At about 7:15 we headed over to the Wilderness Access Centre to join everyone preparing for their day out. By the time the bus loaded at 7:45 it had stopped raining and actually was starting to turn into a pretty nice day. Once in the bus, Tim our driver introduced himself and explained a few things about our trip today...for instance, if anyone sights an animal, shout so he can stop the bus; everyone must remain in the bus; the top section of the window opens for picture taking, but no hands/arms are allowed out.
Now, considering our tour was not considered a narrated tour, Tim was talking the whole time. Lots of information about the area and wildlife. He was very good!
(Remember to click on photo to enlarge)
Our first wildlife sighting was a cubby of Ptarmigan...
Note all of the nails in the sign to stop the bears from eating it....they now use it as a scratching post...A Raven just happened by as Steve took this photo...
Our first rest stop and viewing area...
We were fortunate enough to see Mt. McKinley...only 25% of visitors do...it creates it's own weather...
Another view of Mt. McKinley...
Our green shuttle bus (parked at Polychrome Overlook)...
View from Polychrome Overlook...
This grizzly is just across a gully from the Eielson Visitors Centre at mile 66...
This is Wonder Lake...we will stop for a break here on the way back...
This is Reflection Pond...on a perfect day, when the water is flat, you can see a reflection of Mt. McKinley on this pond...
There are four privately owned resorts at Kantishna...
...along with a small airstrip...Kantishna Air. One of the passengers got off and booked a flight back to the park entrance...
The very end of the road...everyone had to have their picture taken at this sign...only 92.5 miles back...
On the way back, we stopped at Wonder Lake...
Lots of wild blueberries...we had to try a few...yumm!
A Grizzly on the roadside...
He wasn't to concerned about us...
Steve saw this grizzly running down the hill and called to the driver. It disappeared behind a small hill so the bus continued on until we saw this... an awesome National Geographic moment!
On our return we once again stopped at the Eielson Visitors Centre. This Grizzly had just been chased away by the blonde Grizzly from the earlier visitor centre photo. They wouldn't let us off the bus for about 5 minutes until he was well enough away...
Toklat River Ranger Station...
Everyone had to try on some Caribou antlers...
A Grizzly sow and two cubs...the cub on the left has a white ring around it's neck...
We returned to the Wilderness Access Center exactly 12 hours later. What a fabulous trip! And well worth the $50 (each). All in all, we saw 11 Grizzly Bears, 8 Dall's Sheep, 1 Red Fox, 2 cubbies of Ptarmigan, 1 Cow Moose (too far away for a photo) and numerous (probably a dozen) Caribou.
290 pictures were taken...Steve edited them down to 197 and we posted only 61. Pictures don't do this beautiful park justice!
As soon as we got home , we went out to say goodbye to our new friends...they are all leaving tomorrow. First of all, we stopped at Rob and Joyce's motorcoach and chatted with Joyce since Rob was with Alan at a Rangers Program. Next, we walked to Bob and Sue's motorcoach but all blinds were closed, so we decided not to disturb them. Instead, we continued onto Alan and Cec's site. Cec was home and invited us in. It wasn't long until Alan returned and we chatted with them, both exchanging highlights over the last couple of days. It was shortly after 9:00 when, after hugs and handshakes, we said our goodbyes. We will likely connect again on this trip...so until next time...
It started raining as we left their place and we had quite a downpour...the day started with rain and ended with it...but it was a great day in between!
Great pictures, really enjoyed viewing them.
ReplyDeleteHarry F
How terrific that the rain stayed away for your trip. What a fantastic day! Definitely worth every penny of the $50. That mama grizzly and the cubs were way too cute. Outstanding photos!! That little one really looks concerned that mama is leaving and the sib isn't there.
ReplyDeleteMt McKinley is breathtaking. What gorgeous photos!!
A day you will remember for a long time. So glad you shared so many photos:)
Amazing Wildlife and gorgeous mountain views!!! What wonderful day it turn out to be:o))
ReplyDelete