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Alaska Railroad Passenger Service Denali Star Train Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks Train Passenger Service — Alaska Train Day Tours — Alaska Train Vacations  The Denali Star Train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks with stops at Talkeetna and Denali National Park, home to Denali (Mt. McKinley), North America’s highest peak.Here is what you can expect once you step onboard the Denali Star Train:
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OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Scenic, Alaska Railroad Passenger Service, Whistle Stop Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair Access Comfort: Adventure Class Good Prior Experience: None Aurora Train Route Highlights Anchorage to Talkeetna Anchorage is headquarters to the Alaska Railroad and the journey to Fairbanks begins here. Several miles into the trip, the heavy birch forests of Eagle River and Chugiak lead to the Knik and Matanuska Rivers.  The expansive watershed harbors wildlife like moose, bear, the occasional wolf and abundant waterfowl. About 40 miles from Anchorage comes the Matanuska Valley, Alaska's agricultural center and home to the towns of Palmer and Wasilla.Just south of Talkeetna, 70 miles further, the first view emerges of Denali ("The High One" or "The Great One"), North America's highest peak. The train takes its first stop in Talkeetna, a small town with a mining history and now, a popular takeoff point for climbers to Denali. Talkeetna to Hurricane From Talkeetna, the track follows the serpentine banks of the Susitna River. On clear days, more views of Denali emerge across the river presenting many chances for photos. In the area from Talkeetna to Hurricane the Alaska Railroad runs one of America's last flag stop trains. In this area are a number of remote cabin sites and old homesteads that are only accessible by the Alaska Railroad, hiking in many miles, or by snowmobiles in the winter months. In the 55-mile flag stop stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane, outdoor adventurers can get off the train anywhere and can stop the train to get on by waving a flag (towel, shirt etc.) standing near the track. Heading towards Hurricane you'll pass points along the track known as Chase, Curry, Sherman, Gold Creek, Canyon, and Chulitna. Hurricane to Denali  The train moves into Broad Pass. At 2,363 feet it's the highest point on the railroad, and where caribou migrate through during the fall. Thousands of travelers visit Denali National Park and Preserve to see wildlife like wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, moose and bear, and, of course, Denali.Denali to Fairbanks The coal-mining town of Healy follows after a 10-mile jaunt through Healy Canyon, where the surging waters of the Nenana River cuts through the steep-sided cliffs. As the track levels out, Nenana comes into view. Nenana is home to one of the remaining original Alaska Railroad Depots, now a museum and gift shop. The track cuts through the northern boreal forests of interior Alaska. Birch, aspen and willow fill this landscape where gold miners first came to seek their fortunes. Fifty-eight miles from Nenana, Fairbanks, the "Golden Heart City" signals the end of the line - but just the beginning for more adventure, culture and history in the Last Frontier.
ITINERARY **
Weekends only Saturdays northbound Anchorage to Fairbanks. Sunday southbound Fairbanks to Anchorage.
MAPS
Alaska Railroad Route Map, Points Of Interest RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY Rail Passenger Service Trains Denali Star -Anchorage to Denali & Fairbanks Costal Classic - Anchorage to Seward Hurricane Turn - Anchorage to Huricane Aurora Winter Train - Anchorage to Fairbanks Rail Day Tours Rail Vacations Alaska Railroad History Alaska Railroad Wiki Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel No. 1 SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A Novel  by James A. MichenerAlaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. TrelawnyComing into the Country by John McPhee Travels in Alaska by John Muir  Did You Know? Did you know that Denali or Mt. McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,237 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.
Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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