Heading north out of Anchorage towards Talkeetna, there are only two options to take to go north. If you want to stay on the paved road, you may start up the Parks Highway in Wasilla. You will find that the buildings and traffic of the town quickly dissipate, leaving an open road lined with untouched forest. Since billboards are outlawed in Alaska, the only advertisement you will be seeing from now on will be a big fat commercial for wilderness.
If you are wanting a little dirty adventure, then you may be tempted to ride the Hatcher Pass loop road. It is a 40 mile scenic dirt road which crosses over the Talkeetna mountains, and spits you out on the Parks Highway just north of the small town of Willow. This loop is only open for a couple of months each year (because the snowpack does not melt until July) and offers great mountains views and a series of steep switchbacks which keep you in tune with the bike!
The next stop will be the climbing mecca of Talkeetna. Climbers from all around the world venture here as it is the starting point for climbing famed Mt. McKinley. Talkeetna means "Joining of rivers" in the native tongue, but most notably, this town is known for being the place that "Northern Exposure" was based upon. Fishing guides, dog mushers and over-all sourdoughs populate this little slice of Alaska. Talkeetna sits at the end of a 16-mile spur road and features an eclectic range of hotels, restaurants and bars.
Don't blink when you go through town, because you may miss it. And yes, that is an aircraft runway that bisects the main strip! You may, though, cruise through the main town, past the camp ground and walk past the dead end to the Talkeetna River. If the weather is good, it will be there that you behold one of the most majestic sights in all of Alaska: Mt. McKinley.
Traveling north from Talkeetna, you will find that the mountains are coming, and the wilderness stretches with indistinct borders in all directions. Literally, you may stop anywhere along the route, and step into the forest, and be the first human being to do so. For some, this is one of their greatest fears on earth. For others, this is the time to consider moving to Alaska.
The Parks passes within a 100 miles of "the Great One" - Mt. McKinley. It only shows its face 20% of the time, so if you see it, consider yourself lucky. At 20,230 feet, it is a monster, and one of the few mountains you see that seems larger the farther you are away from it. There are several places from which to easily behold the giant, so keep your eyes out for signs that say "McKinley View".
Once you pass the mountain, you will be climbing into Broad Pass. You are now crossing the Alaska Range at timberline, and the scenery is terrific and features 360 degrees of mountains. On a good day, you can even throw Mt. McKinley into the mix.
A little further, and you stumble upon the small town of Cantwell, capital of the "end of the roaders" and a little further yet, the entrance to Denali National Park. You may only ride the first 20 miles of the road into the park without a permit, but it is worth it. The road has only a 40 mile an hour speed limit, but keep your eyes out for critters. You may ride to the Savage River before being turned around and see wolves, caribou, moose and fox.
The National Park restricts hunting and building, and the animals here are used to seeing vehicles go by. Don't be surprised that you don't see any, as they tend to lie low during the heat of the day. But don't be surprised you see a pack of wolves, or a caribou cross right out in front of you! Near the park entrance, there is a visitors center, which is well worth stopping by.
Out on the highway and heading north again, you will find yourself in a mix of hotels, curio shops and river rafting companies. Yep, you are in the park concessions, also known as "Glitter Gulch". Here there is ample opportunity to get gas, get food, and watch tourists. There is even a stop light! (The first in over 100 miles).
Breaking away from the Denali Park Entrance, don't be surprised that the weather gets much warmer, even though you are heading north. Interior Alaska is know for severe weather fluctuations, and can be extremely cold during the winter, and HOT during the summer. 104 degrees in traffic? Yep, welcome to Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is the second largest city in all of Alaska and spread out. It is built in open country with rolling hills form miles in each direction. They say that in Fairbanks when your dog runs away, it takes days before you can't see him any longer.
Fairbanks was the location of the largest gold strike in Alaska, and it is here where the remnants of the gold rush culture remain. You may walk the main strip in the downtown area and find many shops more functional than fashionable: tools for gold digging, camping supplies, gun shops, ect. There is an air about the place that is distinctly Alaskan. Talk to anyone on the street from Fairbanks, and chances are they don't like Anchorage, love open spaces, and generally do not like people telling them what to do.
For a real treat, take your dinner plans to the Pump House Restaurant located right on the Chena River. There, enjoy generous portions of a variety of Alaskan seafoods and great steaks while a paddle wheel boat steams by....
MotoQuest Tours & AllAboutBikes Presents... MotoQuest's Best of Alaska Tour
Interested in touring Alaska by motorcycle yourself? MotoQuest specializes in motorcycle adventure tours in many exotic places and they are giving away a free spot in their Best of Alaska Tour in 2011.
Don't just stay home this year, try a visit to Alaska! Click to learn more about the Best of Alaska Motorcycle tour from MotoQuest Tours, Twisted Throttle & AllAboutBikes.
