Denali NP - Shuttle to Wonder Lake

June 28th

Rise and shine to a blue skied day, cool this morn at 4 a.m. We caught the Wonder Lake shuttle
at 8:30, which Mark recommended this first park day, to get a sense of the entire bus coverage.
Denali was covered by a blanket of white and dark grey clouds, but on the late afternoon return
trip, there was partial lift, and less than half of her snowfield and the tip of the peak were visible.
Of course we are anticipating a clear full view of this highest mountain in North America, at
20,360 feet. My friend Vicky, in Homer, informed me that most Alaskans only refer to her
majesty as Denali, never McKinley, since that president had nothing to do with it. Denali was
the original Athabascan name, for "The High One."

The shuttle ride went from 8:30 a.m., and back to Teklanika at 5:30 p.m. Mark and I chose to
walk to the campground, the last mile, from the restroom stop. Several caribou were spotted
today, with a couple taking their time in the middle of the road, and others grazing on the tundra.
On the return eastward, Keith the driver, said we may see bear at that later time, and sure
enough, a light golden grizzly was grazing on the hillside next to the right side of the road,
walked across in front of us, and then onto the left bank. Keith was worried this might be the
first day of the season one would not be viewed.

After a PBJ sandwich at 11:30, eaten at Eielson Visitors Center, and then two trail bars along
the after drive, I fantasized about spaghetti for dinner, so we feasted on hot plates of pasta, with
chicken apple sausage and mushrooms, with tapioca pudding for dessert. It is important for me
to document food intake, since it is always such an enjoyable part of our daily rhythm.
Tonight's amphitheatre presentation was on wolves, which was finely done by a humorous,
clever and informative male ranger, Jake. His plea was for us to show objectivity in assessing
our perspective of the wolves, including the larger, eco-system they effect, e.g. providing food
sources through their larger kills (caribou, moose) for others, such as grizzlies and ravens.
Bears will follow wolf howls, and ravens will also pursue the canines' location, knowing a feast
will be had. Jake reiterated the young, old or diseased game are hunted, which are more
accessible to the wolf, and he does not believe that by decreasing latter's numbers, will
generate more caribou for hunters.

Later, we walked to the river again, taking photos of what we've dubbed Pyramid Mountain, the
silted river fingers and the sweet lovely fuchia flowers, I think are dwarf fireweed. This late
daylight gives one more energy, until the bio-clock starts wearing down suddenly, catching-up to
the full day's activities. Again, after 10:30, and I am ready for the closure of another spectacular
Alaskan sojourn.