We had a great trip to Denali last weekend as the happy bearers of a road permit (given to us by a friend who had won the lottery but couldn't attend). For a 4-day weekend each year, the NPS gives out a limited number of permits for visitors to drive into the park in their own vehicles. (Normally you must ride a park bus, so it was a real treat to be able to travel the park's 90 mile-road in style in the Subaru.)
We drove in just as the sun came up above the mountains to the southeast, and already Denali was in view. Huzzah!
Our first wildlife sighting was a bull moose.
At Polychrome Pass, we joined a line of cars for a port-a-potty stop and a look around.
Later we came upon a mama bear stretched out on a hill while her 2 cubs (estimated 2-3 years old), one blonde, one dark, romped around the slope.
Though clouds had begun to move in, we still had a fabulous view of the mountain when we made it further into the park.
We lunched at Wonder Lake Campground, where we discovered we'd forgotten to pack our sporks. The leatherman made quick work of a couple of willow sticks, and soon we were free to eat our mac and cheese.
I did some snoozing as we began the return drive, and later we spotted a rainbow. Dall sheep and more bears awaited.
All in all, a lovely way to spend a September weekend.
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