June 19, 2012 – Denali RV Park and Motel, Denali Park, Alaska

This morning we had tickets for the 8:30 bus going into Denali National Park. They have four different bus trip destinations and we had chosen the 66 mile / 8 hour round trip one that goes to the Eielson Visitor Center. Our bus driver was very young looking but is on his 8th year of working here. He pointed out the highlights along the road and would stop at any point if someone spotted any wildlife. It must have been 15 miles or so on the trip when he pointed out Denali (or Mt. McKinley). Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain in North America with an elevation of 20,320 ft. When we first we saw it, we could see the peaks (but not the base as it was behind a couple of other mountains). Our driver was amazed and said that was only the second time this season he had seen the peaks because it is almost always surrounded by clouds.

Denali

We must have gone another 10 miles before any wildlife was spotted. We were beginning to think they were all on strike. The first wildlife we saw were a couple of caribou. Then we saw some Dall sheep, more caribou and then more caribou.

Caribou herd on side of mountain

Karen's favorite road!!!

We got to the Eielson Visitor Center about 12:30 spent about a half hour there. By the time we got there, we could see the base of Mt. McKinley but the peak had become enveloped in clouds. They had a great diorama showing the park which covers over 9,000 square miles. They had several interesting displays, but of course, the ones I (Karen) was most interested in were the two quilts they had displayed. Every year (I think it was the last 8 years) they have a guest artist in residence who develops and donates their interpretation of the landscape. There were a few paintings of varying styles and two quilts on display. (I say “donates”, they may have been paid, I’m not sure of that, but the art work is left for display.)

Quilt at Eilson Visitor Center

Valley Floor on the way back

Soon after we were started back from the Eielson Visitor Center, we saw a mother bear with 2 cubs. They were on a slope above the river and wandered in and out of some bushes. In another 10 miles or so, we saw 2 bears together. Our driver said this was almost unheard of because bears are definite loners. We saw the caribou and sheep again on the way back, then we saw a fourth grizzly (I guess 6th counting the two cubs).

Mom headed into bush followed by two cubs.

Pair of bear

We saw a lot of Bear Butt!

Last bear on the way back

By the time we got back to the visitors center at the park, then went into town for gas, it was about 5:30. The dogs were very happy to see us even though they had been pampered by the dog walker while we were gone.