Denali National Park is certainly one of the main
attractions for those visiting Alaska. It is six million acres of wilderness
which has only one road that is just over 90 miles long. Only the first 15 miles can be driven by private
vehicles and the rest only by approved buses or special permits. Exploring from the road you will be able to
experience the forest at the lowest elevations and the tundra at the middle elevations. Too truly explore the rest of the park including
the glaciers and mountains a great deal of extra effort is involved. This park
and preserve was not created specifically for the enjoyment of nature by
humans, but rather to preserve and protect the animals. The guide indicated that originally, the park
was developed to protect just one animal- the mountain goat. It, of course, provides a habitat for many
other animals that roam free as they would have for centuries before humans
started to develop the land.
We took a guided bus tour with an experienced driver
and guide who provided a running commentary for the course of the trip. Like 98% of all of Alaska, it is a wild,
beautiful, and dangerous place, if you do not know what you are doing and
perhaps even if you do. I freely admit
that I am way past the time I would ever think about hiking into that six
million acres to explore on my own. We saw some of the local inhabitants and
the great expanses of mother nature. It
is certainly a place that should be seen at least once in person.
14 comments:
I took the same bus tour, only in August. I think I'd like to do it again like you did with all of the snow. It is surely an awesome place.
I am so envious of your being in a place I have always wanted to go. I love that this is a place not for us but for them. Great pictures. Thanks so much!!
I know we will never get to Alaska. So, thank you so much for all the beautiful photos. What an amazing place. I love the black and white one.
Can't get over how much snow you saw ... Denali looks even more beautiful with the ground frosted. Our CruiseTour took us only into the first 17-20 miles. Hope to someday take the bus all the way out to Mirror Lake ... or maybe we'll get lucky and win a self-drive into the park in the September lottery.
You have some stunning photos. No commentary needed!
wow gorgeous
Definitely a place on our bucket list. I too love the drama of the landscape with the snow. Looks like you are having a memorable trip.
Stunning. It certainly does look like a bus tour would be the way to go.
Sure looks cold! Awesome photos though - good job.
I'm with Paul and Marsha - we won't ever get to Alaska so I really appreciate the gorgeous pictures you've posted for us to enjoy.
What beautiful pictures! They really make me want to visit too! It looks like you're having a wonderful time. I'd love to feel that cool air now!
Candy
We've been kicking around doing AK summer of 2015. Looking at your pictures is making us think more seriously about doing it. We want to do it in our RV.
We may also never make it to Alaska so really appreciate your great photos and stories.
fantastic photos! I'm really enjoying the trip (in the safety and comfort of a chair in the sun)!
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