Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
A Week Between Denali and Fairbanks
I spent my final days in Denali exploring Cantwell, hiking Horseshoe Lake and trying to master my Garmin 67i before driving north to Fairbanks. That's where the week changed. A noise I'd been hearing from the rear of the van turned out to be a brake pad worn completely to metal, leaving me parked for several days while Ford searched for parts and me wondering how 7 mm of brake pad disappeared so quickly.
Denali Sled Dogs and Bike Ride
I visited Denali’s historic sled dog kennels to learn how these working dogs have helped rangers protect the park for more than a century. Later, I traded dog power for pedal power with a 20-mile bike ride, including ten miles of climbing up the Denali Park Road.
Denali: A Summer Day
After a busy week in Denali, I finally slowed down. I spent the afternoon exploring exhibits at the Denali Visitor Center, learning more about the people, artists and history of the park, wandering through the Alaska Railroad depot, and wondering whether I could squeeze in a train ride to Fairbanks. Later, I drove toward Savage River with the windows down, stopping for wildlife and photographing the evening light moving across the mountains.
Denali: Tundra Wilderness Tour
An early morning Tundra Wilderness Tour took me deep into Denali National Park, with grizzlies, caribou, Arctic ground squirrels and plenty of “bear rocks” along the way. That evening, a fascinating presentation on permafrost, wildfire history and Alaska’s changing landscape gave me an entirely different way of looking at Denali.
Denali: East Fork Discovery Hike
A full day in Denali's backcountry took me across an icy river, through colorful tundra, and into grizzly country on a ranger-led East Fork Discovery Hike. Along the way I learned about the Pretty Rocks Landslide, photographed wildlife, and experienced one of the most peaceful landscapes I've encountered in Alaska.
Denali National Park
My first day in Denali National Park was spent settling into the campground, talking with Ranger Kate, learning how the park's wilderness experience is different from most national parks, exploring the visitor center, and preparing for my first guided backcountry hike. Along the way I met interesting people, discovered a unique rock-filled retaining wall, and realized this visit would be unlike any national park I'd experienced before.
Denali Grand Tour with Glacier Landing
A perfect Alaska morning takes me on K2 Aviation's Denali Grand Tour with Glacier Landing. From braided rivers and towering granite peaks to a landing on the Ruth Glacier inside the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, this flight offered some of the most spectacular scenery I've experienced in Alaska.