Hello Hubski! I’ve managed to have a month-long vacation between my end-of-studies internship and my first job and I’m currently planning to spend it in the Canadian Rockies and in Alaska. I’ve booked my plane ticket and I arrive in Vancouver August 10th, leaving September 10th. It’s a bit last minute, but it should be manageable. Reading back some Trip Reports, I saw that some of you (Merlin, rezzeJ, ButterflyEffect, veen) went there: I would love to have a feedback on some pre-plans and suggestions about the unknown —unknowns great spots!
Current plan:
Renting a car in Vancouver [is it better to rent through person-to-person service like Turo than through a rental company?] and heading towards Jasper National Park, here I’m planning to do some day hike and some multi-day backcountry hike (managed to get a last spot at camping for Berg Lake Trail, I’m trying to see if I can catch some last minute cancellations for Tonquin Valley, Skyline Trail and/or Fisherman’s bay camp).
I’m planning 8-9 days in Jasper, then heading towards Yoho National Park and Banff National Park. There I’m planning the same kind of activities: day-hike and multi-day hike if I can get some last-minute cancellation (Lake O’Hara, Rockwall, Mont Assiniboine).
Do you have any suggestions about great day-hike that you did? Do you think travelling by car is the best option or is public transport an option? Do you think 8-9 days / park is too much? Do you think that fitting in Glacier National Park (US side) would be worth it? Any suggestions If I make it there?
Concernant the Alaska-part, I’m planning around 12 days there. Arriving in Anchorage, I will go to Denali National Parks a few days and then heading south towards Kenai Fjords. Do you have any suggestions for Denali? Is going further north to Fairbanks worth it? Concerning Kenai Fjords, is renting a kayak and going solo around the fjords camping an option or do we have to take a tour? Anything I should absolutely do and I’m missing? I'm planning to use public transport there (bus/train).
Hubski’s input into my last trip around the US was amazing. Also got the chance to meet some of you! Any fellows around the Vancouver area that would want to join along for some hiking or just a drink?
I live in Kenai, Alaska and would say your outline looks pretty fun! Denali is worth going to because it's Denali and you should be there at least once in your life if given the opportunity. You are also guaranteed some great wildlife viewing. Fairbanks is an interesting place as well although it's really flat and very hot this time of the year. Most people flock to Fairbanks in the winter because of the amazing opportunities for Aurora-Gazing and the fact that it also takes almost a day to drive there from Anchorage (or an all-day train ride). There should also be some good berry picking opportunities there at the time of your visit as well. The railroad is a great way to travel if you are not in hurry and don't mind the cost of a ticket. Going south there are a bunch of options as well! If you guys wanna do kayaking there are excellent options out of Seward to explore Resurrection bay. They have a lot of different things going on for renting to tours, solo, or camping included trips. There are also some great day-hiking options in Seward and then the highway from Seward to Soldotna/Kenai is littered with good short multi-hour to long multi-day hikes. If you are into the water-scene and are feeling a little "extreme" I would HIGHLY recommend white-water rafting Six-Mile river in Hope which is just south of Anchorage. They are very fun but they are also class 5 rapids. They were my first white-water experience so beginners can handle it but you will get physical with the water haha
I'm realizing I'm getting a little rambly, as you can tell, I'm a pretty big fan of where I'm from. It's almost impossible to come here and not have an amazing time so as long as you guys keep your eyes out and explore you should be ok.