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ALASKA
From Prudhoe in the Arctic to Denali National Park & Prince William Sound in the Southwest Thursday, June 16 to Friday, July 1, 2005 
Airfare: Round trip Anchorage is approx. $500 - $700, depending on departure point. Flight to Prudhoe from Anchorage is included, as are the flight seeing trips. Deposit: $500 ($350 refundable). Size: 7. Non-smoking tour. Travel in a 15-seater van, by plane, train, and aboard the 12-passenger "Discovery". Leaders: Leaders: Outstanding professional photographer and naturalist, Hugh Rose, will guide throughout. Hugh has led Alaska trips since 1991 with unending praise for his amazing knowledge, plus his attention to every detail and his expert leadership. He has a grasp on all aspects of Alaskan natural history from in-depth bird behavior to geology. He is a topnotch professional photographer and on our Antarctica staff. Dean Rand is captain of the "Discovery" and knows Prince William Sound and all the special places in the Sound probably better than anyone else after more than 20 years of experience on Alaska’s waters. Itinerary updated 7/04  Itinerary in brief:
Detailed Itinerary: Thursday, June 16 TRAVEL DAY Choose the best route for you to Anchorage, Alaska, to arrive by mid-afternoon or in time for the welcome dinner on June 16. If you plan to arrive on June 15, please call the Copper Whale Inn toll free at 866-258-7999 (voice with answering device) or look them up on the Internet: http://www.copperwhale.com/ to book your extra night. The rates are $125 - $185, depending on the room, and it includes a full breakfast. The Copper Whale Inn Bed & Breakfast is located in a pleasant part of downtown Anchorage and offers a spectacular view of Cook Inlet and the Alaska Mountain Range. It is also at the beginning of the 10-mile long Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Innkeeper, Tony Carter, is a former fisheries biologist from Prince William Sound. Let us know your flights, and we will arrange your transfer to the Copper Whale with Hugh if you arrive on June 16. Or with an earlier arrival, you will find a convenient taxi waiting, which is approximately $13 - $15 from the airport to the Copper Whale. If you decide to come a day early, it also allows time to explore downtown Anchorage and its fine museums, especially the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, which contains excellent exhibits of Alaskan history, culture, geology, flora and fauna. Various references on these subjects can be examined or purchased at the Center. For a city its size, Anchorage has an amazing diversity of wildlife. Loons, ducks and Red-necked Grebes are frequently observed on lagoons in parks within the city limits, such as at Westchester Lagoon, a 20-minute walk from the inn. Anchorage is the largest community in North America with a population of breeding loons. The loud resonant yodeling call of a loon late in the evening across a still lake is an unforgettable experience, especially in an urban setting. Wolves and Brown Bears occasionally venture inside city environs from their more permanent habitats in the adjacent Chugach Mountains. Moose are considered pests by many local gardeners and are involved in many traffic accidents during winter periods of heavy snowfall and icy roads. Other avifauna found in the local area include Hudsonian Godwits, Alder Flycatchers, Common Redpolls, Rusty Blackbirds, Boreal and Black-capped chickadees, and several species of warblers. On June 16 meet Hugh Rose in the lobby at 6:30 pm for a trip orientation and go out for a welcome dinner at a fine restaurant nearby. Friday, June 17 PRUDHOE BAY After breakfast at the Copper Whale Inn, depart for the airport and fly to Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay) to begin the Arctic part of this amazing Alaskan adventure. Check in at the Arctic Caribou Inn before heading out into the field. Weather permitting, we will do a one hour flight seeing trip over the Arctic coastal plain. During the flight there will be opportunities to see Muskoxen, Caribou, Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) and other wildlife, as well as the Arctic Ocean, pack ice and the magnificent coastal plain. Overflights of Prudhoe will allow people to see the extent of oil development in this fragile ecosystem. After dinner at an excellent restaurant, we will either drive to a location to walk amongst the Arctic birds or walk directly from the hotel and watch the midnight sun dip towards the horizon, but never set. Saturday, June 18 PRUDHOE BAY After an early breakfast at the Inn we will head out on another day of adventure. If we could not fly the day before due to weather, we will attempt to accommodate the flight. Pass through the oilfields, which takes us to the Arctic Ocean where people can dip their toes into the frigid waters of the Beaufort Sea. Birding in Prudhoe Bay is spectacular with Pacific Loons, Arctic Loons, Common Loons and Red-throated loons all in breeding plumage and regularly seen in this area. Other species, such as Common Eiders, Baird Sandpipers and 125 other species of birds are seen in this birding paradise. Arctic Fox and the native Red Fox are common visitors. A short drive down the “Haul Road” (Dalton Highway) in the afternoon will afford us looks at Long-tailed Jaegers, possible Bluethroats, Arctic Warblers, Muskoxen, Grizzly Bears, Caribou and maybe wolves. Sunday, June 19 DALTON HIGHWAY– A STUNNING HAUL ROAD! After breakfast in Prudhoe Bay drive south down the Dalton Highway (Haul Road, the 500-mile long road that stretches from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. Travel half way to Wiseman to stay there two nights. We drive south across the Arctic coastal plain to the distant foothills of the Brooks Range. This first 130 miles is wildlife rich, taking us through an alien landscape of flats and low rolling hills devoid of any trees, but covered with a brilliant green carpet of tundra vegetation. Wildlife flocks to the coastal plain in the summer to partake of the brief, but intense bloom of life that feeds on the tundra vegetation. Caribou, Moose and Muskoxen are seen browsing on willows and sedges, while predators, such as wolves, foxes, bears, Golden Eagles, Snowy Owls and Gyrfalcons cruise low over the tundra searching for a meal. Next we ascend the foothills of the Brooks Range with the climb culminating in the highest mountain pass that any road crosses in Alaska, Attigun Pass. The Haul road climbs to 5,000 feet over this stunning mountain pass and we stop for a small hike and picnic lunch. Wildflowers carpet the tundra in this area at this time of year and it is not uncommon to count as many as 50 species of wildflowers along the road in the high alpine of the Brooks Range. As we descend from Attigun Pass onto the south side of the Brooks Range, enter the scenic Koyukuk River Valley and the northern edge of the boreal forest. The next 75 miles is a spectacular drive down the Koyukuk Valley through craggy peaks of 400 million year old limestone and the dense spruce forest. Here we may see Grizzlies, Grey (Timber} Wolves, Moose and even Lynx. At the end of an unforgettable 250-mile drive, arrive in the historic gold mining town of Wiseman and overnight at the “Arctic Get-away B&B” or “Igloo #8”. This historic B&B was originally built by the Igloo Club, a group like the Elks. Monday, June 20 WISEMAN After breakfast in the comfortable kitchen of the Igloo #8, set out for a day of exploring and photography on the south side of the Brooks Range. Take a picnic lunch and stop to eat on the carpet of wildflowers that stretches in all directions. This will be an excellent opportunity to explore the town of Wiseman. Settled in 1903, most of the buildings in this town are older than the oldest surviving buildings in Fairbanks. Old log cabins, a general store, and lots of historic gold mining artifacts can be found within a short walk of the Igloo #8. Tuesday - Wednesday, June 21 - 22 TO FAIRBANKS AND ON TO DENALI After an early breakfast we depart for Fairbanks, located 250 miles south of Wiseman. The drive traverses boreal forest and ascends mountain peaks of windswept tundra. A crossing of the Arctic Circle 60 miles south of Wiseman will be celebrated with good cheer. Sixty miles further south we cross the mighty Yukon River and continue through the White Mountains to Fairbanks. An afternoon arrival in Fairbanks allows us a chance to relax and enjoy Fairbanks in the summer. Well known for warm summers and cold winters, high temperatures can be in the 90’s this time of year, but average 65 to 70°F. Dinner on our own this evening. A choice of dining in Fairbanks allows you to try the cuisine that appeals most to you. Finish this exciting day with the night at River’s Edge Lodge. On Wednesday we’ll drive south to the entrance at Denali National Park with time to enjoy the east side of the Park and night will be at the wonderful Earth Song Lodge on the edge of the park, arriving in time for dinner. Thursday, June 23 DENALI NATIONAL PARK TO KANTISHNA Depart at 6 am to drive at our own leisure through the best part of Denali National Park in our 15-seater van to mile 95 at the end of the road. Hugh has a vehicle permit, which is only possible because we will be staying at the small, private Skyline Lodge in Kantishna. There are only 100 miles of gravel road within the 9300 square mile park. In order to protect wildlife viewing opportunities, the use of private vehicles is restricted to the first fifteen miles of road and only specially sanctioned park shuttle buses and people with special permits for private lodging, such as ours, are allowed on the remaining road system. This is probably the best park in North America for viewing wildlife and wildflowers from early June through August.
Denali National Park and Preserve (formally Mount McKinley National Park) lies 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle and 237 highway miles north of Anchorage. Spend all day traversing the gravel spur road through the center of the park. Stop to observe and photograph both large and small wildlife and incredible scenery. The Denali Grizzly Bears with their beautiful blond fur are frequently found feeding very close to the road and other large mammals are often encountered. Park the van to walk at some of the best locations to photograph wildlife and wildflowers, which Hugh knows so very well. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the field and arrive at Skyline Lodge for dinner with an incredible view of Mt. McKinley, weather permitting. "Denali" is a local Indian word meaning "Great One" referring to North America's highest mountain, still often called Mount McKinley due to resistance to change from the former President's supporters in Congress. The lodge consists of a large, clean and comfortable cabin with two big sleeping rooms, equipped with sleeping lofts above each of the two rooms, affording some privacy, although not what we are normally used to. The bathroom and toilet facilities are in the adjacent building, which houses the dining area. This rustic accommodation is only for two nights and the privilege of Hugh driving a van across Denali at our own pace, rather than taking the big park bus, far outweighs the less than roomy quarters. We have stayed at another lodge nearby with private baths, but found that the regimented activity schedule there did not fit with people who like to get going early in the morning for the best photographic light and be out in the late afternoon for another great time for the best photographic light. Hugh as a professional photographer can give you lots of pointers and put you into the best positions for excellent results photographically. Friday, June 24 FLIGHTSEEING, HIKING AND VIEWING AT WONDER LAKE Our lodge owner offers ‘flightseeing’ excursions in a single engine aircraft operated from a small airstrip located at Kantishna. The flight is marvelous and is included in the cost of this trip. Mount McKinley's 20,320 foot summit is very close to Kantishna. The vertical relief of this mountain as measured from its base to its summit is 18,000 feet and greater than that of Mt. Everest. It more than fills a picture window at the lodge on a clear day! The mountain makes its own weather and can be cloud-hidden as much as 60% of the time. Winter temperatures on the mountain can dip to 85°F below zero and winds can gust to more than 150 miles per hour. Even summer temperatures on its summit can be severe. Permanent snowfields cover more than 50% of the mountain and feed the many glaciers that surround its base. Over 1,000 people now attempt to climb the mountain each year by a multitude of routes. The most popular route is not technically difficult, but low temperatures and awesome winds in upper reaches make this environment one of the harshest on earth, usually claiming lives of some climbers every year. The park exemplifies interior Alaska's character as one of the world's last great frontiers offering an opportunity for wilderness adventure. Most of Denali remains largely wild and unspoiled, but there are many development pressures, which require constant vigilance to preserve this wilderness. Today we’ll walk in the Kantishna Hills to look for birds, mammals and wildflowers. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amid the magnificent scenery that surrounds this area. Also spend time at Wonder Lake, one of the best places to photograph Moose in the late afternoon if one comes to drink. A hearty dinner awaits at the lodge at the end of our day. Saturday, June 25 DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND NIGHT BACK IN ANCHORAGE Take full advantage of the morning in the park wildlife viewing, photographing and birding. After a hearty breakfast at Skyline Lodge, we have an early departure for more great wildlife experiences. Arrive at the park entrance to explore this area and have lunch. Depart on the George Parks Highway south to Anchorage. The trip will take us through fertile Matanuska Valley farmlands, across high bridges spanning several Susitna River tributaries, and will provide spectacular views of Mt. McKinley, weather permitting. Make a stop halfway at Denali State Park for a short hike and a chance to photograph and sightsee on the south side of the Alaska Range. We will arrive in Anchorage and drive directly to the Copper Whale Inn for the night. Dinner on your own this evening. Many fine eating establishments are within a 10- minute walk of the Inn. Sunday, June 26 PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND After breakfast at the Copper Whale, we depart for the dock in Whittier, where we rendezvous with the MV “Discovery”. Meet the captain, Dean Rand, and crew at the harbor for a warm welcome aboard the “Discovery”. It is owned and operated by Dean, a long-time Alaskan and expertly pilots the “Discovery” through the Sound’s narrow passages. The “Discovery” has six spacious cabins with two baths and offers an adventurous, yet comfortable means to explore this astoundingly rich wilderness seacoast. Relax in the cozy lounge and enjoy a specially prepared lunch. Then depart for Prince William Sound, where breath-taking glacial scenery, Killer Whales, spectacular birdlife, marine mammals and blue icebergs await. Monday - Wednesday, June 27 – 29 PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND Weather and wildlife will dictate our destinations, but we will strike out on a route around Prince William Sound to maximize our marine wildlife and bird viewing and visit some of the most spectacular glacial scenery in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Icy Bay and Harriman Fjord. Prince William Sound is also the Northern-most temperate rainforest in the world. Each day will consist of excursions to shore to hike and view wildlife and scenery up close. The “Discovery” is equipped with Zodiacs, which make shore excursions easy. Humpback Whale viewing should be outstanding, weather permitting. Thursday, June 30 FROM PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND TO ANCHORAGE BY TRAIN Awake to some of the world's most spectacular scenery--corridors of breathtaking beauty, sprawling glaciers and a panoramic skyline of mountain grandeur. Harbor Seals hauled out on the flotillas of icebergs watch closely as the “Discovery” navigates the icy, blue waters of Barry Arm. The enveloping mountains of this inlet stretch skyward to nearly 10,000 feet, with glacier after glacier descending the terraced mountain valleys. Alaska's lush rainforest vegetation drapes the hillsides in green as streaming waterfalls fall from the rocky cliffs. Listen to the cracks, pops and thunderous roars of the Cascade, Barry and Coxe glaciers while the “Discovery”, dwarfed by blue and white walls, drifts silently by these actively calving rivers of ice. Enjoy a beautiful buffet lunch while the “Discovery” exits this magical place for the Whittier Harbor. Your return to Anchorage will be on the train from Whittier to check in at the Copper Whale Inn. A final farewell dinner will be at a fine local restaurant in Anchorage. Friday, July 1 HOMEWARD After breakfast at the Copper Whale, stay on for an extension to photograph Brown Bears at Katmai or to other parts of Alaska or depart for trips home with transfers covered to the airport this morning. You will have experienced Alaska from the High Arctic seacoast to the highest mountain, Mt. McKinley, to the Southwest seacoast in Prince William Sound, a very wonderful itinerary indeed! For extensions Hugh Rose will be handling these and can be contacted at: 620 Yak Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709, 907-479-8984 (home), 907-388-2554 (cell), e-mail: hrose@alaska.net. If Hugh is away, please contact us by e-mail: (info@cheesemans.com) or call us at 800-527-5330. Reservations: To reserve a place, please call or e-mail first to check on space, then mail $500 to: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris Payments and Cancellations: After the initial deposit of $500, the balance is due on March 17, 2005, three months prior to the trip. Refunds given after the final payment are based on monies returned to Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris by the outfitters. Trip cancellation insurance forms are available from us. Not included: A gratuity to the “Discovery” crew and to remote lodge personnel are not included. We recommend budgeting $150 on this tour. Dinner on June 21 in Fairbanks and dinner on June 25 in Anchorage are not included, nor are laundry service, if available, and other personal expenses, and excess baggage charges to Prudhoe Bay (limited to 44 pounds). Extra luggage can be left at the Copper Whale. Complimentary beverages and drinks (wine, beer, sodas, water and juice) are included onboard the “Discovery”, but not elsewhere. Flights from home to Anchorage are not included. Conservation: We urge you to join a conservation organization to help protect Alaskan wildlife, such as Defenders of Wildlife, the Wilderness Society, Audubon Society, etc. Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. Baggage is at the owner's risk.
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