Happy Canada Day! Emma made another hearty RV breakfast to fortify us on our drive to Denali National Park. (Yes, that's turkey bacon).
It was the second bright sunny day in a row as we headed up Highway 3. Majestic Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) rose skyward above us and kept sliding in and out as billowing clouds floated past. Denali was so high it had its own weather system and clouds circled around its summit on this otherwise clear blue sky day.
Denali
On a whim, we decided to take a slight detour and visit the village of Talkeetna. It was a busy day in this quaint little village and parking was at a premium. We had to drive back out of town to the outskirts where the RV parks were located. Only dry camping was available but that worked for us.
We paid up then walked back into town. At the entrance to town was a kiosk advertising the Sheldon Air Service. For $300 each, they would fly you up the side of Mount Denali and land on a glacier.
Downtown Talkeetna
It was a warm sunny day so we spontaneously slapped down our money and got booked on the next flight which was leaving in an hour. We abbreviated out tour of this picturesque little town and hustled back to our RV so we could drive over to the nearby airport.
The Sheldon Air Service was a small but famous family- run plane company. The daughter and wife ran the front office and hubby flew the plane. They had an excellent track record landing on glaciers. Good to know!
Sheldon Air Service
De Havilland DHC-2 Mk.I Beaver
Below us was an unending carpet of multi-coloured shades of green interspersed with small blue lakes.
As we approached Denali the terrain changed to mountain ridges and glacier valleys.
Suddenly, there was a loud bump and the whole plane shuddered. The pilot laughed and assured us he was just sliding the skis in place under the wheels. Good idea thought I, as we will be landing on a glacier.
Ruth Glacier
From the air, you really got a sense of how the glaciers flowed down the valleys and smoothed out the sides.
Denali in the Clouds
Tokosha Mountains
At first, the mountain tops and glaciers were several thousand feet below us.
Ruth Glacier
However, as we climbed up the side of North America's tallest mountain, the distant mountains became all too close.
Our bush pilot was unfazed as he pointed out the features of several jagged peaks as we passed by.
At this point, no one was asking to get closer for a better look.
Suddenly, we banked around several impressive mountain summits and swooped down into the valley created by the Ruth Glacier.
In places, crystal blue water dotted the surface of the rapidly approaching glacier.
Don Sheldon Amphitheater
With a flourish the beaver banked hard and lined up for its descent into the Sheldon Amphitheater.
Landing on the Glacier
Don Sheldon Chalet
By departing with major dinero, one could spend a weekend at this iconic chalet overlooking this magnificent glacial setting.
Jim, Emma and the Beaver
Emma and I were happy to spend our time wandering around the glacier and marvelling at the surrounding scenery.
Don Sheldon Amphitheater
The scenery was beautiful of course, but it was the silence that surrounded you that really accentuated the pristine beauty.
Emma in pink surrounded by white
Too soon, it was time to form up and ascend back into the sky. The take off was just as smooth as the landing and we were soon gliding back down the mountainside.
Glacial Ponds
Glacial Pond
The glacial slopes gave way to the surrounding peaks and ridge lines.
The snowy peaks transformed into green mountain sides as we wound our way back to Talkeetna
What a great spontaneous adventure that transpired because the day was clear, the timing was right and we were flexible.
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