This is the third time that the two RV Gypsies have been to Denali National Park, and the other times can be seen by using the TOC button above and choosing the National Parks button.
Denali National Park was created in 1917 and has grown to over 6 million acres, bisected by one ribbon of road. Visitors can only drive their own vehicle a short distance within the park - only up to mile 15. There are several site-seeing bus tours visitors can purchase. Leashed pets are allowed on the road and in entrance area campgrounds, but they can not be left unattended. There are many hiking paths throughout the park and the park offers discovery hikes. There are also bicycle trails. |
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The two RV Gypsies took a 13-hour bus trip to the end of the road in Denali National Park - mile 90 - Kantishna and those photos are on page 3 and can be reached through the link at the bottom of this page. Most of the photos on this page were taken out of the window of the moving bus, except for the few times the bus stopped and let everyone off for a break. Cookies, water and soda was offered free at each bus stop.
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Below: The bus drove over
a bridge with nice views of a braided river. |
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Below: Views from the bus |
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Denali National Park offers different views such as the relatively low-elevation taiga forest, to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, Denali at 20,310 feet. Wild animals large and small roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.
Below: Stony Dome |
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Below: Two of
Karen' Duquette's favorite photos - Wicked, twisted roads and the steep
cliffs below and above the road - yes, this road is for 2-way traffic
and yes there were scary moments on corners. Karen actually took more
cliff photos in 2009, so if you like cliffs or just want to see different
photos in Denali NP, check that out by using the TOC button above and
choosing the National Parks button. |
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Below: Another break from the long bus ride - Toklat River (mile 53). Toklat
River is an area of merging glacial rivers and towering cliffs. Dall
Sheep are said to be on the steep rocky hillsides but even with binoculars
they just looked like a small grain of white rice. |
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Below: The bus also stopped
at Eielson Visitor Center, mile 66. There was a great view of Denali
Mountain from here, and those photos are on page 2, which can be reached
through the link at the bottom of this page. |
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Below: Karen Duquette liked
the "Keep Exploring" engraved on the steps, plus
the nearby Explore sign. |
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Below: The family of the two
RV Gypsies took a bit of a walk behind Eielson Visitor Center. They
almost missed the bus for the rest of the trip. Luckily others were
even later than them getting back on the bus, and the bus driver waited. |
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Below: This is either Reflection
Pond or Wonder Lake - The two RV Gypsies wondered which it
is. |
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Below: A beautiful mountain |
Below: An area the bus did not stop
at. |
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After leaving Denali National
Park, Karen Duquette spotted the mosquito sign shown below and thought
it was funny. But it was also true. |
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