Kantishna

A couple of weekends ago Andrew and I spent two days out in Kantishna, a small, historic gold mining area inside Denali National Park that is still a private inholding and now has a few backcountry lodges there.  We were invited out by the Kantishna Roadhouse to give some slideshow presentations on "climbing Denali" to their guests.  We took ALL of our gear to display and talk about, showed a slideshow of our trip while explaining all the "hows, whys, before, during, and after" stuff, and also talked some about the history of  climbing Denali (which Andrew knows so much about because it's so exciting and interesting).  But probably the coolest thing of all was that we were allowed a permit to drive our own vehicle out to Kantishna which is at the end of the park road....past Wonder Lake and all!

It was an absolutely magnificent day to drive to Kantishna!  We both had to work the evening before so we left about 5am to head that way.  Just past the Primrose Ridge we paused to drool over the view.  It's obviously even more exciting now to look at this huge, beautiful mountain after what we just accomplished. It was great knowing that the people we would be speaking to that evening were able to see it that day so clear in all its glory.  

The first critter we spotted was a porcupine walking along the Teklanika River bed.

The silty Tek with a clear creek feeding into it on the right.

The sign for Sable Pass, a highly trafficked route for all animals, is protected from bears with protruding nails.

The "Big Mac" of the tundra.  Everybody's favorite meal.

Most of the bears we saw on the way out were very far away.  The one above is sleeping on the tundra and the one below is walking on the edge of the snow bank.

A cow and calf caribou are resting on the snow bank as well...air conditioning of the tundra.

Getting closer!

Overlooking the Toklat River just before crossing over colorful Polychrome Pass.

Some big rams resting in the afternoon sun.

Approaching one of the best views of Denali....Stoney Hill overlook.

All day we were thinking of the climbers on the mountain right then, wondering "Is today a summit day?"  Even though it looks like it could be a summit day, the winds could be blowing 50+ mph up there.  The higher, south peak of Denali is on the left from this northeast view.

A great view from somewhere in between the Eielson Visitor Center and Wonder Lake.

Another sleeping grizzly...

With curious twin cubs!   How adorable to see them pop up after several minutes of watching the motionless sow.

Reflection Pond

After our first presentation we went out to Wonder Lake to catch the alpenglow on Denali and the Alaska Range.  There is no description for this....you must witness it yourself.

As the mountains grew more and more rosy we also enjoyed watching a hard working beaver right beside us.

Cow and calf moose in the creek bed near Kantishna. 

The old Roadhouse.

The next day we were able to get out and enjoy a walk in the area before our evening presentation.

Well, first we had to cross a creek.

Fairly fresh bear tracks just on the other side of the creek!

Above the trees now and soaking up the scenery.

The morning we left we were socked in by fog.  Visibility was very poor and virtually non-exist in some areas.  But we were able to catch a glimpse of this nice bull moose through the fog.

By the time we were getting to Polychrome Pass and the Toklat River the clouds were starting to lift.

Sleeping sow and cub.

We had a nice roadside walk-by from this fox.

It looked like it was on a mission.

Solo caribou 

Another sleeping grizzly!!!  That was the theme for all the bears on this trip.  Not much activity going on.  I guess though, during this time of year with 24hrs of light, aka feeding time, they keep odd hours.

Back to the Teklanika River.  I love the braided river channels.

On the Savage River bed these bull caribou bid us farewell!  Another wonderful trip in the park...first for 2012.  So glad to call this my backyard!  And so grateful to Kantishna Roadhouse for inviting us out for the weekend!  They have a beautiful piece of property out there, in a little slice of heaven.  The staff was so warm, friendly and knowledgeable, and the amenities were excellent and top notch!  I would definitely recommend it to anyone for a fun backcountry excursion.