T minus 5 days and I will be up there for a couple weeks! So far we've got the airshow, fishing, Denali, Hiking, the Brantly Gilbert/Justin Moore concert and Moose's Tooth planned. I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple other things. Anything else I absolutely have to do or need to do while I'm up there? Are the Glaciers worth it? To me it's just like going to stare at a piece of ice. Very much looking forward to getting away from the 100 degree days for a while! Thanks in advance for all the help!

I will answer as a tourist who just did a 2 week driving tour.  Landed in ANC went to Denali, Fairbanks, Richardson Hwy to Glenallen, then to Valdez, then McCarthy then back to ANC, then Homer, then Seward, then Hope, back to ANC.   So first thing I will say.  I would not spend more than 1 day in Denali.  Taiga and Tundra are interesting for the day.   Chance of seeing Denali?  It is a gamble.  As a tourist there was really no reason to go north of Denali.  McCarthy was nice and the drive to Valdez was nice as well as driving Glennallen back to ANC.  Most of the "To Do"  was south of Anchorage.   Go rafting on Six Mile Creek with Chugach Outdoor Center, take Major Marine tour on the Viewfinder in Seward also.  Kenai river is a nice blue color and you can see Mt Redoubt volcano from Clam Gulch.  Spend some time on Homer Spit and go across the bay to Halibut Cove.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139647490@N02/

1 in 3 chance of seeing the mountain. If you can see it in the morning from the anchorage area then maybe drive the 100+ miles to see it closer.  Glaciers are neat for 3 minutes. Chunks of ice with lots of dirt on them.


Aviator

I saw this posted in GD a couple weeks ago. As far as I know we do not have plans for Fairbanks! Looked like the Anchorage was going to be in the low 70's.

I believe we are going to the airshow on Saturday. As far as where all we're going, I'm not 100% of that. I think mostly within a couple hour drive of Anchorage.

Any solid plans for your hikes yet?

2 places so far. One called Baldy and the other called Flattop.

If you venture up here to Palmer/Wasilla, we really enjoy Bodenburg Butte trail (great views of the valley and Knik glacier) and Gold Cord Lake trail in Hatcher Pass. Several trails in Hatcher Pass actually, the drive up into the mountains is nice too.

Hatcher pass looks like an awesome drive, thanks!