Denali, Alaska.... Token Local
 

Hi folks! I'm back AND I have the internet here in the park. Woo hoo!

Anyway, I just thought I'd let everyone know that I am up and working in Denali this summer because they needed a token local to complete the employee roster. heheheh.

Though I won't mention who I work for, or use this forum commercially, I am quite capable of giving you the current weather and mountain reports.

Today is HOT. Blue skies, and, as yesterday, the mountain is visible all along the Parks Highway.

The king salmon are in on the Susitna, but have not passed into the Chulitna as of yesterday....

That's my brief report for the day.

Have fun and happy trails.

DENALI! You are sooooo lucky! say hello to the caribou for me.

CWE, the wages inside the park are just about the worst I've ever seen. So, from a financial perspective, working in Denali is not really lucky at all. But, it is an activity and an experience.... one I've done in the past and enjoyed.

Oh, since we're talking wages here... remember to tip your pilots, raft guides, fishing guides, drivers, and servers....... It might trickle down to me at some point. :-)

Glad to see you akvisnet. I always enjoy reading your posts. I think you should keep a tally of how many tourists show up wearing winter boots. I saw at least one in Skagway, end of July 2001.

dfrostnh..... defrosting? lol.

Yeah, there is always someone a bit overdressed. But, with the weather being what it is, you really never can tell when those winter boots might come in handy. Especially since I wore my tenner shoes through the bulk of this last winter.

Okay, DENALI NATIONAL PARK on 6/6/03 is cloudy with some intermittent showers. You should have been here two days ago..I got sunburned (again).

We are coming in July and would like to spend 3 days there. We are planning to take the wildlife tour. What kind of gears do we need? Will a good pair of sneakers cut it? Or do we need special hiking boots? High ankle?

Thanks!

We're headed to Denali for the first time in 3 weeks. Everyone tells me I need to bring fleece. Is that true? We live in MN and I can't imagine it being cold enough for fleece at 50-60 degrees.

Hi,

I know the question really belongs to Kenai, not Denali. But I don't know if I can get any answer there. So I would post it here.

Has anyone hiked this trail? I found the following at the NPS website:

http://www.nps.gov/kefj/trip_plannin...%20Glacier.htm

We are regular people and not in great shape. So we are wondering if we can handle it.
Also, do we need any special boots/gears in late July?

Any information is appreciated!Message: Has anyone hiked this trail? I found the following at the NPS website:

http://www.nps.gov/kefj/trip_plannin...%20Glacier.htm

We are regular people and not in great shape. So we are wondering if we can handle it.
Also, do we need any special boots/gears in late July?

Any information is appreciated! Thanks!

cheerful, PLEASE do not call them Sneakers in Alaska especially if you are a man. I am being polite and serious.

We were there in mid-July last summer (2002) and I wore shorts and t shirts every day. The only time I was cold was on a boat. Nights were a bit chilly.

We should have visited AK last March and enjoyed your mild winter. It was much colder and snowier in NH. I would love to see the eagles in Homer.
I bought a pair of low cut waterproof hiking shoes at LL Beans outlet and was very pleased with them. If I didn't wear them, I wore sport sandals. I don't own a pair of running shoes. It's important to keep your feet dry and to have good tread. Loose gravel can be slippery, so can a little bit of mud. A lot of comfortable broken in shoes don't have much tread left on them. I wore the shoes all winter, they were perfect for NH weather. I also wore a lightweight polar fleece jacket a lot (early August). When we had rain, a lightweight hooded rain jacket was all I needed.
Maybe when you get there you can get some better trail information. Carry some water and snacks. Pay attention to the time. Frankly, we don't seem to walk fast enough and a hike rated as 3 hours might be 6 hours for us. A hike in NH rated as suitable for children left me exhausted. (Probably shouldn't have tried to keep up with 3 15 yo boys.)

I'll try to answer several posts. :) If you are coming independent- I don't recommend the tundra wildlife tour- $70+, I always go on the shuttle to at least Eielson $28.50, you don't need any special footwear unless you plan on hiking (not an option on the tundra tour- you can't leave the bus), I get along fine with my walking shoes and don't bother with hiking boots. I would take layers with a lightweight jacket- you can't count on the temps or weather conditions. Exit Glacier- I have hiked there, there are 2 trails that lead to glacier viewing, a level 1 + mile trail and about 1 1/2 upper trail, more challenging and up hill, some uneven areas. The glacier is viewable from the parking lot. Check out free ranger activities, will be listed on the board at the ranger station. I DID visit Alaska in March and indeed it was spectacular- surpassed all my expectations- especially unbelievable aurora viewing, ice scuplture championships, snowmobiling, REAL dog sledding (driving my own team), spectacular scenery plus best of all -half price lodging!!

Thanks for the advice.

I have a bit more questiosn since they are not available on the NPS website.

1. Is it always forbidden to get off the bus on Tundra Wilderness Tour, or is it season-dependent?

2. If we can't get off, what does the tour really offer? Plants? Animals?

3. What kind of bus is it? Does everyone have a good view? Or do you need to sit by the window?

4. If we spend 2 days by the shuttle, which stops and trails would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Hi token local,
So how's the mosquito situation at wonder lake theses days? What a good brand of repellant to invest in before our treck out there on June 22? Thanks,
Lili

wemr: I've been waiting for someone else to ask but no one has. I too am being polite and serious. Why should they not be called sneakers, especially in Alaska?

My patience is paying off. :)

But, what is the answer?

1. Is it always forbidden to get off the bus on Tundra Wilderness Tour, or is it season-dependent?

2. If we can't get off, what does the tour really offer? Plants? Animals?

3. What kind of bus is it? Does everyone have a good view? Or do you need to sit by the window?


To clairfy on the tour buses, they make scheduled stops at rest areas. They will not let you off on the side of the road - like the shuttles will. You also can not depart from the tour bus and reboard another tour bus, but you could board a shuttle- but why then pay 3+times more for the tour bus???? They are all school buses. I always book the first shuttle out, have always gotten an empty seat and it is extremely beneficial to sit across from who you are going with- each in a single seat. That way you have full views out both sides, nothing worse in my opinion than being on a full bus and having to lean over two strangers on the other side.

Well, mosquitoes don't bother me too much. If they ever do, I might spritz myself with Cutters. But, I usually just let them feed.

The key to loving Alaska is in your ability to accept whatever. So, whether it's mosquitoes, the rain, the heat, the wind, whatever, I just am alright with it. There are innumerable things to complain about, but, that doesn't help me catch fish.