A few days in the Matsu Valley
worldmusician
A recent trip to Alaska and a stay in the Mat-Su valley
Jul 8, 2008
based on 1 vote
The Mat-Su valley is located immediately north of Anchorage and is centered on the cities of Wasilla and Palmer. It has tremendous variety of different experiences for visitors of all types.
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Alaska, Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Anchorage
- Category: Recent trip
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists, Pet owners
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Matanuska, Susitna, Mat-Su, Palmer, Wasilla, glacier, iditarod, Matsu Valley
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| The glacier is located down a dirt road and is a great spot to launch your own explorations of a 17 mile long glacier coming out of the Chugach Mountains. Explore on your own or engage guides from local companies (Nova or Mica Guides) to show you around this easy access glacier. Be aware that while the glacier is in public land, the road to the glacier is private and there is a charge to drive down it. The hike from the Glenn Highway is fairly prodigious. |
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| This is a real working farm raising domesticated Musk Ox. The farm works with a Native Alaskan co-op to supplement their subsistence living style. The tour is very informative, and is not hokey in the slightest. This was a great stop to see a relic from prehistoric times. |
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| This was a good quick stop to familiarize yourself with an Alaskan tradition. The museum and grounds are free to browse through, and you can pay to take a ride on a cart pulled by sled dogs. Make sure to take a look at the puppies that are there! |
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| The road to Hatcher Pass is a fairly well maintained dirt road winding through sub alpine tundra and taiga forest which runs from Willow to Palmer, west to east. The chances to see wildlife along the way is great and views are outstanding. There is a small reflecting lake just west of the pass that is great for pictures. There are many outstanding hiking opportunities throughout the area as well. |
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5. Independence Mine State Historical Park
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| Half of the buildings in this former gold rush mine town have been restored, while others remain in their collapsed, ghost town form. It provided a great insight into the life of a gold miner during the first half of the 1900s. It sits at the eastern end of the Hatcher Pass road. |
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| While more than a little hokey, this provides you the opportunity to feed reindeer (domesticated caribou) and understand how they develop and grow. The farm also includes several other animals including Bruce the Moose, Eddie the Elk, and a bison. |
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7. Matanuska River rafting
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| The Matanuska River runs right out of the Matanuska Glacier and is a sediment-filled waterway with some decent whitewater on it. While it is not the Colorado River, it provides a fun passage to get a face full of very cold water on a solid Class 3 river. |
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| Talkeetna is the ground base for climbs up to the top of Denali/Mt. McKinley and also serves as the primary airport for flight seeing tours of the Mountain. If the weather is clear, a flight seeing tour should be a must for you, despite the rich pricetag. You will not be disappointed. The town of Talkeetna provides a good understanding of small town Alaska as well. |
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While not in the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage is an easy drive from the Palmer-Wasilla area. It makes the Mat-Su Valley a great spot to stay. Anchorage also provides another great day trip with its variety of activities, sights, and museums. |
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