The Grand Ascent
It was our last day at this very exclusive lodge, time for the departure instruction. After dinner, the manager asked who all are leaving tomorrow. Several of us raised our hands.
His next question was why? None of us were really prepared for that. He went on to say; is there a better place on the face of this earth? We had no choice but to agree with him. There isn’t.
Denali Backcountry Lodge is located in the valley carved by Moose Creek deep inside the Denali National Park, as far as the road will take you. Beyond the lodge, the park roads widens into a 1600 feet long gravel runway, what the locals lovingly call Kantishna International Airport. And beyond that there is nothing but unspoiled beauty for hundreds of miles.
Flightseeing is one of the popular activities, if the weather smiles upon you. You are so close to Mount McKinley, when you take off you feel like you are there already. The mountain is still about 30 miles away but its vastness makes it look a lot closer.
We had just spent two nights (the third one, tonight being our last one) in this heavenly place. We are of age and therefore not so much into hiking and such but we had the greatest of times nevertheless. The management is very considerate and accommodates everyone. Each and every staff member is friendly, ready to help with anything a guest may like.
I happened to strike a conversation with the head housekeeper, Tess. I did not expect a housekeeper to know much about the natural history but Tess like many other staff members is, an old timer. This was her fifth season. Unaware of that experience, I was so surprised when Tess told me about all the wildlife, the Northern lights and the whole gamut.
With the staff doing a wonderful job, accommodations so clean and comfortable, food excellent, how can one not enjoy this place?
Really, is there a better place on the face of this earth? I will have to say NO.
Sam Mature