Denali National Park & Preserve
In our collective consciousness, Alaska represents the concept of raw wilderness. But this untame perception can be both fascinating and daunting. For many travelers, exploring this American frontier in depth is a daunting task. Enter Denali National Park & Preserve: A piece of land that is easily accessible without losing its ancient feel. Activities in Denali National Park Here you can spot grizzly bears, elk, caribou and even wolves from the comfort of your own bus. Alternatively, if you prefer independent exploration, you can hike six million acres of tundra, boreal forest and icy mountains (an area larger than Massachusetts). All of this is in the shadow of Denali, once known as Mount McKinley and hailed as a great figure by the native Athabaskans. Denali is the highest peak in North America, standing at 20,000 feet above sea level, and in a state where these adjectives are ubiquitous, it is rightly celebrated as a symbol of all that is great and wild. Denali Of course, the giant peak for which the park is named is a must-see. However, despite its lofty height, the mountain cannot be seen from the park entrance or from nearby campgrounds and hotels.On a clear day, it is first visible between Mile 9 and Mile 11 on Park Road. What makes Denali one of the world’s most beautiful mountain heirs isn’t its visual presence within the park, but the independent rise of its masses. Denali starts at a base of just 2000 feet. That means you’ll be glued to over 18,000 feet of rock, ice and snow on a clear day. In contrast, Mount Everest rises just 12,000 feet above the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau, even when it comes to unforgettable views. Any experienced alpinist can join an expedition to the summit or join his 25% Denali climbers on a guided climb. If you’re looking for a local mountaineering guide, try Alaska Mountaineering School. The guide fee to the mountain is $8,300. Another well-known successful company is Seattle-based Alpine Ascents. Trips start at $8,400, excluding meals, lodging, and flights to Alaska. Book at least one year in advance. Wildlife Hunting was never allowed in the park, which is why professional photographers refer to Denali animals as “familiar wildlife.” That means bears, elk, dall sheep, and caribou aren’t as shy as they are elsewhere in the state. For this reason, and because the park road was built to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities by traversing high open ground, the park is a great place to see a wide variety of animals. Aboard the park’s shuttle, fellow travelers arm themselves with binoculars and cameras to look for animals. Most of them are used to traveling buses, so they rarely run away or hide. If someone spots something and yells “Stop!”, the driver will stop the car and take a picture. The best wildlife viewing is the first bus in the morning. Hiking If you’ve never ventured off the beaten path, consider starting your off-trail hiking career in Denali National Park & Preserve. In most national parks in North America, hikers are always reminded to stay on marked trails to prevent soil erosion, prevent damage to flora and fauna, and minimize the risk of getting lost. Alaska, like Alaska, works a little differently. Most of the state’s national parks lack an extensive network of marked hiking trails, so visitors are encouraged to get off the beaten path and explore the backcountry at their own pace. are encouraged to Denali’s 92-mile Park Road is served by a regular hop-on/hop-off shuttle bus, providing excellent transportation connections into the depths of the park. Thanks to its elevation, much of the park is above the forest line, allowing hikers to enjoy unobstructed expansive views of the tundra. Not only does this mean Park Rd is rarely out of sight (even if you’re 5 miles away), it also prevents accidental encounters with wildlife. No matter where you head, remember that 5 miles for the average backpacker in northern Denali is his day trip. For those who don’t feel comfortable going into the backcountry alone, the Ranger-led Discovery His Hike is for you. There are no trails, but guided hikes. Check the schedule at the Denali Visitor Center to join a ranger on a short guided walk (30 minutes to 2.5 hours) along the trails at the entrance to the park. There are also four hiking trails in the park entrance area, accessible from the Wilderness Access Center (WAC). Eielson Visitor Center The Eilson Visitor Center, across from Solofare Pass (3900 feet), is the most popular stop for day-trippers taking the shuttle (8 hours round trip from the park entrance). This secluded outpost is built on the slopes of the tundra, and from the viewing platform the mountains seem to float overhead. Inside, there are convenient functions such as toilets and drinking water, as well as a large panorama of the topography of the mountains. The 7,400-square-foot facility cost approximately $9.2 million to build and features several environmentally friendly design elements, including solar and hydroelectric power. There are also two steep trails. One leads to the ridge that dominates the park and the other to the river bed where wildlife sightings are not uncommon (sometimes too close for comfort). Two ranger-led hikes are offered daily in the summer. It’s a simple 1 hour loop of 0.5 miles starting at 1pm. Polychrome pass At 3,500 feet above sea level, this scenic area overlooks the Toklat River to the south. Polychrome Pass, a regular stop on Denali tours and shuttles his bus route. His Overlook is named for the vibrant hues of the local rock face. Ridge trails are relatively easy to access if you want to hike at higher elevations. Denali Sled Dogs Denali is the only U.S. national park where rangers patrol in winter with teams of dogs. In summer, huskies serve another purpose. It entertains and educates the many tourists who attend free tours of dog sled kennels and dog shows every day.