I had imagined that landing in a little plane on a glacier would be bumpy and scary, but it could not have been more smooth as we touched down and the sled-like contraptions on the wheels helped us glide to a stop. Soon, all was calm as our group of 12 passengers got out and looked around at the incredible landscape of mountains, valleys and glaciers sprawled around us.
My trip with Talkeetna Air Taxi was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had while traveling.
As its name suggests, Talkeetna Air Taxi is based out of Talkeetna, the quirky town you’ll definitely want to visit while you’re in Alaska. The company offers daily flights into Denali National Park and around the summits of the big peaks. I had the pleasure of taking the Grand Denali flight to see Mt. McKinley (also referred to as Denali), the highest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet.
This was my first time ever on a smaller plane. I was slightly nervous, but logic put those fears to rest. These guys do this every day, after all. And for some reason, hearing about a pilot’s wife and kids is always reassuring. Oh, he has a family, he’ll be careful so he can go back home to them!
All the readings in the cockpit look good to me. Not that I’d know if they weren’t.
Getting into the air was a thrill. Everything was so green and wide-open. I pictured the bears and caribou and moose frolicking through this endless, person-less land. Maybe they don’t really frolic, but I like that visual image.
Before long, we started to approach the mountains and everything turned to white. Through the fog, we saw the first peaks peeking out.
Some of the ponds were a brilliant bright aqua color. I suppose that’s how water looks when it’s thousands of years old and surrounded by snow.
It was snowy all around, with an endless array of stunning views.
And then it came into view. The peak formerly known as McKinley. It was too cloudy to see Denali all three days I camped in Denali National Park, so the view from the plane was my first and only glimpse of the great mountain.
The pilot circled a few times to make sure passengers on both sides of the plane got clear views of McKinley. The view coming from this side is a bit different than the typical view Denali visitors see from inside the park.
Then it was off to the home of the Ruth Glacier: the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, a valley with a snowy landing strip perfect for stopping to let tourists take in the beautiful surroundings. Victory is mine!
The sled wheels were fascinating. I wonder well how this thing would stop without them…
Standing on the glacier, I could hear rockslides on a nearby mountain, but otherwise it was mostly calm and still. It was such a magical feeling to be surrounded by this much snow and ancient ice, especially when my friends back home in Chicago were dealing with 100+ degree temperatures.
There’s a cabin on one of the hills (the Don Sheldon House) that you can rent by the night. How amazing would it be to get flown in by plane, hike up and spend the night in the middle of this setting, in complete isolation?
Basics of flightseeing in Alaska
Flightseeing is one of the coolest activities you can do in Alaska. Given that the overwhelming majority of the state is inaccessible by road, you have to get up in the air to truly take in the beauty of this place.
Flightseeing trips can cost a few dollars, but there are a number of different options available for various budgets. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for a glacier landing and trip around the summit of McKinley to shorter trips in the Anchorage area in the $100 range. And many companies offer online specials, so keep your eyes open.
A number of different flightseeing companies do business in Anchorage, Talkeetna and elsewhere. Based on my research, Talkeetna Air Taxi seemed to be the most reputable and most popular. They’ve been around since 1947, so they know what they’re doing, which is critical. If you’re landing on glaciers, you want someone you can trust, who’s been there, done that.
If Alaska is in your budget, you really should splurge for a flightseeing trip. It’s an incredible life experience.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Talkeetna Air Taxi. You can find them online at www.talkeetnaair.com and on their Facebook page.
Scott, this was such a fun post to read!!! I absolutely have this on my list of must-do in this lifetime! The pics are awesome. I love what you said about the pilot mentioning his wife and children. I ALWAYS think about that very thing. I wish my Dad were still around to be able to read this as he was a private pilot and would have loved it. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Mike. I hope you get the opportunity to do it someday 🙂
Not sure when you went but, Don Sheldon, the pilot who built the “Don Sheldon mountain house” back in the day’s before TAT. His daughter has a flying service too now, she used to fly on to Denali as a kid with her dad, and hang out with climbers travelers in Talkeenta as well as on the mountain. Anyways check out Sheldon Air Service too if you want to fly with local history.
Wow for the experience 🙂 Gorgeous photos 🙂 🙂 LOVE any landscape that looks like this, and love the color of the long-ago frozen water. Any idea how much it would cost to stay in that cabin and hope you survive the night?
Good question about the cabin – I’d have to look up the price. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about bears out there, I assume. It’s so high up and there’s nothing around except rock and snow.
Wowie! Those aqua pools look amazing! I’m so jealous of your Alaska trip!
I can’t wait for the Ordinary Traveler Alaska adventure 🙂
I recently had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a plane (747) as a guest of the pilot during take off and landing, and it was surreal to see everything from their point of view!! Unfortunately, we didn’t land on a glacier 🙁
Wow, how lucky you are! That sounds like an incredible experience. There was one passenger seat available in the cockpit of our small plane, but it was already taken. Maybe next time!
Wow this is fascinating. I love little plane rides – you can see so much more and get so close.
This was my first one and it will be hard to beat.
This looks so fantastic. Your photos are incredible. Those aqua ponds look very inviting, although I guess they wouldn’t be!
Good point… they’re probably better to admire from a distance.
Scott, what an amazing experience and photographs! It reminded me of the mountain flight over the Himalaya that my husband and I took while in Nepal. I didn’t realize that they offer similar flight in Alaska. That’s another thing to look forward to for a visit in Alaska! Thanks for the info and great post. Did I say your photos are amazing?
Flying over the Himalayas would be amazing. I imagine you’d have to go really high to get over those peaks! Glad you enjoyed the pics 🙂
How cool is that plane, with skis on? What a trip!
They also have planes that can land on water. I would have liked to try that too.
I’d never heard of flightseeing before, but it looks like a cool experience. What incredible views of Alaska.
He’s got a wife and kids….Isn’t interesting the little things we latch on to to reassure ourselves when we’re feeling nervous? Glad your flight turned out lovely. What an experience it must have been!
It’s an industry that definitely thrives in Alaska.
And yes, forgot to mention… Those sled wheels are cool!! Never seen anything like that before!!
Just Awesome!! Those views that you got from up above, the endless greens, the aqua blues and the snowy peaks towering above the skies… The stuff dreams are made of…
Glad that you are having such a wonderful time, I am enjoying my virtual journey too. Keep them coming.
Wish you a nice day Scott:)
And what a glimpse of McKinley you had! I’d love to do an adventure like this. I especially like your picture of McKinley peaking out of the fog.
Thanks, it was hard to keep up with all the amazing views.
This looks so awesome! Although after 9 years of working in aviation insurance, I’m not sure I could convince myself to take a flight like this. But those views might make it worthwhile!
I bet working in aviation insurance would greatly affect your view of all types of flying. I think I’m probably better off not knowing what you know 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous views!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the sights.
What an amazing experience. Those shots of the ponds is a real stunner.
The magnificence of the world is all around us, but it is impossible not to see it in these pictures and even more so when you are experiencing things like this first hand.
The ponds were one of the coolest sights of the flight.
Kali’s gotten it into his head that he wants to learn how to fly a small propeller plane much like this one. So I’m never showing him this post!!
Haha, it seems like everyone in Alaska has their pilot’s license. So stay away if you don’t want to get the bug.
Flying over glaciers was absolutely one of our best memories of our trip to Alaska. I was a little nervous too but you get over it quickly. It’s amazing how noisy it is if you take off your headphones! We had seen the glaciers from the sea on our cruise ship but seeing them from the air was a completely different experience and different perspective. I recommend it to everyone!
Yes, I took some video clips and all I hear when I play them back is the loud noise. But the sights were worth it!