Thursday, June 27, 2024

D59 - 06/26/24 RILEY CREEK





















Our three nights out in the wilderness at Teklanika came to an end. We have moved our basecamp today to Riley Creek Campground just inside the gate here in Denali National Park. Nice campground. No services/hookups. But we do finally have cellular service. 


The Park Road coming back to the entrance was not as dusty as when we had entered. GUESS WHAT? We saw it again today. Denali!From several different vantage points!! Obviously you can see it from more than one location in the park. And it can be seen from up to 200 miles away. 


Along the way we did not see any wildlife other than multiple families of ptarmigans. The chicks were so small. Mom and dad out on the road defending them from the predator (us). Most wildlife will be in a cool spot this time of day waiting for the sun to get lower in the sky. It was 80* when we arrived at Riley Creek but was still in the upper 60’s when we departed Teklanika. 


The Riley Creek check-in went smoothly. We had reserved a larger site. It was slim pickings to find one. But finally found a nice site on the third and last loop. After we got settled and made dinner Tim and I took the Riley Creek Loop bus to the Visitors Center. Spoke to Ranger Brian again. He’s everywhere. We ran into him yesterday at East Fork. Saw the ancient spear he spoke of on display there. Toured the Center.  Got my National Park Stamp! Shopped. Hopped on a bus back to basecamp. Just in time for it to rain. Guess the Ranger Program and our campfire will wait. Finally was able to get Jett out for her final walk after the rain. She met some kids playing ball and another family with a dog named Millie! 


I feel yet another bus in our future for tomorrow! 


Sunset: 12:18 am

Sunrise: 3:39 am


Elevation: 1,610’


Miles from home: 

4,722 miles

Miles driven: 

6,327.3 miles


Wildlife viewings:

Ptarmigans 

Seagull

Robin 

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