This is the way the day started out when we left the hotel at 8 AM. Our competent guide, Cassie, told us that only 30% of park visitors actually see the mountain. and even then it is usually bits and pieces of it. She drove us 62 miles into the park and then the 62 miles back, about 8 hours round trip. There were stops for the facilities and a box of snacks and we had ordered a box lunch, too. There is not even a water fountain once you are in the park.
This is what it looked like in the morning. 43 degrees
we were driving through clouds in the Denali National Park and Preserve
But looked what happened as the day unfolded
We got to see a clear view of “The Great One” which is what Denali means to the Athabaskans.
It was a great birthday for Mary as the gift was we got to see the mountain.
We saw some wildlife- two grizzly bears, Dall Sheep, two caribou and two moose.
There aren’t guard rails along the route and the road turns from paved to gravel/dirt and gets narrower
Another tour bus
Don’t look down is my best suggestion!
Fellow tourists try on antlers for photo ops.
This is the stop where Alaska Geographic was selling gorgeous books in a big tent.
Another view of Denali
This post is just the highlights of our tour today.