Denali Help Needed

[taxjam]

We will be at Denali for 2 days in mid-August, 2007. One day we will do an early bus trip (13 hours) to Wonder Lake per the recommendation of Budget Queen and others. What do we do the second day - the thought of a second 13 hour bus trip does not sound totally exciting - so we are looking for ideas for the second day which can either a full day staying over in the Denali area for an additional night or a partial day leaving the Denali area in the afternoon. Thanks

[mytime53]

After a full day spent on a bus, I would need a hike. You could either hike in the Park, or, depending on which direction you go when you leave the area, outside. All our off-road trips have been south of the Park, so I'm not familiar with areas to hike towards Fairbanks. Southward, however, there are many places to take a walk. Mid-August, you have the bonus of blueberry picking while you walk, and depending on where you go, the possibility of ending up in the middle of a herd of caribou (not dangerous--they're quite spread out).

You also would have time to fit in a raft trip if you are so inclined.

[Budget Queen]

Hiking is an excellent suggestion. There also may be some ranger activities of interest? Usually Savage River has a guided ranger hike/talk. Rafting is a popular option and so is flightseeing. IF you have no interest in these, perhaps, head to the state park, again more hiking available then on to Talkeetna- 3 hours from Denali Park, an interesting funky town- with superb flightseeing touring available.

[fti]

The day you arrive you can inquire at the visitor center about the Discovery Hikes. These are ranger-led hikes that take the better part of a day. Most likely there will be room still available for the day after your full-day bus ride to Wonder Lake (i.e. day 1 arrive, check into the Discovery Hike, day 2 bus to Wonder Lake, day 3 Discovery Hike). These hikes are free but you do have to pay for the bus ride (similar to shuttle bus prices).

 

You could also spend the better part of a day between hikes near the visitor center (Mt. Healy Overlook) and the visitor center.

 

Another option is to look into staying in Kantishna one night. Skyline Lodge is a good economical choice. That way you take the shuttle/camper bus into the park the day you were going to go to Wonder Lake. Stay at Skyline Lodge that night, maybe do some hiking near Wonder Lake on your own the next morning then take the bus back to the park entrance later that day. The biggest benefit of doing this is feeling like you have the park to yourself after the shuttle busses stop running and having a better chance of seeing Mt. McKinley, which is often visible in the evening or early morning before being clouded over the rest of the day.