Day 36
Another sunny day but temps went 7 C to 15 C - but a lot cooler up in the mountains at 4,000 feet. All traffic into Denali is well controlled, private vehicles can only go in 14 miles - our bus tour went in 63 miles. What a fantastic day: at the apex of the tour we were 35 miles away from Mt McKinley (20,320 ft) and we actually saw it (OK we only saw 80% of it, some clouds still blocked the topmost peak), apparently 75% of most bus tours don't see it at all. Mt. McKinley has been renamed a few times, the locals still don't like the political name of McKinley, they still refer to it as the original name of Denali.
As spectacular as seeing Mt Denali was, the wild-life we saw on the trip was just as exciting. Carole recorded all the sightings and according to her, this is what we saw: 1 Hoary Marmot, 1 Red Fox pup, 1 Wolf, 6 Dall Sheep, 6 Moose, 7 Snowshoe Hares, 13 Grizzly Bears, 14 Caribou, and a partridge in a pear tree...
The rarest thing we saw was the two grizzly cubs nursing from their mom; we were not close enough to hear the buzzing noise they make but the driver did get it all on his video.
On the way home we got pictures of a white water raft launch.
The attached picture is not at Mt Denali; but at one of the many stops on the way. Notice we all have our new jackets on. L to R we have: Bob, Marcel, Ann, Bill, Carole, Margaret, Sharon, Terry.
I'm wondering about the pear tree...the rest I believe....sounds wonderful
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