Steven Crisp:
Driving into Denali on the first evening. Weather seems to be clearing, and some nice vistas.
Steven Crisp:
The early evening light really lit up this mountain range!
Steven Crisp:
The snow on the mountains are starting to build as we head further into the park
Steven Crisp:
But Denali was fully engulfed in clouds (a common occurrence, I've heard 70% of the time). So we head back and take a nice little trail walk, and hope things work out tomorrow.
Steven Crisp:
Seagulls on a rest areas roof.
Steven Crisp:
The mountains create their own weather patterns - very interesting.
Steven Crisp:
Boy, oh boy, the clouds are getting darker -- not a very good omen for tomorrow. It's always a crapshoot about the weather in Alaska, or at least it was for us.
Steven Crisp:
Well, certainly blue sky in this direction.
Steven Crisp:
It's the following morning, and this interesting cloud is from the pull-out we stayed at. Gotta love golden hour!
Steven Crisp:
Movie: So when I was checking out the pull-out, I saw this path that left the parking area. Here's what I found. A short path along the cliff-edge of this Nenana River, as it passes under a high suspension bridge, with some amazing steep drops and cool
Steven Crisp:
Here's a shot from the cliff-edge toward the suspension bridge.
Steven Crisp:
Pulled back from the edge, the texture of this plant caught my eye (and allowed me to catch my breath).
Steven Crisp:
Here we go again, looking right over the edge down to the rushing river. My mind flashes to Carol asking "Where did Steven go?" Fear is an interesting phenomenon.
Steven Crisp:
This looks a little more sedate, and picturesque, with the sun hitting the bridge and the Class A RV as it crosses, likely heading for Denali National Park.
Steven Crisp:
So here we are, re-entering the park early in the morning. Wish us good weather ;-)
Steven Crisp:
And there is Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley). Lovely cloud-free morning (mostly). This view is the first glimpse we got as we drove 15 miles into the park, to a place where we could park (and drive no further), and then walk further up the road.
Steven Crisp:
The Savage River (looking very tame today) from where we parked ThistleDewToo.
Steven Crisp:
Movie: And here we are on that walk, with a 360-degree view to show you some of the cool sights and especially clouds. Enough movie-taking, I need to catch up to Carol ;-)
Steven Crisp:
Here's a panorama shot for teeny-tiny Denali and its associated mountain range.
Steven Crisp:
Still walking with some more views of Denali and some encroaching clouds?
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Carol's shot of Denali nicely framed by some trees.
Steven Crisp:
A quick selfie is a good excuse to catch our breath.
Steven Crisp:
There she be -- Denali -- cloud free (actually, just starting to form). This is the tallest mountain in all of North America, at 20,310 ft. And it has more vertical rise due to its low base, than Mt. Everest. Just sayin' ;-)
Steven Crisp:
Here's a panorama of the nearby mountain range as you walk to the Denali viewpoint.
Steven Crisp:
And there she is again - this is as much of her as we'll get to see from this location. The road was closed for repairs to a big landslide before the point where you can view her all the way down to the base.
Steven Crisp:
Carol's view of me snapping away. You could say, I was outstanding in my field ;-)
Steven Crisp:
Another view of Denali, this time with the Park Road in the picture, and one of the required busses to drive beyond 15 miles into the park.
Steven Crisp:
We took a picture of a couple in front of Denali, and they returned the favor.
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Clouds over a small peak near our parking location.
Steven Crisp:
Looks like the Arm of God is about to put some smack on that mountain!
