June 28
Another late start to our day. It was significantly cooler out. We planned to spend the entire day in the park so we made sandwiches and packed snacks and drink.
Our first stop was the hiking trailer the ranger suggested. It was an easy hike but since it was right at the front of the park it was busy. Way too busy to see any wildlife. There were several beaver dams and we did spot fresh bear and moose prints.
We were on the trail for several hours as we stopped several times. We used the backpack we borrowed to test both a lake and the river's PH. The lake was very basic and the river slightly acidic. I thought it would be opposite.
After the hike we drove up to the visitor's center for bathroom's and a snack. A snack turned into a $80 pre-dinner. Food is very expensive in the park.
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We caught our tour buss about 4:45. We really didn't see much of anything until roughly 20 miles in. There we saw a family of Ptarmigan along the roadside. They are a member of the grouse family and are hunted as a game bird. Outside of the park of course. Everything is protected in the park.
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| Ptarmigan |
Not to long after we spotted some Dall Sheep way off in the distance on the side of the mountain. Further in we saw a couple of caribou relaxing on a patch of snow. Their winter coats are so think even these cool days are miserable for them. They are in the process of loosing those coats so it is looking blotchy.
We saw more dall sheep and they put on a little show for us. Three males and they kept rearing back on their hind legs. Almost like a dance. Two of them even started butting heads. A rare treat this time of year.
We also saw some ground squirrels. They are very similar to prairie dogs.
We also got to see the north peak of Denali!
After we turned around we say the same animals on the way back arriving back at the station just before 10.
No fire tonight as we used all our firewood.
Tomorrow is the drive to Talkeetna
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