McKinley Princess Lodge - Question

[Maverick6969]

We are on a Princess cruisetour and will be arriving at McKinley lodge via the train for 2 nights. Budget Queen mentioned staying in Talkeetna before going to the lodge verses coming back for a visit because of the distance - which makes a lot of sense. Is this possible since we are on the cruisetour or will we have to catch the bus to the lodge immediately upon unloading from the train?

 

Also, while at McKinley lodge, are there good hiking trails nearby?

 

Thanks

[negc]

We are on a Princess cruisetour and will be arriving at McKinley lodge via the train for 2 nights. Budget Queen mentioned staying in Talkeetna before going to the lodge verses coming back for a visit because of the distance - which makes a lot of sense. Is this possible since we are on the cruisetour or will we have to catch the bus to the lodge immediately upon unloading from the train?

 

Also, while at McKinley lodge, are there good hiking trails nearby?

 

Thanks

This is a question that is probably best answered by an official representative of Princess. Perhaps they will take your luggage to the lodge and allow you to make your own way to the Lodge when you are ready, but I would want to know about the availability and cost of any alternative transportation arrangements. As mentioned, McKinley Lodge is quite a distance from Talkeetna (some describe it as being in the middle of nowhere;)) so it may require a bit of time and effort to achieve your purpose. Can't hurt to ask. If anyone here has done anything similar perhaps they can describe their experience and advise you.:)

[kennicott]

It may be they take your bags on over to the lodge but give you time in Talkeetna. During the two occasions we stayed at McKinley, it appeared folk were getting ample time to shop at the many tourist gift outlets in Talkeetna. But we had our own wheels.

 

There are plenty of hiking trails at McKinley.

 

Here is a link, with other links, regarding pertinent posts and comments.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1105630

[ellbon]

I left the lodge and shopped before the train..

 

all suitcases go to and from the lodge by a truck.. after you get your room the bags show up.

 

you can stay in town and they will come back and get you. you need to ask at what time they come back.. it use to be a bus every hour but have no idea how late.. you get one free ride one way. so stay and enjoy the town. .lots of places to eat. also a place to leave you carry ons--

 

just ask as after 4 years do not remember names -

[Jeff in Torrance]

We are on a Princess cruisetour and will be arriving at McKinley lodge via the train for 2 nights. Budget Queen mentioned staying in Talkeetna before going to the lodge verses coming back for a visit because of the distance - which makes a lot of sense. Is this possible since we are on the cruisetour or will we have to catch the bus to the lodge immediately upon unloading from the train?

 

Also, while at McKinley lodge, are there good hiking trails nearby?

 

Thanks

Most people get off the train at Talkeetna for lunch and walking around the town. We had incredible views of the big mountains from Talkeetna; and, a nice lunch. Princess has a bus that picks you up for the drive to the lodge. If I recall, we had about 2-1/2 or 3 hours in Talkeetna. It's a very cute town. The bus ride is about 20 miles, taking perhaps 34 minutes.

 

Some people seem to pan the McKinley Lodge. We thought it was great. Much less busy than Denali. We had even better mountain views, as we were much closer to Mt. McKinley and the rest of the Alaska Range.

 

There are hiking trails. But, after listening to the ranger talk, I was hesitant to go very far from the lodge.

[Budget Queen]

The bus ride is about 20 miles, taking perhaps 34 minutes.

 

QUOTE]

 

It is 50 miles, and takes about an hour, with loading/unloading.

[Budget Queen]

We are on a Princess cruisetour and will be arriving at McKinley lodge via the train for 2 nights. Budget Queen mentioned staying in Talkeetna before going to the lodge verses coming back for a visit because of the distance - which makes a lot of sense. Is this possible since we are on the cruisetour or will we have to catch the bus to the lodge immediately upon unloading from the train?

 

Also, while at McKinley lodge, are there good hiking trails nearby?

 

Thanks

 

Where are you coming from??? If Anchorage,then you are there before noon, no need to rush to the lodge. Princess runs shuttles later. If arriving from Denali - you get in after 4pm. I've seen people in town in the evening, so the shuttle run later. You will be given this information. But, you are smart to be thinking how to best occupy your time in advance.

 

I found the hiking trails at the lodge are limited and short. I always have a car, and there are some excellent trails in the area, that unfortunately won't be accessable for you.

[oldmama]

By the time we arrived from Denali on the cruisetour it was late in the day & the stores were all closing within an hour. Originally we had planned to stay in Talkeetna before taking the shuttle to the lodge, which was an available option. So, be sure to check closing times on you arrival date.

[kennicott]

There are hiking trails. But, after listening to the ranger talk, I was hesitant to go very far from the lodge.

 

Much depends upon what ones conception of hiking is. The lodge is located within the Denali State Park, which butts up against the southern boundary of the federal Denali National Park. A lot of prime acreage in conservation status there. The Tokositna Wilderness begins west of the highway and is where Alaska’s famous painter, Sydney Laurence, produced much of his mountain work very early in the 20 century.

 

The state maintains about 9 trail systems there. Running from easy to difficult. The longest of which is the “Troublesome Creek/Keougi Ridge Trail”, over 36 miles. All, depends on your energy level and physical condition, but you will need to arrange for a drop-off and pickup in most cases.

 

That general area of the state has really become a “bear hole”, primarily black bear, in recent years. If bear scares are a concern for you, you may want to take advantage of some of the escorted hikes. Horseback trail rides are pretty popular up there also. They even have a covered wagon type excursion available.

 

Here are two more links to play with:

 

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aktrails/ats/matsu/kesugi.htm

 

http://www.princesslodges.com/mckinley_lodge.cfm