Posted by: Dick Wilson
Start: Cantwell, AK
Destination: Anchorage, AK
Miles traveled: 246
Destination: Anchorage, AK
Miles traveled: 246
Last night I made the decision that I was going to take the bus tour through Denali NP. Steve decided not to pursue this option, but rather riding to Talkeetna was his choice for the day. I was up at 4:00 a.m. and on the road by 5:00 a.m., back 3
0 miles to Denali NP to catch my bus at 6:00 a.m. It was an eight-hour ride through the Park. Rugged mountains surround the valleys through which the tour bus travels. In the early morning, we could see the top of Mt. McKinley, but it then clouded over, obscuring the tall mountain peaks. Wild life viewing opportunities in Denali are outstanding. In our eight-hour trip, we saw two moose, three grizzly bears, and at least 40 dall sheep and caribou. These species consist of the "big four" which park visitors hope to see on their trip. We also saw gyrfalcon; th
is is the largest of the falcon family and reminded me of Zakar, the spectacular falcon owned and trained by Morley Nelson. (Picture right -- Dall sheep inhabit the rocky peaks at Denali NP.) The scenery in Denali is spectacular. The trip starts at about 2000 feet above sea level. In the altitude difference between 2000 feet and 4000 feet the habitat changed from an area with many small spruce trees to a rather barren mountainous tundra area with only small bushes. I took many pictures on this picturesque and educational trip. In the early 1920s Mt. McKinley National Park was on the list of "must sees" for adventurous tourists. In 1922, Park officials reported seven visitors, but the number grew steadily from year 
to year. Today, over 400,000 visitors come to the renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. At 3:00 p.m. I headed south from Denali to Anchorage. Miraculously, the skies had cleared. The views of Mt. McKinley and adjacent peaks were spectacular and something I will always remember. (Picture right -- Artic ground squirrel -- major food supply for predators.) When I arrived at the motel in Anchorage, Steve was comfortably settled in. I was too tired to even think about eating dinner but was pumped up on sensory overload from the incredible experiences of the day. Sleeping will not be a problem for me tonight.
0 miles to Denali NP to catch my bus at 6:00 a.m. It was an eight-hour ride through the Park. Rugged mountains surround the valleys through which the tour bus travels. In the early morning, we could see the top of Mt. McKinley, but it then clouded over, obscuring the tall mountain peaks. Wild life viewing opportunities in Denali are outstanding. In our eight-hour trip, we saw two moose, three grizzly bears, and at least 40 dall sheep and caribou. These species consist of the "big four" which park visitors hope to see on their trip. We also saw gyrfalcon; th
is is the largest of the falcon family and reminded me of Zakar, the spectacular falcon owned and trained by Morley Nelson. (Picture right -- Dall sheep inhabit the rocky peaks at Denali NP.) The scenery in Denali is spectacular. The trip starts at about 2000 feet above sea level. In the altitude difference between 2000 feet and 4000 feet the habitat changed from an area with many small spruce trees to a rather barren mountainous tundra area with only small bushes. I took many pictures on this picturesque and educational trip. In the early 1920s Mt. McKinley National Park was on the list of "must sees" for adventurous tourists. In 1922, Park officials reported seven visitors, but the number grew steadily from year 
to year. Today, over 400,000 visitors come to the renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. At 3:00 p.m. I headed south from Denali to Anchorage. Miraculously, the skies had cleared. The views of Mt. McKinley and adjacent peaks were spectacular and something I will always remember. (Picture right -- Artic ground squirrel -- major food supply for predators.) When I arrived at the motel in Anchorage, Steve was comfortably settled in. I was too tired to even think about eating dinner but was pumped up on sensory overload from the incredible experiences of the day. Sleeping will not be a problem for me tonight. 
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