-angle lens is generally required, suitable for full-frame cameras.
③Tripod: Shooting the aurora outdoors in freezing cold weather requires long exposure, so a stable tripod is a must.
④ Shutter release cable or remote shutter: Using a remote shutter can also avoid camera shake caused by hand shaking. This way you don’t need to stare at the viewfinder all the time and can capture and appreciate the aurora at the same time.
⑤ Spare batteries: Batteries wear out quickly in cold weather, so it is recommended that you have two extra batteries. ⑥ Flashlight: Light is needed to view parameters, change lenses, and adjust the camera in the dark.
Tips:
Regarding the storage and access of the camera, after using the camera outdoors in extremely cold weather, put it directly into the storage bag. Do not bring it into a very hot room with the camera exposed. Due to the temperature difference, the lens may fog up, which is very troublesome to deal with and may even become moldy in serious cases.
Aurora observation:
For aurora forecasts, please refer to the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast) to find out the intensity, range, and time of the aurora each day.
Download the Aurora Now app, which is a very useful app for predicting the strength of the aurora, on your phone. It can be found in Apple's App Store and Android's app store.
Seeing the Aurora really requires luck and is very much related to the weather. For example, on our trip this time, the weather was bad and the clouds were too thick. Many people stayed for five or six days but still didn't see the Aurora. There was nothing they could do.
Roads-Transportation-Car Rental
Car rental and self-driving:
Driving on the Dotonbori Expressway in winter is very dangerous. The road conditions are complicated, there are many long bends, and there are no signals throughout the entire journey. Even experienced drivers have to consider it carefully. It is not recommended to drive on the Dotonbori Expressway in winter, and many car rental companies do not allow rental vehicles to go on the Dotonbori Expressway.
If you must go, it is recommended to make the following preparations: four-wheel drive vehicle, snow tires, satellite phone, car radio, spare tire, offline map, own oil, supplies. The Dalton Highway goes from Fairbanks to Coldfoot. There are no other service facilities except for two gas stations (1 is Yukon River Campground and the other is Coldfoot). The farthest gas station is 400 kilometers away.
Satellite phone, car radio (there's no signal along the entire Dotonboro Highway, and even if there's WiFi at the supply points, it's rarely available. The vehicles on the road are mostly trucks transporting supplies, so everyone tunes into the same station. When turning a corner, they call out to see if there are any oncoming vehicles so they can give way, even stopping to yield if necessary. The Dotonboro Highway was originally built to transport supplies for the oil pipeline project, so truck drivers are the owners of the highway and have absolute right of way.)
Car rental in the United States:
I recommend the Zuzuche platform, which is convenient and fast. Alaska also has many common large car rental companies, such as Hertz and Avis. The roads are difficult, so drive very carefully.
Fairbanks Downtown Transportation:
①Bus, the bus in downtown Fairbanks, one-way 1.5 dollars, a day pass is 3 dollars, you can ride as much as you want.
②There are also many Ubers now, but the models are very diverse, and it is possible that the ones coming are large pickup trucks.
③ Airport pick-up and drop-off: Hotels generally provide airport pick-up and drop-off services, you can inquire at the front desk.
Meals - Tips - Tax Free
Consumption level:
Although Alaska is located in a remote area, its abundant resources have resulted in a high per capita income level, and residents receive government welfare dividends every year, so the consumption level is really high.
FOOD:
Don't expect too much in the Last Frontier. There are some good restaurants, and the overall cost is quite high. Breakfast in American hotels generally consists of cold dishes, bread, fruit, drinks, and coffee.
Alaskan king crab
Americans are known for their crude approach to seafood. Alaskan king crabs are typically quickly frozen, packaged, and shipped after being caught. Throughout Alaska, the king crabs served in restaurants are frozen, not freshly caught.
tip:
The United States is a country with a tipping system. You need to pay additional tips when dining in restaurants (generally divided into 13%, 15%, 18%, 20% and above of the total tip amount, and no tipping is required for take-out food). You also need to pay a little tip to the staff for accommodation, airport pick-up, etc. (usually $2-5).
If you travel with a group to Alaska, the tour guide and driver will charge tips every day (usually $10/person/day), which is not included in the itinerary cost.
About tax exemption:
Alaska is known as a tax-free state. Tax-free refers to the exemption of sales tax on goods, not service fees or tips. Furthermore, not all of Alaska is tax-free; some smaller areas also charge a certain percentage of local taxes.
Because Alaska is so remote, many prices are higher than in other states. Large shopping malls are rare, and the variety of goods is limited, which can be a bit disappointing for those who want to go on a shopping spree. In Anchorage and Fairbanks, for example, the styles of Canada Goose products are relatively old.
Hotel accommodation
Winter is the off-season for tourism in Alaska, so accommodation is generally not expensive, with prices over $100 being the norm. In contrast, accommodation in Alaska during the summer can easily cost between $300 and $400.
When booking a hotel, check the booking website in advance to see if there are any additional charges for facilities or items, such as park construction fees. Try to book a hotel near the city for easy travel.
You can make reservations on domestic platforms such as Ctrip, iYingbi, or Mafengwo, or you can make reservations in advance on overseas platforms. When checking in, you will need to provide your ID and order number.
Classic Alaska Attractions
Turnagain Bay
At the entrance to the Gulf of Alaska, on clear days, you might spot beluga whales and eagles. Glaciers nestle against rolling hills, their snow-capped peaks reflected in the azure waters. A mist, like clouds, weaves through the snow-capped mountains, creating a paradise on earth.
Beluga Point
This is a crucial habitat for endangered beluga whales, and President Xi Jinping stopped here to observe them during his visit to Alaska in 2016. Beluga whales are rarely seen in winter, as the weather at the coast is unpredictable. In the mornings, when the fog is thick, all you can see is a blanket of white. When the fog clears and the weather is fine, you can see the ocean in the distance.
Alyeska Ski Resort
As the name suggests, you can take the sightseeing cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains. This ski resort is suitable for intermediate and advanced players. The ski slopes are difficult and there are relatively few people, mostly European and American players. If you are not staying or skiing, there is no need to come here specifically, but it is still a good choice for ski enthusiasts.
Houde Lake Water Airport
The world's largest and busiest seaplane airport, open to the public all year round, has an average of nearly 200 seaplane takeoffs and landings per day. There are many specialized airplane sightseeing companies on the lakeside. Their main business is private air travel, flying to Denali National Park to watch brown bears catching fish, or taking you to the glacier to experience dog sledding. In addition, there are many inaccessible places in the area, so residents have to rely on small planes to travel.
The scenery is beautiful in summer and you will have a different experience. In winter, the entire lake is frozen and the planes are parked on the shore. There will be no takeoff or landing, and you can only see countless small planes.
Earthquake Park
The memorial commemorates the 9.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Anchorage on March 27, 1964, the second-strongest earthquake in recorded world history. That day, also Good Friday, caused a massive influx of seawater into the Anchorage coastline, a fateful day for the state, though fortunately for the vast and sparsely populated region. The event resulted in 115 deaths, as earthquakes are common in Alaska, which is located in a seismic zone.
The park is located in Cook Inlet. The surrounding environment is nice and it is also a place to view and photograph the scenery of Anchorage city. It is suitable for leisurely strolls and a good place for locals to walk their dogs and relax.
Captain Cook Memorial
It's a small monument, and I don't recommend making a special trip to see it. There are monuments to Captain Cook in many places around the world. Captain Cook was a European navigator who led his crew to the east coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. He fought with the indigenous people during his landing in the Hawaiian Islands and died on February 14.
Matanuska Glacier Hike
This is the only glacier in Alaska that can be reached by car, and it is also the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Located about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage, it takes 2.5 hours to drive one way, making it just the right amount of time to visit it and go back in one day.
Business hours are 11:00am-14:00pm, fee: $100 per person.
The road conditions are good in the summer, but there will be a lot of snow on the roads in the winter. It is recommended to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires for winter self-driving. You can also join a one-day hiking group departing from Anchorage.
Tips:
Hiking suggestions:
Wear a thick, long down jacket. Waterproof shoes are essential in both winter and summer. Snow pants are unnecessary in winter because there's no meltwater, but waterproof clothing and pants are necessary in summer because of the accumulation of water. Winter winds on the glacier are very strong, so masks, scarves, and gloves are essential.
I personally suggest that you don’t need to bring any food during the hike. Firstly, you should travel light, and secondly, the scenery is so beautiful that you won’t have time to take photos, let alone eat.
Northern Lights Train
It's the dream of many to take a ride on the Snowpiercer to the Last Frontier to see the stunning aurora borealis. The Alaska Railroad's only winter passenger train, the Northern Lights Express, runs only on weekends.
The 470-mile drive north from Anchorage to Fairbanks takes 12 hours. We depart before dawn and arrive after dark, navigating a vast expanse of ice and snow, braving the cold and desolation. We witness the sun setting over snow-capped mountains, dappled jungles, and frozen rivers and snow-covered mountain streams. We cross mountains and rivers, passing through Denali National Park, and finally arrive in Fairbanks.
Ticket booking website: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ You can also book in advance on major domestic travel platforms.
Operating hours: November to May of the following year, northbound from Anchorage to Fairbanks on Saturdays, southbound from Fairbanks to Anchorage on Sundays.
Adult ticket from Anchorage to Fairbanks: $200, 8:30 am - 8:30 pm, arrive at the station 40 minutes in advance, the service desk is on the left side of the entrance, exchange the ticket, and wait to board the bus.
Tips:
The train journey is quite long and there is a restaurant on board, which serves simple meals, coffee and hot water at reasonable prices.
The scenery in winter is relatively monotonous and you will feel tired after a long time. You can bring your own food, cards, games, etc. to relieve the boredom of the journey. Don't miss the sunrise, it is really beautiful.
In addition, the train will pass through Denali National Park. Due to the short daylight hours in winter, it is dark when you arrive at Denali National Park. The entire park is in a semi-closed state. Only the visitor center is open. There are no sightseeing bus tours. The nearby towns are almost deserted. Only when weather and road conditions permit, a short section of the road may be opened for winter tourists to experience self-driving. Therefore, we do not recommend you to go there in winter. You can take the bus directly from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
But Denali National Park in the summer is really a perfect place to go. You must go there and there are so many things to do.
Aurora Cabin
Aurora Cabins are often a great option for viewing the aurora at night. We typically depart for Clear Summit Cabins at 10 PM to wait for the aurora. The aurora typically appears between 12:00 PM and 3:00 AM, depending on the weather and intensity of the day.
You don't have to go to a cabin to see the aurora. You can see it in high and open areas far away from the city as long as the aurora is strong. If the aurora erupts, you can also see it in the city. If it is a big eruption, you can also see it in southern cities such as Anchorage. However, such situations are rare, and you are really lucky if you encounter it.
Cabins are typically located far from urban areas, in open areas free from light pollution. Snowshoes, snow pants, and warm clothing are essential. Cabins generally provide hot drinks, restrooms, seating, glass domes, and comfortable sofas. Prices vary, so you can compare prices on various platforms. Alternatively, you can drive yourself. Be careful with road conditions, especially on snowy and mountainous roads.
Fairbanks Bird Sanctuary
In winter, there's really only snow and trees here. It's quite deserted, with only a few people walking their dogs. But I personally think this is a treasure trove, perfect for collecting folk songs, taking photos, and having fun in the snow. Walking through the snow-covered grove and lying in the soft snow is a superb experience.
Yukon River Campground
Yukon River Camp is a camp located on the banks of the Yukon River. It was originally a living camp for Alaskan oil pipeline workers. Later, it was transformed into a camp open to the public. It is the last rest camp and gas station before entering the Arctic Circle.
FOOD:
There are only two supply points along the highway from Fairbanks to Dawton, Yukon River Camp and Frozen Foot. The tour guide will make reservations for everyone before getting on the bus to eat here, because the camp conditions have very few supplies and people. After booking, the staff will prepare in advance, and you can also bring your own food and drinks.
The prices are at the normal level in Alaska, and the food tastes pretty good. There are beef noodles, fried noodles, salmon noodles, salmon burgers, etc. Because there are many Chinese tourists, the Yukon River Camp has condiments such as chili, vinegar, and soy sauce.
Camp accommodation:
There are double rooms and single rooms at different prices, you can choose freely.
The double room has two single beds and is clean and tidy. It has air conditioning, a table and chairs, a desk lamp, etc. There is no private bathroom, all shared bathrooms. Since the Dalton Highway is often used by large trucks and most of the truck drivers are male, there is only one female bathroom in the camp, two toilets, one shower room, and two sinks. Everyone takes turns washing.
See the Northern Lights:
There will be a large tent in the camp, which is equipped with hot water, a stove, tables and chairs, and is very warm. There are two camp staff members who will stay with everyone overnight and will call everyone out if they spot the aurora.
At first, the aurora is invisible to the naked eye, making it difficult to tell whether it's clouds or auroras. You can only use your camera to test whether it's an aurora. After exposing, a green ribbon appears in the camera, and that's when the surprise begins. The aurora lasts for over an hour, with auroras appearing in different directions across the sky. And then there's that dancing green ribbon, a sky full of stars, falling meteors, and dancing lasers—that's the magic of winter.
Tips:
Opposite the restaurant is a small house owned by a local hunter, who sells some of the prey he hunted himself, including trinkets, furs, teeth, claws, etc. It's really small and the prices are very reasonable, so you might as well go and have a look.
66°34' Arctic Circle marker
The mysterious 66°34' Arctic Circle crosses the interior of Alaska. In order to commemorate this mysterious latitude, a commemorative sign for the Arctic Circle was set up next to the Dalton Highway where it passes for tourists to check in. The tour group will hold a simple crossing ceremony for everyone and issue a certificate. The Arctic Circle certificate is a certificate that represents adventure and desolation. It is a small souvenir and can be regarded as a Chinese characteristic.
Coolfoot
One of the supply stops on the Dalton Highway, this isolated spot within the Arctic Circle is called a town, but it's so small it's more aptly called a camp. Coldfoot consists of a small cafe, a hotel, a post office open only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, a tire repair shop, and a gas station. At night, the town is free of light pollution, making it perfect for viewing the northern lights.
dog sledding
Each sled team has a staff member accompanying them. Remember to tip them for their hard work. Afterward, you can visit the kennels and interact with the injured or elderly sled dogs that can no longer pull the sleds.
Tips:
It is recommended to bring gloves and masks. The sled camp will also provide gloves, goggles, coats, hot drinks, etc. You can go to the sledding venue’s website to book this project and drive there yourself, or you can join a local tour group.
Personally, I don’t recommend playing the dog-pulled ATV project, because this project is that the sled dogs run in front, pulling a started small off-road vehicle behind. In fact, it is the vehicle that is running, and the dogs are just decorations.
Museum of the North
The Arctic Museum is located at the University of Alaska. Fairbanks itself does not have many cultural attractions. This museum is the best place for tourists to learn about the mysterious Arctic world and the real life of local people.
The exhibition hall in the museum provides a very detailed introduction to the geographical environment changes and historical changes in the Arctic region of Alaska. You can deeply understand this mysterious world covered by ice and snow in the Northern Polar Museum.
There are many specimens of Arctic animals inside, and the most valuable treasure is a fossil specimen of a North American bison that lived 300 million years ago.
Tips:
It is recommended to have a tour guide explain, because we don’t understand many exotic cultures, and it would be boring to see them by ourselves. However, only when someone shows and explains them to you will you understand and feel awe.
Chena Hot Springs
Located in a valley an hour and a half east of Fairbanks, this resort is a popular Alaskan getaway. With a dedicated access road to the hot springs, the natural hot springs are open year-round and reach even higher temperatures in winter. The resort offers a comprehensive range of amenities, including accommodations, hot springs, and restaurants.
You can book your stay in advance and soak in the hot springs for free, or you can just go for the hot springs and pay a separate fee. The hot springs have different temperature points for everyone to choose from, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.
The lockers in the locker room cost two 25 cents and were single-use only. There was no internet signal, but there was paid WiFi for $1 an hour.
Conclusion
Traveling is full of expectations and longings, but it can also be accompanied by the uneasy and often frustrating reality. However, nothing can stop us from exploring the unknown. You and I will always be on the road, hoping to meet one day, or perhaps just pass by. 2019, on the road, meet China-TravelNote.
