The Kantishna Experience

Sunday, September 3, 2017

A moose crossed in front of us on the highway back to the park, which we entered early for the Kantishna Experience, a 12-hour bus tour going the entire length of the 92 mile road into the park and turning around at the Kantishna mining area where there is still a bit of mining but the last big load was taken out in the 80s.   

It was the most beautiful bus ride I can imagine ever taking. We saw a mostly unshrouded Mt. Denali again along with bear, caribou, a pack of wolves, and a flock of 60 ptarmigan. We drove through different ecosystems and different weather and it was way too awesome to capture on camera but a few attempts.

Labor Day, 2017

We drove the first 15-miles of the Denali road again, and then hiked along the north-flowing Savage River. I fantasized about starting early in the summer and kayaking it to the Bering Strait. Sydney was more enthused than David.

It was another incredibly beautiful trip. We stopped at a picnic area on our way out and fended off a gray jay, aka camp robber and national bird of Canada, and a very persistent red squirrel which snuck up on the bench and onto David’s back after having been run off numerous times.

We are now back in Anchorage, staying at currently out-of-town friends’ house. David and Sydney are cooking tacos. Tomorrow is Anchorage and Wednesday we leave for Seward, but I already have enjoyed way more than I ever could have hoped.