Alaska - Denali National Park

For each and every view I came across in Alaska I had the same reaction "Amazed"(*_*) . The time I spent in the park was unforgettable and wished if I could spend some more time there.

        In September, Fall colors would be at its peak, Bears would be looking for food to prepare for coming winter, Moose would be looking for their mates and Aurora Boralis (Northern Lights), so we had planned our trip in September as we definitely didn't want to miss all these experiences. Due to land slides, this year(2021) the park road was closed at 48th Mile so we couldn't go beyond that. We had several plans in the park (camping, watching sunrise or sunset over Denali) , but we couldn't do it because of road closure in the park after 48th Mile. In Denali National Park usually only tour buses are allowed, but once an year they open park to drive through car as well and we were fortunate enough as we could drive the car in the park . There are many bus tours operating inside the park with or without guide. We took a bus tour one day so we can relax, learn about the park (bus driver were the guide) and we came across some wildlife also, we saw Moose, caribou but sadly couldn't see any bears.

Usually bus tours are closed by 3rd week of September and then they allow cars for two or three days. Post that, they will allow cars till Teklanika river, as it usually snows by that time of the year. This year, the lottery was cancelled but cars were allowed till Teklanika river so we drove and parked the car at the rest area, and we walked to the nearest bridge. We spent couple of hours in the park driving or just stop the car and enjoy the beauty next to us , then we drove outside the park to have food as we were starving . There is no food option in the park or nearby so its best to have some snacks handy. We had very limited food option as most of the restaurant close for the season by end of 1st week of September, we took food from Thai restaurant which was 15 min drive from the park and then went back to park hoping to see a bear. We checked with Ranger, as we couldnt find any bears , he mentioned that bears moved out as there were less berries this year in the park. We were bit disappointed but it is good for them as the winter was approaching, they have to eat and ready for it. We saw a lynx during our night drive in the park but it moved quickly, so couldn't capture the photo.

On our last day in Denali, it had snowed in the park, it was just more beautiful with snow. Our journey to Denali started with Northern lights, Fall colors, Rain, Sun and ended with Snow, what more can we ask for. The days we spent was short but memories we made will be forever.