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Originally Posted by fti
(Post 13868214)
Be sure to stop at the Murie Science Center to see the Heartbeats of Denali film (excellent) and ask the rangers there for any recent wildlife sightings. Stop at the Park Headquarters to see the sleddogs (no demos yet but still fun to see). And if the weather is nice, you might be able to hike the Savage River Loop hike (2 miles round trip).
Have fun. The park-side view of McKinley was cloudy, though it cleared up as we were leaving the park. The view from Mile 135 was AMAZING. The peak was so clear, above some thin clouds. I hear it's rare to see the peak so clearly. We stopped in Talkeetna on the way back and had great food at the Roadhouse. I was hoping to stop into some stores, but I didn't realize how late it was since it was light out, everything was closed! This Saturday we will definitely explore south of Anchorage before I go home! Thanks for your help John! |
Originally Posted by NoraPHL
(Post 13893692)
We did all of these things. Although the river loop wasn't much of a loop since we couldn't find the path where it was covered in snow/ice (and we weren't confident that we would not slip into the cold river). So we hiked up to Savage Rock, too.
The park-side view of McKinley was cloudy, though it cleared up as we were leaving the park. The view from Mile 135 was AMAZING. The peak was so clear, above some thin clouds. I hear it's rare to see the peak so clearly. We stopped in Talkeetna on the way back and had great food at the Roadhouse. I was hoping to stop into some stores, but I didn't realize how late it was since it was light out, everything was closed! This Saturday we will definitely explore south of Anchorage before I go home! Thanks for your help John! It is incredible when you can see the Mountain, isn't it? The view as you drive into Talkeetna is also really nice. Enjoy Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage! I really enjoy that area. PS You are really fortunate - I just read on the Denali NP website that the road is again closed at mile 3 (the park HQ) due to 5" of snow between mile 7 and the Savage River! |
Originally Posted by fti
(Post 13860692)
I would bring layers. I was in AK in early May a couple of years ago. I would bring enough layers that you can shed or add layers as needed. Four or five layers?
Originally Posted by fti
(Post 13862658)
But two years ago about May 15th there was still a ton of snow.
April this year was a bit gloomy, but Anchorage is very nice right now; mostly sunny days and highs around 60. |
Originally Posted by fti
(Post 13896088)
Glad you had a good time and saw the Mountain. When I passed the mile 135 pullout last month, it was still closed with a lot of unplowed snow!
PS You are really fortunate - I just read on the Denali NP website that the road is again closed at mile 3 (the park HQ) due to 5" of snow between mile 7 and the Savage River! My friends have been saying they were told the park is closed but I kept insisting that it wasn't. Oops! It was snowing a bit when we were there, but it wasn't the type of snow that accumulates. I guess we really had great timing! Tomorrow we will probably drive south, even though we saw a lot from the train a few days ago (we went down to a glacier then headed back up to Anchorage). I suppose since we've seen the scenery the driver won't be too distracted! |
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