Denali or Denial which is it?

 

7/11/11

So DENALI it is!

Arrived at the infamous Daneli on Saturday, and got thru registration. Headed out to Teklinika campground and settled in. Had a lovely evening, after setting up camp and walking along the river, a nice chili dinner, headed to the evening entertainment. Attending an evening lecture on the Ptarmigan.

The state bird of Alaska, delightfully given by Ranger Kaitlin, who ironically is originally from New Jersey. (There is hope for all)  The ‘road warriors’ didn’t think they would enjoy this, but did have a good time. It is amazing they make the presentations so entertaining.

So our adventure on the infamous bus to Eilson was:

Dall Sheep, Moose, Grizzley 9 including the slow poke on the road on the side of the bus, and the Caribou grazing in the meadow. Leaving the park we encountered a family of ptarmigan with 4 chicks crossing the road.

On the way out of Denali the ‘road warriors’ took the time to become Jr Rangers, and were disappointed not to receive a hat.

Following the road out of Denali, we headed NoEast thru Fairbanks to TOK. Had to pick up part of rv left behind last year, not without the usual Tok experience-their way of looking busy, and not quite knowing what your talking about. I can’t believe anything changes in TOK!!!!!

Old Photo part of the Park Story.

DENALI Lesson: Archeological excavation at the Teklanika West site, Teklanika River, 1961 are quick to note that many visitors equate a successful trip along the park road with their ability to spot five major mammals: barren ground caribou, Dall sheep, moose, wolves, and grizzly bear. Those same bus drivers, however, are quick to point out that the area offers excellent habitat for many other large animals, such as coyotes, lynx, red foxes, and black bear. They might also note that other species of mammals inhabit the park (for a total of 25), along with one amphibian species, 15 species of fish, and 166 bird species. These animal species occupy a variety of habitats, and regarding most of the large mammal species, the areas that they inhabit may vary considerably from one year to the next. The Denali caribou herd, which inhabits the park and preserve, graze in many areas outside of the high country. Of other major mammal species, Dall sheep inhabit the Outer Range foothills and the lower slopes of the Alaska Range, and moose may be seen throughout the area below the 3,000-foot isopleths. Wolves, in several packs, inhabit many areas in the northern half of the “old park” as well as in certain areas in the so-called “northern additions” and in drainages south of the high peaks; and grizzlies are found both north and south of the Alaska Range, primarily in tundra and in adjacent riparian taiga vegetation. Only the higher, glaciated slopes are bereft of large mammals. Although most of the large mammalian species are found on both sides of the range, these animals (according to a recent management plan) “occur within the park in greater concentrations north of the Alaska Range than south of the range.” Furthermore, viewing opportunities are excellent on the northern slopes; by contrast, “most areas to the south of the range are not expansive and open and thus do not afford a comparable viewing experience.”