Alaska : Where to fly (Summer 2023)

[mandm]

Would like to fly from Chicago to Alaska this summer. If you have any suggestions (dog-friendly) please share them.

Some places I’d like to fly to are (in no particular order or trip):

Cheyenne, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming
Salt Lake City
Lake Tahoe
Bay Area (along the coast south to LA)
Grand Canyon

Looking more for great food (seafood) and 2-3 hour hikes, not into camping much (maybe a night here or there), prefer some facilities or mountain retreats.

 

[texasclouds]

Lots of hiking trails around Lake Tahoe. We went in 2018 and the whole area is beautiful.

Wyoming has some nice mountains you can hike that are located east of Saratoga WY. Should find snow even in July. Pics below taken there:

 

[texasclouds]

We flew a family to Santa Ana CA, and I was able to explore the beaches in the area. Stay away from Venice/Santa Monica. The nicest was Huntington and Newport Beach and there is some nice hiking nearby.

 

[texasclouds]

The closest I’ve been to Grand Canyon is FL350, but I plan to come back in my 170. Page UT / Lake Powell looks like a must visit spot.

 

[texasclouds]

Utah: Dino Park is a must do!

 

[texasclouds]

Scottsdale AZ is a must visit if you get that far south.

 

[frfly172]

Fly the Alcan highway from North Dakota through Canada into Alaska .Tok Alaska is a good stop for the local flavor. A stop over at Fairbanks isn’t bad.

 

[Jocww]

Im from Tahoe. Truckee is def easier to fly than S. Lake TVL. Lots of beautiful places to look and drive around. LMK if you head this way.

 

[CJones]

I have landed at Grand Canyon (GCN), though it was only to settle our stomachs and wits after getting absolutely ROCKED in the bumps flying towards Las Vegas in MARCH!! Don't remember much about the airport other than they had a spot for us to sit out of the sun and a little a/c. Lots of Twin Otter sightseeing flights coming/going through there. I have not idea how easy or difficult it is to get from the airport to anything else in the area.

Only thing I will add - plan on overflying that area EARLY in the morning before thermals pop up. We were at 12-13k+ (on O2) and were still getting rocked hard from about ABQ all the way to the other side of the Grand Canyon (sun finally set as we approached HND). It's a really pretty area, though.

 

[sourdough44]

You must have the whole Summer off(retired) then an unlimited fuel budget? It sounds like a great adventure.

I’d start with checking the rules for taking the dog across the border, likely just some Vet documentation.

 

[Commish]

Fly the Alcan highway from North Dakota through Canada into Alaska .Tok Alaska is a good stop for the local flavor. A stop over at Fairbanks isn’t bad.

Not clear how much time you want to spend in Alaska but keep in mind the state is more than twice the size of Texas and has at least six distinct regions... If you fly the Alcan you will enter AK southeast of Fairbanks where you will find numerous MOAs (Yukon, Delta, Birch, Fox Paxson, etc) The massive Yukon MOA complex will be to your north as you enter the state (F-22 training area and more). The vastness of the state will become apparent as you plan legs of your trip and realize fuel capacity can be a limiting factor on your plans. Moved to AK in 1966, again in 1977, again in 1993. Left in 1996 so much has probably changed. Wonderful place in many respects. Bring a serious survival kit. Forced landings in Alaska introduce you back into the food chain...and you will no longer be at the top of that chain (Ursus arctos horribilis). Check out Angle of Attack video series on youtube about flying from AK to WI and back.