Kesugi Ridge Overnight

On the 4th of July, we had the pleasure of camping out and enjoying the great view of the continent's largest mountain, Denali or Mt. McKinley as many insist on still calling "the great one."

We had friends coming to see us for a couple of weeks in July.  One was arriving a few days earlier than the other and had hoped to make a quick trip to Denali National Park. The park itself is 4 hours from where we live and once one arrives at the park, even in good weather the mountain is not something you can see from the entrance, but it is a long bus ride into the park, which requires reservations and in the end becomes more than a "quick trip."   It hardly seemed like a trip someone would enjoy having already spent 20 hours traveling from Italy to get to Alaska.  The clear blue skies lent to the decision that a trip to Denali State Park would be a much better place to bring our guest.  

Backpacking 3 miles with 2000 feet of climbing seemed the way to welcome a friend to Alaska., who was looking forward to spending as much time outdoors as possible.  Although Bryant and I had been adventuring together for 12 years, we had never backpacked together.  We each had a history of having backpacked, so it wasn't too surprising that we went into our gear shed and found all the equipment we'd need.  Bryant was even able to produce a water filter that I was quite convinced he didn't have or wouldn't be able to find.  

Within 4 hours of leaving the house we had a tent set up on top of Kesugi Ridge near a little lake with great views of Denali.  

The next day we day hiked beyond our campsite to the ridgeline up above the camp which afforded us beautiful views of the Talkeenta Range opposite of the Alaska Range that Denali is a part of.

Looking East at Talkeetna Range

After returning to camp, we packed up, hiked back to the car, headed to Talkeetna to car camp in town for the night and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant.

Bryant and I at a Denali State Park pull out on the Parks Hwy.