Erica Wollman Photography: Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali is an amazing place. I worked there as a hiking guide during the summer of ’10.

●located in Interior Alaska and contains Denali (Mt. McKinley), the highest mountain in North America

●The word “Denali” means “the high one” in the native Athabascan language and refers to the mountain itself.

●The mountain was named after president William McKinley by a local prospector, although McKinley had no connection with the region. The name is only used by those outside of Alaska.

●Charles Sheldon took an interest in the Dall sheep native to the region, and became concerned that human encroachment might threaten the species. After a visit, he petitioned the people of Alaska and Congress to create a preserve for the sheep.

1. Dall Sheep

2. Moose

3. Grizzly Bears

4. Gray Wolf

5. Caribou

6. Red Fox

7. Denali (Mt. McKinley)

A clear view of the mountain is only possible about 20% of the time during the summer. The mountain is 20,320 feet tall.

8. Polychrome Overlook

9. Sled dog kennel: These are the only sled dogs in the United States that help protect a national park and the wildlife, scenery, and wilderness therein, and it has been this way since the park’s beginning. They do a free dog sled demonstration. Get on a free bus from the visitor center.

10. Flight seeing tour/glacier landing

11. Horseshoe Lake

12. Savage River

13. Alaskan Railroad

Vehicle access: The park is serviced by a 91-mile road from the George Parks Highway to the mining camp of Kantishna. Only the first 15 miles of the road are available to private vehicles. I recommend taking a bus tour to Wonder Lake which is a 6 hour bus ride from the Wilderness Access Center. The tours travel from boreal forests through tundra. Rivers and glaciers are visible on the bus tour.

Hiking: Trails in Denali are largely centered around the Denali Visitor Center. Here is a list of trails near the visitor center.

1. Rock Creek Trail