Behemoth peaks in the clouds
Flightseeing over Denali. Photo by Richard Varr
Sunbeams shot through the plane window, reflected from the snow covered mountain peaks of Denali National Park. I was in a small, twin engine 12-seater flying over Denali’s craggy terrain with the goal of seeing the mountain – Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest. The question was, would we see it through the clouds or would it be lost in a white mist?
Mt. McKinley from the air. Photo by Richard Varr
I was mesmerized by the views below – jagged mountain peaks and mountainsides, some draped in snow maybe 30 feet or more deep, and views of the elongated Eldridge Glacier on the valley floor. The glacier looks like a two-lane superhighway from our vantage point. All of a sudden, our pilot yells, “there it is!” We see Mount McKinley – just the tip of the taller, snow covered South Peak – shooting out above the clouds.
Denali by the Savage River. Photo by Richard Varr
Denali is one of North America’s most dramatic, mountain-filled national parks with grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose and caribou. Six and eight-hour park tours take passengers deep into the park where private cars are not allowed.
For more information: http://www.HollandAmerica.com
Hike through Denali. Photo by Richard Varr
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