September 3, 2011- Denali National Park, Alaska
Another glorious Day in Denali! The suns out and the puffy cumulus clouds add to the photo ops! Our Trek thru the Parks began two years ago when Charlie and I visited Denali National Park. It became NP#1. However, since Terry did not accompany us on this trip...I found it necessary to return to this majestic mountain with her so we would both have an equal number of Parks checked off our NP Bucket List. Just as it appeared back in September '09, The High One and the crisp Fall colors were both out in all their glory!
Savage River Revisited
Fifteen miles from the entrance to the Park the paved road ends. Here you will find the Savage River and a very easy 2-mile loop trail that gives you a feel for what Denali has to offer. Today I relive many of the fond experiences and sights I had with Charlie two years ago.
Savage River Foot Bridge
Up the hillside we hiked to get a different view of the Savage River Trail. The beauty and tranquility of Denali is difficult to describe. The vastness of it all makes one feel small yet connected to the planet in a way that once can only experience when one walks amongst the willows, along the rivers and amidst the wildlife.
Sept 4th - Inside the Park
We board the Kantishna Roadhouse Bus at 1:30pm for a 7 hour drive to our Destination - the Kantishna Roadhouse located at mile marker 91 on the only road that ventures into this Park.
As we wind our way along the dirt road, Gary our Bus Driver asks us to keep our eyes open for the "Big Four"...Grizzly Bear, Moose, Dall Sheep and Caribou. We bag all four but the two best sightings are the Dall sheep that seemed to want to board the bus and a Mother Grizzly and her two cubs.
The Original Roadhouse
Our visit to Denali included a three night stay at the Kantishna Roadhouse. The accommodations - quaint and cozy. The chow - ok. The people we met - enchanting! We dine with Marilyn and Richard, a couple of psychoanalysts from NYC. They happen to live but a few blocks from our good friend Carol Spomer. Small world after all.
The Modern Version
Pictured is the Main Lodge which houses Guest Registration, two Dining Rooms, gift shop and upstairs Meeting Room.
Cozy Cabins and rocking Chairs
September 5th
This morning at Breakfast, Bobby from the Kantishna Air Taxi Fleet is pitching his wares. "The mountain is out and today is perfect to experience Denali up close", chants Bobby. "I've got a couple more seats still available."
We bite! The one hour flight will take us completely around the 20,000 foot Beauty!
Ready to Board!
The wind's howling as we prepare to board this dinky little aircraft. The three Kantishna Air Taxi Pilots are trying to decide whether to take off into the wind or downwind. One of them jumps in his plane and makes a practice takeoff downwind. Upon his return, they decide to to launch into the wind. Hmmm?
Connie, our Pilot assigns his five passengers their seats. Terry will sit in the back with a guy who experiences air sickness. I'm assigned to the middle seats with the Sick Guy's wife. The POS (Passenger of Size) will sit up front with Connie. The big fellow weighs in at two-ten. Connie assesses his load. He huddles back up with the other two pilots. Upon his return, he pulls the POS off our plane and assigns him to another. Now Terry has the back seat all to herself and I am sitting shotgun. Away we go!
The High One!
The mountain is indeed "out"! Just a few sparse clouds lingering close to the summit. We climb to 13,500 feet and weave in and out of the 15-20,000' peaks gaining an incredible view of this handsome mountain. We approach the mountain from the north so our route takes us around the east side of the mountain. The morning sun is positioned off to our left making it perfect for sightseeing and picture taking!
Incredible Views!
It is said that Denali is rarely visible to visitors due to the fact that it is usually wrapped by cloud cover. Visitor Guides suggest you will have a one in six chance of actually seeing the mountain. When Charlie and I visited Denali, the mountain was "out" all four days during our stay. This trip, we went 3 for four. Today was definitely the best!
Dall Sheep Grazing
Two years ago, my Dall Sheep sightings were so far in the distance that they appeared only as white dots on the distant rocky slopes. This trip...they grazed along the banks of the road to Kantishna!
We didn't go Sheepless in Denali!
Grizzly Country
On the bus ride to Kantishna, the other cool sighting was this Momma Grizzly and her two cubs.
Sept 7th - Roadside Moose.
On the early morning bus trip back to civilization, we are treated to a young Bull Moose who was attacking this bush. Apparently, he was trying to remove the last bits of velvet from his mini-rack.
Garden Moose!
Magpie
On our Savage River Hike, we were visited by a very curious Magpie who posed for pictures.
Binking...er Biking to Wonder Lake
The one day the Mountain was not out, we decided to bike to Wonder Lake. It's only a 4-mile bike ride...all uphill and directly into a fierce wind. Great workout!
Sensational Sunset
When the mountain is out at dusk, the Staff at the Roadhouse busses the guests out to Wonder Lake to take in the incredible sunsets!
Sitka Spruce Silhouetted against a fiery Sky!
Fall in the Air
If you ever choose to visit this Park, my suggestion - go in early September. The Fall colors are fantastic. The animals are active. The crowds are small. And the Mountain is "Out"!
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