Questions about returning to Denali NP after 12 years

I am a little apprehensive about seeing all new hotels, cabins, fast food places, street lights, gift shops. Would like to find nice quiet restaurants for two nights. I read positive comments about Black Diamond Grill so this is a place for one dinner. Where should we go in the evening after we return from our shuttle trip and hikes in the park?

We are staying in Denali Park Hotel for 3 nights, August 27-29. Are we going to have a chance at that time to see any beautiful fall colors we so often see in many pictures of Denali? Any specific spots in the park and outside for scenic photos?

This is a last minute change. Two days ago we reserved Denali Park Hotel. I know it is anything special, meaning inexpensive and oldish, but we hope it won%26#39;t be too bad. We decided on this accommodation because of limited options this late and because rooms are equipped with small refrigerators we are planning to use for snacks and milk. We need a clean place to stay, not looking for any luxury.

Are our dates in Denali, August 27-29, right time for berry picking?

Are there any great places near our motel or in the park for berry picking?

The earliest shuttle available for August 28 was only 7:30 AM. So we are taking a 7:30 AM shuttle and planning on doing lots of hiking anywhere we feel like it or any place someone here is going to recommend.

How to assure the best place on a shuttle? Do you recommend sitting on the left side of a bus? Any idea what time the last bus back leaves Wonder Lake? How often green buses run?

Thanks

Questions about returning to Denali NP after 12 years

Good Morning! Well, while things have change tremendously since you were here last, I think of the overall appearance is better. There are sidewalks in some areas, landscaping, less shack looking - which I think is positive, but the growth has truly been amazing. Anyhow, you are staying in Healy, where there isn%26#39;t near the amount of tourist traffic compared to the Park entrance area. I haven%26#39;t been in the Park Hotel, but I think it%26#39;s what you are expecting - rather basic, but clean. You won%26#39;t be in your room much anyhow - you%26#39;ll be out busily exploring everything.

Berries are ripe now, though you might find some as well. Cranberries are best after a frost . . . and we are sure to have that in the park soon, if not already. Many years ago, I use to berry pick in the Wonder lake area.

Bus side doesn%26#39;t really matter, unless you have a fear of heights. If that is the case, sit on the right side heading out, and the left side returning. If you want to see the mtn, then sit on the left side heading out. I would see how the weather is . . . and get off where ever you want for your hiking.

Yes, food at the Black Diamond is great, and I have a few other favorites as well. Mile 229 has excellent food, and I enjoy the food at McKinley Creekside Cafe as well - both are located south of the Park entrance, btw Carlo Creek and McKinley Village areas. Bub%26#39;s subs are great as well . . . but much more casual. Lynx Creek Pizza was fabulous when you were here last, but Princess bought them out . . . they have okay pizza, but nothing like it once was. Happy travels - hope this helps you some. :)

Questions about returning to Denali NP after 12 years

Your detailed answers are very helpful. Now I can hardly wait to revisit Denali, see (or not) Mount McKinley and even Glitter Gulch.

Is Mile 229 a very casual restaurant or too classy that we would look out of place wearing hiking boots? Do we need to make reservations?

I appreciate your taking time to answer my naive questions.

I%26#39;ll have more questions about mushing instructions in Denali but maybe I should wait until at least the end of this summer.

Meanwhile, thank you for being such a tremendous asset to so many of us here.

Thanks for your kind words - happy to help! :) It%26#39;ll be fun to read your report after your trip - see how YOU felt about it all and how you see those changes.

Mile 229 is casual - but almost every restaurant in Alaska is. It%26#39;s a beautifully wood crafted building - lots of natural beauty. The focus of food here is natural as well - organic where possible, etc. though not vegetarian (though there are those choices as well). The menu changes weekly. Here is what I had there last week - which will either get your taste buds going or you%26#39;ll decide to eat elsewhere. An appetizer of flat bread w/goat cheese, chicken, tomatoes, herbs - Yum!! Cream of artichoke heart soup, entres of tamales w/green bean salad- full of a variety of tomatoes, including some green colored ones that were scruptious!! Another entre of grilled halibut that was perfect, and dessert of homemade ice cream sandwiches. Homemade lemonade that was the best I have ever had. It%26#39;s not cheap, but so very good!! Good service, too. McKinley Creekside is very casual - good food, lots of choices, and some of the lowest prices around.

What mushing questions?? You might get those answered at the NPS doggie demo or go w/Jeff King or Ramy Brooks for their dog sled tour. Or just let me know - I don%26#39;t mush, but know plenty that do! Hope this helps some more. :)

Thanks for your additional information. After reading a sample what Mile 229 has to offer, now I know we have to go there. How much should we expect to pay for this type of meal you had? Is it going to be close to $80, $100, or $150 for two?

As to mushing, we were thinking about coming to the area in the beginning of March for 5-7 days and learning to mush, so we are looking for some kind of instruction, practice, actual mushing runs, etc.,. I read on the Earthsong%26#39;s website description of such winter programs which really appeal to us. I sent them e-mail a couple months ago with additional questions but they never responded to my inquiry so I guess they are not interested or maybe not conducting such programs anymore.

Can you recommend the best spot for watching sunset around Healy? I just checked and it is going to happen during our visit at 9:17 and 9:06. Thank you again

If you are coming to Fairbanks, Muzzy%26#39;s Place Kennel has instruction and trips you can do the actual mushing or just ride, up to you.

http://www.muzzysplace.net/

Hello places: well - we split the appetizer, soup and dessert . . . and just the bill was $90, so with tip and all, do expect about $100-$125.

Mushing in March?? Well, that is the beginning of the Iditarod, so you would have to find someone not running or involved with that. Try Earthsong again - maybe give them a call. Jon is a great guy - and if he can%26#39;t help you, maybe he%26#39;ll know of someone else. There are lots of mushers in the state!

Maybe try the Healy Overlook trail - not far from your motel . . . . you can hike as far as you want, and then you would be up out of the valley so that maybe you can see the sunset.

See you soon! :)

Is the trailhead for Healy Overlook just off the road leading to the park? We hiked there 12 years ago, I got some dramatic photos of the sky while we were having a lunch on the top along with one curious parka.

I%26#39;ll try to get in touch with Jon, glad to know he is a good guy. First I have to rethink our itinerary for a visit in March. I don%26#39;t know how to combine start of Iditarod, visit ot to see Ice Sculptures in Fairbanks, view Aurora Borealis, learn to mush and for all these things we%26#39;ll have only 10-12 days.

Thanks

Are there any accommodations open in a winter near the park entrance? We are playing with an idea of taking the train from Anchorage to Denali, then staying in the area for mushing, skiing, snowshoeing and one week later taking the train to Fairbanks. Do you think Fairbanks would be a better place for all the above activities?

Places - we have a lovely motel that is open year round in Healy . . . and winter rates are half of summer anywhere in Alaska, which is great! :) Check out Motel Nordhaven - it%26#39;s actually rated #1 on TripAdvisor for the state of Alaska.www.motelnordhaven.com There are also a few B%26amp;B%26#39;s that stay open year round as well.

It might be fun to break it up - maybe 3 days down here, and then more in Fairbanks? It%26#39;s a thought. Not many dining choices open here in the winter.

I hope some others add their thoughts, though you might need to make it a separate post. :)

Thanks. I read many good reviews on Motel Nordhaven and that was our first choice for this trip. Unfortunately it was fully booked.

Our plans for a winter visit are very preliminary as of now. After our return from this trip we%26#39;ll get more serious.

Is there another mode of transportation between Healy and Fairbanks since train service is only on weekends?

I don%26#39;t worry about limited dining choices. We just have to adapt to what%26#39;s available.

We%26#39;ll be in Denali in less than two weeks. Maybe we see you somewhere around.