Advance Planning For Alaska
The marvel of air travel puts Alaska within reach of a whim.
Upon landing, you can climb onto a halibut charterboat out of Homer or book a seat on a whale-watching boat out of Juneau with little advance notice.
But many of the choice Alaska outdoor adventures require considerable advance planning.
Here’s a little help for a head start in making your plans.
Brown bear encounter
Enormous brown bears can strike terror into campers throughout the wilds of Alaska. But a world-renown program safely puts people and bears in close proximity at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.
Strictly enforced quotas of visitors follow a rigid regimen each day to a pad overlooking a falls on the river. Here, as the brown bears come to feast on returning salmon, some the world’s best brown bear photos have been snapped.
Apply for the lottery drawing to receive a McNeil River access permit by March 1. Applications are available from Alaska Fish and Game Department, Wildlife Conservation Division, P.O. Box 228080, Anchorage, AK 99522-8080, telephone (907) 267-2179. Application fee is $20. Non-residents whose names are drawn pay $250 for a four-day permit. In addition, visitors must book air taxi service to the river from Anchorage, Homer or King Salmon.
Brooks Camp in Katmai national Park is another favorite spot for brown bear viewing. To make campground reservations, call (800) 365-2267.
Endless days in Denali
Although the sun barely sets during summer in Denali National Park, the days will seem a lot longer if you don’t have reservations for campgrounds and shuttle buses.
Private vehicles, for the most part, are not allowed to drive into the heart of the park toward Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Denali Park Resort begins taking reservations for shuttle buses and campsites in the park on Feb. 24. Call (800) 622-7275.
Getting there
The Alaska Railroad is a convenient way to get to Denali Park from Anchorage, but it’s not cheap. The lowest round-trip fares - adults $198, kids under 12 free - are directly through the railroad at (800) 544-0552. Fancier cars are available for higher fares through Princess Tours, (800) 426-0442.
The Alaska Backpacker Shuttle, a van service, can arrange pickups at the Anchorage airport, with service to Denali and other locations. Round-trip fare to Denali is $60. Call (800) 266-8625.
Ultimate fishing trip
If $2,900 for five days doesn’t spook you, the ultimate sportfishing trip in Alaska could be a custom boat cruise and seaplane service by Alaska Seair Adventures.
Based in Gustavus, gateway to Glacier Bay National Park Preserve, Alaska Seair puts a spiffy log lodge, guides, a Grumman seaplane and a 40-foot cabin cruiser at your disposal. Groups are limited to four.
You can catch king salmon, pull crab pots, watch whales or go ashore to photograph bears. Jig for halibut, then anchor in a remote cove to barbecue dinner and sleep aboard the boat or head back to the lodge.The seaplane can offer spectacular tours of Mount Fairweather or land at remote lakes on Chichagof Island to fish for char, salmon or steelhead. Call (907) 697-2215.
Fishing and hunting services fishing hotspots
Dozens of fishing resorts and guides are listed in the Alaska Vacation Guide, available free from Alaska Tourism, (907) 465-2010. More detailed information on hunting and fishing, including books, newsletters and information on planning your own trip is available from Alaska Angler/Hunter, (907) 455-8000.
Sailor’s warning
Sailors heading to Glacier Bay during summer whale migrations must apply for boating permits at least 60 days in advance. Info: (907) 697-2230.
Sea kayakers interested in renting boats or joining group tours in Glacier Bay should make reservations through Alaska Discovery, (800) 586-1911.
Bone up on the parks
Information about all national parks in Alaska is available on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov or by telephone, (907) 257-2696.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 3 Color photos