 |
| The Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park |
Hatcher Pass
One of Alaska’s great playgrounds is Hatcher Pass. Located just outside of Palmer, Alaska, Hatcher Pass is accessible, dynamic and spectacular. Casual hikers can find excellent views along the road, from the Hatcher Pass lodge or at the historic Independence Mine. And even more drama is available to the more adventurous with one of several long day hikes, such as the Gold Mint Trail or Reed Lakes, or for backpackers who take on the ultra-classic Bomber Traverse.
Kesugi Ridge (Denali State Park)
A lot of travelers make a beeline for Denali National Park when they reach Alaska, and for good reason. But some of the best views of Denali and the Alaska Range are found in Denali State Park. And though some of these views can be seen when you drive the Parks Highway north from Wasilla towards Denali National Park, the very best views come from Kesugi Ridge, a raised escarpment in the Talkeetna Range that parallels the highway. A classic multiday Kesugi Ridge backpack trip is the best way to experience the numerous compositions for photographing Alaska that Kesugi offers, but for those with less time, several trailheads allow you to day hike up to ridge and find those classic views of North America’s tallest mountain and its friends.
Kachemak Bay State Park
Located a short boat ride from the scenic coastal town of Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park is a relatively accessible wonderland for adventure and photography. Individual locations are numerous, but some favorites include Grewingk Glacier Lake, the town of Seldovia, and Grace Ridge.
Harding Icefield
Though the Harding Icefield Trail, known locally as the “H.I.T,” is a strenuous nine mile hike that gains nearly 3,000’, it epitomizes Alaska and climaxes with an astonishing view of the Harding Icefield, the largest icefield entirely in the United States. The Harding Icefield and the many glaciers that flow off it form a continuous sheet of ice approximately 1,000 square miles in size. It is one of the crown jewels of Kenai Fjords National Park. The sheer scale of the icefield is almost impossible to believe when you stand its edge from the end of the H.I.T.
Boat tour
All right, this feels like a cop-out because it isn’t really a location. But one of the best ways to see and photograph the stunning coasts of Alaska is on a boat tour. From the sea you get views of some of the most beautiful but otherwise inaccessible terrain in the state. In the process you’ll almost assuredly see whales, puffins, sea lions, and other Alaska wildlife. There are many locations from which you can launch on a boat tour, but some of the best include Glacier Bay National Park, Prince William Sound, and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Here is the video:
