Travel Diary: Summer In Alaska
On The Last Frontier
In August I took a nine day trip to Anchorage, Alaska with Kyle and his family. While there we hiked, kayaked, biked and road tripped our way through Alaska, taking in all the breathtaking landscape along the way. I didn’t really have any expectations going into the trip but I was taken back by just how vast and magical it all felt. There were miles and miles of untouched forests and grasslands stretching out to meet snow-capped mountain ranges with bright blue bodies of water scattered in between. It was truly an unforgettable trip and I’m so excited to finally share it with you.
Where We Stayed
We all stayed in a big Airbnb cabin just outside the city of Anchorage. The outdoor space was so quaint, with a big deck and jacuzzi, a bunch of outdoor games and a fire pit that we could enjoy late into the night since the days are so long in the summer. Inside was just as cozy with a big stone fire place, sheepskin rugs and plenty of hygge interior inspiration. Because of the location it felt peaceful and quiet while still being just a short drive to downtown Anchorage.
Rabbit Lake Trail
The longest hike we did, and in my opinion one of the most rewarding for views, was 8-mile long Rabbit Lake Trail in Chugach State Park. This trail cuts through a few streams and thick brush before opening up onto a wide open valley. We saw a few mountain goats from afar and a huge moose that crossed right over the trail. The hike ends at Rabbit Lake, a gorgeous glassy body of water set against the back drop of two snowy peaks, which made the perfect place for lunch.
Kayaking & Biking on Eklutna Lake
One of the most challenging things we did was an 8-mile (one way) Paddle & Pedal, kayaking across Eklutna Lake and riding mountain bikes back along the water. I’ve only ever kayaked once before and have never mountain biked so it was quite the experience and workout. The views were stunning and the kayak trip felt so secluded as we didn’t see anyone else on the lake for hours. We made our way onto an empty beach adjacent to an air strip and watched a plane take off right next to us as we ate lunch. The ride back included views of a waterfall and for the guys, a quick dip in the lake to cool down.
Denali National Park & Savage River Trail
The ride to Denali was on the top of our list and shed some light on the landscapes of inland Alaska. We made a quick stop at Conscious Coffee in the cute little town of Talkeetna. Upon arriving in Denali National Park we drove in for a short hike on the Savage River Trail. It was one of my personal favorite hikes of the trip and gave us a chance to take in all the lush greenery and the flowing river. We didn’t see much wildlife in the National Park, apart from a mama and baby moose and it happened to be overcast so no views that day of Denali, the highest peak in North America.
A Night In Denali
After our drive through Denali National Park we had dinner at The Overlook before heading to our home for the night. We stayed in the adorable Denali Tri-Valley Cabins, each named after a different wildlife animal. The next morning on the long drive home, we pulled off the road to a little diner for a coffee break. There we found the most beautiful view of Denali mountain peaking out of the clouds. It’s crazy to think a mountain so massive and right there in front of us could be completely obstructed from view by the weather. And despite the trip to Denali being well worth the effort, that was just the bit of good travel karma we needed to make it extra special.
Horseback Riding in Palmer
Horseback riding is one of those activities that feels all the more fun when done for the first time on vacation. We booked a horse trail ride in the small town of Palmer and pulled up to the cutest little horse farm set against the mountains. Our guide was amazing and the horses were so sweet which made for a relaxed ride. The trail wound through the woods and meadows and opened up onto the beach of the Knik River, with a view of the Knik Glacier in the background. I’m new to horseback riding and was super sore afterwards, but still had such a fun experience.
Road Trip To Seward & Kenai River
One morning we got up before dawn and made the drive down to Seward, a small fishing port city in southern Alaska. Along the way, we made a detour to the Kenai River for some salmon fishing. The views along the Turnigan Arm at sunrise were spectacular as the horizon slowly lit up with the most brilliant colors. After several stops for photos at different turnoffs, we found a secluded area right off the highway that led down to the river. It was peak salmon season in Alaska and they were literally jumping out of the water as they swam upstream. The spot we found on the river was beyond serene and the perfect way to start the day.
Resurrection Bay Boat Tour
Once we made it to Seward we stopped at the Train Wreck restaurant (an adorable spot inside of an actual train car) for breakfast and 13 Ravens for a delicious coffee. After that we boarded a boat for a wildlife tour of the Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay. I was actually surprised at how much wildlife we saw: an otter, seals, puffins, eagles and even a humpback whale feeding with a pod of porpoises. We also got great views of the Kenai Fjords, glaciers and icebergs and some background on the interesting history of the area.
Alyeska Ski Resort & Byron Glacier Trail
The last day of the trip started with lunch at the Alyeska Ski Resort coupled with some great vantage points and a fun tram ride. Then it was a short drive to the Byron Glacier Trail near Girdwood. The hike in was fairly short and it led to some gorgeous views of the Byron Glacier and an ice cave. It was pretty incredible to see a glacier so close up and definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
See You Soon
So if you’ve made it this far thank you! This trip had a little bit of everything packed in, with every type of landscape, wildlife and outdoor activity I could imagine. If you ever have the chance to visit Alaska I highly recommend it as it was one of the most magical trips of my life. This year has felt so chaotic and uncertain so getting this blissful week to reconnect in the most stunning natural environment feels all the more special. I hope you enjoyed my little Alaska travel diary. If you’re looking for more travel content, Alaska Vlog 1 is now on Youtube and another one is coming later this week. And if you’ve explored Alaska before let me know in the comments where you visited so I can start to plan my return trip!
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