Denali

Denali is a huge National Park and is part designated a Wilderness (with a capital W) area by the US State. This means it officially has no development, no hunting and no amenities including official man made trails but you can roam anywhere. The only road, obviously man made, runs for approximately 92 miles from the Parkes Highway into the heart of the park. Because of this the road and a small area either side is, in effect, a bubble so a few things can happen. The public access by your own vehicle is limited to the first 15 miles which is a good road, where there are several camp grounds

Dinner in Denali

and a large visitor centre with plenty of trails marked out. After that public access is by prebooked vehicles only to a campsite much further down. You have to stay 3 nights or more and once there you cannot drive your vehicle. The only other option then is the shuttle buses that run along the road. After the first 15 miles the road becomes gravel and often clings to hillsides with hairpin bends but the trip is well worth it. Sightings (if the cloud allows) of Mount McKinley seemed to happen around every corner. We were told that most days it has cloud cover but we seemed to be lucky.

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Mount McKinley 

 We took a bus to the Eielson Centre, at mile 62 and this took 5 hours. The scenery is spectacular with huge mountains, valleys and rivers. The colours are fantastic especially in the sun and although just into August the Autumn (Fall as the Americans keep saying) are just starting to come through and in another month snow could easily be on the road.

Peak of McKinley through the clouds, at over 20,000 feet up

Storm clouds over Mount McKinley

Colours in Denali

Valley Shapes, Denali National Park

PolyChrome Pass

We hiked up a mountain overlooking Mount McKinley, initially with a guide explaining the geographic forces that formed the area and are still doing so as earthquakes happen all the time. She also explained the flora and fauna that is in the park.




































Some of the flowers clinging to the steep mountains, although tiny, are really beautiful like this Gentian in White and Green.

 Grizzly Mom and 2 cubs

This Red Squirrel sat on our table at Denali

One of the main things for us was seeing the wildlife and especially Bears and Moose. Warnings are posted all over and you keep being told about Bear danger and distances. They state that you should keep 75 yards from Moose, Wolves, Caribou etc and 300 Yards from all Bears. With Bears you also don’t run away, you stand your ground and talk to them. As you can walk anywhere, Bear encounters happen quite often and we saw some 15 or so different Grizzly Bears in the park many with cubs. Also around were Moose and Caribou along with smaller animals like Artic Ground Squirrels and in our camp a friendly little Red Squirrel that sat on the table with us.

Young Grizzly looking for Mum

Bull Moose

Young Grizzly needing a sit down

"I can see you creeping up on me" Caribou

Big Grizzly Bear

We both loved Denali and were sorry to leave but we must as the trip continues onwards, North to Fairbanks and as far north as we were to get on this trip. More of this to follow in the next instalment.