Geocaching in Alaska

Time for another cruise, this time with my parents, and this time to Alaska! I had so much fun on this trip, but I'm missing photos from some of the most amazing times because I chose to be in the moment and put my camera away for most of it.

My dad and I headed to Alaska ahead of my mom and Evan. Day one of this trip was the flight from Dallas to Anchorage, then the drive down to Seward where we were deep sea fishing the next day. I did one of the dumbest things I've ever done travelling this day. Because I almost never check bags, I left my checked bag with all my fishing gear at the airport. Of course, I didn't notice until we were almost at our destination, so this warranted an emergency trip to the hardware store and a lot of washing things in the sink the first few days. Also on the drive, we got hungry and stopped to by the most expensive bag of chips I've ever purchased. Minus the luggage snafu, this was a fun drive and quite pretty.

The next morning, we were up bright and early for some fishing. If you enjoy fishing, you should absolutely go to Seward and get on one of the charters out. We had great views and great fishing, ending up with 2 halibut, 1 salmon, and 8 rockfish between the two of us. When we got back to the docks, they got cleaned up and we shipped them home to arrive after we got back (and then we split them up between us).

On the drive back to Anchorage, we took a detour through a tunnel and found a geocache while in the town there. The cache was Whittier Than Most and a quite sneaky little hide.

Once we were back in Anchorage, we headed north a little for a surprise I booked for my dad, who really wanted to see Denali. Instead of making the trip by car, we took a small plane ride to view this breathtaking view. I probably have a small handle of photos, but I really sat back and just took it all in. We did stop on the way back at a birch syrup farm, and my dad enjoyed the dog hanging out there, too. Then we got reindeer sausage for lunch. A quite fun day with lots of interesting things to see along the way.

After the days alone with my dad, we finally got to pick up Evan and my mom at the airport and get my luggage back (yeah!). We did a little sightseeing in the area, and I got to take my parents to a cemetery (seems I always do this with them). This one was very neat, though, with history about the culture that built from the merging of different traditions.

We also found a couple more caches on this trip with my parents:

• Palmer Smokey Bear
• Camp Skagway No.1

Denali National Park & Preserve: Mountains, Glaciers, and a View from Above

Date Visited: August 17, 2019
Location: Alaska
Official Website: Denali National Park & Preserve

Our Review

Some places are beautiful, and some places make you stop and reconsider just how much there is to see in the world. Denali was firmly in the second category for me.

I visited Denali National Park & Preserve with my dad before an Alaskan cruise. We had limited time, and unfortunately, part of the park road was closed during our visit. That meant we didn't get to explore as much of the park from the ground as we would have liked. Still, we found a way to see some incredible scenery, and the experience left a lasting impression.

One of the highlights was taking a plane tour from outside the park. Seeing the mountains, snow, and glaciers from the air was spectacular. I was overwhelmed by how many different views there were, and watching my dad enjoy the experience made it even more memorable. Sometimes the best part of a trip isn't just what you see, but getting to see someone else experience it, too.

The glaciers were especially fascinating. Growing up in Texas, ice isn't exactly something I spend much time thinking about beyond the occasional winter storm and a freezer full of it. I hadn't fully understood the movement and formation of glaciers before this visit. Seeing them in person, and learning more about the science behind these enormous rivers of ice, gave me a new appreciation for the landscape. It was beautiful, but it was also a chance to understand a part of the natural world that felt very far removed from home.

We saw birds during our visit, although wildlife viewing wasn't a major highlight for us. Denali is known for its wildlife, including moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears, and wolves, but sightings are never guaranteed. With the road closure limiting our exploration, we didn't get the opportunity to experience as much of the park as we might have under different circumstances.

That road closure was easily the biggest disappointment. We spent about three hours between entering the park and taking in the surrounding scenery from the air. A significant portion of our time was also spent driving from Anchorage, so this was a fairly short visit to a very large park.

Even so, Denali was absolutely worth visiting. The mountains and glaciers alone made the trip memorable, and the aerial experience gave us a perspective we couldn't have gotten from the road. I'd love to return someday with more time to explore, see more wildlife, and experience more of the park on the ground.

Our Ratings

Scenery & Views: Excellent

The mountains, snow, and glaciers were spectacular. The variety of views from the air made a huge impression on me, and this was easily my favorite part of the visit.

Wildlife: Fair

I mainly remember seeing birds. Denali offers opportunities to see much more wildlife, but our limited exploration meant I couldn't give this category a higher rating based on our own experience.

History & Education: Good

Learning about glaciers was a real highlight. I came away with a better understanding of how glaciers form and move, which made the landscape even more interesting.

Scenic Driving: Unable to Assess

The park road closure prevented us from exploring as much as we had planned. I don't think our experience was a fair test of what driving through more of the park would be like.

Overall Rating: Worth Visiting 🖒

Denali made a strong impression despite our limited time and the road closure. The scenery was unforgettable, and the experience of seeing glaciers from the air made the visit worthwhile.

How Much Time Do You Need?

We spent approximately three hours in the park and viewing the surrounding mountains and glaciers from the air. That worked for our particular visit, but I would recommend allowing more time if you want to explore the park in greater depth.

Denali is enormous, and the amount you can experience depends heavily on road access, transportation options, and the activities you choose. Hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring farther along the park road can turn a brief visit into a multi-day adventure.

Practical Tips for Visiting Denali

• Check road conditions before you go. This was the biggest issue during our visit. A road closure can substantially change what you can see and do, so check the official Denali conditions page before committing to your plans.

• Consider an aerial tour. Seeing the mountains and glaciers from above was one of my favorite parts of the experience. Our flight departed from outside the park, so research departure locations and travel time when planning.

• Give yourself more time if possible. Three hours was enough for our abbreviated visit, but Denali has far more to offer than we managed to experience.

• Don't count on seeing specific wildlife. The park is home to many iconic Alaskan animals, but sightings depend on conditions, location, and a little luck.

• Prepare for a different kind of landscape. If you're visiting from somewhere like Texas, the glaciers alone may give you an entirely new appreciation for how the natural world works.

Official Park Summary

According to the National Park Service, Denali National Park & Preserve protects approximately six million acres of wilderness in Alaska. Its landscape ranges from taiga forest to alpine tundra and snow-covered mountains, with Denali, North America's tallest mountain, as its defining feature. The Denali Park Road provides access to much of the visitor experience, with transportation options and road access varying by season. The park is known for its wildlife, expansive wilderness, and opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures.

For current information about transportation, road access, activities, and seasonal conditions, visit the official National Park Service website.

Final Thoughts

Denali was a worthwhile stop on our Alaskan adventure, even though we didn't get to see as much of it as we had hoped. The mountains and glaciers were beautiful, and sharing the aerial experience with my dad made it even more special. I also left with a better understanding of glaciers, which was an unexpected bonus.

The road closure was frustrating, but it didn't erase what made the visit memorable. If I return, I'd plan for more time and a better opportunity to explore the park itself.

Would I return? Absolutely. There is still so much of Denali I haven't seen, and I'd like to give this incredible place the time it deserves.