In early August of this year I'm heading to Alaska for a couple weeks for work. I've never been. My itinerary is this: Fly from Denver to Juneau, then fly to Wrangell. Work a few days, then back to Juneau to fly into Anchorage. Drive from Anchorage to Eagle.

What I want to do is see Talkeetna and Fairbanks so I was going to go that way (the long-cut) to Eagle which is 730 miles vs. 430 miles. Where can I find info on weather and roads for driving across Alaska in August?

Also, I might get a few days to play. Obviously I can't climb anything big, but are there any cool peaks to scramble up with decent views of the AK Range on the way to Fairbanks? Any cool easy non-technical peaks down near Juneau to hike up?

I'm basically open to suggestions on things to do w/o having any of my climbing gear with me. Any must see/do things in either Juneau, Wrangell, Fairbanks, Anchorage or Eagle please let me know.

I posted this here because I couldn't find the Alaska forum. Thanks!

Nothing really that spectacular in Talkeetna, except for the amenities when you haven't seen them for weeks -- fresh and real food, beer, running water, showers, and porcelain!

But, if you're headed there, how about a flightseeing tour of DNP and the Ruth?

Not sure if it is running at that time of the year (or even available... it sells out), but there is a well known and scenic train ride that departs Anchorage and travels through Talkeetna.

Definately worth a glacier/sightseeing flight. Just flying through the Ruth will blow your mind.

From Anchorage, try sea kayaking out of Whittier. There are some beautiful peaks rising out of the fiord that would be great for a day trip snow climbing from a kayak. In the middle of August, there should be about 17-18 hours of daylight.

Get a can of bear spray from Walmart in Anchorage, also bear bells.

Look forward to seeing you post photos from your trip! Have fun!

Juneua has a nice hike right out of town. Just did it a month ago. It goes to the same spto as the Tram, but you can keep hiking higher up the mountain for better views. Very easy to find, just ask people where the trail starts. That's all I know. Enjoyed it though.

If you want to hook up with some folks for technical climbing while you are in Alaska, I'm sure they would welcome you with open arms. The community up there is small, tight-knit, and absolutely zero ego. If you go to the Alaska Rock Gym in Anchorage and ask for Grant Walker I'd be willing to be that if he has any days available to climb outside he'd take you and supply the gear. If you really want to do that, pm me. Again, the locals are absolutely amazing- such a pioneering spirit up there.

For flightseeing in Anchorage go to the brown hanger at 1931 Merrill Field Dr. (the Merrill Field airport) and ask for Dee or Dan. They might have time to take you up while you are there (for a small fee relative to the other big flight-seeing places.)

Thanks for all the replies so far. The flight-seeing tours sound great! Where do flights to the Ruth Gorge depart from? Oh, and can one see Denali from the highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks?

Scenic flights leave from Talkeetna. You can see Denali, Foraker and Hunter from Talkeetna, on a good day. Problem is, good days in July and August are rare. So you need some good weather luck for your scenic flight.

You can even see Denali from Anchorage, on a really clear day! Two years ago I was up there for a week in July, and we were lucky to see the mountain at all in a week at Wonder Lake. You can see if it's visible right now at wonder lake:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/denacam/denacam.>>>>>

Most of the time Denali is not visible due to the weather that it creates. Don't get your hopes up.

they also have flight seeing out of talkeetna. while in anchorage you should check out the moose's tooth, its a really good pizzaria. you can drive anchorage to fairbanks year round, im not sure about the drive from fairbanks to eagle. hope you have funn, alaska is an amazing place and im lucky that ive lived here my who life.