Alaska '08 Day 29, Denali

Thu July 10, 2008

At 9:30 we caught a bus to Toklat river, about half way into the park (mile 53). This is a 6 hour ride, Wonder Lake was like 11. This is about as far as I want to go with the kids. We didn't see as many animals as I thought we would but the scenery is amazing and we did get to see Mount McKinley with no clouds (hadn't even planned on this since it is somewhat rare). Polychrome pass has some really great views across the valley to the Alaska Range. Polychrome pass is a cool ride. The busses drive up through Sable Canyon then up along a ridge. The road is one lane, hairpin turns, steep grades, and steep rolloffs. To pass one bus stops at a wide section and waits for the other to crawl past. We got lots of good pictures and saw caribou, dall sheep, golden eagles and a moose. But no grizzly bear, most people do see grizzly bear. Both kids did really good for a 6 hour ride.



After the bus ride the kids finished their Junior Ranger books and we went over to the visitors' center and got their badges. Emmy got one too, she did the whole Junior Ranger book.

- Jon