Country Travel Discoveries 2022
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Denali National Park Denali National Park is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low- elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in the 20,310-foot Denali. Wild animals large and small roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await. See North America's Tallest Peak The towering granite spires and snowy summits of Denali National Park and Preserve straddles 160 miles of the Alaska Range and display so much elevation they are often lost in the clouds. Dominating this skyline is North America's highest peak; Denali, one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Alaska. History of Denali National Park Although generations of Athabascans had wandered through what is now the park, the first permanent settlement was established in 1905, when a gold miners' rush gave birth to the town of Kantishna. A year later, naturalist and noted hunter Charles Sheldon was stunned by the beauty of the land and horrified at the reckless abandon of the miners and big-game hunters. Sheldon returned in 1907 and traveled the area with guide Harry Karstens in an effort to set up boundaries for a proposed national park. Sheldon was successful as the area was established as Mount McKinley National Park in 1917 with Karstens serving as the park's first superintendent. It was designated an international biosphere reserve in 1976. As a result of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the park was enlarged to more than 6 million acres and renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. In 2015, the Park was officially renamed Mt. McKinley to Denali, its Athabascan given name meaning "the Tall One." Denali now comprises an area slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts and is ranked as one of Alaska's top attractions. Denali Features over 650 Species of Vegetation Denali National Park and Preserve includes the central, highest portion of the Alaska Range, together with many of the glaciers and glacial valleys running southwards out of the range. The terrain spans boreal forest and arctic tundra. More than 650 species of flowering plants, shrubs, lichen and moss comprise the vegetation of the park, while coniferous trees, birch and aspen grow in the lowlands. Only plants adapted to long, cold winters and short growing seasons can survive in this subarctic wilderness. Landslides, glacially-fed braided rivers and moving glaciers define the ever-changing landscape of the park. The "Big Five" Call Denali Home It's not just the mountain that makes Denali National Park a special place. The park is also home to 37 species of mammals, ranging from lynx, marmots and arctic ground squirrels, to foxes and snowshoe hares, while 130 different bird species have been spotted here, including the impressive golden eagle. Most visitors, however, want to see five animals in particular: moose, caribou, wolf, Dall sheep, and the brown, or grizzly, bear. See all five in the park, and visitors score what is called a "Denali Slam." Denali is also home to black bears that inhabit the forested areas of the park, while grizzly bears mainly live on the open tundra. Most of the bears seen by visitors along the Park Road are grizzlies. ©2001-2020 Alaska Travel Industry Association difficulties of Alaska's short and intense harvest. Enjoy sweet samples along with other local food products. Then, climb aboard the luxurious domed rail cars of the McKinley Explorer as we head to Denali for a two-night stay at this magnificent national treasure. See the wide open tundra and watch out for wildlife such as eagles and bears. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or choose an optional excursion, such as a nature walk, rafting trip down the Nenana River, a flight- seeing tour over Denali, or a Ranger talk. B, L DAY 5—DENALI NATIONAL PARK You'll be snapping plenty of photos during a spectacular seven-hour guided tour of Denali National Park, home of majestic Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), lush forests and crystal-clear waters. Be on the lookout for wildlife, such as "The Big 5" mammals: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, and grizzlies. B, L DAY 6—RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY/ ALASKA PIPELINE/SALMON BAKE & SALOON SHOW Today, coach to Fairbanks for a ride along the Chena River on The Riverboat Discovery, an authentic sternwheeler. Then get up close to the famous Alaska pipeline. Tonight you're in for a treat at Pioneer Park. Enjoy generous portions of prime rib, beer battered cod and grilled salmon grilled over an outdoor alder wood fire and rounded out with roasted potatoes, baked beans, salad and blueberry cake. Then sit back and enjoy songs and stories, and historical highlights of Fairbanks, also known as "The Golden Heart City". B, L, D DAY 7—MUSEUM OF THE NORTH/ WHITEHORSE This morning, visit the Museum of the North, highlighting the art and culture of Alaska. Later, fly from Fairbanks into Canada's majestic Yukon Territory. Our home this evening is Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. B DAY 8—WHITE PASS & YUKON RAILROAD Today we travel on the captivating White Pass Trail aboard an old-fashioned narrow-gauge train. You'll see some spectacular scenery along the winding route once used by gold seekers as CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 4 855-744-TRIP (8747) | 29 US — ALASKA | BEST OF ALASKA