Denali Found

Denali Mountain, Alaska

 We continued our travel along Denali 8. We spied two moose cows grazing, then a pair of swans with their lone cygnet. 

Only thirty percent of visitors to Denali actually see the mountain. We have been here when we couldn’t see a thing because the mountain was shrouded in clouds. We have also seen Denali in all its glory. 

We arrived at Denali in rain. To our dismay, all the park campgrounds were full. Private vehicles are only allowed to drive the first fifteen miles into Denali. Beyond the bridge, visitors must take a park bus. 

We have seen many animals, mostly moose and caribou, along this fifteen-mile route in the past. Not today. Denali mountain was also hidden behind clouds. 

We found a place to boondock about thirty minutes outside the park. The next morning, we were back, taking the fifteen-mile road again. We spied several of the park buses along the road. It normally means they have spied something worth seeing. 

And there it was, Denali mountain peeking through the clouds. It is a view I never tire of seeing. After taking a few photos, we continued our search for animals. Again, there were none to be found. 

We figured folks on the tour buses deep into the park would see many creatures. In the past, we have seen wolves play, bears, sheep, moose, caribou, and all kinds of other varmints while traveling on the bus. But after questioning several, they had seen only a few animals on their bus rides. 

It is too early in the season for rut. The weather was in the 60s and too warm to drive the animals down from the high country. There was no hope of gaining a campsite within the park with the weekend around the corner. And heavy rain was in the forecast… we made an executive decision to leave Denali for another time. Adios, beautiful mountain.