For me, a trip to Alaska would not be complete without a trip to Denali National Park, to see the wildlife, and attempt to see Mt McKinley (or Denali) – and attempt is the right word, as only 30% of people who go to see it, actually do (known as the 30% club), because it is so often covered in cloud. At 20,320 feet, it is quite a bit lower than Everest, but it rises from a lower base. On the day we visited, we were told that there were 300 people climbing it, and that only a week previously, the search for a man on the mountain had been called off as he was presumed dead. It is a pretty serious mountain!
Denali 
Don’t mess with the Alaskans 
A longer than expected drive day, so I was pretty finished by the end! 
Planning the next day 
Camp visitors – a Moose and calf – super cute! 
The next day we set off on an 8-hour bus ride (there is no other choice, unless you want to hike it…) to see the Park. We got to a great viewing spot for the mountain, which despite appearances in this photo, we could actually see! No clouds!! We were officially part of the 30% club!!
So, having seen the mountain, it was time to turn our attention to the wildlife. Unfortunately none of it came particularly close to the bus, but a decent zoom lens can make the world of difference!
A blonde Grizzly Bear 
Caribou on the snow 
Snowshoe hare 
Arctic squirrel 
Gravity-defying Dall sheep 
Golden eagle 
A moose calf which has got separated from its mother… hopefully she finds it again before the bears do… 
Another moose
After sitting on the bus for 8 hours, mum decided we should head off for a hike… so we did. But it was somewhat short lived thanks to the entire squadrons of mosquitos which made life very unpleasant! But we managed to stand still for long enough, and stop flapping our arms, to have some photos taken!
