From Anchorage to Skagway

Below is the review of the land portion of our HAL cruisetour, May 16 to 26. Cruise portion to follow. I haven't figured out how to do photos on CC but will investigate. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.

Just returned from our fabulous cruisetour to Alaska and the Yukon. This will be more of a "highlight" and practical review, things you wanted to know but were reluctant to ask.

Anchorage

We arrived in Anchorage via Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. Note that Air Canada Rouge is a very basic airline with very few extras and less leg room. After retrieving our luggage and tagging it we were off to our hotel, the Hilton, where we met our journey host Lori Dollar and filled out the appropriate paperwork. This year they are asking for a list of the medications you take in case of an emergency. The print out from pharmacy would be acceptable. We received the luggage tags for our hotels. Our suitcases, 2 regular sized ones and one carry-on from the plane, stayed with us throughout the tour. I used a smaller nylon gym bag for our everyday carry-on. It had snacks, medications, binoculars etc.

Train to Denali

After putting our bags out at 6:30 am, we boarded a coach for a very short ride to the train. It only had 3 cars, 2 HAL and 1 Princess. The seats for HAL, which are assigned, are all forward facing and quite roomy. We had a guide who provided info on what we were passing and a "bartender" who looked after the drinks. Most people opted for lunch on the train. Prices ranged from $6.50 to $15 and only credit cards were accepted as payment.

We had a perfect day for the ride -glorious views of Mt. McKinley, moose, trumpeter swans, beavers. There was a small platform at the front of the car where you could stand and get great photos.

Denali Park

Our room was in Canyon Lodge, a short shuttle ride or a hike up a fairly steep hill to the main lodge. From there you could get a shuttle to the Visitor Centre from where other shuttles departed. Glitter Gulch is across the highway (there are traffic lights) and here there are a variety of shops - souvenirs, restaurants, grocery, bakery etc. We walked to the Princess property for pizza and ate at the restaurant in the lodge. Great roast beef!!!

On our free day, we went out to the Visitor Center. We watched the film, went on a short hike and viewed the excellent exhibits. The restaurant, Morino Grill, offered a good selection. The hot food is around the corner from the pre-made sandwiches.

After lunch, we lined up for the Dog Demo. Although it says to be at the Visitor Center 40 minutes before the demo (to catch the special shuttle), the line started forming at least 30 minutes before that. There were several buses but the first ones to the demo had more time to pet the dogs. The later arrivals would have time after the demo to visit with the dogs. We spent some time with the dogs and then noticed that many people had taken their places (good viewing) for the demo.

Our Wilderness Tour

Our HAL package included the Tundra Wilderness Tour which did not start until May 20, the day after we were to leave Denali. Another tour, the Teklanika Wilderness Tour was substituted but it only went to Mile 30 not to Mile 57. The NPS shuttles did not start until May 20.

We did get the Grand Slam -moose (about 5 minutes into the tour), bears, caribou and Dall sheep. We also saw Mt. McKinley again. Apparently only 30% of visitors see it. Our tour was in the afternoon (after our lunch) so the included snack was okay. It Our bus driver a a super camera connected to some screens on the bus. It allowed him to focus on the animals and it helped us to locate them.

Fairbanks

It was about a 2.5 hour drive from Denali to Fairbanks. We arrived just in time for lunch, ahead for several other coaches. Our host pointed out some places to eat and some discovered some new places, all within a short walk of the meeting place.

The trip to the Gold Dredge #8 was fun, informative and hard work. We ended up with about $20 worth of gold flakes. The bargain at the Gold Dredge, beside the free cookies and drinks, is the soda machine. Only $.50 a can. We got a couple of extras for the road.

Dawson City

A short flight on Air North (super service) took us to Dawson City. There were 42 from our tour and about 20 trainees on the 737. We did not have to worry about the weight of our suitcases. They did weigh them but just for balance. We had to go through customs and were forewarned to have our passports handy.

Dawson City looks like a western movie set with its dirt roads and wooden sidewalks. We ate at the Westmark on a beautiful patio. Arctic Char is on the menu, one of a few places on the tour that serves it. Later that night we went to Diamond Tooth Gertie's for a fun evening of singing and dancing. Later, Lori and one fellow from the tour took the Sour Toe Challenge.

Unfortunately, our paddle wheel cruise was cancelled because they could not get the dock into the river. I did some laundry ($3 per wash load and $3 for the dryer, more expensive than other hotels) and walked around this picturesque town. A wonderful dinner at The Drunken Goat. Many from the tour ate here, some twice. Menu is basically Greek and the portions were large enough to share.

Whitehorse

It is a LONG drive from Dawson to Whitehorse. Lori tried to keep us busy and entertained and it did help to pass the time. Our lunch at Minto was included and it featured 2 kinds of soup, salad, fruit, Nanaimo bars (a Canadian dessert square) bannock bread, and a drink. The setting was lovely and you could eat inside or out.

Later, we stopped at the Braeburn Lodge where most of us bought the cinnamon bun. It would easily feed 4 to 6.

We pulled into Whitehorse about 5:30 so there was just time for dinner and a short stroll along the river. Some on the tour did take the longer hike excursion.

To Skagway via White Pass Railway

Next morning we on the road by 8am. We had a train to catch and it would not wait. There were photo ops (drive-by and off the coach). The scenery was beautiful. We made a short stop at Carcross ( check out the General Store) before heading to Fraser where we boarded the White Pass Railway.

Our tour had the first car to ourselves. I had read that the better vistas are on the right hand side going south. I asked our guide and one of the workers and both said it didn't really matter. The RIGHT side does overlook the drop-off so if heights are a problem, the left side may be better for you. I spent a great portion of the trip on the little platform at the front of the car, right behind the engine. Much better for photos (no reflection from windows) although it was quite windy. There is some narration during the ride but not on the outside platform. They do sell a DVD, book and cap (only available on the train) so have your money ready. It is a one time chance to buy. Also, be sure to check under your seat and get ALL your belongings. I realized when we got to the hotel in Skagway that I had forgotten my camera under the seat. Lori phoned immediately and filled out some paperwork. Next morning, she knocks on the door with my camera. Big hugs all around.

Skagway

Skagway is a town with 2 personalities. We were there for 2 days and the difference between the town when ships are in and with no ships is unbelievable. It's almost like a ghost town when the 5 to 10 thousand passengers all leave.

There is LOTS of shopping in Skagway. Coupon books have deals on lots of souvenir items. There are lots of excursions, streetcar rides for those with mobility difficulties and free walks with a ranger. Get your ticket early for the time you want.

Many people were shipping items home. Packing boxes were available at the Post Office. One little hiccup was that we were there on a Sunday and Memorial Day so the Post Office was not open. Since we did not leave for the ship until 10:30 am, they were able to send the packages then.

Summary of Land Tour

We very much enjoyed our land tour even though there were a few hiccups. Because this was the first tour of the season, some optional tours were not available. Denali was not fully accessible. We lucked out with the weather and even though some hotels did not have AC, there were fans. We were very fortunate to have Lori as our journey host. She is experienced and she sure knew her stuff. Thanks, Lori!!!!

following along. Thanks for the review:D. We still have more than a year to plan so this will give us great ideas.

Sounds like you had a good time. Not sure if you know it, bust basically you did the Yuokon Quest...it is a 1000 mile dog sled race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse.....:). You made a good choice, I think...

Thanks for the review.

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Looking forward to the rest of your review - sounds like most of the "snags" so far has been timing - I don't know why they start these tours before all of the excursions are open.

Other than the cruise back from Skagway, do you think the trip could have been done by yourself?

other than the cruise, yes it can be made fairly easily.....Heck, we do it on a dogsled in winter...:) going to Dawson this weekend....Get a copy of the milepost....rent an RV....and go for it....