Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Denali: A Summer Day
After a busy week in Denali, I finally slowed down. I spent the afternoon exploring exhibits at the Denali Visitor Center, learning more about the people, artists and history of the park, wandering through the Alaska Railroad depot, and wondering whether I could squeeze in a train ride to Fairbanks. Later, I drove toward Savage River with the windows down, stopping for wildlife and photographing the evening light moving across the mountains.
Denali: East Fork Discovery Hike
A full day in Denali's backcountry took me across an icy river, through colorful tundra, and into grizzly country on a ranger-led East Fork Discovery Hike. Along the way I learned about the Pretty Rocks Landslide, photographed wildlife, and experienced one of the most peaceful landscapes I've encountered in Alaska.
Chugach State Park
A rare sunny Alaska day leads me to Chugach State Park, where I hike the quiet Eydlu Bena Loop Trail, come face-to-face with a hawk hidden in the forest, photograph wildflowers overlooking Eklutna Lake, and end the evening relaxing in Wasilla after watching SpaceX's Starship launch.
Cooper Landing (2 Days)
Rain followed me from Seward into Cooper Landing, but it didn't stop me from hiking to Russian River Falls. What began as a day photographing salmon became something entirely different after a serious accident near the falls brought Fire and EMS racing up the trail. Between the rescue, hours spent photographing salmon, and conversations with strangers from across the country, it became one of the more memorable days of my Alaska journey.
Kenai Fjords National Park Extended Glacier Cruise:
A full day aboard Major Marine Tours' Kenai Fjords National Park Extended Glacier Cruise turned into one of the highlights of my Alaska journey. From bubble-net feeding humpback whales and towering tidewater glaciers to puffins, sea lions, and breathtaking coastal scenery, this cruise delivered unforgettable wildlife and landscapes.
Anchorage Museum
A day in Anchorage turned into five hours at the Anchorage Museum exploring Alaska's history, geology, Native cultures, and art. Afterwards I photographed reflections in downtown buildings before ending the evening at Lake Hood watching floatplanes and a pair of Greater Scaup go about their business.
Meares Glacier Tour
The day after kayaking Columbia Glacier, I returned to Prince William Sound aboard the Stan Stephens 26 Glaciers Cruise. Meares Glacier, whales, puffins, bald eagles, sea lions, waterfalls, and unforgettable conversations made this one of the highlights of my Alaska adventure.
Haines, AK
A slow drive from Yukon to Haines, Alaska turned into one of the most memorable days of the trip. Along the way I photographed snow-covered mountains, discovered two black bears while shooting a panorama, crossed a nearly empty border, explored the surprisingly friendly town of Haines, and watched hundreds of birds feeding on Pacific herring just offshore.
Stone Mountain Provincial Park
The Alaska Highway north of Fort Nelson quickly transforms into something far more remote and rugged than most travelers expect. This section through Stone Mountain Provincial Park, Summit Lake, and Muncho Lake offered injured bears along the roadside, abandoned highway relics, emerald glacial lakes, lingering spring ice, mountain wildlife, and some of the most beautiful scenery of the trip so far.