Got up early and moved to Riley Campground in Denali National park. Then went to the visitors center for our 10:20 a.m. trip into the park to see the Mountain. We had decided on the Eielson trip which was 8 hours. Our bus driver/guide was Kim Turnbull, originally from MN.
The road into Eielson is a narrow dirt and gravel road up and down mountainsides with many switchbacks and sheer drop-offs with no guardrails. Kim was up to the task but at times it was a bit scary. We saw many animals on the way including Red Fox, Caribou, Grizzly Bear and cubs, Dall Sheep, Moose, Arctic Ground Squirrel, and a lot of birds—Golden Eagle, Long Tailed Jaeger, Mew Gull, Black-billed Magpie, Gray Jay, Raven, and a Rock Ptarmigan (the Alaska state bird).
Denali was “out” in all its glory, in fact Kim said that today was the best viewing day so far this year so the trip was well worth it. When we got back, Harlan and Shirley were waiting for us in the parking lot. We invited them to our campsite for a beer and took their picture.
Later in the evening, we walked around the campground and met Bill and Gwen Groskurth from Albert Lea, MN. Simba napped and we read a little before bed…..tired and happy!!24 miles today; 4376 total
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