86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5) is a scenic viewpoint in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska. It sits roughly 188 km (117 mi) NW of College.
Sunrise & sunset directions
At this latitude the sun does not rise or set on some days of the year, so check the monthly table below for daylight and twilight.
| Date | Sunrise | Azimuth | Sunset | Azimuth | Noon sun | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox (Mar 20) | 8:02 AM | 88° E | 8:17 PM | 272° W | 24° | 12h 16m |
| June solstice (Jun 21) | — | — | — | — | 47° | — |
| September equinox (Sep 22) | 7:44 AM | 88° E | 8:05 PM | 273° W | 24° | 12h 20m |
| December solstice (Dec 21) | 11:43 AM | 163° SSE | 2:17 PM | 198° SSW | 0° | 2h 34m |
Azimuth is measured clockwise from true north (90° = east, 270° = west). Computed for 2026; values change by less than a degree from year to year.
Golden hour & blue hour by month
Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.
| Month (15th) | Blue hour starts | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Blue hour ends | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9:38 AM | 10:58 AM | — | — | 3:25 PM | 4:45 PM | 4h 27m |
| February | 8:12 AM | 9:08 AM | 10:38 AM | 3:54 PM | 5:24 PM | 6:20 PM | 8h 16m |
| March | 7:30 AM | 8:21 AM | 9:30 AM | 6:51 PM | 8:01 PM | 8:52 PM | 11h 40m |
| April | 5:17 AM | 6:20 AM | 7:31 AM | 8:32 PM | 9:44 PM | 10:46 PM | 15h 24m |
| May | — | 4:20 AM | 5:57 AM | 9:59 PM | 11:37 PM | — | 19h 17m |
| June | — | — | 5:06 AM | 10:59 PM | — | — | — |
| July | — | 3:33 AM | 5:36 AM | 10:39 PM | 12:42 AM | — | 21h 09m |
| August | 4:22 AM | 5:39 AM | 6:57 AM | 9:16 PM | 10:34 PM | 11:51 PM | 16h 56m |
| September | 6:29 AM | 7:22 AM | 8:30 AM | 7:24 PM | 8:32 PM | 9:25 PM | 13h 10m |
| October | 8:06 AM | 8:59 AM | 10:17 AM | 5:18 PM | 6:36 PM | 7:29 PM | 9h 37m |
| November | 8:43 AM | 9:52 AM | — | — | 3:41 PM | 4:50 PM | 5h 50m |
| December | 9:53 AM | 11:35 AM | — | — | 2:19 PM | 4:01 PM | 2h 44m |
Local time (America/Anchorage), including daylight saving time. Golden hour runs from about −4° to +6° solar altitude, so the morning golden hour begins during blue hour, before sunrise.
Milky Way & night sky
The Milky Way's bright core (in Sagittarius) barely clears the southern horizon at this latitude, so focus on winter Milky Way, aurora or star trails instead.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Below 10° in darkness | — | -14° | — |
| February | Below 10° in darkness | — | -11° | — |
| March | Below 10° in darkness | — | -12° | — |
| April | Below 10° in darkness | — | -11° | — |
| May | No darkness | — | — | — |
| June | No darkness | — | — | — |
| July | No darkness | — | — | — |
| August | No darkness | — | — | — |
| September | Below 10° in darkness | — | -15° | — |
| October | Below 10° in darkness | — | -13° | — |
| November | Below 10° in darkness | — | -15° | — |
| December | Below 10° in darkness | — | -22° | — |
Window when the galactic core is at least 10° high during astronomical darkness on the 15th of each month. Pick nights within a few days of the new moon. Plan exact nights with the Milky Way planner.
Estimated sky darkness: 1 Bortle 1 — Excellent dark-sky site. The Milky Way casts faint shadows; zodiacal light and airglow are obvious. Modeled zenith brightness ≈ 21.95 mag/arcsec². Aurora needs roughly Kp 0.0+ to show low on the northern horizon here.
Weather & best season
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show March as the clearest month (about 47% average cloud cover) and October as the cloudiest (77%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 34 | 34 | 33 | 49 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 76 | 63 | 52 | 32 | 32 |
| Low °F | -49 | -44 | -40 | -24 | -2 | 24 | 32 | 24 | 8 | -18 | -34 | -44 |
| Precip. (in) | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
Monthly climatology for the surrounding 1° grid cell from NASA POWER (MERRA-2). Mountain sites can be colder and cloudier than the cell average.
Photography tips for this scenic viewpoint
- Check the sun azimuth for your date: front-light, side-light and back-light give three different pictures from the same rail.
- Haze builds in summer afternoons; mornings after a cold front are often the clearest.
- Stay behind barriers — many overlook edges are undercut or crumbly.
- A panorama of 3–5 vertical frames gives more resolution and a wider view without a fisheye look.
- Blue hour after sunset is excellent for towns or roads below the viewpoint as lights come on.
- Scout in daylight if you plan to shoot at night or before sunrise.
Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.
Suggested gear: Tripod, Telephoto lens, Graduated ND filter, Headlamp. Work out exposures with the depth of field, ND filter and NPF rule calculators.
Nearby photo spots
Other locations within 25 km of 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5), closest first.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5)?
What time is golden hour at 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5)?
Where does the sun rise and set at 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5)?
Can you see the Milky Way from 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5)?
Do you need a permit to photograph at 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5)?
How far is 86-Mile Overlook (MP 86.5) from College?
Sources
Location data: OpenStreetMap contributors. Sun, moon and Milky Way times are computed by LWPhoto Atlas for 2026. Climate: NASA POWER. Sky darkness is a population-based estimate (Walker's law), not a measurement. See data sources & licenses.