I am trying to find some more info on photographing Denali on the bus system. I have 3 days and 2 of them are available for travel within the park. I am trying to optimize my time shooting using the bus. My wife will be shooting digital/35mm with a compliment of lenses and I will be shooting medium format rangefinder and slr. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Phillip
P.S. I will be traveling to Homer from Anchorage and then to Denali. Any side explorations are welcome. Cheers.
Phillip, hopefully this article on photographing in Denali will be helpful. The buses won’t be turning around at Eielson this year since it is under construction. Fish Creek will be taking its place. Make sure you ride the bus at least to Fish Creek if you want to see The Mountain.
In my opinion there isn’t much reason to go to Homer for nature photography in the summer unless you are using it as a jump off point for flights into Katmai or other areas. Winter is a different story because of the Eagles. I would take a whale watching tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. Another good option would be a similar tour out of Whittier into Prince William Sound. It is equally beautiful, but not as many whales as in KFNP. Both options also require a lot less driving then Homer.
I would skip Homer and go to Seward instead. Seward is a very pretty area and the Glacier boat trip allows you the chance of seeing Orca.Eagles,Sea Lions and Otter,along with fantastic views of the glacier espicially if it is calving.
If at all possible get off the bus and hike the road or explore the tundra off road. You can always get on a return bus at the end of the day. Shooting from the bus is some times problematic with all the people trying to share the same windows. The bus drivers will not allow you to get off within 1/4 mile of game. However, if you are already walking you will have the freedom of movement necessary to get good images. The last time we were there my wife and I had the experience more than once of being on the road photographing sheep or bear with nice low angles unencumbered with a shaking bus and noisy people while a bus load of people was just a few yards away. We were the envy of all inside.
BTW, one of my favorate places in the world is Polychrome Pass. If you get off the bus here you have a good chance of seeing sheep and bear as well as any of the larger birds in the area by hiking either west or east. The pass itself is outstanding. Dress warm and in layers as it can get very cold and windy even in July.
Another option, if you have the opportunity, is to rent an RV in Anchorage. If you do this you can reserve a camp site at Teklaneka Camp Ground which is 29 miles into the park from the park enterance. Cars can't go there, but with a camp permit you can drive the RV there and stay a minimum of 3 nights (or pay for 3 and stay less). The advantage is that you will be 29 miles in and can get the earliest bus an hour later than at the park enterance. The earliest bus will pick you up and get you to the interior where the game is sooner and with more sleep and less travel. When you catch a bus back to camp you will have an hour less to travel and can relax in camp to get ready for the next day. Our experience is that in July there is little game near the road during the first hour of travel.
Regards to Homer, I agree that in the Summer there is not much going on. Seward has a nearby glacier (I forget the name right now) and as was said a lot of opportunity to see great sights on the day cruise. Another great thing is to take the tunnel to Whittier and go kayaking on Prince William Sound. We did this 3 years ago. A kayak outfitter based in Whittier will take yo by motor boat to a remote bay off the sound where you and your guide will spend 4-5 hours kayaking alone. You will get up close and personal to glaciers and icebergs floating by as you paddle. We had ourselves, another couple and our guide completely alone on 4th of July weekend of 2003. The kayaks are 2 person crusiers and are completely safe.
Don't mean to sound like an advertisement. However, Seward, Whittier and Denali was one of the best vacations we had.
Have a great time
Thanks for the advice! We are looking forward to our trip and have now changed our plans to include Seward. We are still deciding about the campground in Denali. We were concerned about the park telling us we could not leave early. We appreciate insight on the buses. The idea of getting left out in the cold by missing the last bus was of great concern to my wife! I am really excited about exploring Alaska as last time I was there on business with no camera . Has anyone travelled the old Denali highway? It looked like a nice detour for some roadside photography. Cheers
Phillip
When you say you are concerned about leaving Denali early I assume you are talking about Tek. You have to book a minimum of 3 nights to stay at Tek., but leaving early has never been a problem for me – I have done it numerous times. The Park Service it trying to limit the number of trips on the road, and you will still be driving the road once each way. If they allowed one night stays, traffic would increase greatly.
Don’t worry about missing the last bus. They run late into the evening and the last ones always have lots of room. Rangers patrol the road after the buses stop and there are other vehicles as well, so the worst that will happen is a Ranger or someone will give you a ride, and will hear a lot of great stories. Having said that, I always made sure I was on the road at least 10 minutes before the last bus.
The old Denali Highway travels through some beautiful country, it is a drive I recommend. Most of it is gravel, and it can be kind of rough at times. Drive slow, it is easy to get flat tires on a road like that, and there are very few services. Most rental agencies don’t allow you to drive that highway.
Discussion
5 repliesPhillip
P.S. I will be traveling to Homer from Anchorage and then to Denali. Any side explorations are welcome. Cheers.
In my opinion there isn’t much reason to go to Homer for nature photography in the summer unless you are using it as a jump off point for flights into Katmai or other areas. Winter is a different story because of the Eagles. I would take a whale watching tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. Another good option would be a similar tour out of Whittier into Prince William Sound. It is equally beautiful, but not as many whales as in KFNP. Both options also require a lot less driving then Homer.
BTW, one of my favorate places in the world is Polychrome Pass. If you get off the bus here you have a good chance of seeing sheep and bear as well as any of the larger birds in the area by hiking either west or east. The pass itself is outstanding. Dress warm and in layers as it can get very cold and windy even in July.
Another option, if you have the opportunity, is to rent an RV in Anchorage. If you do this you can reserve a camp site at Teklaneka Camp Ground which is 29 miles into the park from the park enterance. Cars can't go there, but with a camp permit you can drive the RV there and stay a minimum of 3 nights (or pay for 3 and stay less). The advantage is that you will be 29 miles in and can get the earliest bus an hour later than at the park enterance. The earliest bus will pick you up and get you to the interior where the game is sooner and with more sleep and less travel. When you catch a bus back to camp you will have an hour less to travel and can relax in camp to get ready for the next day. Our experience is that in July there is little game near the road during the first hour of travel.
Regards to Homer, I agree that in the Summer there is not much going on. Seward has a nearby glacier (I forget the name right now) and as was said a lot of opportunity to see great sights on the day cruise. Another great thing is to take the tunnel to Whittier and go kayaking on Prince William Sound. We did this 3 years ago. A kayak outfitter based in Whittier will take yo by motor boat to a remote bay off the sound where you and your guide will spend 4-5 hours kayaking alone. You will get up close and personal to glaciers and icebergs floating by as you paddle. We had ourselves, another couple and our guide completely alone on 4th of July weekend of 2003. The kayaks are 2 person crusiers and are completely safe.
Don't mean to sound like an advertisement. However, Seward, Whittier and Denali was one of the best vacations we had.
Have a great time
Phillip
When you say you are concerned about leaving Denali early I assume you are talking about Tek. You have to book a minimum of 3 nights to stay at Tek., but leaving early has never been a problem for me – I have done it numerous times. The Park Service it trying to limit the number of trips on the road, and you will still be driving the road once each way. If they allowed one night stays, traffic would increase greatly.
Don’t worry about missing the last bus. They run late into the evening and the last ones always have lots of room. Rangers patrol the road after the buses stop and there are other vehicles as well, so the worst that will happen is a Ranger or someone will give you a ride, and will hear a lot of great stories. Having said that, I always made sure I was on the road at least 10 minutes before the last bus.
The old Denali Highway travels through some beautiful country, it is a drive I recommend. Most of it is gravel, and it can be kind of rough at times. Drive slow, it is easy to get flat tires on a road like that, and there are very few services. Most rental agencies don’t allow you to drive that highway.