Savage River Alpine Trail, Denali National Park
Moning tea, Savage River Alpine Trail, Denali National Park
Savage River Alpine Trail, Denali National Park
Savage River Trail, Denali National Park
Savage River Trail, Denali National Park
Savage River Trail, Denali National Park
Today has been set aside as a day of walking in the Denali National Park. After breakfast we discussed plans for the day and worked out the groups who intended to do the various walks. Some were to be short half-day walks and others were more demanding or longer. We decided to take on the challenge of the most demanding walk available and by the end of the day we had no regrets. We assembled a the DNP bus centre at 09.30 and the five in our group ventured out to the starting point for our walk which was the Savage River Ranger’s Hut. The clear morning weather and a light breeze gave us a sense of optimism for the day. Before starting the main walk for the day we decided to do a short (1.5 km) walk along the banks of the Savage River and return. A number of ground squirrels were encountered along the way and some interesting wild flowers were photographed too. On returning to the Savage River base we had cold drinks and then commenced the main walk for the day which was the Savage Alpine Trail. This walk is listed in the DNP activities brochure as ‘strenuous’. The first two kilometres was a steep climb up a rocky pathway that weaved between large boulders with alpine plants including several different species of beech. There were ubiquitous purple fire-weed plants and delicate gentian plants in flower. The steep section levelled out at a craggy region where we stopped for drinks and surveyed the magnificent scene across the valley below. The high peaks that form the extensive inner mountain range were predominantly snow capped although the highest peak of all, Mt. McKinley was hidden in cloud. The track then levelled out across the ridge-line and became rocky with sparse vegetation as this section is exposed to the winter winds and snow cover. We then commenced the final climb of a kilometre or so to the high point of the track at which stage we’d come up just on 500 m in altitude since the starting point. We found a sunny spot protected from the wind and had our lunch and took photos of the spectacular scene below. Ground squirrels were running around amongst the rocks and some came over to us and checked us out with inquisitive looks. The descent was steep although by using walking poles the strain on the knees was reduced. At the bottom we were back on the road where we’d been instructed to wait for a green bus and then flag it down. Eventually it arrived and it took us to a further drop-off point where we went to see huskies that are used for dog-sled work in the park. There was a lengthy presentation followed by a very brief demonstration of the dogs at work. We then returned to the Visitors Centre and found Charlie and the mini-bus and headed back to camp and the evening’s activities.