22 May 2026

Guys, pictures just don’t do this place justice!

I’ve been going for early morning walks every day so far. Today, I found this message written in moose poop:

The map we got at check in said the entrance to Denali was only a 1-mi hike from the lodge, though my map says its probably closer to double that. So I decided to walk at least part of it to scope things out and found this fun rock wall:

My goal was that bridge you can just barely see to the left of this picture:

These next two pictures are raft ramps…

but that’s a really steep slope- I don’t think I’d want to ride down that!

Looking back toward our lodge:

Yeah, definitely need to bring Matt back here later!

Zipline Denali

Not gonna lie- I was kinda dreading this.

I mean, I love ziplining, but today is COLD! like, maybe 40 and windy. Plus, the good time slots (morning) were full, so we’ve got the awkward noon slot. Sure, it’ll let us sleep in, but I wanna go hiking! and this zipline excursion is right in the middle of the day.

…but I also know this is the one thing Matt was super-excited about, so at noon we met our shuttle, which took us to an ATV:

and we took a very bumpy 15-minute ride into the forest:

Bumpy, but beautiful!

Our first line to the left, training to the right:

All suited up and ready to go!

I’m glad they let my keep my hat on, and that my helmet fit over all the layers!

We’re on top of the world!

Matthew, incoming!

Matthew, outgoing:

From the tallest platform- ~40′

So many mountains!

Becca, incoming!

More mountain views:

Bridge to the final platform:

We did it!!!

I’m so glad I didn’t call it this morning when it was cold and windy- the sun came out partway through and warmed everything up.

I love ziplining!

Back toward the shuttle that’ll take us back to our lodge:

Buses to Denali National Park run about every half hour from the lodge, so as soon as we got back from ziplining, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed back out to the park. I found us a short-but-pretty hike:

We may have missed one of the junctions, but found our way eventually:

The trail follows the train tracks for just a short way:

I didn’t realize when I picked this trail, but there’s gonna be a lot of elevation change- we’ll be hiking around that lake down there:

and hopefully those swans will still be there!

Down we go!

River:

Trail hare:

Beaver pond:

And a swan!

…but I’m pretty sure we saw 2 when we spotted them from above. Where’s the 2nd guy?!

I love when birds make funny faces!

I wanna find that bridge!

Nenana River:

I was not expecting to see sand here:

I figured it’d all just be rocks?

Winding trail and winding river:

Found my bridge!

We hung around for a bit hoping the beaver that made this would come back, but no luck:

Trail around the lake:

It was so clear!

There were so many birds in this part of the lake!

Swans and babies!!!

Greater yellowlegs?

Yellow-rumped warbler:

Gray jay?

Boardwalk!

It was actually quite buggy around here, so we didn’t linger.

We’ll be back here tomorrow to ride the train to Anchorage:

But first, one last walk home:

I’m gonna miss these views!

Park sign!

I could never quite get a good angle on these peaks:

Secondary sign:

Back to the bridge:

Found some rafts in need of assistance!

Good night, Denali!