Denali Backcountry Summer Road Trip 2016

Do you know the difference between a caribou and a reindeer? Reindeer fly! Just a little tour guide humor. The dark green, school bus looking vehicle pulled into the Denali Cabins gravel parking lot at 6am sharp to fetch the adventuresome travelers who were still chugging coffee in the early morning chill. It would be a 13 hour ride through Denali National Park, on the only road that slices through the 6.2 million acre par, and only 1% of tourists who visit each year, choose to do this tour. 1%-ers, that's us.

Dave, our bus driver/tour guide seemed laid back and low key, so low key he was willing to wait more than 15 for a couple who were 'still in their room' when we arrived to pick them up. 38 1%-ers were on the bus and we were ready for the backcountry experience. Dave had a ton of history to share with us as we meandered to the park entrance, check it out online if you are interested. We were there to see 'the Mountain,' the highest peak in North America, Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley. Surprisingly, only 30% of the tourists who travel to Alaska each year to see it, actually get to see it. Denali is elusive, hiding most of the time within her own weather pattern, tucked into the clouds.

We were not in the park for more than ten minutes when we encountered a moose cow and two babies; this would be the pattern all day, coming to a screeching halt, lowering the bus window, and trying to shoot through the window at the variety of wildlife in the park. By the end of the day, we had hit the Denali Grand Slam; moose, caribou ( a small heard strolling across the river where we had stopped for a break), Grizzlies (two, one momma had two cute little Cubs), Dahl sheep, and a black wolf! We also got a coveted glimpse of the Denali peak; we had left the visitor center where it was rainy and foggy, then just as we were rounding the northwest side, the clouds parted and Denali peeked through!

Shortly after entering the park, the asphalt road turns to rough gravel, the backcountry bus slams and bumps along while Dave keeps up a running commentary on flora, fauna, and history. The dust swirls, each curve bestows another breathtaking view of the Denali mountain range. The elevation climbs, the road narrows, and there are no guard rails...best not to look down. Dave says, 'don't worry, we haven't lost a bus yet. We always find it at the bottom!' Thanks Dave. 

We travel to the 'end of the road,' literally. To the Denali Backcountry Lodge, a picturesque lodge, situated right on the river, where we will have lunch. Private cars are only allowed on a few miles of road in the park, and there is an absence of those! All day, I only counted six other buses; very few travelers considering the 6.2 million acres! Grateful to be on solid ground again, we make our way into the dining hall where a sandwich/dessert buffet fit for John Muir himself is laid out. We have two hours to eat, rest, and pan for gold if we so desire. I was fascinated with the Inukshuk Village that was laid out along the shore and extended to the front entrance. I built one as well, picked up a few Denali rocks to add to my collection, snapped photos of several wildflower S, and generally enjoyed the quiet remoteness of the afternoon. 

All too soon it was time to reboard the bus for the bladder busting, spine jarring trip back through the park. Dave was a gem, the other travelers were amiable, and the four young kids were such adventurers that I made it a point to tell their parents what a pleasure it was to spend the day with them...I was painfully aware of my own daughters absence and how I wished they were little again to enjoy the adventure with Mom.