2 adventuresome guys requesting assistance with IP vacation plans. Below is the current 2009 IP itinerary. Any suggestions on activities, places to stay/eat very much appreciated.
Thursday July 16th
Arrive Juneau/Gustavus 4:50 PM
Stay in Gustavus ?
Friday July 17th
Transportation to Glacier Bay via TBD
Spirit Walker kayaking trip to Pt. Adolphus ($435?)
Accommodations in GB Lodge in Bartlett Cove GB or return to Gustavus TBD?
Saturday July 18th
Potential trip to Collage Fjords or Tracy Arm (with Harv %26amp; Marv)
Travel to Juneau via Fairweather Express of Goldbelt tours
Accommodations in Driftwood Lodge, Alaska Wolf Lodge or Driftwood Lodge or Juneau Hotel or Hostel.
Sunday July 19th
Mendenhal Glacier by canoe or Blue Bus Express, Harv %26amp; Marvs (*or Orca Enterprises with Capt Larry) whale watching tour, Mt. Roberts Tram, Tracy Arms Fjords Tour. Lunch at Tracys King Crab restaurant
Monday July 20th
Transportation from Juneau to Sitka via AMHS: Depart 8:00 AM and arrive 12:30 PM
4WD ORV, hike and low tide exploration National History and Raptor Center, Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest, Totem Square, Harry Race Pharmacy (50s Fountain Diner)
Accommodations Cascade B%26amp;B
Tuesday July 21st
Transportation from Sitka to Petersburg via AMHS: Depart 3:45 PM and arrive Wednesday July 22st 1:15 AM
Accommodations Waters Edge B%26amp;B
Wednesday July 22nd Thursday July 23rd)
Transportation from Sitka to Petersburg via AMHS: Depart 3:45 PM and arrive Wednesday July 22st 1:15 AM
Activities Explore and tour for 1 day
Transportation from Petersburg to Wrangell Wednesday night, via bush plane
Doug Riemer of NordicAir, (commute or flight seeing tour of LaConte Glacier, Shake Glacier and Taquan River. Alternative transportation via Alaska Ferry (alaskaferry.com) or possibly Inter Island Ferry through South Metcalf? 20 minutes from Petersburg)
Accommodations Rooneys Roost B%26amp;B
Thursday July 23rd
AnAn Creek Wildlife Observatory hike with Forest Ranger with Alaska Ckarters %26amp; Adventure alternatively rent a car, tour fish hatchery and three lakes, Viscondia House, Tides Inn and Mitkof Island to view Muskegs
Accommodations Rooneys Roost Zimovia B%26amp;B
Friday July 24th
Transportation from Wrangell to Ketchikan via AMHS: Depart 10:00 AM and arrive 4:00 PM
Transportation option to skip Ketchikan and go directly to Coffman Cove via ?
Activities Misty Fjords Flight Tour with Michelle of Island Tours (or So East Aviation), Bearing Sea Crab boat and Cannery tour, Funicular/Tram @ Westmark Cape Fox Lodge, Fish Hatchery, Duck Excursion, Totem Pole Heritage Center, Rain Forest Wildlife Tour,. Fish House Restaurant, Kayaking with Sea Wind Adventure, Dear Mountain Fish Hatchery %26amp; hike
Accommodations 2 nights @ Soaring Eagle B%26amp;B
Sunday July 26th?
Transportation to Coffman Cove Prince of Wales Island via Inter Island Ferry from Ketchikan to Hollis with NY Firemen with rental car to drive to Coffman Cove (70 miles)
1 week in Coffman Cove fishing
Saturday August 1st
Transportation from Coffman Cove Prince of Wales Island to Hollis with NY Firemen with rental (70 miles) Hollis to Ketchikan via Inter Island Ferry 11:00AM Depart Ketchikan 12:05pm to go home.
Sorry for the wordy itinerary, but am hoping to receive multiple responses from various people on different topics. I would really appreciate first hand info on whether the activities I have selected are prime choices and if I have allocated sufficient time to enjoy them. Also, would appreciate recommendations for reasonable accommodations (for 2 married guys) and/or eateries. I can%26#39;t wait to have some fried halibut and reindeer sausage. Thanks a bunch for sharing.
Inside Passage Accomodations %26amp; Activities
Welcome to TA.
You have an itinerary that looks really good but is out of the ordinary - which I like. Here are my thoughts:
1. Most likely Spirit Walker kayaking will leave from Gustavus, not Bartlett Cove/Glacier Bay if they are going to Pt. Adolphus. Excellent whale sighting possibilities here.
2. I used a taxi service (the only one?) when I was shuttling between Gustavus and Bartlett Cove. I don%26#39;t have their contact info but it was found on the Gustavus website. Not all too expensive.
3. Definitely don%26#39;t do a Tracy Arm trip with Harv and Marv from Gustavus. If you plan to do it, get yourself to Juneau and do it from there - less backtracking.
4. Make sure the Fairweather Express is operating on the day you want to travel. Last year I believe it was only two times a week (Friday/Sunday?). I am not positive which days.
5. I highly recommend Harv and Marvs if they are available. Be aware that they book up early on many dates with cruise passengers.
6. Sitka has good wildlife tours. Capt. Davey is popular but he has some pretty stringent weight restrictions so you might try Capt. Jim first - www.sitkasoundtours.com.
7. Why do you mention Rooneys Roost in Wrangell for one night then Rooney Roost/Zimova B%26amp;B for the next? I would stay in one place both nights and not move. I really liked Zimovia when I was there last summer However....
8. If there is any way it might work out, I would try to rent the Anan Bay cabin for the night of July 22. Unfortunately it is full right now but perhaps there will be a cancellation. That was a highlight of my time in SE Alaska last summer. We spent 2 nights there. Way more bear viewing time and you are going during the peak bear viewing time for Anan Creek. If you take a day trip, and Alaska Charters doesn%26#39;t work out, try Eric at Breakaway Adventures. I used him last year and he was just great.
That is all I can add from my experience there. Hopefully Case can chime in - he has been to lots of these places, being a long-time Juneau resident.
John
Inside Passage Accomodations %26amp; Activities
John,
Thank you very much for the response and information. I have done a lot more research and firming up my itinerary. Here what it looks like:
Thursday July 16th
Arrive Gustavus 4:50 PM Accommodations @ Blue Heron B%26amp;B,dinner @ Home Shore Caf茅
Friday July 17th
Still need to decide on A GB boat tour or Kayak day trip. Seems like kayak day trip will be limited to local (possible Pleasure Island) area w/o much Glacier viewing, as no same day drop off and pick up service available
Eat dinner @ The Three Bears, Bear Track Inn or Glacier Bay Country Inn
Accommodations in Gustavus Blue Heron B%26amp;B
Saturday July 18th
Would like to determine if Pt Adolphus \ boat trip starting in GB and ending in Juneau is feasible (saves time and minimize transportation cost to Juneau)
If not, Accommodations in Gustavus @ Blue Heron B%26amp;B
Sunday July 19th
Travel to Juneau via Fairweather Express of Goldbelt tours. Potential trip with Harv %26amp; Marv
Activities Mendenhal Glacier by canoe or Blue Bus Express ($7), Mt. Roberts Tram, and Fish Hatchery. Lunch at Tracys King Crab restaurant or Halibut sandwiches at Hotspot in Aukes Bay
Accommodations @ Alaska Wolf Lodge or Driftwood Lodge or Juneau Hotel or Juneau Hostel.
Monday July 20th
Transportation from Juneau to Sitka via AMHS: Depart 8:00 AM and arrive 12:30 PM
4 hr Marine Wildlife Tour on Esther G with Capt Davy, and either hike and low tide exploration National History and Raptor Center, Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest, Eat @ Harry Race Pharmacy
Accommodations Cascade B%26amp;B
Tuesday July 21st
4WD ORV, or hike and low tide exploration National History and Raptor Center, Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest. Transportation from Sitka to Petersburg via AMHS: Depart 3:45 PM and arrive Wednesday July 22st 1:15 AM
Accommodations Waters Edge B%26amp;B
Wednesday July 22nd
Explore and tour for 1 day (suggestions?)
Potential Transportation from Petersburg to Wrangell Wednesday night, via bush plane Doug Riemer of NordicAir, (commute or flight seeing tour of LaConte Glacier, Shake Glacier and Taquan River). Alternative transportation via Alaska Ferry (alaskaferry.com) or possibly Inter Island Ferry through South Metcaf? 20 minutes from Petersburg)
Depending on weather/departure, potential accommodations Waters Edge B%26amp;B
Thursday July 23rd
Alaska Water Tours AnAn Creek Wildlife Observatory hike with Forest Ranger. Optional mean to go to AnAn via all day kayak to be explored. Visitors pass applied for. alternatively rent a car, tour fish hatchery and three lakes, Viscondia House, Tides Inn and Mitkof Island to view Muskegs
Accomodations Rooneys Roost Zimovia B%26amp;B
Friday July 24th
Transportation from Wrangell to Ketchikan via AMHS: Depart 10:00 AM and arrive 4:00 PM Transportation option to skip Ketchikan and go directly to Coffman Cove via ?
Activities Misty Fjords Flight Tour with Michelle of Island Tours, Bearing Sea Crab boat and Cannery tour, Funicular/Tram @ Westmark Cape Fox Lodge, Fish Hatchery. Fish House Restaurant, Dear Mountain Fish Hatchery %26amp; hike
Accommodations 2 nights @ Soaring Eagle B%26amp;B
Sunday July 26th
Transportation to Coffman Cove Prince of Wales Island via Inter Island Ferry from Ketchikan to Hollis with NY Firemen with rental car to drive to Coffman Cove (70 miles). 1 week in Coffman Cove
Saturday August 1st
Transportation from Coffman Cove Prince of Wales Island to Hollis with NY Firemen with rental (70 miles) Hollis to Ketchikan via Inter Island Ferry 11:00AM Depart Ketchikan 12:05pm to Seatle AK A/L Flt 178 3:00PM
Depart Seatle 5:00PM to San Diego AK A/L Flt 498 arrives 7:50PM
I still have a lot of work ahead of me, and appreciate all inputs on: 1.GB boat tour versus local kayak trip, unless there a way to get into GB (near Glaciers) in 1 day. 2. Whale or boat tour which pick up in Gustavus an drop off in Juneau. 3. Interesting activities in Petersburg. 4. Alternate transportation to Wrangell from Juneau, or assistance with decision on air commute type.
Thanks again for your assistance.
I would second John%26#39;s recommendation of Eric at Breakaway Adventures for transport to Anan Creek or one of his tours. The only other thing I can add is to try to fit in a visit to Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell. And if you are interested in local flora and fauna, Rainwalker Expeditions is the place to contact for guided hikes.
Sounds like a great adventure, guys!
I realize you%26#39;ve only allowed two or three days in Petersburg, but I really encourage more time there. You requested interesting activities in Petersburg, so here are two itinerary ideas from which you can pick and choose.
Arrival day, Visitor Information Center and become familiar with our community, local trails, harbors, our quaint downtown area.
Day One, half-day LeConte Glacier tour, explore downtown and harbors
Day Two, car rental and drive into Tongass National Forest, hike trails along main road system
Day Three, sport fishing charter
Day Four, car rental, further explore Tongass, Three-Lakes trail system, Sandy Beach Park
Day Five, half-day kayak tour, explore community, walk/bike the loop %26amp; Libby Straights/Narrows path
Day Five, whale watch
Day Six, flightseeing tour over LeConte Bay, icefields
Day One, flightseeing tour of Leconte Bay, icefields,
Day Two, sport fishing charter
Day Three, car rental and drive into Tongass National Forest, hike trails along main road system
Day Four, car rental, further explore Tongass, Three-Lakes trail system, Sandy Beach Park,
Day Five, whale watch
Day Five, hike/bike local trails in and around Petersburg
Day Six, LeConte (Glacier) Bay kayak tour, explore downtown and harbors
The Interisland Ferry connects Petersburg to Wrangell then goes on to Prince of Whales. If you decide to skip Ketchikan (very touristy/full of cruise ships), you can go to Coffman Cove directly from Wrangell on Fri., Sat., Mon. www.interislandferry.com
While on Prince of Wales, I hope you%26#39;re planning a trip to El Capitan Cave and the karst system.
Good luck!
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