D is for Denali

Alaska is HUGE.  Maybe not as big as Australia, but it’s definitely big.  It’s 1/5 the size of the contiguous United States – it’s as big as California, Texas, and Montana combined!  And that’s saying a lot, seeing as how California, Texas, and Montana are the three biggest states in the US after Alaska.

It can be daunting to try to plan a trip there, which is why I haven’t been yet.  Me and Chris have discussed going there on an Alaskan cruise, but I don’t think the quick stopovers on a cruise would do it justice.  We have an “unofficial” goal to visit all of the United States National Parks, and Alaska has 8 of them!  Denali is on the top of my list.

It sounds like summer is the time to come, as that is the only time the bus systems is running.  The main road is 92 miles long, and only the first 15 is accessible by private car, with all but 3 miles closed in the winter.

Top Sites on my Denali Wishlist:

• Mount McKinley
  • This is the tallest mountain in North America, all the way at 20,310 feet.  This mountain is no joke, and not for amateurs.
  • The climb is for experience mountain climbers only,  and reaching the summit typically takes 2-4 weeks.  Only about half of the climbers make it.  Climbers must register with the National Park Service at least 60 days before their attempt.
  • For hiking lovers like myself who don’t plan to make the attempt to the top, we can try the Horseshoe Lake, Mount Healy Overlook, or Savage Alpine Trail.
• Tundra Walk with Sled Dogs
  • This is a great chance to see actual working sled dogs trained to help park rangers.  I’d LOVE to see them!  It’s a family-friendly activity with FREE demonstrations in the summer.  As an added bonus you get to experience the natural beauty of walking on the tundra.
  • The kennels are near the park entrance, and it’s very popular, so come early and bring bug spray to protect against the mosquitoes, and sturdy shoes for the walk on the tundra.
• Alaska Railroad
  • This is more of a way to get in than an in-park activity, but it’s said to be a beautiful and scenic way to travel.
  • The Denali Star Train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks
    • Travel from Anchorage to Denali takes about 8 hours
    • Travel from Fairbanks to Denali takes about 4 hours
• Dall Sheep
  • Believe it or not, this park was founded in 1917 specifically to protect the Dall Sheep.  It’s boundaries were not expanded until later.  Now it’s a great place to view bears, moose, caribou, and wolves in addition to the sheep.
  • I’m told the best spots for viewing these sheep are around Igloo Canyon and Polychrome Pass – accessibly only via the bus system.

Let me know if you’ve been and I’ve missed something on this list!