EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Denali National Park and Preserve held a military appreciation day Sept. 17 for military members across Alaska. This opportunity allowed individuals who received a pass to drive their personal vehicles the entire 92 miles to Kantishna.
Several Eielson Airmen received passes. Many brought friends and family along with them to enjoy the beautiful scenery Denali has to offer.
Although a few clouds and a little rain showed up in the afternoon, visitors were able to see Denali and all of the other mountains surrounding it. Grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose and caribou all made appearances during the long trek.
Master Sgt. Josh Baker, the 354th Fighter Wing plans, programs and combat forces integration superintendent, took his wife and daughter on the drive with him.
“A grizzly bear came within five feet of our parked vehicle,” said Baker. “Seeing that bear so close really gives you an increased respect for the size and strength of Alaskan wildlife.”
If visitors looked far enough in the hilltops, they were able to see white dots that speckled the side of the tall hills said Tech. Sgt. Cheyenne Youngbird, a 354th Contracting Squadron contracting officer.
“I stopped my van on the side of the road so we could use our cameras to zoom in and verify what we were seeing,” said Youngbird. “There, lollygagging on the side of the massively tall hilltop, were 10 to 15 Dall sheep.”
This opportunity also provided individuals with a learning experience. A newspaper was provided along with a map. Rangers were stationed at various rest stops to answer any questions and share tidbits of information with visitors.
“I learned that out of 1,126 climbers who attempted to climb Denali, only 676 made it,” said Baker. “That’s a 60 percent success rate for 2016, which is higher than the normal average of 50 percent.”
The drive through Denali offered amazing views to all of its visitors.
“With fall in full swing, my colorblindness didn’t handicap the gorgeous colors that filled the valley below the cliff,” said Youngbird. “A rushing stream split the forestry and I stood there, on the side of this cliff, happily amazed at this sight-seeing opportunity Denali gave me.”