Talkeetna to Denali-how far?

I%26#39;m confused. How far is Talkeetna to Denali? (driving)

I need some help!

Looking at flying from Seattle to Anchorage-driving to Seward and staying a few nights. Thought we would drive to Denali and stop in Talkeenta for a night so we could take our time. Looking at staying in Denali and staying for about four nights then-looking at driving to Fairbanks on day of flight-see it is about 3.5 hours for return flight to Seattle.

Now, looking at this forum, it seems tha Talkeenta is not that far from Denali. Should we do round trip out of Anchorage? What would you recommend. We are looking at 8 nights/9 days.

thanks,

casa

Talkeetna to Denali-how far?

It sounds like you are taking good advantage of your limited time! Seward is a great choice with lots to do. Rather than just answer the Talkeetna-Denali part (3 hours, 150 miles), here are some rounded -off distances and times:

Anchorage -Seward, 120 miles, 2.5 - 3 hours

Anchorage-Talkeetna (turnoff) 100 miles, 2 hours

15 miles in and again out of Talkeetna

Talkeetna (turnoff) -Denali 150 miles, 3 hours

Denali-Fairbanks, 150 miles, 2.5 - 3 hours

A few nights in Seward, maybe three nights in McKinley/Denali, perhaps consider going to Fairbanks for a night to see the local sights in Interior Alaska as well. We will be happy to share ideas with you if you wish. Fairbanks has gold mines, the riverboat, University Museum, Pipeline %26amp; a great exposed ice lens in Fox that should still be in full view next summer as it continues to melt.

71

Three nights in McKinley gets you two full days plus parts of your arrival and departure days.

Talkeetna to Denali-how far?

I agree, stay in Fairbanks overnight and do not skip Anchorage. Both places have many great things to offer.

71, I googled for any tours to permafrost tunnel in Fox and couldn%26#39;t find anything besides lots of details. My husband, as a scientist, is fascinated by ice lens and a whole permafrost tunnel. We would like to tour this place next summer. Any idea how to arrange a private tour? Do we need to contact USArmy?

thanks for TA advice. We were looking at Denali Lake View Inn.

Any recommendations?

thanks,

Casa

Happily the ice lens I am referring to is right alongside the public road as you drive from Fox back toward Fairbanks along the Steese Highway. It is a few hundred yards north of the turnout for the pipeline information display on the East side of the highway. So look on the west side of the road at a vertical loess cliff, probably behind some parked heavy earthmoving equipment.

This is what it looked like this year:

http://i13.tinypic.com/4cnmpw4.jpg

The shiny black lens in the cliff is the ice lens.

The permafrost tunnel is generally not open to the public. You can imagine what havoc even 300 people a day walking through the tunnel would do to delicate permafrost that is only a few degrees below freezing! I believe the tunnel is operated by the Corps of Engineers, perhaps by their CRREL (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory) branch. I regret I cannot give you any advice on arranging a visit.

There are other sites accessible to the public with great examples of permafrost. But then, that should be written up in the Fairbanks area so people can find ready access to the information.

71

casa....personally, i wouldn%26#39;t waste one of your precious few days in anchorage. Pretty much a city like any other. You are wanting to see alaska, so get out of anchorage as fast as possible.

Another idea..since you%26#39;re driving by Talkeetna, I would have lunch and take a flightseeing trip to Denali (McKinley). Be sure to get a Glacier Landing. Can%26#39;t be beat for beauty and excitment. Talkeetna has several air taxi operators who do this sort of thing year around. They%26#39;re the pros and know the best routes to take and things to see..

happy travels.

71, I appreciate all details about permafrost tunnels and a photo too. My husband is hopeful that as a scientist he may be able to get a special permission to tour CRREL facility. I hope so too, otherwise I%26#39;ll have to plan trips to Fairbanks every year from now on until he gets in.