HEALY OVERLOOK

Tuesday's weather was just the ticket to get us moving outside once again.  Our destination - Healy Overlook.  This hike is one of the few in Denali National Park where there actually is an established trail.  From the railroad tracks where we parked, its about 6 miles roundtrip with an ascent of 1700 feet to the overlook.  The trail starts pretty easy, but quickly jets upward and gets steeper and steeper as you near the summit. The trail is well maintained, but loose rocks cover the upper portion. The hike is moderately difficult, but would likely be ranked easy by most Alaskan hikers. Once at the summit you realize that all the hard work was well worth it.

We've been here many times but Tuesday was the first time the wind wasn't howling along the ridge. Having done all the hard work to reach the ridge, we extended this hike about a mile and a few more hundred feet by hiking the ridge line toward Mt Healy proper. Beautiful views and lots of Arctic ground squirrels and marmots to keep us company!

Nancy rocks

Arctic ground squirrel

Marmot

Mt Marcus

Trailside looking south up Riley Creek

Whose there?