Saturday  17^th August.

I’ve lost a day somewhere.  Never mind. 

140 miles on from Talkeetna to the Denali Park entrance.  We see a moose contentedly grazing on the roadside as we drive further up into the high country. The landscape changes into the brush and sparse tree profile of taiga forest, and the higher ground of the bare tundra is visible over on the mountain ranges. There is some snow on the ranges, still there from last winter.  And it will not be long before the first snows of the coming winter are falling. 

Blossoms are at the top of the fireweed.  End of summer.  When all the pink blossoms are gone, the stems turn red, contributing to the Autumn colours in the landscape.

Main Street outside the Park Entrance.  

 It takes a couple of hours for Bede and Soph to get their permits sorted and told which area of the Park they can go into and camp.  The rangers manage how many people are in the Park and where.  The emphasis is on not disturbing the wildlife at all; the aim is that the animals are not even aware of human presence.   Signs in the Wilderness Access Centre say “Pack it in, Pack it out”.  There are even “Clean Mountain Cans” to be carried, for the management of human waste. 

Bede and Soph pack de-hydrated meals into the bear-proof canister issued by the rangers.  Canister must be placed at least 300 yards from tent .  The idea is that bear don't get to associate the smell of food with people.

Our accommodation is at the White Moose Inn, near Healy, a little town about 10 miles north of the Park entrance.  (Places right at the entrance are too costly – they have names like Denali Princess and McKinley Chalets and accommodate all the big bus tour and cruise tour groups.  I have learned that some of the cruises do overland people in this far).  I will stay here for four nights while the young people do the wilderness thing.  It is warm and comfy and coffee and croissants are provided for breakfast.  Big tick.