Denali National Park – Musings on the “Great One”
View from Denali View North rest stop, Mile Post 162, February 14, 2015.
Denali – the tallest peak in the U.S. – has been in the news a lot lately because of its recent name change. What’s the fuss about?
In 1896, a gold prospector labeled the mountain “Mt. McKinley” when he heard that Ohioan William McKinley had just secured the Republican presidential nomination. In 1975, the state of Alaska officially changed the name to Denali – the name historically used by Alaska natives. Unfortunately, the federal government – specifically Ohio politicians - refused to follow suit. In September, President Obama restored Denali as the name of the mountain. Before the ink was dry, “Denali” was trending on Twitter.
Denali (previously known as Mt. McKinley) with fall colors.
This kerffulle made me want to know more about the mountain and so – of course – I turned to Victoria Pennick, a talented Alaska photographer and frequent contributor to this site. She previously shared her insider tips on hiking in Alaska and planning an Alaska itinerary.
Here’s her advice for seeing the mountain and enjoying Denali National Park:
“When you think of Alaska, you think of snow, grand vistas, and wildlife galore, right? Well, the snow comes and goes but the views and the wildlife are never-ending. And the first thing most people think of is DENALI. Formerly known as Mt. McKinley, in September of 2015 the name of the peak was officially changed to “Denali,” which means “Great One”, “Tall One” or quite literally, “Big Mountain,” in native Alaskan dialects.
The tallest mountain peak in North America, standing at over 20, 300 feet above sea level, is iconic of all that is grand about Alaska. Nestled in the heart of over 6 million acres of Denali National Park located in the Alaska Range, “awe-inspiring” doesn’t cover it by half. I recently had the privilege of spending several days in the park with friends, and I highly recommend visiting in one way or another.
View from Glen Alps overlook, Chugach Mountains, over Anchorage, May 2014.
Although the mountain range is visible from Anchorage, you don’t start getting your jaw-dropping views (on a clear day!) of the Great One until you come into Willow or Talkeetna, about an hour and a half to two hours drive north. The entire trip you are teased with glimpses of the mountain, but the views keep getting better the closer you get. Denali View North is a rest-stop along the way that offers beautiful panoramic views overlooking the valley and the mountain range.
View from Denali View North rest stop, MP 162, Sept 2, 2015.
Best Denali views
Once inside the park, the Mountain continues to play “Peak-a-boo” until you get about 20 miles in along the 92 mile road that ends in Kantishna.
But that’s ok, because you’re too busy looking at the caribou, moose, bears and sheep you see along the way, or hiking along the rivers.
With only a few exceptions, such as the annual Denali Road Lottery, you can only go so far inside the park before you are required to take the buses. This minimizes the visitor impact to the park and animals, and really is a great way to see the sights without having to watch the road. And believe me, there are some areas where you really do NOT want to look down!
There are a few established campgrounds for tent/RV camping, but people will often take the bus back into the park and backpack in for the ultimate experience. There are also opportunities for guided tours and ranger talks in the evenings in the campgrounds to learn about the animals and the natural features. In the winter, in addition to hiking and camping, there are opportunities for dog-sledding, cross country skiing, and snow-machining in the park as well.
Denali lodges and cabins
Several lodges are near the end of the 92 mile road.
There are also a few privately-owned lodges within the park that put a little more luxury into the rustic charm that is Denali, each with their own special amenities. Camp Denali/North Face Lodge, Kantishna Roadhouse/Backcountry Lodge, Denali Backcountry Lodge, and Skyline Lodge are all located near the end of the 92 mile road and close to the North Face of Denali with views of the Alaska Range.
View from just inside the park, looking back towards the railroad trestle, Sept 6, 2015.
Travelers choose between charming private cabins or rooms in the main lodges and enjoy stunning views and fine Alaskan dining. The lodges offer daily activities and naturalist guided hikes and tours, and the opportunity to just relax and unwind. Skyline Lodge, a solar powered lodge, is the operations base for Kantishna Air Taxi and offers amazing flightseeing tours. It’s a small lodge and only operational for 3 months during the summer. Denali Backcountry Lodge also offers the newly opened Nest Spa and Wellness Center, for finding the ultimate tranquility and relaxation deep in the heart of the wilderness.
Regular visitor traffic in and out of the park is dictated by snowfall, and is generally accessible from April until the end of September. The end of August/beginning of September is when the fall colors are spectacular and should not be missed.
For a totally unique experience, take the train from Anchorage to Denali National Park.
To get to the Park entrance you can drive or fly, but for a totally unique experience, take the train from Anchorage… you will not regret it.
Just keep in mind that to spend any amount of time in the Park, plan ahead as far in advance as possible. Our group started planning 9 months out, and we were ready for any type of weather when the time finally came. For more information on planning your Denali trip, check out the National Park Service website.
Happy travels!
Victoria
Denali National Park is home to moose, bears, caribou, and sheep.
Credit for all photos: Victoria Lynn Pennick (Frozen Glass Photography).
Polychrome Overlook: There are some places on the Park Road where you really don’t want to look down!
Category: Alaska
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Great post Elizabeth. Denali Nat Park is a must see. Its such a beautiful place. You have captured the best of it.