Our last day in Denali started off earlier than
normal. Our plan was to wake up and catch the earliest bus (7:55 AM)
back to the park entrance. We were tired, felt dirty, and wanted a big
meal and although we loved the park we were just ready to leave. So,
without even eating breakfast we broke camp and headed for the road.
Now, that the fog and low clouds had lifted we could see really how
beautiful it was in this area with the steep mountains all around us
jetting up, out, and far above of our little canyon. On our way out
of the canyon we were saying to each other how it might be a good day
to see Mt. Denali and that Virgi had said on the bus this would be a
great area to see the mountain from. As we came out of the canyon onto
the grassy tundra plain that 
would lead us to the road we glanced to the West, stopped in our
tracks, and almost passed out. There in front of us filling up the
entire valley and half the sky was one of the most beautiful things I
had ever seen, Mt. Denali ("The
Great One"). We were giddy with delight and took a lot of
pictures before heading towards the road. Once there we cooked some
hot chocolate and coffee to warm ourselves while we waited for the bus
that would take us out of the park. The bus still did not come so we
started heading up the road towards Mt.
Denali to get to the top of the pass to get a better view.
It was so amazing that when the bus came it stopped and Rich, the bus
driver, asked us if we wanted on. We both looked at each other and
said no way. So we waved it on opting to stay for 2 more hours before
the next bus came. Before leaving Rich warned us of a Grizzly Bear he
had seen about a mile up the road.
Wow!!! The views of Denali kept getting better and better as we walked
to Eielson Visitor
Center (mile 66). Although the mountain mesmerized us we kept our eyes
open for signs of the bear. Christina stopped short and was looking
down on the road where she saw what looked like a large human
footprint. Then, she realized that it was the back paw
of a huge grizzly with the next paw print the front print
leading up the road the same way we were heading. They were in the mud
and seemed fresh so as we continued we kept one eye on Mt. Denali and
one eye on the surrounding area and lots of "Hey Bear
Yells".
On top of the pass we found a great spot where we took
many more photos. We decided to walk to Eielson Visitor Center (mile
66), which was only about another mile up the road t catch the next
bus. It was then that we spotted the Grizzly
Bear down in the valley (about ¼ of a mile away). We got down a
little closer to that Grizzly Bear and got some great views of
him. He was chowing blueberries (almost like a vacuum cleaner) and
barely took notice of us.
As
we approached Eielson Visitor Center, we heard a snorting type noise
that had us frightened that a wild pig might be around. Wild
pigs in Alaska? Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a
couple of Ptarmigans (Alaska's
State Bird). Notice their white feathers that were replacing the brown
feathers. They were growing their winter camouflage.
We finally made it to the visitor center and caught
the next bus with Susan, the driver, back to the visitor center. On
the bus we kept getting great views of Denali and the sunshine really
brought out the surrounding fall colors. We took so many pictures we
were running out. A photographer gave us a role of film, which was
very nice of him.
At the Toklat River (mile 53), we spotted another
Grizzly Bear close to the road. As we were heading out of the park to
Polychrome Pass (mile 45), Sable Pass (mile 39), Sanctuary River (mile
28), Savage River (mile 16), and Jenny Creek (mile 8) the sharp edges
of Denali's cliffs and glaciers seemed to soften and made it look
almost like an impressionistic painting.
Around Sable Pass (mile 39), we spotted two big moose
down on the tundra and as we got closer near Jenny Creek (Mile 8) we
spotted a gangly male moose only about ten feet away taking a drink
from the creek.
Between seeing the Mountain and all the great wildlife
on our way out of the park was just a great way to end our trip. When
we got back to the visitor center we checked back in, called our
parents to let them know we were safe, and then headed out for a huge
meal.
Morning:
Clear and cold with ice on the tent
Evening:
Rain showers
