06/12/2019 / No Travel Day – Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour
Start Location:
- Denali Rainbow Village RV Park
- Mile 238.6 Park’s Hiway, Denali National Park Reserve, 99755
- 907.683.7777
Start Time: N/A
Mileage: 53,818.8
Weather: 45 - 63 F Sunny
The majority of our day was spent doing the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour. You travel, via bus, sixty-two (62) miles into Denali National Park to Stony Hill Overlook. The tour includes a snack box, water and a souvenir book, “Denali National Park & Preserve.” Our guide, Justin was very educated and knowledgeable. Nevertheless, out of a scale up to ten, I would have to give this tour a low four.
The bus was old, and the seats were crammed tightly together. Both Paul and I were very uncomfortable for the six-hour bus journey. There is only one road in the park, so you drive the same way in and out. During our drive in, Justin narrated the entire time. However, on our drive out of the park, the microphone was mostly mute. Since we were experiencing the same things as on our drive in, this would have been a perfect time for more education from our guide. A word or two regarding the flora would have been greatly appreciated.
While we did see plenty of Caribou and Dall Sheep; the all the animals were so far away they looked like little moving dots on that stunning landscape. We observed a mother Grizzly chase off a male Grizzly, away from her cubs . . . . however, again they were so far up the hillside, the bears were only the size of your pinky finger. Paul and I enjoyed the wildlife we spotted from our own vehicle much more.
We were supposed to receive a thirty ($30) refund because we possessed a senior pass; Justin did not know anything about it and referred us to the bus depot . . . however the depot was closed! Can you say ripoff.
The best part of the tour is when a golden eagle soared over our bus. He came so close to my window, I instinctively moved back to get out of his way! Another highlight was getting the Denali Sticker for my National Park Passbook. If you wish to take a bus tour into Denali, I would recommend you do the Denali Natural History Tour / 4.5 - 5 Hours (30 miles one-way).
The bus was old, and the seats were crammed tightly together. Both Paul and I were very uncomfortable for the six-hour bus journey. There is only one road in the park, so you drive the same way in and out. During our drive in, Justin narrated the entire time. However, on our drive out of the park, the microphone was mostly mute. Since we were experiencing the same things as on our drive in, this would have been a perfect time for more education from our guide. A word or two regarding the flora would have been greatly appreciated.
While we did see plenty of Caribou and Dall Sheep; the all the animals were so far away they looked like little moving dots on that stunning landscape. We observed a mother Grizzly chase off a male Grizzly, away from her cubs . . . . however, again they were so far up the hillside, the bears were only the size of your pinky finger. Paul and I enjoyed the wildlife we spotted from our own vehicle much more.
We were supposed to receive a thirty ($30) refund because we possessed a senior pass; Justin did not know anything about it and referred us to the bus depot . . . however the depot was closed! Can you say ripoff.
The best part of the tour is when a golden eagle soared over our bus. He came so close to my window, I instinctively moved back to get out of his way! Another highlight was getting the Denali Sticker for my National Park Passbook. If you wish to take a bus tour into Denali, I would recommend you do the Denali Natural History Tour / 4.5 - 5 Hours (30 miles one-way).
Wildlife Spotted: 3 Golden Eagles; lots of Artic Ground Squirrels & Snowshoe Hares; about 20 Caribou; 4 Grizzly Bears; 1 Moose; Seagulls; 1 Willow Ptarmigan (state bird)
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| Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour Bus (Not Very Comfy) |
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| The Ranger Came Aboard to Explain the Park Rules |
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| Unbelievably Awesome Landscape (Denali National Park) |
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| Posing at a Planned Rest Stop |
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| Caribou is a Wild Species of Deer Often Called Reindeer When Domesticated |
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| Denali Park Road is the Only Road in the National Park |
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| Pack of Dall sheep, a Species of Wild Sheep |
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| Park Flowers in Full Bloom |
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| You can Feel the Chill of the Snowcap Mountains |
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| Our Home – Spot 54 at the Denali Rainbow Village RV Park |
2019 Alaska Vacation Journal
- Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (31)
- River Discovery Tour (30)
- Travel Day – River’s Edge Campground (29)
- Travel Day – Sourdough Campground (28)
- Biking, Cheechako’s, Diamond Tooth Gerties (27)
- Dredge No. 4, Claim 33, Alchemy Café , Dawson City (26)
- Travel Day – Gold Rush Campground RV Park (25)
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