JP-Cruise

Has anyone done a hike similar to this while in Skagway?

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

has any one done this tour? I’m booked on it for next summer. I’m rather excited for the scenic 3 and a half hour road trip to kennicott but just wondering, is it a shuttle or motor coach and is it equipped with a washroom?

I love animals. Animals are the entire reason I am going to Alaska. I looked into the wildlife center but decided to pass because of the time it would take to get there and back.

I hear ya. On the itinerary on the princess website says It’s a 45 minute ferry ride from Skagway to Haines, then another 45 minute bus ride to the wildlife centre. Spending 2 hours at the wildlife centre. Then the same amount of transport times back. So most of the day is spent in transportation. I might just save this for my next Alaska Adventure I dunno

This seems to be the exact same question you asked in a several previous posts. Did you forget or aren’t happy with the responses?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just looking for other people’s insights

I’m having such difficulty trying to decide when in Skagway. I’m coming from a princess cruise

I love animals, but I also love mountains and spectacular vistas!

Between the Kroschel wildlife centre and a hike in the white pass, through international falls, up feather peak or mount Cleveland. Here is the link to this hike

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

In this hike I have the chance of seeing animals (in their natural habitat) such as goden eagles, bald eagles, bears and dall sheep. But of course it’s not guaranteed. In the Kroschel tour, it’s guaranteed to see wildlife, and you get to interact with them, pet some of them and get photo opportunities with them.

Given these points, I’m trying to decide which one would leave more of an impact on me.. any thoughts in helping me decide between these two tours would be wonderful :)

There is a moose in an enclosure, and some people get to feed it carrots and have a photo op with it. It is not a relaxed, do what you want with the moose experience. I remember a porcupine, again a supervised, photo op experience. There could be some other opportunity to touch an animal, I don't know. If you go expecting to be able to stroll around on your own, you will be disappointed. We were on a tour booked through Princess. Does your tour description indicate a lot of petting opportunity? Also, know that from Skagway you take the ferry to Haines, then a long bus ride up through the eagle territory (where we saw maybe one eagle) to Kroschel Wildlife Center. After leaving the center, the same transport in reverse, but we got a snack this time. So although the tour is lengthy, a large portion of the tour is transportation. I did like the ferry, and enjoyed spotting whales along the way. But since you like active tours, being in a ferry and a bus could be boring for you.

 

Take a look at the Kroschel website, http://www.kroschelfilms.com/ Except for the pics with the moose and the porcupine, the other photos are the animals with their trainers, and especially with Steve Kroschel.

 

I am no expert on what you have found on YouTube videos, and can't tell you if they represent the experience you will have on a cruiseship tour. I am sorry I can't be of more help to you.

 

All I can say is that this was a tour that my daughter and I enjoyed, and that we had no expectation that we would be holding, feeding or hanging out with these wild animals. the tour met our expectations, and now a few year later it remains a happy memory of that particular cruise.

Hi,

You have been extremely helpful with describing your experience and tour description. I am going with Princess as well I’ll be on the Golden Princess. I booked this tour online last November. I am aware of the travel time to get to the wildlife centre but that’s great to know there is a chance to spot whales during the ferry ride? Did you spot many whales? Do you remember?

Well I will definitely not be bored with the travelling part because I never get tired of Alaska’s breathtaking scenery. Last summer when I was on the Norwegian Alaska cruise I spent so much time outside just because I couldn’t get enough of the scenery! :)

Also last summer I met this woman in her 80’s who said this is her 6th time in Alaska. I completely understand why. Especially when it’s so hard to decide between tours!

I’m leaning toward the wildlife centre though because it’s guaranteed you’ll see animals and it’s not everyday that you get to see rare animals like a reindeer, a lynx or a wolverine (which are becoming extinct :(

They are wild animals. You do not hold, pet or feed them. It is a guided tour of the wildlife center, with the handlers interacting with the animals.

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That’s interesting, because I’ve watched dozens of video clips on YouTube of people petting a reindeer and Steve even telling people to give them a kiss, also of a young girl petting a porcupine. Perhaps you were on a different kind of tour?

You have your work cut out for you in your decision making. Good luck!

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That I do. With the Kroschel wildlife centre though, would you say it was more of a show they put on for people than interacting with the animals? Did they give you enough time to do you what you want? Like pet and feed them?

If that matters to you, it could be a deciding factor. Another important that is the tours are Polar Opposites in activity level. The wild life tour will have you taking the ferry to Haines and then the bus up into the wilderness. The hiking tour will require that you be in excellent physical condition and have experience with hiking in mountainous, icy areas. Which one makes you most comfortable?

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Absolutely, I am definitely in good physical condition, I did 3 glacier hikes last year in Alaska, one going through the caves of Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, one on a mountain in Alyeska, Girdwood. I loved that mountain one so much, just the scenery of the mountains was just spectacular, that’s why I found this hike, he link above and thought to my self I really have to experience something like this again. But one thing that’s stopping me

Is I’m going the extended helicopter glacier trek the next day in Juneau where I’ll be ice climbing during this excursion. It’s a 3 hour tour only. I’m sure I’ll have enough energy to do it, but there’s always that what if.. I’ll probably still have lots of energy because I’m on vacation and living in the moment lol

No, we did not get to hold the animals. The animals are wild animals, and trained only to respond to their handlers. On the other hand, I have not seen that tour offered in every cruise. Perhaps you should take it when it is offered, and take the other tour next time you go to Alaska.

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

This is true. I emailed Steve and asked if I can get a pic holding one the birds and he said yes. But you just never know depending on the day right? What if I don’t get the opportunity even though he said yes. I feel like if I go there hoping this will happen and it doesn’t, I’ll be disappointed.

This decision is an example of why you must take multiple cruises to Alaska. Both are wonderful tours. Good luck with your decision!

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Oh I totally agree! This is my second trip to Alaska. I went last summer and instantly fell in love. When you went to Kroschel did they allow anyone to hold any of the animals?

I would just like to get some advice from people. I will be in Skagway this summer from 7am - 8:30pm

What do you think will be a much better value and will get more out of?

The Kroschel wildlife centre, or this white pass hike?

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

I feel like this is such a tough decision because I love wildlife and at also have a passion for hiking and love the experience of hiking in the wilds of Alaska!

I was wondering, for those who have done this and did the ice climbing, was it hard to do? Like on the legs?

Princess Connossieur SB8 cruisetour July 27 - August 11

So excited I can hardly stand it!!

It will be my second Alaskan cruise

Has anyone hiked this area, passed international falls, or up either these two mountains during the summer time? If so please share your experience

for those who have been here, I know this is an interactive wildlife centre where they let you pet the animals and stuff. But do you think, or have any of you witnessed them allowing people to get their picture taken while holding some of the animals? Like one of the birds or a fox?

Do you have all the necessary gear (and can you pack it), for the hiking excursion? That would be a big logistical concern for me. Lots of layers of clothes, hiking boots and not just tennis shoes, etc.

I sure do have all the necessary gear, they provide all the more technical gear (ice pick, rope etc)

It’s just a tough decision because I love wildlife too. And I’m already doing two other hikes, the next day I’m doing the extended glacier trek in Juneau where I will ice climb up a 30 - 50 foot wall. I doubt I’ll be tired because I’m young and a tough guy lol

Hello,

 

I’ll bring the Skagway port from 7am - 8:30pm next summer.

 

I’m having a real hard time deciding and would appreciate people’s opinion.

 

Either go to the Kroschel wildlife refuge, because I love wildlife, or do this hike along the white pass along international falls up to feather peak mountain and bask in the 360 degree views.

 

This is the tour

 

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

 

The reason why I think this is a tough decision is because the next day I’ll be in Juneau and signed up for the extended helicopter glacier trek where here I get to ice climbing up the 40 - 50 foot wall. And afraid I may not have strength to accomplish this. But most likely will be able to because I’m young and have a lot of energy in me. Last year I did two long Alaska hikes 2 days in a row no problem.

 

What should I decide?

Oops, at the beginning of the message I meant to say “I’ll be at the Skagway port...”

Hello,

I’ll bring the Skagway port from 7am - 8:30pm next summer.

I’m having a real hard time deciding and would appreciate people’s opinion.

Either go to the Kroschel wildlife refuge, because I love wildlife, or do this hike along the white pass along international falls up to feather peak mountain and bask in the 360 degree views.

This is the tour

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

The reason why I think this is a tough decision is because the next day I’ll be in Juneau and signed up for the extended helicopter glacier trek where here I get to ice climbing up the 40 - 50 foot wall. And afraid I may not have strength to accomplish this. But most likely will be able to because I’m young and have a lot of energy in me. Last year I did two long Alaska hikes 2 days in a row no problem.

What should I decide?

We are very interested in this tour for early June. Did you book it far in advance or are openings available closer to the time? I’d like to know if the caves are likely to be available and the weather prediction before being out in a canoe for two hours. It’s a pricey tour so I thought it might not be booked up as much.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I did book far in advance, last year I booked in October and my Alaska cruise was the beginning July. This tour does sell out fast. When I got off the ship and met my guide, a guy actually approached the guide and asked “do you have any room for me and my wife to join your tour” and he said “no sorry we are fully booked”. I actually felt really bad for that guy :(.

If I were you I would call or email them and ask them how many spots are available.

Regarding being able to go into the caves, it’s very rare that they won’t allow you to access caves, according to all the reviews from trip advisor. Most of the time, people get to go into the caves. This experience I tell you is. Or to be missed!

Here is the link to there website, give them al call :)

https://liquidalaskatours.com/

I will be in Skagway from 7am to 8:30pm next summer on a princess cruise. I would love to do Kroschel wildlife refuge, or doing this hiking tour in white pass up to feather peak

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

I’m so torn between be two. I love seeing wildlife, but on the other hand, this hike seems like it’s a once in a lifetime type hike opportunity!

I’ll be in Skagway from 7am - 8:30pm. The hike is from 8am 5pm

Sorry, 8am - 5pm

Yes I am in Skagway for that long

I’ll be in Skagway from 7am - 8:30pm. The hike is from 8am 5pm

I haven't done either, but when I checked out the hike option the details say it takes 8-9 hours. Are you in Skagway port that long? When we were there, I'm pretty sure we didn't have that much time, considering transportation to and from. Just something to consider.

Yes I am in Skagway for that long

Which tour company?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Island wings air service