The Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska lies just south of the Arctic Circle. Though it is not the northernmost city in Alaska, it is the northernmost major city. The latitude of Fairbanks, the “Last Frontier”, makes it the best viewing urban location in the United States for two natural phenomena – the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Midnight Sun occurs in latitudes north of the Arctic Circle. The Midnight Sun describes the time when the sun is visible for at least a full, continuous 24-hour period once each year. (The farther north, the more hours per year. For instance, in Europe’s northernmost point, Nordkapp, Norway, the sun does not set for 76 days.) This is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis with respect to the ecliptic. The Midnight Sun Festival is a 12-hour event held each summer solstice in Fairbanks. The annual Midnight Sun baseball game starts at 10:30 pm and uses no artificial lights.
The Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, is a phenomenon that also occurs within the Arctic Circle. Despite the latitude, the Aurora Borealis is often seen in much lower latitudes, such as in the Continental United States. The Auroras are described as curtains, or bold strips of light, in red, green, purple, or shades of yellow-green. Displays begin at about 40-68 miles above the Earth's surface and extend hundreds of miles into space. Clear skies and darkness are essential to see the Northern Lights.
At night, the Aurora Borealis lights up the Fairbanks sky. The Northern Lights are visible from late August to mid-April. Fairbanks is one of the best places on earth to view the Aurora Borealis as it sits underneath the Auroral Oval – the circular region around the North Pole. Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks provide a weekly forecast/predictions on where the Northern Lights will be most active. A four-night stay in the Fairbanks area should ensure a sighting of the Aurora Borealis.
Denali Park National Park and Preserve
The glaciated landscape of Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve is known for its massive peaks and incredible beauty. Denali National Park and Preserve is home to North America's highest mountain, 20,320-ft tall Mount McKinley (Denali). Located in the middle of the Alaska Range, Mount McKinley and Denali National Park and Preserve are approximately 130 miles north of Anchorage and about 155 miles south of Fairbanks. Although Asia’s Mount Everest is technically 9,000 ft higher than Mount McKinley, it rises from a higher plateau at 17,000 ft giving it a visual rise of only 12,000 ft. McKinley’s 2,000 ft plateau gives it an 18,000 ft rise. This makes McKinley look bulkier. Two significant summits rest on top of Mount McKinley – the taller South Summit, and the 19,470-ft North Summit. Five glaciers flow off the slopes of the mountain.
Mount McKinley is also referred to as Denali. Despite the fact that the Alaskan natives referred to the mountain as Denali (“great one”), in 1897, the mountain was officially named Mount McKinley after U.S. President William McKinley. The park was established as Mount McKinley National Park in 1927. In 1980, when the park was incorporated into Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska changed the mountain name back to Denali. The United States still recognizes Mount McKinley as the official name of the mountain. McKinley has been in use long enough and is so recognizable that many people tend to use McKinley to describe the mountain and Denali to refer to the park.
Within the six million-acre park and preserve live a diverse variety of wildlife - grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose. A popular sport for visitors at the park is to spot these “Big Five” animals while in the park. Another attraction at Denali National Park and Preserve is visiting the sled dog kennels.
Mount McKinley/Denali is known for attracting mountaineers and climbers, as well as generating some tall tales of climbing successes. The first known attempted climb was in 1903. The first group to reach the North Summit was the Sourdough expedition of 1910. Their claim was not believed until the Hudson Stuck party confirmed the presence of the pole that the Sourdough expedition supposedly left at the summit. (The pole has not been seen since.) An extremely popular climbing spot to this day, approximately 50% of the extremely dangerous 2-3 week expeditions are successful. Successful mountaineers report that the views from the top are incredible.
The winter at Denali National Park and Preserve displays the pristine white of snow-packed mountains and icy glaciers. In the summer, brilliant-colored wildflowers dot the landscape and the birds return for the season. The summer is the time to view the park – to sightsee, backpack, climb, or go bird and wildlife watching. Narrated bus tours are the most popular way to see the park. Shuttle buses are available to access remote areas, campgrounds, or a trailhead. The Denali Visitor Center is open daily from mid-May through mid-September. The visitor center is the starting point for bus tours and offers schedules and general information, a feature/orientation film, ranger-guided walks, a bookstore, and café.
Alaska’s Inside Passage
Alaska’s famous Inside Passage passes through the Alaska panhandle and the coast of British Columbia. The Inside Passage is a route or series of passages between the coastal islands and the mainland. This scenic route offers protection from the unpredictable ocean as well as delightful stops along the way in the isolated communities. The Alaska Inside Passage is 500 miles long north to south and 100 miles wide east to west and it includes over 1,000 islands, and 15,000 miles of shoreline. Thousands of coves, bays, and inlets are featured in addition to the historic towns and places along the way, including Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Haines, and Skagway.
The first port of call in Alaska is the historic lumberjack town of Ketchikan, the “King Salmon Capital of the World”. Aside from this distinction, Ketchikan wins top honors as receiving the most rainfall in North America (up to 16 ft) and being the fourth wettest spot on earth. If rain isn’t enough, a good portion of the town sits over water, and piles support buildings. Ketchikan also boasts the highest zip code number in the U.S. – 99901. The world’s largest collection of standing totem poles is found in Ketchikan. The Tongrass Historical Museum, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, or the nearby Misty Fjords National Monument, are top attractions in Ketchikan.
From Wrangell visitors travel up the Stikine River or view prehistoric carvings at Petroglyph Beach. Unique bear viewing tours are available. Past Wrangell, Petersburg, or “Little Norway” at the north end of Mitkof Island, is one of the United States’ most lucrative fishing ports. Initially settled by Scandinavians, the town has the look, feel, and some traditions of a Scandinavian country. From Petersburg, an excursion to LeConte Glacier is a popular way to spend a day.
Alaska’s capital city, Juneau is located at the base of Mount Juneau. Originally marked out as a mining camp, Juneau is now Alaska’s third largest city and has a population of approximately 30,000. Sights to see include the Alaska State Museum, the City Museum, the historic AJ/Gastineau Mill and Gold Mine, and the McCauley Salmon Hatchery. Outside the city, visitors may take an expedition to Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Ice Field. Tram rides up Mount Roberts offer a bird’s-eye view of Juneau and the surrounding area. From Juneau the Inside Passage continues to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, where visitors can see tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges, fjords, and freshwater lakes and rivers. Wildlife to spot at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve include whales, seals, and sea otters in the Bay and mountain goats, black and brown bears, and moose on the land.
The capital of Russian America, Sitka, was founded in 1804. Now a historic seaside city, Sitka largely retains its Russian roots. Visitors can explore the roots of Russian colonialism in North America at St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Russian cemetery, and the Russian Bishop’s House at the Sitka National Historical Park. The Sheldon Jackson Museum showcases Eskimo, Aleut, and Indian artifacts. The Lynn Canal enters into the fishing port of Haines, home of the Bald Eagle Preserve. North, to the end of the Inside Passage is the home of the Alaskan gold rush, Skagway. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park recounts the history of the people who braved the Chilkoot and White Pass trails in the search for gold back in 1898. The White Pass and Yukon Railroad (narrow gauge) climbs the pass offering visitors an incredible view of what was once a trail carved by dreams of riches.