snail
south west Florida
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Joined: 08/22/2003
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We plan to travel to Alaska this year and are considering spending a few days in the Chitina area. Does anyone have comments about what to see in this area. We tow a 4x4 Ranger and like to go to some of less visited spots.
Thanks for your comments.
DRIVE A 2001 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR WITH 330 HP CUMMINS AND TOW A RANGER 4X4. TRAVEL WITH SPOUSE AND PET TINKER BELL OUR CORGIE.
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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Drive the McCarthy Road!
Here's a bit of roadside scenery from our 2006 trip:
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Clattertruck
Centennial Colorado
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Joined: 06/19/2003
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Chitina (pronounced chitna) is a great side trip. You may want to stay at the Kenny Lake Mercantile and RV park. They were very nice when we were there. With you Ranger you could go to Chitina and then drive the road to McCarthy as suggested. On the river you can watch fish wheels.
These photos are from 2002
Be sure to see ths famous yellow truck
Fish wheels working
* This post was
edited 05/11/08 07:15pm by Clattertruck *
Clattertruck
2008 SD F450 PSD 6.4L CC 4X4 DRW, Lariat Auto trans 4.30 LS, 2008 Snowriver 108 truck camper. Jeep Unlimited Rubicon as toad.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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As already said, drive the McCarthy road (an old railroad bed). See the Kennicott Mine and the town of McCarthy (was the support town for the mine operation (bars, stores, family living, brothels, etc.) The trip, as I recall, was about 60 miles each way on compacted dirt, rock, etc. We took our truck camper up there but I wouldn't recommend taking your Class A. Pretty rough drive for a big rig. Also go down to the river at Chitina and visit some of the people running their fish wheels (assuming the salmon are running). If they are nice, they just might give you some of that terrific copper river red salmon, reportedly the best salmon there is. A very nice family gave us the filets from 2 salmon and they were outstanding.
Harry
With wife Carole 10 yrs fulltiming
Retired U.S. Army
2002 Carriage LS 37' 5er; 2006 Lance 1181
2008 F-450 King Ranch 4x4 fully loaded
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
SKP # 54751
Geocacher "DosTortugas"
Harry's BLOG
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johnna
Southwest, Utah
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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We drove to Chitna on a day trip from Valdez. Small farms along the Edgerton Hwy. Did not look too prosperous, but guess they get by. Not much in Chitna. A gift shop was about it. Someone was fixing up an old building to open up a restaurant. Often wondered how they made out. Looked like wishful thinking to me.
****************************************************** 
2004 Ford 350 Super Duty 2W Dirve Long Bed PU
2008 327RLT Montana Mountaineer 35 ft. 5th wheel
2005 Alaska and other Trip Logs
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Clattertruck
Centennial Colorado
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I corrected my post to say "fish Wheels" as Harry named them. Old people get confused.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Clattertruck wrote:I corrected my post to say "fish Wheels" as Harry named them. Old people get confused. Just thought it was me!! They do dip net also, long handled nets.
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PA12DRVR
Katy, Texas
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Not much to do in Chitina, but it is a great jumping off place for McCarthy/Kennecott.
As others have said, suggest leaving the big rig at Chitina and taking the Ranger further on.
If you're so inclined, there are a couple of flightseeing operations in McCarthy that will pickup and drop you off at Chitina. It is about (depending on the aircraft) a 15-30 minute flight from Chitina to McCarthy....also depends on the wind.
CRL
Temporarily (5  years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
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