The Tundra Wilderness Tour
The Tundra Wilderness Tour school bus was stupidly small and crowded to sold out capacity with tourists. It was designed for grade school students not adults and when an animal showed up outside, people were all assholes and elbows trying to get a photograph through the small windows. The bus driver usually kept the bus moving so as to allow all windows have a view, but good luck with using your camera. Out of 86 photos taken, only a few of mine turned out worth while. Hindsight being 20-20, it might have be better to choose the NPS shuttle bus. Although that is an even more primitive bus, it is also less likely to be crowded full to capacity and it certainly costs less than taking the TWT tour. Also, you can ride as far into the park route as you want to and more or less do it your way. Plan on bringing in your own food and water and packing out your own trash. The only thing better would be to drive your own vehicle, but our overpopulation has eroded that privilege in the national parks. This old codger remembers the enjoyment of DRIVING through Yellowstone and other National Parks!
Up and out the gate at 5:00AM Tundra Wilderness Tour
Denali National Park
Dall Sheep
Fireweed is the first vegetation to grow after a fire.
Mama grizzley and two cubs.
Holding the roadway!
The valley below.
The road back through Polychrome
A Ground Squirrel (fox food)
Ptarmigian alongside the road.
Down to riverbed level. Any gold here?
Lunch time at the river. (54 miles into the park)
The roadway back. Driver needs full attention!
Bear in the bushes!
Caribou standing very still avoiding flies.
Moose photo 1
Moose photo 2
Moose photo 3
Moose photo 4
Moose photo 5
Moose photo 6
Moose photo 7
Grizzley bear in the river bed.
Bath time!
Flat out soak!
The park shuttle bus.
National Park Service Map
Here is a complete screen controlled and printable map of Denali National Park by the National Park Service.
The Husky dog sled show in the park.
Hooking them up.
Eager to go!
Dog sleds are used to patrol the park for poachers during the winter. The rangers were all set up to provide a show of their dogs and equipment. Click this link for a short movie clip: HuskyMush
Plan your own visit to Denali National Park.
After a two night stay at Denali National Park, it’s time to hit the rails again to head to Fairbanks, Alaska. Unfortunately, this is was a rainy day and good photography through the railcar windows was not an option.
Loading up for our run to Fairbanks
As we motor on down the tracks in a light rain.
We see our last view of McKinley Chalets Resort
The prime rib dinner was absolutely scrumptious!
The upper deck is spacious and scenic.
Next Page: Discovery River Boat and Chena Village.