We entered Denali NP Sunday (June, 24) trying to get a campsite inside the park. We originally made reservations for July 9 for 4 days, not knowing exactly when we would be going to Denali. So we tried to get a campsite, but it would be one day at one campsite and another in a different one. We decided to to boondock outside of the park for the night and then decide. We camped in a large gravel area about 5 miles north of the park along with about 15 other RVers.
The next day we went to the visitor’s center, camper in tow, made arrangement to take an 8 hour Wilderness and Tundra tour the next day and we went to a dog sled tour. Denali NP is the only NP that has working dog sled teams that patrol the park. These dogs are raised and bred for strength and endurance to patrol the park. Unlike dogs that are bred for speed for racing.
The next day we boarded a bus for the 8 hour, 66 mile, bus ride. The bus driver also is a knowledgeable naturalist and speaker. Unfortunately it rained and was low hanging clouds the whole trip.
The highlight of the trip was a great sighting of a brown bear and two cubs which just walked right in front of the bus.
The end of the day we tried to go back to the gravel campsite but they closed it. We had to go down the road to a commercial camp site where we stayed for the next 3 days.
We never did get to see Mt McKinley. It is visible only about 20% of the time.
The next day we took an ATV tour. Ann and I took a side by side ATV. We both really enjoyed it and saw some great views.
We took off down the road today heading for Anchorage. We took a side trip to Talkeetna, a small town which is used by climbers (that’s you, Dustin) to climb Mt. McKinley. We are boondocking a few mile outside Talkeetna. In the morning we will go explore the town.
Right now I am writing this blog, Ann is busy in her iPad and I can hear the rain hitting the roof. We have heat, good food, hot water, internet, and each other. Life is good.
Oh yes, a cold bottle of Chardonnay doesn’t hurt.
Life is good on the Roan Road…
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