The next phase of our adventure began as we left Fairbanks for the short drive to the quaint town of Denali entrance to Denali National Park. Our first stop was the 49th State Brewery where we introduced our new friends Gail and Snore’ to the delicious “Yak Burger”. After trying this local delicacy, we headed to the RV park for some rest before embarking in our jeep to explore Denali National Park.
Denali National Park is a place of incredible natural beauty and is home to a diverse array of wildlife. The park was established in 1917 to protect the six million acres of wild land, including the iconic Denali Mountain, “the great one”, the highest peak in North America, at 20,310 feet. Denali is the third-highest of the Seven Summits (the tallest peaks on all seven continents).
We were blessed with good weather during our visit, which allowed us to fully appreciate the stunning scenery. We also had the opportunity to spot some of the park’s wildlife, including, moose, and Dall sheep. The highlight of our trip was getting a rare glimpse of the majestic Denali mountain, which was truly an awe-inspiring sight.
After a day filled with adventure and exploration, we returned to the RV park and boarded a bus for the Famous Cabin Night Dinner Theater. The theater offers a unique experience, combining live entertainment with delicious food. We were treated to a great show and had a fantastic meal. What an amazing way to end another amazing day in Alaska. Click on thumbnail to view image
Denali NP Tour
Today we embarked on a narrated bus tour of Denali National Park. We boarded a bus early in the morning and set off on our journey, eager to see more of the park’s incredible scenery and wildlife.
Unfortunately, due to a landslide, we were not able to reach the end of the road as planned. The closure of the Denali Park Road is at Mile 43 of the 93 mile long road, and is expected to remain in place through summer 2024. Despite this setback, we were still able to see some amazing sights. We were lucky enough to spot Big Horn Sheep and a moose roaming in the wilderness, and we were treated to another fantastic view of the iconic Denali Mountain.
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and provided us with a wealth of historical information about the park. He shared stories about the early settlers and the challenges they faced while living in such a remote and rugged landscape. We also learned about the park’s conservation efforts and the importance of preserving the natural beauty of Denali for future generations. Click on thumbnail to view image
Denali Flight Tour
Today we decided to take a flight around the iconic Denali mountain, and it was an experience we will never forget.
As we left the Denali Air air strip, there was some smoke in the air, but as we gained altitude, the skies cleared and we were able to see Denali in all her splendor. Our pilot Dan, the company owner, was extremely knowledgeable and gave us a running dialogue of what we were looking at as we flew around the mountain. As we flew closer to Denali, we were overwhelmed by its size and the rugged peaks that surround it as well as the massive rivers of ice that flowed from it.
One of the highlights of the flight was flying over the climbers’ base camp and camp 2. Here we saw a group of climbers heading up the mountain, which gave us a new perspective on the sheer size and difficulty of climbing Denali.
As we were finishing our circumnavigation of the mountain, we were lucky enough to witness a massive avalanche. It was an incredible sight to see a sea of snow breaking loose and cascading down the mountain. It was a highlight of our Alaska tour and a moment that we will never forget.
Overall, taking a flight around Denali was an unforgettable experience. We recommend it to anyone visiting Alaska as it provides a unique perspective on the mountain and its surroundings. The clear skies provided an unobstructed view of the mountain, which was truly awe-inspiring. Click on thumbnail to view image
White Water Rafting on the Nenana River
Today we ended our stay in Denali with a thrilling white water rafting adventure down the Nenana River with Denali Raft Adventures.
The scenery along the river was spectacular and it was the perfect way to end our trip. The Nenana River is known for its challenging rapids and we were excited to tackle them head-on. Our guide was experienced and knowledgeable, and he expertly navigated us through the big rapids. It was an adrenaline-pumping experience and we were all smiling from ear to ear by the end of the trip.
The Nenana River is a must-do for anyone visiting Denali, the scenery is breathtaking and the rapids are challenging but not too dangerous. It was a great end to our stay in Denali and we all felt like we had accomplished something special. “CRUSHED IT!” Click on thumbnail to view image
