Best activities at Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge?

[Mezzaluna]

We're going on a Princess land tour July 5-10 this summer. We will have a full day at leisure while based at the Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge. We'd like to get a look at Mt. McKinley and a little moderate exercise while we're there. Are there any hikes or other activities that don't involve horses, small planes or off-road vehicles? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We're 50ish and in fairly good shape.

[Genessa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mezzaluna:
We're going on a Princess land tour July 5-10 this summer. We will have a full day at leisure while based at the Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge. We'd like to get a look at Mt. McKinley and a little moderate exercise while we're there. Are there any hikes or other activities that don't involve horses, small planes or off-road vehicles? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We're 50ish and in fairly good shape.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
If it's clear, you can see Denali from the deck off the main building at Mt. McKinley Princess.

the only trails I remember were two very short ones. Strolling very leisurely, one took us 20 minutes, the other 15 (and the 15 minute one, we followed the lead of previous walkers and walked a secondary trail off and on).

There might have been some other, but I don't remember any.

[Travalot]

During our stay there, we took a walk with the naturalist on one of the (short) trails and enjoyed it very much. She also did a slide show presentation about a mountain climb she had been on.

We took, and can recommend, the float trip. It was scenic, although not dramatic, and we say some wildlife. You float into Talkeetna and have time for lunch before a shuttle takes you back to the hotel.

I will wish you luck on seeing Denali (our one and only view was as we stepped off the train). It is such an "event" that the front desk will call you in the middle of the night if it comes out.

HAL's Ryndam - Northbound Alaska - May 28, 2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;05;28;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[JohnQ]

You can probably get a Princess tour or shuttle into Talkeetna and book a flight over the summit if it is clear. This is about 60 miles away. The town is nice to walk around in or to have lunch. We didn't stay at the lodge,just stopped and looked around and drove on to Denali entrance where we were staying. We did not see the mtn in our three days going up, there and coming back to Anc. in early June.

[Budget Queen]

My opinion only but the top tour in the area are McKinley flights. You are not likely to see it without them being there only one day. I like the summit flights (vs summit views), but ski plane landings are exciting too. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Talkeetna is certainly worth the shuttle to get there. There is also a small museum and the ranger station. Good food options too. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[schoolmarm]

Travalot
Which float trip did you take? We are looking at several different ones and cannot decide which one to take. Thanks!

[Travalot]

I went to look at the Princess excursions and I don't think they have the exact same tour anymore. We were on the Chulitna River, and I believe we put in at Trapper's Creek and floated in to Talkeetna. Now it seems they start at the lodge and take out at Trapper's Creek.

We also went horseback riding from the lodge and it was one of the sorriest excursions we've ever had, so I'm glad that isn't high on your list!

HAL's Ryndam - Northbound Alaska - May 28, 2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;05;28;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[sunshine55]

We did the float tour 10 years ago and may do it again in August. It was hilarious putting on the outfits they give you to put on. You have so much on that you waddle around. It was comical watching everyone trying to get into their outfits. We made alot of friends that day. The float was mild. Good picture taking!