Hammonasset Beach State Park is located in Madison, Connecticut and is the state’s largest shoreline park with a two mile soft sand beach front along the Long Island Sound. The park offers not only a beautiful long shoreline but also offers a great boardwalk, nice trails with beautiful views and plenty of activities like swimming, board walking, camping, car-top boating, saltwater fishing, bicycling, etc. The park also has a family-friendly environmental learning center called Meigs Point Nature Center with an observation deck. Whether it be embracing the great views of Long Island Sound, playing in the sand, enjoying the cool breeze by simply taking a stroll along the boardwalk, or simply relaxing at the beach, this park is a perfect place for a wonderful day trip.
These photos are from a couple of hours visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park on August 22nd, 2022.
Meigs Point
Hammonasset Beach
Hammonasset Beach
Meigs Point
Meigs Point
Meigs Point
Meigs Point
Meigs Point
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Quick Facts and Tips
There is a daily parking fee for non-residents: $22 weekends/Holidays, $15 during the week.
Location of the park is 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, Connecticut.
The park is open from 8 am to sunset.
Campgrounds are open from mid-May through Labor Day.
Plenty of grassy campsites and few rustic cabins are available for rent.
Carry appropriate clothes and footwear depending on your choice of activities.
Bring snacks, water and changing clothes .
Boardwalk, bathrooms, showers, picnic shelter for rental and picnic tables are available.
Popular and easy trails are
Hammonasset Beach State Park Walk: A nice paved 3.8 mile out and back pathway is the park’s most heavily used trail that takes you along the coast and provides accessibility to all trails/facilities.
Meigs Point: A short rocky and sandy 1.4 mile round trip trail that leads to a curved beach with panoramic views glacial boulders along the Long Island Sound
Cedar Island Trail: An easy ½ mile paved trail
Willars Island Nature Trail: An easy 1 mile paved trail with nice views of the salt marshes surrounded it
Lighthouse Point Park is a pleasant park in the city of New Haven, Connecticut. The park offers impressive views of the 70 feet height lighthouse, enjoyable beach and nature trails, and seasonally operated antique carousel and splash pads. It is a great place for an outdoor picnic.
These photos are from a short and sweet visit to the Lighthouse Point Park on 20th August, 2022.
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Lighthouse Point Park
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Quick Facts and Tips
Location of the park is 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven, Connecticut.
The park is open daily to the public from sunrise to sunset.
There will be a daily entrance fee of $10 per vehicle.
Lifeguards on duty only on summer months.
The Carousel and Splash Pads at Lighthouse Point Park is operated from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Restrooms, bath houses and picnic tables are available.
The Gillette Castle state park is located in East Haddam, about an hour drive from Hartford, Connecticut. The Gillette Castle is a three storied stone structure, looks like a medieval fortress, decorated inside with the built-in couches, table trackway, and wood carvings. This splendid castle overlooking the Connecticut River was built by William Gillette, who is most famous for his acting role portraying Sherlock Holmes. The park features not just the fascinating architecture of Gillette Castle, but also offers impressive views of the Connecticut river and surroundings.
These photos are from a very short visit to the Gillette Castle State Park on 20th August, 2022.
Gillette Castle
Gillette Castle State Park
Gillette Castle
Gillette Castle
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Quick Facts and Tips
The castle opens from 10 am to 4:30 pm from Memorial day through Labor’s Day. But the park grounds and restrooms are open daily from 8 am to sunset.
There will be an entry fee to enter the Castle; $6 for anyone 13+; $2 for kids 5-12; free for kids under 5.
Parking and access to the hikes/surrounding grounds are free.
Castle tours with a maximum 12 visitors are available for every 15 minutes from 10 am to 4 pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the visitors center as well as online (more info here).
The final Castle tour sold at the Visitor Center at 4 p.m and the last entry to the castle is at 4:15pm.
Check the park’s official website for current status.
The park offers this charming historic building along with the beautiful views of the Connecticut River and scenic hiking trails.
The historic Chester-Hadlyme ferry running from April through November can be reached by hiking down the trail near the Castle. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and stay on the hiking trail.
The park amenities include the Visitor Center, Castle museum, Gift Shop, Restrooms, Vending Machines and picnic tables.
If you are looking for a nice day trip for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring new things in the Catskills, NY area, then Minnewaska State Park is definitely the one. The Minnewaska state park is one of the most unique, popular, and beautiful state parks in New York. The park is located in Shawangunk Mountain ridge in Ulster County of New York state. It is approximately a 1 and ½ hour drive from New York City and just off of Route 44-55.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve has two sections, the main area and Sam’s Point area. It takes 30 mins to drive from one section to the other. The main area features the stunning Awosting Falls and the pristine Minnewaska Lake. The Sam’s Point area, which is the southernmost point of the park, is located on the highest part of the Shawangunk Mountains. Unlike the main area, a reservation is required to visit Sam’s Point area. This recreation area features pristine mountain lakes carved by glaciers during the last ice age and offers a wide range of activities from hiking to stunning waterfalls, biking on the carriageway trails, rock climbing up epic cliffs, swimming, scuba-diving and boating in the sparkling lakes, horseback riding, and of course: picnicking with stunning views.
Lake Minnewaska is located in the main area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This natural glacier carved lake is one of the five lakes on the Shawangunk Ridge. The lake is half a mile long with a two mile easy loop trail encircling it. The Lake Minnewaska Loop trail is a gravel path and offers many scenic vistas with spectacular views of the pristine lake, the forested area, hanging cliffs, streams, and beautiful wildflowers. The Lake Minnewaska Trail is also used to access the other trails and is one of the park’s carriage roads too.
These photos are from a day trip to Minnewaska State Park on June 11th, 2022.
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Trail map
View from the back of the Visitor Center on Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the back of the Visitor Center on Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the back of the Visitor Center on Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Wooden Footbridge, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the lookout, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the lookout, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the lookout, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the lookout, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the top, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the cliffs, Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Mountain Laurel along the Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Mountain Laurel along the Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Overlooking Lake Minnewaska
Overlooking Lake Minnewaska
Overlooking Lake Minnewaska
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Overlooking the Ulster County
Overlooking the Ulster County
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail
View from the small beach on Lake Minnewaska
The view from the far end of the Lake Minnewaska
Visitor Center
Route 52, around Ellenville, NY
Scenic Overlook on Route 52
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Quick Facts and Tips
The park is open year round from 9 am to 8 pm, hours will change seasonally.
There will be an entry fee of $10 per car
Be sure to check the park website for the current trail conditions and road closures.
The Lake Minnewaska Loop trail is an easy, about 2 mile loop trail, a marked gravel path with some ups and downs.
Best time to explore this trail is from April to October when you can get the best view of the lake.
The closest parking lot for the Lake Minnewaska Loop trail is the Upper Parking Lot near the visitor center (Google map). The trail can also be accessed from the Lower parking Lot (Google map).
Carry water bottles, pack snacks. and wear comfortable shoes.
The Lake Minnewaska Loop trail is an easy almost 2 miles gravel path that circles the ½ mile long lake.
The picturesque view of the lake and the cliffs can be seen directly behind the visitor center. The visitor center has art and educational exhibits about the environment, information about the surrounding nature, and how to preserve it. The visitor center has drinking water, restrooms, and an outdoor patio area with a bunch of picnic tables.
The shorter route to reach the top of the magnificent cliffs to have stunning views of the lake is by hiking clockwise from the parking lot/visitor center on the Lake Minnewaska loop. With just a quarter mile hike, you can reach the top and soak in the beautiful views. The area is a grassy flat area with picnic tables along the land as well as near the cliff edge. This is a great spot to stop and rest for a bit while enjoying the incredible beauty of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Take extra caution at the top as there are no railings along the cliff edges. The views are stunning up here and are the best part of this entire hike.
The trail climbs up and down offering a fantastic vista overlooking the Ulster County countryside and wooded areas with a few beautiful views of lake
Starting the hike in a counterclockwise direction will lead to the lake’s small beach. During the summer months, this could be a great spot to cool off after hiking.
It is worth hiking the Awosting Falls trail either before or after visiting the Lake Minnewaska.
Be aware of snakes and watch your steps along the trails.
If you are looking for a nice day trip for sightseeing, hiking and exploring new things in the Catskills, NY area, then Minnewaska State Park is definitely the one. Minnewaska state park is one of the most unique and beautiful state parks in New York and is located in Ulster County of New York state. It is approximately a 1 and ½ hour drive from New York City and just off of Route 44-55.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve has two sections, the main area and Sam’s Point area. It takes 30 mins to drive from one section to the other. The main area features the stunning Awosting Falls and pristine Minnewaska Lake. The Sam’s Point area, which is the most southern point of the park, is located on the highest part of the Shawangunk Mountains. Unlike the main area, a reservation is required to visit Sam’s Point.
Awosting Falls is the most popular sightseeing destination on the main section of the Minnewaska State Park. The Awosting falls look gorgeous in every season and is most busiest from spring to fall. The spring offers an immense flow of water whereas the fall offers a colorful backdrop. Awosting Falls is 60 feet tall and tumbles off an impressive rock wall into a large pool at its base. Awosting falls is one of the must visit waterfalls in the Catskill Mountains region.
These photos are from a day trip to Minnewaska State Park on June 11th, 2022.
View from US-44
View from US-44
View from US-44
Entrance to Minnewaska State Preserve
Streams along the Awosting Falls Hike
Cascade Waterfalls along Awosting Falls Hike
Cascade Waterfalls along Awosting Falls Hike
Awosting Falls, view from the top
Cascade Waterfalls along Awosting Falls Hike
View from the top of Awosting Falls
The Pool, view from the top of Awosting Falls
Awosting Falls
Awosting Falls
Wild Flowers
Awosting Falls
Wild Flowers
Awosting Falls
Wild Flowers
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Quick Facts and Tips
The park is open year round from 9 am to 8 pm, hours will change seasonally. The fee for parking is $10 per car
The closest parking lot for Awosting Falls is at the Lower Parking Area (Google map). The falls can also be accessed from the Upper parking lot near Lake Minnewaska.
Start early for more elbow room and best lighting. Since the Lower parking lot is the access point to many hiking trails, it will get filled up quickly during summer days.
Hike to the stunning 60-foot Awosting Falls is an easy 1.1 miles out-and-back hike from the Lower parking lot. The trail is a gravel path and starts adjacent to a small bathroom building near the Lower parking lot.
The trail meets the park road at around a quarter mile, so take caution to cross the road and bridge. The trail continues on the far side of the bridge which winds its way down for about a quarter-mile before reaching the base of Awosting Falls.
It is worth spending a few minutes to enjoy the several small cascades waterfalls and streams along the trail.
Swimming is not permitted.
Bring water and snacks.
It is worth hiking the Lake Minnewaska Loop trail either before or after visiting Awosting Falls.
Be aware of snakes and watch your steps along the trails.
The Antelope Canyons are narrow, long, deep, and twisting canyons on the Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyons are accessible only by guided tours, so a tour guide is mandatory. The Lower Antelope Canyon has become a great place for photographers and it offers a unique experience to the tourists. If you have plans to visit Zion, Bryce, or Grand Canyon National Park, do not forget to include Antelope Canyon in your itinerary.
These photos are from our visit to Lower Antelope Canyon during the last week of September, 2014.
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Quick Facts and Tips
Best time to visit
Mid March to Mid October
Midday is the best time to visit
Fly into
Phoenix and Las Vegas: Good deals and major international airports, five hours drive to Page
Page and Flagstaff: Closest, but small airports and limited flights. Antelope Canyons are only 15 mins drive from Page Municipal Airport and 2 hours drive from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
Clothing
Comfortable pants, shorts, capri, tank tops, t-shirts, jackets, hats, comfortable boots or other sturdy closed-toed shoes. It is cool in the winter months, so dress in layers
Book a tour
Lower Antelope Canyon is a guide-only tour. It is absolutely necessary to book a tour, as you can not enter Antelope Canyon without a native Navajo guide
It is recommended to book a tour in advance
Bring cash to purchase tickets at the counter and give tips to the guide. Tickets can be purchased with a card on-site too
Tour is about 2 hours
Tour can be cancelled without any prior notice when it rains. The rain falling dozens of miles away can funnel into the slot canyons and cause flash floods with short notice. So please check their websites for flash flood warnings and cancellations
Upper Canyon Tour Operators: Navajo Tours, Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours and Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours
Try to visit during midday as the lighting inside the canyon is the best at this time
Check the weather forecast for rain and flash floods warning before you head out
Since the Lower Antelope canyons are below ground level, you need to climb down a steep metal stairway that takes you to the bottom. Take caution and be patient as you will be in a group
You will be surrounded by dozens of people. As the tour guide will be trying to keep the group moving as a unit, it may be challenging to find enough room to take pictures. So be ready, act quickly and smartly, while taking the pictures
There is lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that your camera is fully charged and also keep backup batteries and memory cards
Carry enough water
Inside the canyons there are some narrow passages and steep ladders to climb
Pay attention to your tour guide for directions and nice stories
Rainbow Falls Overlook - View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
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Ausable Chasm is one of the popular getaway attractions in the Adirondacks region of Upstate New York. This beautiful sandstone gorge is renowned as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, not to be confused with the Grand Canyon of the East which is Letchworth State Park. Both are impressive; one is in the Adirondacks region and privately owned and the other one is in the Finger Lakes region and a state park. Ausable Chasm is about 3 miles west of the beautiful Lake Champlain in Vermont and about 40 miles south of the Canadian border.
The scenic Ausable Chasm is the oldest and largest natural attraction since 1870. This is a two mile long, narrow sandstone gorge, filled with gorgeous waterfalls, a beautiful Ausable river, well maintained hiking and adventurous trails, water activities, and much more. You will be amazed by the Ausable Chasm in many ways whether you choose to walk through the trails, tube down the Ausable River, raft down the Ausable rapids, or view the Chasm from the cliffs.
These photos are from our visit to Upstate New York on the labor day weekend of September, 2021 and was our first outing since the pandemic.
At the entrance
View from the Ausable Chasm Bridge
View from the Ausable Chasm Bridge
View from the Ausable Chasm Bridge
Rainbow Falls – Looking down from the Ausable Chasm Bridge
Elephant Head Overlook
Rainbow Falls Overlook – View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
Adventure Tour – View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
Adventure Tour – View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
Adventure Tour – View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
Looking down into the gorge from the Inner Sanctum Trail
Adventure Tour – View from the Inner Sanctum Trail Lookout
Rim Walk Trail
Found Interesting
Rim Walk Trail
Rim Walk Trail
Rim Walk Trail
Rim Walk Trail
Rim Walk Trail
Float Tour and Tube launch station at Table Rock
Rafting through the Chasm – view from the Rim Walk Trail
Rafting through the Chasm – View from the Rim Walk Trail
Tubing through the Grand Flume – View from the Rim Walk Trail
Tubing down the Ausable Chasm
View from the northern end of the Rim Walk Trail
Rafting Towards Whirlpool Basin
Rafting through the Chasm
Towards Float Tour and Tubing Landing
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Quick Facts and Tips
5 hour drive from New York city; 2 hour drive from Montreal, Canada.
Best time to Visit: May to October. Summer and Fall are busy seasons.
Accommodation: There are a number of hotels near Ausable Chasm; Plattsburgh is a good choice for a stay as it is just 13 miles away. Campsites and cabins are available inside the Ausable Chasm with plenty of activities like swimming, playgrounds, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball, and disc golf.
Weak or no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
The land of Ausable Chasm is privately owned by the local power company. There will be an entry fee for access to the trails and other attraction tours.
Ausable Chasm is open year round from 9am to 4pm (5pm in summer) weather permitting.
There will be a lot of climbing and walking downhill, so wear sturdy shoes. Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Carry a change of clothes, water shoes/sandals with a heel strap if you are planning for tubing/rafting down the Ausable river. Remember to carry a waterproof bag to avoid your belongings getting wet on the raft floor as there are no lockers near the Table Rock raft tour area.
Admission tickets to basic trails and adventurous tours/hikes can be purchased at the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center has a nice museum about the geological and tourist history of Ausable Chasm, cafe, gift shop, and restrooms.
Many of the sections of the trails have no safety rails, but the trails are wide enough.
The pathway, staircases and bridges may be slippery and some sections with no study railings. Take precaution.
There are picnic tables and a couple of port-a-potties along the trail. For safety, no strollers and no pets.
Start early to have more elbow room on trails.
There are shuttle buses which can be used to return to the welcome center instead of walking.
There are several tour packages that offer hiking, rafting, and tubing through the gorge, via ferrata, rock climbing and rappelling. Choose a tour that best suits you.
Best Things to Do
Enjoy the Scenic Hiking Trails: Inner Sanctum Trail, Rainbow Falls/Elephant’s Head Vista, Rim Walk Trail, Dry Chasm Trail and the guided Ausable Chasm Riverwalk.
Stop at the parking lot near the Gatehouse/Ausable Chasm bridge. Take a short walk on the Ausable Chasm bridge and peer down to view the beautiful Rainbow Falls.
Get a thrilling experience by any of the tours: Ausable River Tubing,, Ausable Chasm Rafting, guided Adventure Trail, guided Rappelling and Rock Climbing, and guided Lantern Tour.
High Falls Gorge has gorgeous waterfalls under the shadow of whiteface mountain in the Adirondacks region in Upstate NY. The High Falls Gorge is a privately owned nature park. A well maintained mile trail with modern bridges and a glass platform pathway features beautiful waterfalls, the impressive Ausable river, dark pools, and NY’s largest pot holes. During spring, waterfalls are at their highest volume due to runoff from melted snow. Because of the series of four beautiful waterfalls, it’s known as the “Ancient valley of foaming river” by native Americans. It is located on NY-86, Wilmington, just about 8 miles from Lake Placid and 12 miles from Whiteface Mountain Summit. If you are around Lake Placid, you can try to visit High Falls Gorge.
These photos are from our visit to Upstate New York on the labor day weekend of September, 2021 and was our first outing since the pandemic.
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Quick Facts and Tips
Weak or no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
Opens daily from May to October from 9am to 4pm.
Parking is free, but there will be an entry fee.
There is a cafe, a gift shop, and restrooms.
An easy one mile loop well maintained walking pathway with bridges and stairs gives excellent views of the waterfalls.
Alaska, the gorgeous land one could ever dream of. When it comes to Alaska, the dynamic glaciers, deep sheltered fjords, snow-capped mountains, acres of rugged mountains, turquoise color lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wildflowers, waterways, temperate rainforests, wildlife, wild coastlines, salmon, gold rush, everything burst into our mind. Alaska is the most beautiful place on the earth. The photos really cannot do justice to to this spectacular land!
Here are some sneak peeks of Awesome Alaska! These photos were taken during our round-trip cruise from Seattle to Alaska in the last week of August 2013!
Make sure you have valid passports and visas (some tours and excursions might cross US-Canada border)
Best time to visit: May to September
Good deals: May and September
Peak Season: June to August
Best way to visit
Cruises: Cruises are a great way to see Alaska. Cruises give you options to choose between the number of ports. It is always better to choose the cruise that offers more time on land and more ports of call. Compared to round-trip Alaska cruises, you get to experience more of Alaska by choosing one-way Alaska cruises. Choose wisely to feel a true Alaska experience.
Alaska By Road: Easy and flexible. But keep in mind that you need to get a boat or plane to reach some major towns in Alaska as there are no roads. Roads are often curvy and wind up and down. Some even have unpaved stretches but offer more photo opportunities of gorgeous mountains and wildlife along the way. You can experience the true Alaska and cover most of it, but need to plan well.
Clothing
It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, sweaters, warm jackets, coats, scarfs, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/snow boots.
Major Airports
Anchorage International Airport, Fairbanks, Ketchikan and Juneau.
It is always recommended to book a vacation to Alaska in advance as there is limited lodging and limited space on the Alaskan Railroad, attraction tours, and other activities. Also check cancellation policies for advance bookings.
Book shore excursions in advance. Excursion through cruises are a little pricey but it is guaranteed that you will not be left out at ports.
Days are long and are warm in summer. Make use of the intense summer days and explore more.
If you take any Alaska Railroad, make sure to sit in a dome car.
Some tips while driving
If you are driving in Alaska, always keep some extra time for stopping for photos, wildlife, sights and for unplanned detours.
Not many gas stations, fill your gas tank whenever get the opportunity.
Pack snacks as it is hard to find vegetarian food, especially out of the cities in Alaska.
It is recommended to carry cash as many shops and restaurants accept only cash.
There is lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards.
Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
Tracy Arm is renowned for its twin glaciers, North Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier lie at the end of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Tracy Arm is a fjord and it spreads over 30 miles alongside the Tongass National Forest, near Juneau. It is almost 45 miles south of Juneau and 70 miles north of Petersburg, Alaska. Sailing through this deep and narrow passage gives you the stunning scenery of Alaska. You will be amazed by the breathtaking views of more than a mile tall mountain peaks carved by active glaciers, floating deep blue icebergs, plunging waterfalls, evergreen cliffs, and wildlife.
These photos are from our 7 nights cruise to Alaska during the last week of August, 2013.
Sawyer Glacier
Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Sawyer Glacier
Sawyer Glacier
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Icebergs Float Away Sawyer Glacier
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Sawyer Glacier
South Sawyer Glacier
Blue Icebergs Float Away Sawyer Glacier
Icebergs Float Away Sawyer Glacier
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
Scenic cruising in Scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord
It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable pants, T-shirts, warm jackets over t-shirts, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/Snow boots.
What to Expect
Active Glaciers, Snow-capped Mountains, Fjords, Floating Deep Blue Icebergs, Plunging Waterfalls, Gorges, Evergreen Cliffs, Glimpse of Wildlife.
Take a boat tour from Juneau, in case the cruise ship does not sail through the glaciers.
You need a one full day to visit the Tracy Arm Fjord.
Other Attractions
Visit and enjoy the massive view of Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall lake and Nuggets Falls.
Glacier Bay National Park: Offers stunning scenery with enormous glaciers, pleasant rainforests, hidden fjords, and a rugged coastline.
Driving through the historic Klondike Highway is an extraordinary memorable experience. The 445 mile/715 km highway passes through three different states (provinces): Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. The South Klondike Highway connects Skagway (Alaska) to Whitehorse (Yukon), and passes through the White Pass mountain summit area and the Southern Lakes region of the Yukon. The North Klondike Highway connects Whitehorse to Dawson City, Yukon. The Klondike Highway runs pretty much parallel to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway and offers stunning panorama views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, the dead horse gulch, waterfalls, tunnels, and historic sites.
There are many vista points worth stopping at along the South Klondike highway. The stunning White Pass is one among them. White Pass is a mountain ridge through the Coast Mountains range on the border of Alaska and the province of British Columbia, Canada. It leads from Skagway to the chain of lakes at the headwaters of the Yukon River. The White Pass trail was the main pass used by prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. Though it was easier than the Chilkoot Trail, the lengthy journey and harsh climate took the lives of many prospectors and their horses. Therefore, the White Pass trail was nicknamed the Dead Horse Trail.
These photos are from our motor coach tour to White Pass Summit and Yukon during the last week of August, 2013.
White Pass Summit, Klondike Highway
Skagway River
Dead Horse Gulch, Klondike Highway
White Pass and Yukon scenic train approaching Pitchfork Waterfalls, Klondike Highway
Klondike Highway runs parallel to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
Klondike Highway to White Pass Summit
Captain William Moore Bridge Viewpoint
Klondike Highway
Captain William Moore Bridge
White Pass Summit
View from Klondike Highway
At White Pass Summit, Klondike Highway
Tormented Valley, Klondike Highway,
Glacier of Mt Carmacks, White Pass Summit
At White Pass Summit
Dew collected on the pods of fireweeds on a cloudy and misty morning
At White Pass Summit
Glacier of Mt Carmacks, White Pass Summit
Tormented Valley
View from Klondike Highway
Klondike Highway at White Pass Summit
At White Pass Summit, Klondike Highway
View from the White Pass Summit
Tormented Valley, White Pass Summit
At Historic Gold Rush fields
Gold panning area at historic Gold Rush fields
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Quick Facts and Tips
Make sure you have valid passports and visas since the Klondike Highway crosses the US-Canada border
Best time to visit: June to September
Port of Call or Fly Into: Skagway
Clothing
It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, caps, gloves, rain jackets, comfortable walking shoes
View of Harding Glacier from the cruise at Skagway
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Skagway is a dense city along the popular cruise route, the Inside Passage. The Skagway district has a historical past and looks like a Hollywood movie set with about 100 buildings from the gold rush era. During the Klondike Gold rush, many prospectors from all over the world stampeded and came through Skagway on their way to the Klondike Valley to find gold. The most popular tour, White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad/Motor tour gives you the best picture of the overall history of Skagway during the Gold Rush and also offers magnificent views.
These photos are from our visit to Skagway during the last week of August, 2013.
View of Harding Glacier from the cruise at Skagway
Skagway Cruise Port
View of Harding Glacier from the cruise at Skagway
Skagway Port
View of Harding Glacier from the cruise at Skagway
It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/Snow boots.
