Driving over Turnagain Pass last weekend for one last family campout, it occurred to me there might not be many days left before the termination dust gives way to actual winter.
"Stop here!" I screeched at my startled husband as our SUV and trailer approached the summit rest stop. "We need to walk and look at the leaves!"
I get this way every autumn. My favorite season in Alaska, however short, is filled with golden color, pungent smells and a sense of haste to cram as many opportunities as possible into our brains and bodies. I embrace winter and its equally inspiring recreational activity, but fall has me by the heart, and I don't want to miss a moment of its delicious appearance.
Autumn is also the perfect time for day trips. Crowds are few and destinations practically endless. Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, it's easy to pack the car, add a few supplies and take off for several hours of Southcentral road tripping.
While a day trip in Alaska needn't be complex, it should be executed safely. Be sure to carry plenty of food, water, extra clothing and a first-aid kit, because travel with kids, like many road trips in general, seldom go as planned. Check the Alaska 5-1-1 website (www.511.alaska.gov) for any delays due to construction, weather or unfortunate events.
Try these destinations, and be sure to give Mother Nature a wave of appreciation for her autumn color palette.
• Talkeetna, with its funky charm and casual attitude is perfect for most families looking to escape the city. Two-plus hours north of Anchorage on the Parks Highway, travelers can leave home by 9 a.m. and arrive at Talkeetna Roadhouse in time for lunch, before taking to the casual trails along the Susitna River or toward XYZ Lakes a bit farther out of town. Stop at the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum and wander the exhibits relating to mighty Denali and the community's long homesteading history. Visit www.talkeetnachamber.org for a longer list of activities and seasonal events.
• Sheep Mountain Lodge along the Glenn Highway near the small town of Glacier View is an autumn tradition for many Alaska families on their way to or from fall hunting trips and late-season berry picking. Log cabins, a restaurant that will (hooray) remain open on weekends all winter and new ownership promises to continue the traditional hospitality of Iditarod mushing partners Zack and Anjanette Steer, who sold the property earlier this summer. A scenic two hours northeast of Anchorage, Sheep Mountain Lodge is worth the drive along winding riverbeds, golden treelines and the promise of pie at the restaurant.
• Hatcher Pass and the Independence Mine State Historical Park are up twisting Palmer-Fishook Road just outside the town of Palmer and provide visitors with stunning views, hikes for both little and grownup legs and an interesting look into Alaska's gold mining history. Walk the townsite and nearby trails like Gold Cord Lake, which offer amazing scenic vistas for photographers. Hatcher Pass Lodge is a great place to stop for a hot chocolate or pizza before descending the road back to town. Expect weather that differs from town -- at 3,885 feet, the first snowfall often arrives in September. Note: The last mile to Independence Mine is gated during the winter months depending upon snowfall, so be prepared to walk toward the site if necessary.
• Portage Valley provides valuable access for residents and visitors of Whittier, a deep-water port, commercial fishing hub and cruise ship terminus. Most people merely pass through this five-mile stretch of road on their way to Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, but we thoroughly enjoyed a day spent exploring this ancient valley with its hanging glaciers, salmon streams and beautiful colors. The visitor center is shuttered for the winter, but parking is still available and an excellent place to begin a hike is along the Trail of Blue Ice, a level, bike-and-stroller-friendly gravel pathway winding five miles back to the Seward Highway. Pullouts at interpretive signs provide kids with rest stops and picnic options, and tall cottonwood trees give golden shelter as you wheel or walk your way across the same path the area's Native people used for centuries as transit from Portage Pass.
Have more time? Hike to Byron Glacier, an easy few miles out and back from the trailhead located just down the road from the visitor center. On a sunny day, Byron Glacier gleams a deep blue, and a viewing area provides excellent contrasts between the icy flanks of the glacier and the rich gold of nearby trees.
Erin Kirkland is author of Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th State with Children and publisher of AKontheGO.com. Connect with her at e.kirkland0@gmail.com.