Our reservations to enter the park had to be changed due to automobile problems. Six nights were no longer available so we settled for 4 and entered the park early on Aug. 30.
The main visitors center
With reservations private vehicles can drive as far as Teklinika campground which is at mile marker 29.1. Further access into the park is by the park buses. With the Tek Pass we had reservations on our first day but could ride any bus with available seating on future days.
Our first bus trip was on Aug. 31 and we woke to snow . . . big, wet flakes.
As we waited at the bus stop a couple from Malaysia joined us. She asked what was falling . . . when I said snow she was surprised the flakes were so large. Said she had never seen snow.
The rest area at Toklat has retained the tent visitor’s center that was used during the renovation of Eielson during 2005-2006. It is run by a volunteer group that supports the park.
One of the exhibits in the VC shows the tundra vegetation.
Next stop is Eielson Visitor’s Center. The new building is built into the side of a mountain at the same location as the old one. The roof is an observation deck and you go downstairs to enter. Solar power and running water make this a great stop.
One of the exhibits is large quilts depicting the mountains, vegetation and animals in the area.
The highest point on the Park Road is 3980 ft. Sable Pass is at 3900 feet and has an interesting sign. Bear activity includes biting chunks out of wooden signs. . . so the rangers put nails in the signs and call it “porcupine” treatment. (This is also done on wooden window covers, etc. to keep bear from breaking in).
One day our bus trip took us to Kantishna which is privately held land in the Reserve. It was also the site of gold mining with a small amount still being found.
The end of another road was reached by riding a park bus.
McKinley River near Kantishna.
When “the Mountain” is out, one location to get good views is Wonder Lake.
Looking across the lake . . Denali is in the cloud bank.
Approaching Eielson VC from the north.
Eielson has a very nice exhibit of the first climb of Denali. They used dog sleds and old military issue back packs.
Following a fire in their cache resulting in the loss of their tents, the men hand sewed the canvas from the sled covers to make a 6 ft. x 7 ft. tent. Five people lived 93 days in this small tent.
Here we are at Polychrome on one of the bus trips into the park.
The following postings will cover the mountains, fall colors, roads and animals seen on our days spent in the park.
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