Denali National Park, Savage River - July 22






Ah Denali.  We have arrived to visit the tallest peak in North America at 20,300 feet.  She is simply massive, and when the clouds don't obscure her, she dominates over all else.  The last couple of days since arriving, the mountain has been out in the morning with clouds moving in by the early afternoon.  

Denali is a huge park as well as a massive mountain; it's the third largest park in the US.  Because it is so close to Anchorage, there are a ton of people here as well.  Most come in for the day on an excursion bus from the cruise lines, others come for the day on the scenic Alaska Railroad.  There are people from all over the globe, and Aaron gave a ride to two hitch-hiking young French girls back packing their way across the state.  









A landslide a few years ago occured along the single road that penetrates into the park, preventing travel past mile mark 43 while a permanent bridge is under construction.  So travel deep into the park is limited for several years, but we will have to make due with all there is to see along those first 43 miles.  
                                                  

We are camped for the week 13 miles into the park at a very small remote campground.  It's beautiful and quiet and wild.  We took our first of several planned hikes today along the Savage Alpine Trail which clocks in at only 4 miles but is considered quite strenuous due to the steepness of the trail.  Aaron's thighs are still stiff and sore from hiking to The Harding Ice Field a few days ago, and I am nursing a nasty sinus and ear infection, so we took our time and rested frequently and drank in the views of Denali before the clouds obscured her.  It's a rough and wildly primitive area, but the sun is out and we are finally dried out from our soggy experience on the Kenai Peninsula and we have a full week of activities planned.  I was able to magically come across some azithromycin to combat this infection with, so hopefully I recover quickly.  Tomorrow we've booked an all-day hiking adventure with 11 guests and one park ranger,  Can't wait!
 


If I tell a hungry attacking wolf that he's a "bad dog." do you think his shame will prevent me becoming his dinner?

                                             

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