"The High One"

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Geo: 63.5253, -150.958

It doesn't always rain on us after all! The morning we woke up to catch the bus into Denali National Park, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Sean and I kept pinching ourselves, asking, "Is this really happening—to US?" (Some of you may remember the torrential, unprecedented rainfall we experienced in New Zealand… Or the rain in Glacier National Park… Or on the Toxaway-Petit loop in the Sawtooths… Or in Stanley on the 4th of July…😉

Only about 30% of park visitors ever get to see clear views of Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet. But apparently picking up those hitchhikers a while back brought about some good travel karma for us, because as we rounded the corner in the Polychrome Valley, sure enough, there stood McKinley in all its glacial glory. As we ventured further into the park, the mountain kept growing larger and larger. By the time we reached our destination at Wonder Lake campground at mile 84, it was as large as it gets (unless you plan on climbing it, that is). And by sunset that night, which occurs just before midnight, a ring of clouds belted the mountain's midsection and everything was bathed in pink alpenglow. By the next morning, all the clouds had cleared completely and we had as sharp a view of the mountain and its sister peaks as it's possible to see. No wonder the Athabascan Indians called it “The High One”!

We had great luck with wildlife in the park as well: 8 grizzlies, (albeit too far away for good pictures), dall sheep, 2 bull moose, caribou, one arctic fox, and lots of bunnies, squirrels, and gray jays. Oh, and the mosquitoes! You can see from the pictures that our mosquito net came in handy! Without a doubt, our adventure in the park and getting to see the mountain so clearly has been the highlight of the trip thus far.

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Photos

Dall Sheep
As seen from the bus

Mt. McKinley
Tallest mountain in North America (20,320) as seen on a rare, clear day from the Eilson Visitor's Center

Family pic
In front of the Eilson Visitor's Center

Sean's REI ad
Campground at Wonder Lake

Loon
We enjoyed watching this loon dive for food on Wonder Lake

Park Interpreter
At the Wonder Lake campground, we listened to an interpretive program about the history of Kantishna, an old gold rush town at "the end of the road" in the park (mile 94). Kantishna is just 9 miles beyond Wonder Lake. We learned about the independent female miner named Fanny who left her abusive husband for the gold rush in the early 1900s, and who was revered for her blueberry pies. She made the crust with lard rendered from bear fat.

Keep Away!
Our best defense against the incessant mosquitoes was the huge net we bought at Sportsman's. It worked great!

Mt. McKinley at midnight
We were lucky enough to see the alpenglow on McKinley that night.

Mt. McKinley reflection
The morning we left camp, we were treated to a cloudless day. Our bus driver asked, "Why would you live in the world when you can live here?"

Prarie Dogs
The smaller life of Denali

Comments

[Dad]

i'm tipped over!!!! wow doesn't do it justice. your pics are awesome to say the least. and what great weather - to see the mountain with no clouds - some people go to alaska and never see it at all. you guys are living a charmed vacatio
n. and i especially like the one of mckinley at midnight. but not fish yet eh? well, there's still time. thanks so much for sharing - brings back many memories of our trip with you kids to alaska. by the way, scratch kaia's ears for me and tell her how lucky she is she doesn't have a face full of quills!!! :)looking forward to bear pics...love, dad

[stephaniehight]

Um, wow. So...how's that lens working out for you? :)

[Aunt Connie]

Why WOULD you live in the world when you could live there? No kidding. Love the pictures. What a wonderful trip - how fortunate you are having great sunny days. Laughed out loud at your recitation of the bad rain experiences! Safe trav
els.

[Sara M.]

Hi Sean and Erin! You both look like you're having a great time. I've been enjoying the experience of following your trip. The pictures are beautiful!!! I can't wait to see pictures of the huge salmon you're going to catch!

[Keli]

What a mountain!!

[Keli]

Oh, you guys all look so good, like you're having such a great time! Is Caleb getting good video?

[Keli]

A Sierra Designs ad. campaign? They may give you some money for this photo.

[Angela]

I must say it's been awesome following you both thru this website on your trip. The pictures are amazing to look at, so it must be that much more amazing in person! Thank you for sharing your trip and safe travels back!