Alaska Fall Colors Sampler, Fairbanks, Alaska

Day 1: Arrive in Fairbanks. We will pick you up either at the airport or at your hotel. We will make our way to our fabulous lodgings for appetizers and our first meal together (dinner). Check-in at the house is not until 5:00 p.m., so plan accordingly. 

Days 2-7: Our itinerary each day will be very flexible and will depend upon the weather and the interests of the group. Participants should expect very busy days, with return to our group lodgings in Fairbanks typically before dinnertime.

On the first day, we will most likely visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, then go hiking in the hills above the campus. During the first day hike, we will be able to assess the abilities and interests of the group, which will set the stage for the rest of the trip. A multitude of hiking routes are available to us in the White Mountains (north of Fairbanks) and in the foothills of the Alaska Range (south of Fairbanks). We will attempt to get to some great places for photography and wildlife observation.

In town, we will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center early in the week to orient us to interior Alaska. Right in town is the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge where we will have the opportunity to observe the migratory activities of Sandhill Cranes, as well as get a presentation from one of the local biologists at the visitor center. Another important stop is at the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, where we will hear about Alaska conservation concerns from local experts.

One of the trip highlights will be a professionally guided float trip through the Chena River State Recreation Area. This rafting trip will be non-technical and will afford the opportunity for photography and wildlife observation (no previous river experience necessary).

We are planning on a long one-day trip to the Arctic Circle, which is located approximately 200 miles north of Fairbanks. The Dalton Highway, locally known as the “haul road," goes north all of the way to Prudoe Bay. As we follow the Alaska Oil Pipeline toward the Arctic Circle, we will pass through the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge and the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, make a stop at the Yukon River, and make one or more stops at various scenic overlooks as we approach the southern flanks of the Brooks Range. In the extremely unlikely event that the haul road is impassable due to weather or some other issue, we will make an alternate but equally scenic excursion to another location.

On the last day, we will travel to the famous Chena Hot Springs. After a scenic hike in the surrounding mountains, we can luxuriate in the outdoor natural lake or indoor swimming pools. Those who wish can experience the Aurora Ice Bar and Museum (not included in trip price). The more adventurous can book and ATV tour (not included in trip price).

Day 8: Our last meal together will be breakfast on the final day. Then we will pack up and check out of our accommodations. We will transport everyone to either the Fairbanks airport or to a Fairbanks hotel if you will be sticking around longer. You can plan your homeward flight for 1 p.m. onward.

Getting There

This trip begins on Day 1 at either the Fairbanks airport or your local hotel (see itinerary).

In lieu of arriving or leaving Fairbanks by air, we recommend checking on the possibility of taking the train between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The train makes a stop at Denali National Park. A stay of one or more nights at the Park is possible, either in one of the many hotels there, or in one of the campgrounds with a prior reservation. Otherwise, the one-day train trip between the two cities will not disappoint.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip staff.

Accommodations and Food

Our lodging for the week is a beautiful Tudor mansion, complete with fine furnishings and crystal. Plan on shared sleeping quarters, but all accommodations in the mansion are spacious and comfortable. Breakfasts will be at our lodging and most days we make lunches ahead and take them with us on our day’s outing. Except for our planned Arctic Circle trip, dinners will be at the mansion.

As with most Sierra Club trips, the participants will be assigned to help with the meal preparations and/or clean-ups. We may be able to accommodate some dietary restrictions and/or preferences, but we hope to attract participants with an “open palate” attitude. Please discuss any dietary restrictions with the leader before signing up for the trip.

Trip Difficulty

We will be staying in our lodgings for the entire week and will only carry with us what we need for the particular activity of the day. Participants should be able to carry 15 pounds in a daypack, which may include lunch, water, a hot drink in a thermos, camera, binoculars, and extra clothing.

The most strenuous activity will be two hiking days on relatively steep terrain, but on well-established trails. On each hike there will be a leader and a sweep so no one will be left behind. Although we can tailor the hiking to the abilities of the group, we ask that you be comfortable with hiking 10 miles with a 15-pound daypack over the course of a full day.

Sleeping accommodations at the house require climbing several flights of stairs.

Equipment and Clothing

Trip participants will be expected to bring clothing suitable for outdoor activity in possibly wet and cold weather. Although fall weather is typically pleasant in the Alaska interior, the season can be short and fleeting if an early winter decides to set in. Although no specialized clothing or equipment is required for this trip, layering of synthetic or wool clothing is critical in cold conditions to obtain proper moisture management to avoid getting chilled. Some of the scenic ridges, domes and overlooks that we will hike to may be particularly exposed to the weather.

An equipment list will be sent to you once you are accepted on the trip.

References

• Museum of the North: https://www.uaf.edu/museum/
• Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge: https://friendsofcreamersfield.org/
• Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center: https://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/
• Northern Alaska Environmental Center: https://northern.org/
• Chena River State Recreation Area: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/northern/chenariversra.htm
• Dalton Highway Visitors' Guide (BLM): https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/PublicRoom_Alaska_DaltonHwy_VisitorGuide-web.pdf (The Dalton Highway Guide is a large file -- be patient while it downloads.)

Conservation

The real purpose of Sierra Club outings, which began in 1901, is to follow John Muir’s example of bringing more people into the fold of protecting the earth’s ecology. Muir wrote, “if people could be got into the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.”

During our time on the trip, we will discuss Sierra Club history, public lands background, the challenges they face, and what the Sierra Club is doing to protect them. We will also discuss some of the most pressing conservation issues that are affecting Alaska today.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.