Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Trip to Wonder Lake & Back

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
Today is a liquid sunshine day, but the caribou along the river don't seem to care. This was taken at mile 15, just as the pavement ends and the rest is a well maintained dirt road.

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
Dall Sheep seem to be everywhere today. They are so cute! This guy is busy chewing his cud on Marmot Rock, very close to the road to get this good close up - finally!

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
I ask Bob to spoof it up at the Toklat River rest stop.

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
Finally at mile 85 is Wonder Lake, known for spectacular views complete with reflections of the Alaskan Range including Denali. Today, we get clouds, and I might add, swarms of mosquitos to boot. But, I came prepared. That's the way it goes in Alaska! Maybe we'll have better luck during the week we'll be in Talkeetna.

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
Hey, we find another bear, this time a profile view. Yea!

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
Count them: not one, but two bull moose. Are we in luck or what?

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
The rain hid the mountains, but it seems to have brought on the animals. How fortunate since today is our final day in the park. The mud does make viewing challenging. Each time we stop, passengers pull out window cleaners and try to get the mud the tires continually throw onto the windows cleaned up for better viewing. It's almost a lost cause.

From Trip to Wonder Lake, DNP
In spite of the rain and mud, everyone is in a cheerful mood and has a good time. We loved our visit, but now it's time for our next adventure.

For further information: Denali National Park

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