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Denali -- Alaska
Descriptive:
The stark wilderness of Denali, which means "the Great One", is just a step beyond the lower 48. Heading toward the further reaches of the Arctic circle, the terrain, the flora and the fauna become heartier the further north you go. Though the landscape here is definitely subarctic, it is deeply imbued with the stunning texture of life in Nature, the Alaskan wilderness, found nowhere else in the world. It hits you in the face.
Denali National Park, where twenty-four hours of daylight in summer months is not uncommon, is the home of the rocky behemoth, Mt. McKinley. Its stony face looks out at just under 5 million acres of land, from a vantage point of over 20,000 feet elevation above sea level. This wondrous peak dominates the landscape in just about any direction.
Boreal forests crest the ridges, fill the valleys, and ascend the mountain to the timberline. It is largely composed of the taiga, a subarctic, evergreen coniferous forest dominated by firs and spruces; taiga is Russian for "land of little sticks". The taiga gives way to tundra in higher elevations. Here, the lovely dwarf willows can be found. There are numerous wildflowers in the Park which flourish in Spring and Fall, though some are best suited for the summer months. There is nothing like a handful of arctic blueberries if you can find them in the autumn.
A copious array of wildlife make their homes in this region. Caribou, the only deer of which both sexes have antlers, make their way through the Park on their migrations hundreds of miles each year, and they can sometimes be seen at higher elevations. Moose, grizzlies, wolves, the regal Dall sheep, wolverines and lynx all reside in Denali.
Wonder Lake is home to loons, grebes, and mergansers, and harlequin ducks can be found nesting near the rivers.
Backcountry hiking is highly recommended but requires necessary preparation, adequate maps, and information about the wildlife and self-protection. It is well-advised to check with a Ranger at the Visitor Access Center before heading out.
Mountaineering is great here and McKinley's peaks are regularly sought out by climbers, including Cathedral Spires, touted as America's greatest pitch of vertical rock. The highest of the Cathedrals, Kichatna Spire, is just under 9,000 feet.
Airplane tours, rafting trips, and horseback riding are all available, and are offered through companies operating outside of the Park. Rafting is recommended down the Nenana River.
Fishing is permitted inside the Park and no licenses are required; however, Denali is not known for its fishing.
Vegetation:
Taiga
Dwarf willows
Blueberries
Wildlife:
Caribou
Moose
Grizzlies
Wolf
Dall sheep
Wolverines
Lynx
Birds:
Loons
Grebes
Mergansers
Harlequin ducks
Key locations:
Beyond Savage River travel by automobile is restricted to protect the wildlife and the habitat of the Park. To gain deeper access, Denali offers a bus shuttle service and visitors are permitted to get off the bus and explore at their own pace. An 8 hour round trip ride takes one to Eielson Visitor Center, 66 miles into the park. A second service is offered: the 11 hour round trip excursion to Wonder Lake, 86 miles into the park. Both can be taken from the Visitor Access Center; advance planning is recommended as tickets are often hard to come by in summer months.
Just after crossing the Sanctuary River, the road offers a view to the south into the Drunken Forest. These poorly rooted taiga trees are slipping down the hillside creating a humorous effect.
Soon after crossing the Teklanika River, Igloo Mountain can be seen on the right and Cathedral Mountain on the left. Next comes Sable Pass -- prime grizzly territory. These are also the grazing grounds of Dall's sheep, which range from white to nearly black and have curved horns; these sheep are the world's only example of wild white sheep.
Polychrome Pass reaches a steep acclivity, where, upon reaching the crest, stunning views to the south suddenly unfold. Mysterious kettle ponds lay scattered across the Plains of Murie.
Eielson Visitor Center is the highest point on the park road and is reached shortly after crossing Toklat River. The view of Denali and the Alaska Range is exceptional here.
The Muldrow Glacier reaches out like a crooked finger which winds down 32 miles from Mount Koven.
At Wonder Lake, the immensity of Mt. McKinley becomes more apparent. Less than thirty miles to the south, the precipitous Wickersham Wall stands 14,000 feet, towering sheer above the valley floor. From Wonder Lake, the road continues just a little farther -- to Kantishna. However, from Wonder Lake, it is a choice to continue further by foot into the backcountry, or to return by bus along the road.
For backcountry trips, it is well-advised to check at the Visitor Access Center first, to discuss possible routes, necessary gear, possible campsites and wildlife restrictions.
Activities:
Backcountry hiking
Mountain climbing
Airplane tours
Rafting trips
Horseback riding
Fishing
Dogsledding
Trails:
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Savage River Canyon Trail
Triple Lakes Trail
Campsites:
Riley Creek
Savage
Teklanika
