Denali Alaska - back country lodges

Denali the “high one” is the name the Athabascan native people gave the massive 600-mile high peak of the Alaska Range, it is also the name of the immense National Park, that was created from the former Mount McKinley National Park.

In 1917 Mount Mckinley National Park was established as a game refuge, both the park and its highest peak were named for - then senator Mckinley - who later became President of the United States. In 1980 the area was enlarged to 4 million acres and renamed Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the world’s last great frontiers, which to this day remains largely unspoiled.

In the park there are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish and only one species of amphibian. In the park, the coming of spring, sees the return of 80 percent of bird life and the waking of hibernating bears. In the s,ummer which is the heart of the vacation time for visitors to Alaska, and Denali, there is an increase of wildlife activity, among which is the not-so-popular hordes of insects.

This is not the easiest place to get around on ones own, there is only one unpaved road which has limited access, and most of the park is accessible,only by park-sanctioned bus trips, while backpackers and campers will find there is limited services, they are responsible for their own food, water, electricity and tele-communications. The rewards for all who visit is spectacular scenery and an abundance of wildlife seen close up - very carefully.

Visitors to the Denali back country have many options - it can be by comfortable express motor coach, with large picture windows to view the passing scenery. Daily service is available from Seward, where cruise passengers come in, and from Anchorage for those who arrive by air. The same services can be had by Rail which also includes Fairbanks, the second largest city in Alaska and rental cars are available for the true independent spirit who likes to charter their own course. Then for those who prefer more handholding there are "the Tours", and one of the best places to find tours to Alaska and Denali is at http://www.alaskatours.com/.

Many guests visiting Denali, stay near the entrance, along a ten-mile stretch of the Parks Highway known as the Denali Town Site, which is not really inside the park. This area has beautiful views, vibrant forests, and the chance to see lots of wildlife. It also offers day tours into the backcountry.

The advantages for visitors, who stay at the town site, is that it is more affordable and has easy access to the town where there are - shops, restaurants, a visitors center and tours that depart daily to the surrounding countryside. The only drawback, is not being in the thick of million of acres of protected land, and away from public roads.

One of the popular places to stay - Denali Cabins -is actually outside the park - but away from the the bustling hotels and lodging crowds. It is a collection of cedar cabins, located just south of the entrance to the Park, nestled in the trees along the banks of the glacial-fed Nenana River. Beside the comfortable accommodations, restaurant and bar, they also provide complimentary transfers to and from the railroad depot.

For those looking for a more adventurous experience, there is Denali Backcountry Lodge at Kantishna, about 100 miles in the heart of Denali National Park, at the end of the Denali Park road. While travelling on this restricted road, the experienced driver/guide will offer tips on sighting the animals and birds, it is possible for visitors to see a Grizzly cow with baby cubs, a band of bull Caribou with huge antlers browsing in the tundra, Dall sheep on a high mountain ridge or birds soaring by. The exciting trip takes about 6 hours, depending on weather and animal sightings.

Kantishna began as a turn-of-the-century mining district, it is now part of the Park system and home to the Lodge which is nestled in a valley at the very end of the 92-mile Park road. There are forty-two comfortable cabins with heating and private bathrooms, a restaurant and lounge area.

Activities at the lodge include daily hikes, gold panning, botany walks, shuttle to Wonder Lake,naturalist programs of the adjacent boreal forest and tundra, and a visit to the famous Fannie Quigley Cabin - where pioneer Fannie Quiigley lived alone from 1905 to 1944 when she died at the age of 72. During her years she mined, hunted caribou, trapped fox, grew a vegetable garden and was known for her wilderness cooking.

Another wilderness lodge, deep in the heart of Denali started as a gold miners tent camp in the early 1900's and served as a private residence, community center, post office and informal hotel. Today it is a modern Alaskan vacation resort - Kantishna Roadhouse with authentic cabin accommodations that include all meals and snacks, daily guided activities and tours.

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Denali National Park is a unforgetable place to visit, it affords an opportunity to see what life - away from the busy urban city - is like. A place to enjoy "mother nature", her beauty, wildlife and tranquility.