Denali National Park

We arrived in Denali about 1:00 (5 hours from Anchorage). We arrived just in time to hit the visitors center and shuttle over to the dog kennels. My biggest surprise was the size of the dogs...they were very leggy and about 100 lbs. The dogs were friendly but were set up in a way that they could seek attention from the public or retreat to their dog houses if they didn't want the attention.

One of the only ways into the park is by park operated shuttle buses. They are basically green and white school buses which were actually pretty comfortable. We had to be at the shuttle stop at 6am Sunday morning but getting their early got us first in line which gave us great viewing seats on the bus. We saw moose within the first 2 miles and then shoe shoe hares (billions of them), fox, ptarmigan, caribou, Dall sheep and a Canadian lynx. Our bus driver was very knowledgeable and entertaining which helped as the ride was 3 hours each way. The day started out sunny and clear and we were able to get a view of Mt.McKinley which is fairly rare. Our bus driver has been driving his route since mid-may and he has only see the peak 2 times.

Mt. McKinley:

Sign that local bear have been eating. This is the third sign the park service has put up and the bears come and rub against the nails at the bottom of the sign.

Bull moose:

We did end up going back into the park (you can drive the first 14 miles) in the evening to try and see more wildlife. We didn't end up seeing much of anything except more rabbits.

Monday morning we headed back to Anchorage. We saw 2 more moose out in the wetlands but it was rainy and overcast so we couldn't see the mountains. The area around Denali was different and interesting but dominated by black spruce which really weren't very attractive trees. Anchorage is a typical city and not very attractive but the mountains that surround the town are spectacular. The remind me of Denver except these rise up much higher and there really aren't any foothills. Of course, the mountains are on the east/north and I find myself turned around and directionally confused most of the time.

Rock Ptarmagin:

Snow Shoe hare: