We Are Part of the 30%

We’re in the club.  Only 30% of the people who visit Denali ever get to see the mountain.  Alaska gets its share of moisture.  In fact, last night it rained very hard all night.  That seemed to clear out the skies because when we arrived at the park there was plenty of sunshine.  

In an off itself that isn’t necessarily the most important factor in determining whether or not North America’s tallest peak is visible.  Prevailing winds usually bring moist ocean air towards the edifice and clouds ordinarily envelope the peak.  Not today.  We got to see the mountain naked and also with cloud clothes.

As is usually the case in these circumstances the pictures, as artful as they may be, cannot convey the sheer majesty of the mountain.  We were twenty three miles away at our closest viewing and the mountain looks and feels enormous.  

The park isn’t just the mountain although it certainly is the headliner in the show.  It is a wildlife preserve.  Caribou were active during our tour.  This one is shedding.  It’s normal.  He doesn’t have a disease.  He will grow a new coat for the winter.

We also spotted a Grizzly Bear far off in the distance on a mountain top.  It was so far away that even with the best telephoto lenses in our group it looked like a tan speck rolling around in a mountain meadow.  

The park prohibits cars from driving through most of the grounds.  You must take a bus unless you win a lottery (really) held early in the season.  They let a few lucky drivers take their cars into the park.  Truthfully, I am not entirely certain how lucky they are.  The road is unpaved.  It is a packed stone surface and it is rough on the vehicle.  

Our trip lasted 8 hours and was well worth it.  There are shorter and longer versions of the bus tours.  In the interest of accuracy there is a part of the park where cars are permitted to drive.  You cannot really see THE mountain from those roads.  You can see other mountains but not Denali itself.