Travel Secrets September - October 2015 | Page 12

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska Scan this 2.7 million-acre preserve for ancient lava flows, the largest maar lakes and America’s most isolated wildlands. Wolverine, bears, seals, walrus, Bowhead Whales, muskox, caribou, and signs of ice age­­­; all in one trip! Hike among the huge granite tors by day and soak in the Serpentine Hot Spring at night. Explore the rich heritage of Alaskan Native cultures. During the last Ice Age, Alaska and Asia were connected by this link. PLAN Now: Love challenges? Plan a trip to Bering Land Bridge now! Average January low is 15 below zero on the coast and 50 below zero in the interior. The bitterly cold winters include only four to five hours of daylight, in contrast to summer months with more than 21 hours of daylight. A unique experience! Travel Tip: There are no roads into Bering Land Bridge, so travel opportunities can be limited. Once there is adequate snow cover in the winter, you can get there by snowmobile. Be prepared to experience wild and unpredictable Alaskan backcountry. Getting there: Nome and Kotzebue Airport in Alaska are the closest to the link, almost 13 hours away. To explore this marvel you’ll have to travel on foot, by small aircraft or boats in summer or by snowmobile, dogsled or small planes in winter. 12  Travel Secrets September-October 2015