Letters from Alaska - Denali

Chapter 2: Denali

Standing in the Shadow of the Great One

The day we discover just how small we are in the best possible way.

There are some places that simply can't be captured in a photograph. Denali is one of them.

You can see hundreds of beautiful pictures before your trip, but nothing prepares you for that first glimpse. The mountain seems to rise out of nowhere, towering above everything around it. It's so vast that it changes your perspective, reminding you just how incredible nature can be.

Welcome to Denali National Park.

The Great One

Home to North America's tallest peak, Denali reaches an astonishing 20,310 feet into the Alaskan sky. For centuries, Alaska Native peoples have called this mountain "Denali," meaning "The Great One." Standing in its presence, you'll quickly understand why.

More Than a Mountain

More than a mountain this is their home

Denali National Park covers more than six million acres of protected wilderness. That's an area larger than the state of New Hampshire.

Unlike many national parks, most of Denali has just one road. Private vehicles are restricted beyond the first few miles, helping preserve the wilderness and allowing wildlife to roam freely.

As we travel through the park, don't be surprised if traffic comes to a stop. Not because of construction. Because a grizzly bear decided to cross the road. Or a family of caribou. Or a moose grazing quietly nearby.

In Denali, nature sets the schedule.

Wildlife Around Every Corner

One of the most exciting parts of visiting Denali is never knowing what you'll see next.

Keep your eyes open for:

• Grizzly bears

• Moose

• Caribou

• Dall sheep

• Wolves

• Golden eagles

Sometimes they're close enough for incredible photos. Other times they're tiny specks on a mountainside. Either way, every sighting becomes part of your Alaska story.

The Mountain Doesn't Always Appear

Hide and seek

Here's a fun fact that surprises many visitors.

Denali creates its own weather.

Clouds often gather around the summit, meaning only about thirty percent of visitors see the entire mountain completely uncovered.

If we're lucky enough to catch a clear view, we'll be witnessing something many travelers wait a lifetime to experience.

It's one of Alaska's greatest gifts.

Sheila's Travel Tips

Bring binoculars if you have them.

Dress in layers. Even on sunny days, temperatures can change quickly.

Have your camera ready, but don't forget to simply look out the window. Some moments are too special to experience through a screen.

Be patient. Wildlife sightings happen when you least expect them.

My Hope for You

When I think about Denali, I don't think about checking another national park off a list.

I think about perspective. Standing in a place so vast and untouched has a way of making the everyday worries we carry seem just a little smaller.

My hope is that you'll take a quiet moment during our visit to simply look around.

Listen to the wind.

Watch for wildlife.

Take in the endless wilderness.

And remember that some of the most unforgettable moments aren't the loud ones.

They're the quiet ones.

I can't wait to experience Denali with all of you.

Your Alaskan Expert

Sheila

Believe You Can Travel