ROAD LOTTERY



Each year when the buses stop running the park service allows a limited number of private autos access to the road system for four days.  You register in the spring and then they have a drawing and announce lottery winners in early summer.  We finally won a spot this year.  Weather was great and the mountain was out.  Can't beat the comfort of your own car and unlimited PB&Js while you enjoy the beauty of DNP.

Rolling in a Rolls

WINDY

Fall is here and with it the high winds.  Looking out the window today I spotted these vessels braving the elements for who knows what reason.

CHANGE

Camp Robber hopping for some attention

Had a great season ending run of weather at DNP.  Sunny days and clear nights from September 8th right on up to when we left on Tuesday (Sept 21).  Managed several more trips into the park including a backcountry overnight and a ride to Wonder Lake on the last day of the road lottery.  Animal sightings, mountain views and spectacular fall colors.  Just a bit sad to see it all end for this year.  Console myself with the thoughts of what adventures await us during the coming winter months.

MOOSE

While you see moose everywhere in Alaska, its still a treat watching the long legged beasts doing what moose do.  Amid the fall color and cooler weather here in Denali National Park, one of the things they do is rut.  Battles of dominance to impress the ladies.  Not sure what all the rules are, but the rut gives us an opportunity to get up close (within reason) for pictures. 

ROCK CREEK TRAIL

Yellow brick road?

Headed out this evening for a stroll down the Rock Creek Trail.  First time and it was a nice walk.  Lots of color and a few hares to lively the hike up just a bit.  A slight drizzle but being in the forest kept us mostly dry.

POLYCHROME RIDGE WALK

 THE MOUNTAIN

Our Labor day celebration started with an early morning wake up, a quick walk of the dog, and an eight am bus departure into DNP.  Our destination - Polychrome where we planned on hiking a ridge that would take us on a six mile trek through an area we had yet to explore.  45 degrees but sunny when we rolled out of the Wilderness Access Center.  Day grew progressively warmer and sunnier as we enjoyed the two hour ride to Polychrome.  The Mountain (as Denali or McKinley is known) was out in all its glory from early on throughout the day. 

Denali Wolf

Wildlife was abundant including my first opportunity to photograph a wolf up close in its natural surroundings. 












Also enjoyed watching a band of Dall sheep basking in the sunshine doing sheep stuff, including banging their heads together.  No wonder the ewes keep their distance for all but a short time during the annual breeding season. 

TRIPLE LAKES REDUX

Porcupine hiding in tree

Beaver Lodge (abandoned)

Hiked the newly completed Triple Lakes Trail Saturday morning.  From the north end all the way back to the cabin just about 11 miles.  Overcast drizzly and windy but the tree cover protected us from the worst of it.  Walked up on a large male porcupine who scurried up a tree before we could capture the moment kodak style.  Also saw several flocks of sprce grouse.  Lots of colors and a nice hike.

Back In Denali

Took Pop to the airport Monday afternoon after letting him treat us to lunch at the MidWay Cafe in Anchorage.  Really enjoyed his visit. Then spent a few days at the condo getting truck serviced (thank goodness rear end noise was nothing to worry about) and enjoying the summer weather.   Have been lucky so far in that the few days we've spent in the city have been pleasant weatherwise.

Fall Colors

Thursday we hit the road heading north to Denali.  Expect we will be here till September 22, when the tourist season ends.  Cooler weather, shorter days but still lots to see and do.  Drove into Savage Thursday night to view some of the fall colors.  Spectacular views, and saw 8 moose.