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Anchorage
Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska has been made an important destination for travellers on account of its excellent transport system to the rest of the country. Surprisingly mild temperatures, central location and beautiful scenery make Anchorage a must-visit city for anybody travelling to Alaska.
Perched on the edge of a vast, keenly beautiful wilderness, Anchorage is encompassed in scenic splendour, surrounded by mountains, forest, rivers and tundra. Just a short drive away in any direction offers an abundant variety of wilderness experiences.
Originally created in 1915 as a tent camp for Alaskan Railroad workers, Anchorage has grown quickly into a vast city. The construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, and the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay also resulted in growth as people flocked to the settlement. Today the sprawling city is full of life but lacking in charm. Alaskans living outside the city complain that Anchorage isn't really Alaska, it is a city on the outskirts of Alaska, and the common joke often heard is 'Anchorage isn't Alaska, but you can see it from there'.
The uniquely Alaskan feel of Anchorage distinguishes it from other, similarly sized American cities. Its conservative, transient character is due in part to the fact that many of its residents are from other parts of America, working for a few years and then moving on. The rest of the population is a muddle of Alaskan Native people, oil workers, gold seekers, loggers and fishermen, together with the moose and occasional bear that wander into town. There are some excellent restaurants, museums, a Native cultural centre and shops that, together with its setting, make it a pleasant stopover.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Millions of visitors are attracted to the Denali National Park for by its spectacular mountain visitors, glaciers and abundant wildlife existing in the sub-artic tundra. The Park is also home to Mt McKinley, North America's highest mountain. More than six million acres encompass grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and numerous species of birds.
Standing over twenty thousand feet above the Alaska Range, Mt McKinley is the main attraction for visitors to Anchorage. Symbolic of the untamed Alaskan wilderness, this snow-covered giant is truly breathtaking. On a clear day its twin peaks can be seen from Anchorage, 149 miles (240km) away. The Alaska Range divides the park into north and south sides, the majority of visitors accessing the north where the main visitors centre is located. Mountaineers seeking out the challenges of Mt McKinley need to access the park from the south side, and other peaks offer excellent climbing opportunities for those not wishing to risk the mountain that affords one of the world's most difficult climbs. The park region also offers a wide variety of activities including day hikes or backcountry hiking, camping, mountain biking, white-water rafting and ice climbing. Early June or late September is the best time to avoid the crowds.
