Day 9 Blessed by "the Great One"

Nice panorama. If only I could remember where this was taken!

276 miles to tonight’s camp spot from Tazlina Rest Area to Byers Lake campground in Denali State Park. It’s a medium sized forested park with 73 fairly private sites for only $15. And, once again, I scored a pull through site! I’m not against backing up, I’m just avoiding it. Finally got a good look at some boreal chickadees in my camp site greeting us. Cute little guys that are much browner than Black-capped chickadees.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Random road shot

Love at first site- Denali

Before arriving here I stopped at the visitor center for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This park is as big as 6 Yellowstones and six of the highest peaks in North America are located within the park boundaries. The Wrangell Mountains are volcanic with Mt. Wrangell (shield volcano) actively steaming. The more coastal St. Elias Mountains were (and are being) formed by subduction of the tectonic plates. It’s a wilderness park that really can only be accessed by hiking. The visitor center area and interpretive trails make up for it, though. The short interpretive trail was deserted. Part of it follows the original Valdez trail. I often wonder if I’m following in my grandpa’s footsteps since I was always told he loved Alaska and came here when he was young.

The Valdez trail was the first overland access trail into interior Alaska; first by foot by the aboriginal people, then dog sled, then wagons, and eventually vehicles. The trail was abandoned in 1902 for a different route heading to Fairbanks to chase the gold.

I love knowing this big beautiful wild place is protected. I don’t need to hike it to appreciate it. I wish I could have driven the two gravel access roads into the park, though. Not towing a trailer. The McCarthy Road is 60 miles long and the Nabesna Road is 42 miles long. Oh the adventure those roads would be!

Valdez Trail

I drove the steep and sometimes curvy Glenn Highway east to Palmer and Wasilla. It crosses over some magnificent high country with the centerpiece being the Matanuska Glacier. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this and missed the turn. Maneuvering with the trailer is tricky. I did pull over and get a great view of it near the road. Amazing to be so close to a glacier!

Matanuska Glacier

It happens everywhere but most frustrating when it’s in a great wildlife area. The highway is being “twinned” (2 lanes each way with a very wide median and huge shoulders) through Wasilla right where moose crossing signs are located with no safe passage for the moose. Make the road straighter so folks drive faster and eventually kill a moose and probably a few people, too. Sad.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Copper River?

Out of town and on my way; I crest a hill and see a big mountain way in the distance. I suspected it was Denali but wasn’t sure. It was.

My first view outside of Wasilla

Later I stopped at the Denali State Park south viewpoint and was rewarded with one of the most spectacular views of a mountain I have ever had the privilege to see- Denali in all its glory! I don’t think the people around me have any clue as to how incredibly lucky we are and what a gift it is to see this huge vast piece of the wild. I am so grateful that I made it this far. I am so grateful I can see the mountain. If I don’t see the mountain tomorrow, it’s okay because I’ve experienced its glory today and as the Native saying goes “it is a good day to die.”

The Great One- Denali

I find it hard to get to bed on time since I gained an hour in Alaska and it’s light until 10pm. I just want to stay up and read all the cool books I bought and brochures I picked up, and maps! But tomorrow is a big day so goodnight.

Byers Lake campsite

Wildlife- boreal chickadees, ruffed grouse, Steller’s jay, osprey, and red squirrels

Lesson #9 Gratitude knows no bounds.