Revised land plans for June 2025

Question

Hello All!

I posted a month ago with a first draft plan, and you all gave me many helpful suggestions. I have revised our plans based on your comments and would like to share our new plans to see if this plan is more doable. We are a couple in our mid / late 50s and love being outside. We should be able to get an early start every day as we are from the eastern part of the US and tend to be slow to adjust to time zone changes when we travel. :) Thanks for any and all help!

Sat 6/14 - fly to Anchorage, get rental car, stay in Anchorage

Sun 6/15 - drive to Seward with scenic stops, maybe a short hike or 2, Exit Glacier hike, KFNP Visitor Center, stay in Seward

Mon 6/16 - Major Marine Tour 6.5 hrs thru KFNP, drive to Palmer and stay there overnight

Tue 6/17 - Drive to Talkeetna, Flightsee weather permitting, if not drive to Denali stopping at viewpoints along the way, DNP Visitor Center, stay in Healy

Wed 6/18 - East Fork Shuttle Bus, Sled Dog Kennels if time or maybe Horseshoe Lake Hike, stay in Healy

Thu 6/19 - Hike Savage River Loop Trail, Sled Dog Kennel if not Wed, any other hikes we have time for, drive to Palmer stopping in Talkeetna for late afternoon flight seeing if we could not do this earlier, stay in Palmer

Fri 6/20 - Drive to Matanuska Glacier and see Glacier, drive to Hatcher Pass if time, drive to Anchorage for night

Sat 6/21 - Scenic views around Anchorage, turn in rental car, ACT bus to Whittier for Princess southbound glacier cruise

Answer

Your revised Alaska land plan for June 2025 looks very well thought out and quite doable for a couple in their mid/late 50s who enjoy being outdoors. The itinerary balances scenic drives, moderate hikes, and wildlife or glacier experiences while still allowing for some flexibility based on weather and energy levels.

Here’s a detailed breakdown and some considerations for each day:

Sat 6/14 – Anchorage: Arrival day looks fine. Pick up your rental car, maybe explore downtown Anchorage, or visit Earthquake Park or the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail if time permits. This allows for a light day to recover from travel.
Sun 6/15 – Anchorage to Seward: Scenic stops along the Seward Highway are excellent. Exit Glacier is a good choice for a short hike, and the Kenai Fjords National Park (KFNP) Visitor Center is informative. Moderate hiking here is manageable.
Mon 6/16 – Major Marine Tour & drive to Palmer: The 6.5-hour marine tour is a long day; ensure you bring snacks, water, and motion-sickness prevention if needed. Driving to Palmer afterward is about 4–5 hours; you might consider an earlier start or breaking up the drive with a stop in Girdwood or Wasilla.
Tue 6/17 – Palmer to Talkeetna / Denali: Flexibility here is smart. Weather can affect flightseeing, so having the option to drive to Denali and enjoy viewpoints works well. The DNP Visitor Center is accessible and informative.
Wed 6/18 – East Fork Shuttle, Sled Dog Kennels / Horseshoe Lake Hike: East Fork shuttle is a classic choice for wildlife viewing and moderate hiking. The sled dog kennels add a fun, light activity. Horseshoe Lake is a manageable hike if you want some additional exercise.
Thu 6/19 – Savage River Loop, Sled Dog Kennel if not done, drive to Palmer: Savage River Loop is moderate; consider your pace and trail conditions. Doing flightseeing in Talkeetna in the late afternoon is a good contingency if weather prevented earlier flights.
Fri 6/20 – Matanuska Glacier and Hatcher Pass: Glacier viewing is excellent, and Hatcher Pass is scenic but can take time. Plan to leave enough time to return to Anchorage comfortably.
Sat 6/21 – Anchorage and Princess Cruise: Light exploration around Anchorage is perfect for your last day before returning your rental car and heading to Whittier for your southbound cruise.

Overall, your itinerary balances driving, hiking, and sightseeing without being overly aggressive. A few tips to enhance your trip:

Keep an eye on shuttle and flightseeing reservations—they can fill up in June, so booking early is advised.
Bring layered clothing; Alaska’s weather can change quickly, especially in coastal and glacier areas.
Allow flexibility for long drives and wildlife stops; these are often highlights.
Consider starting early on long driving days to maximize daylight, especially for viewpoints and photography.

In summary, your plan is realistic, enjoyable, and well-paced. You have incorporated backup options for weather-dependent activities and kept a nice mix of hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife experiences. It should make for a memorable Alaskan adventure!

Revised land plans for June 2025

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