THE DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE
♦Denali National Park and Preserve is located in Interior Alaska, the park and preserve together cover 9,492 mi² (24,585 km²). The Alaska Range, a mountainous expanse running through the entire park, provides interesting ecosystems in Denali. Because the fall line lies as low as 2,500 feet (760 m), wooded areas are rare inside the park, except in the flatter western sections surrounding Wonder Lake, most of the park is vast expanses of tundra. and lowlands of the park where flowing waters melt the frozen ground. Spruces and willows make up the majority of these treed areas. Because of mineral content, ground temperature, and a general lack of soil, areas surrounding the bases of mountains are not suitable for sufficient tree growth, and most trees and shrubs do not reach full size.
Having a range of elevations, there is a variety of vegetation zones. From lowest to highest, there is low brush bog, bottomland spruce-poplar forest, upland spruce-hardwood forest, moist tundra, and finally the highest of elevations, alpine tundra.
♦This breathtaking wilderness area, which includes North America’s highest mountain, attracts a million visitors a year. A single road curves 91 miles through the heart of the park, leading to off-trail hiking opportunities, wildlife and stunning panoramas. The Denali Park Rd can be used only by official shuttle buses, which have limited seating. Numbers of overnight backpackers in the wilderness zones are also strictly limited. This means Disneyland-like crowds at the entrance but relative solitude once you’re inside.
In spring (April) opens access to the park depending on weather conditions each year until the winter snow blocks the way to some areas of the park. With the heat (from May to September) activity among animals is more evident, the days are longer and everything comes alive, green and brown colors, and also mosquitoes... During the months of May to September there are several tours organized by the park as the Tundra Wilderness tour or the tour of Wonder Lake. Prices hover between 60USD and 155 usd the most expensive.
♦Wildlife, including mammals such as marmot and moose, is easy to spot. Caribou, wolves and brown bears are crowd favorites. However, the main attraction is magnificent Mt McKinley, a high pyramid of rock, snow and glaciers rising from the valley floor. Clouds will obscure McKinley more often than not, so be prepared to wait for the big picture.
Having a range of elevations, there is a variety of vegetation zones. From lowest to highest, there is low brush bog, bottomland spruce-poplar forest, upland spruce-hardwood forest, moist tundra, and finally the highest of elevations, alpine tundra.
♦This breathtaking wilderness area, which includes North America’s highest mountain, attracts a million visitors a year. A single road curves 91 miles through the heart of the park, leading to off-trail hiking opportunities, wildlife and stunning panoramas. The Denali Park Rd can be used only by official shuttle buses, which have limited seating. Numbers of overnight backpackers in the wilderness zones are also strictly limited. This means Disneyland-like crowds at the entrance but relative solitude once you’re inside.
In spring (April) opens access to the park depending on weather conditions each year until the winter snow blocks the way to some areas of the park. With the heat (from May to September) activity among animals is more evident, the days are longer and everything comes alive, green and brown colors, and also mosquitoes... During the months of May to September there are several tours organized by the park as the Tundra Wilderness tour or the tour of Wonder Lake. Prices hover between 60USD and 155 usd the most expensive.
♦Wildlife, including mammals such as marmot and moose, is easy to spot. Caribou, wolves and brown bears are crowd favorites. However, the main attraction is magnificent Mt McKinley, a high pyramid of rock, snow and glaciers rising from the valley floor. Clouds will obscure McKinley more often than not, so be prepared to wait for the big picture.
Bibliography and Images Websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denali_National_Park_and_Preserve / http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/alaska/denali-national-park /http://www.missviajes.com/parque-nacional-denali-559984 / http://www.missviajes.com/parque-nacional-denali-559984 / http://www.google.es/imghp?hl=es&tab=wi