May 2017 - Denali

We spent a week in Alaska, and the first stop was Denali national park. The weather was beautiful and we actually saw the tallest peak in North America! We were hoping to see wildlife and mountain vistas, and Denali did not disappoint. We also had our first trail-less backcountry hiking experience, which was exciting but also got a bit intense when we weren't sure if we were going to make it down a valley.

Another highlight was getting to camp in the park. The sun set late enough and rose early enough that it was never really dark. And then our second morning, when we had planned to leave, it was snowing! Real, fat flakes on May 30. Check out a video of snowing at the bottom.

Campfire hotdogs - the dinner of champions.		On the bus out into the park
Campfire hotdogs - the dinner of champions.		On the bus out into the park
Our first wildlife of the bus ride: A caribou	A northern hawk owl, my first ever owl sighting!	Showing off his head-all-the-way-around trick
Our first wildlife of the bus ride: A caribou	A northern hawk owl, my first ever owl sighting!	Showing off his head-all-the-way-around trick
Caught mid-call. He really looks like a grumpy old man now!	A rare wolf sighting
Caught mid-call. He really looks like a grumpy old man now!	A rare wolf sighting
A ptarmigan	A golden eagle	Mountains of Denali
A ptarmigan	A golden eagle	Mountains of Denali
The start of our wilderness hiking experience	Wildflowers
The start of our wilderness hiking experience	Wildflowers
A moose walked right beneath us while we were eating lunch	In the middle of the wilderness	A myrtle warbler
A moose walked right beneath us while we were eating lunch	In the middle of the wilderness	A myrtle warbler
	Crossing a giant snow bank	Hiking across the brush
	Crossing a giant snow bank	Hiking across the brush
Wilderness
Wilderness
The furthest point of our hike
The furthest point of our hike
Bushwhacking our way down a small canyon	Made it down to the wash!
Bushwhacking our way down a small canyon	Made it down to the wash!
Bear tracks!
Bear tracks!
Dall sheep all up the mountainside	The boss sheep on top	A lamb
Dall sheep all up the mountainside	The boss sheep on top	A lamb
	Another lamb	Feeding action shot
	Another lamb	Feeding action shot
Caribou in the field	Another ptarmigan	The mountain formerly known as Mt. McKinley! Rising high above the park.
Caribou in the field	Another ptarmigan	The mountain formerly known as Mt. McKinley! Rising high above the park.
		A moose near the campsites
		A moose near the campsites
Gray jay
Gray jay
A red squirrel	Bright bright bright at 10:30pm!	A magpie
A red squirrel	Bright bright bright at 10:30pm!	A magpie
A fast-hopping snowshoe hare	Snowing the morning we left
A fast-hopping snowshoe hare	Snowing the morning we left