From Fairbanks to Denali and on to Anchorage

The Alaska Railroad runs daily from Fairbanks to Denali National Park Depot. We departed at 8.15 AM and arrived in Denali around 12.15 PM. Along the way we enjoyed the scenery and our time to sit back and relax. We even viewed a moose along the side of the road.

When we arrived at Denali we took the shuttle bus into the park.

There is only one road into and out of the park. We rode the green school bus shuttle to mile 66 on the park road and it only took 4 ½ hours to get there! Along the road to and from the Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 we spotted:

1 Million Snow Hares (or it seemed that way!)
25-30 Caribou
15 -20 Dall Sheep
10 Grizzly Bears (there is now a consensus on this number but Alex dissents)
5 Ptarmigan
2 Raven
2 Fox
1 Wolf
1 Bald Eagle
1 Moose (if you believe the kid behind us and call a big black lump far on the horizon a moose)

Up Close with a Couple of Grizzly Bears:


It was a cloudy but beautiful afternoon and evening in Denali National Park. The fall colors were just starting to turn and the valleys were awash with golds and reds. There was fresh snow on the tops of several mountain peaks. Eielson is the first point into the park where you have a chance of viewing Mount McKinley (also called by it’s Athabascan name “Denali” meaning “The Great One”). Unfortunately it was shrouded with a coat of clouds. But, we did get to try out antlers of the caribou. I had a little trouble holding them up…

After a night and a hardy breakfast at the Denali Faith Hill Lodge in Healy, we returned to Denali National Park for a demonstration of dog mushing by the Park Rangers. Alex tried his skill at mushing:

All the dogs loved Ashley:

But not Dad:


After a visit to the Park Visitor Center we boarded the Alaska Railroad once again, this time in the glass vista dome car. It is an amazing double-decker rail car with seating on the upper level surrounded by glass and an observation deck and dining on the lower level. We had a served lunch in the dining car. The boys thought the Buffalo Chili was the best but Dad preferred the Smoked Salmon Corn Chowder. The trip to Anchorage lasted 7 ½ hours but it was an amazing trip!