Alaskans...when is a good time to take a vacation up there?

[Entity]

I'm considering coming up near Denali sometime this summer for a bit of a vacation. Probably only a week, but mainly hiking, stuff like that; however, I know that Alaska in summer can have swarms of mosquitos, black flies, and other nasty crap. I'm wondering when during the summer, if you had a choice, would be an ideal time for someone to visit? My girlfriend is from Dutch Harbor and has been wanting to go back to Alaska for a long time, but we'll probably be sticking closer to the mainland. Right now it's a debate between a coastal cruise and flying up to do some hiking & lodging.

Any recommendations?

Rob

 

[Eli]

If you can't help the bugs, then you can't help the bugs... Find a good repellant.

I don't live in Alaska, but I'd say late spring/early summer.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

I would say about three to four weeks now would be a good time, looking at the rate the snow is melting. Hopefully it will warm up long enough for the mosquitoes to begin their life cycle, then have a late freeze to kill off all the larvae of the first swarms, leaving us mosquitoe free for even longer.

 

[giguana]

I went the first week of June a few years ago. It was warm enough in Anchorage that I didn't have to wear a coat, and it was dark enough at night that I could get a decent sleep, even though it was still light outside. It's beautiful up there, can't wait to go back. I have a couple of uncles that live in Juneau. I'm probably going to visit them this summer.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Ads at the bottom must scan for keywords, all five are advertising Alaska vacations.

 

[fonzinator]

I lived in Ancorage for two summers. I think the best time to visit is at the beginning of June. The snow is almost totally off the lower mountains at that time and the bugs aren't horrendous yet. Maxium daylight occurs on June 21st with 19 hours 21 minutes of light. Don't sweat that though. Another good thing about June is the king runs will be starting. If you want to fish for the biggest salmon on earth, here's your chance! One thing to avoid in AK is the rain that will come during July (1.85 inches)/Aug (2.59). Sept has even more rain.

May I make a suggestion for your Denali hike....don't neglect Denali State Park. It is right next door to the National Park, only not near as strict on rules and regs as its big brother. It's just as beautiful though! Not as much wildlife, however. In the National Park, they only allow an extremely limited number of back country hikers in at a time. You HAVE to camp at specific sites and you have to tell them which site you will be at, at a certain time. WAY too constrictive for me! But the State Park has no rules like this because they aren't overun by visitors. I've done a 30 mile, moderate difficulty, 4-5 day hike twice in Denali State Park. It was SO awesome and both times I had amazing views of Denali (the mountain) right across the valley. In August you will find the wild blueberries in season. They are litterally covering the ground everwhere and you can just stop and eat whenever you feel like it!

Sorry for the long post, but I LOVE AK!!

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
In August you will find the wild blueberries in season. They are litterally covering the ground everwhere and you can just stop and eat whenever you feel like it!

Just watch out for bears, because they will stop and eat whenever and wherever they feel like it too, and they love blueberries.