Alaskan Adventure; Fairbanks, by Alaskan Railroad; Gold Star Dome to Denali and North Face Lodge

I booked the next leg of the journey; the train trip with Alaska Tour and Travel. I knew I booked the train but had not realised it was ' Gold Star Dome Class'. 

The train left Fairbanks at 08.15 am. The Alaskan Rail train was very comfortable, with large seats and its domed glass roof that enables you to see the wilderness all around you. The Gold Star service also gave you (or you paid for...) meals; on this leg we got cooked breakfast. Two adult 'beverages'; we are not morning boozers, so didn't partake! Gratuity's and a Gold Star Pin. There was a dining car and a bar, and the journey was narrated by a member of staff. 

Alaskan Railroad 

Alaskan Railroad Gold Star Dome Class

Alaska Rail

Alaskan Railroad Gold Star Dome Class

We were travelling from Fairbanks to Denali where we had booked a stay at North Face lodge. 

North Face Lodge is located within the Denali National Park, it offers stays of 3, 4 or 7 days. It is very expensive to stay, even by Alaskan standards. The lodge operates a fixed schedule of arrivals and departures.  We were staying 3 nights and had a Friday pick up. We had been advised to meet at 12.30 in the Denali train depot car park. So this is what we did!

North Face Lodge Bus

The North Face Lodge Bus was waiting for us as the train arrived at the Denali train depot.

We were to depart from the Denali National Park train depot at 13:00 pm – but one of the guests had lost their luggage so we were over an hour late leaving; this was a bit of a problem as we had a 90 mile ride into the camp.

We did stop for a picnic on the way in, described as 'gourmet picnic dinner', this was the main meal of the day and other members of the party commented on how good the food was- it was nice- but it
was a cold Picnic and not a meal! I thought was a bit mean. I would have preferred dinner upon arrival. It was a 90 mile bus ride through the park to the Lodge. But the drive did not seem long as we saw wildlife and the park is amazing.

North Face Lodge Picnic

North Face Lodge Room

North Face Lodge 

North Face Lodge 

North Face Lodge has 15 guest rooms, all with private bath

( this is a feature!) the accommodation is connected by a 

covered walkway ( porch) to the Lodge common areas. 

The accommodation was in an old homestead, the rooms 

were very small- almost like being in a caravan, but it was 

clean, warm and comfortable. If you want a Queen bed you have to 

reserve it...we had twins. 

The lodge offered guided activities, such as tundra walks, 

had bikes to ride, fishing, canoes. On the guided walks; there

are three levels ( strenuous, moderate, foray)  you 

were accompanied by a naturalist who explained the plants 

and animals that were around.

As you could be out all day at breakfast time- 07.30 am-  a 

table was set out for you to make your lunch; or create-it-

yourself sandwich and snack. It was the same stuff as the 

picnic.

One very important point is that North Face lodge does not 

serve alcohol. You can bring it with you and this is what we 

had done. BUT.... at dinner some of the other guests were 

quite open with their disapproving frowns as we enjoyed our 

USA wine !!! It was very strange. 

Overall, We enjoyed our stay in the park, and were lucky 

with  the weather as it did not rain and we saw Mount 

McKinley each day, as well as Bears with cubs. 

I did find the Lodge a bit like being on a Scouting / school or 

church outing at times- especially at meal times when at 

each meal you had to move seats-  

but all in all it was a good place to experience the wilderness.

When it was time to leave, on the Monday, the bus again 

took us back to the train depot for the longer train journey 

From Denali to Anchorage.