Denali National Park...day 3 HIKING!

At the Murie Science Center

Beginning our hike

On Monday, we finished off the second giant cinnamon bun for breakfast, packed our backpacks for a nice long hike and headed out to the Murie Science Center at Denali National Park under beautiful blue skies. We toured the science center's exhibits and displays about the park's animals and changing geology.

After all that learning, we drove out to the end of the 15 miles of the park road accessible by private vehicles where the Savage Canyon Trail begins.

We chatted briefly with the ranger about the trail and she offered some suggestions for more hiking off trail. We ate our bag lunches at the picnic tables and set out on our journey. We began on the west side of the river and walked along the level trail beside the river. At the mid-point of the trail where the established path crosses the river over a foot bridge, we headed up the steep embankment of the hillsides in front of us on a 'social trail'.

The stunning views of the Savage River at the bottom of the canyon around us stretched out south to the foothills of the Alaska Range. We climbed higher and higher, watching a ground squirrel watching us and noticing the tiny colorful plants soaking up the sunshine.

High on the mountainside, Savage River below

We continued higher still, taking in the spectacular views across the canyon and back to the north toward the river's beginnings. We could see tiny hikers on the trail along the river way below us while we rested on huge boulders. We walked for a couple of hours through the tundra grasses and plants before turning around, descending much more quickly than we had climbed.

Arctic toe-dipping
...not for the faint of heart

Our feet tired and our knees barking, Ken and I headed over the bridge to stake out our toe-dipping spots next to the river. Janine and Joel quickly followed suit and soon we all had our feet in the ice-cold water. The temperature of the water prohibits the feet from much enjoyment as the coolness to temper the hot feet is rapidly overtaken by the bone-chilling cold. Despite this, I still love dipping my toes in rivers or oceans or streams wherever the opportunity presents itself.

We walked back down the east side of the river on the Savage Canyon Trail to the gravel bars and lowlands where we looked for flat rocks and interesting stones. As we headed over the bridge back to the car, we saw two angry seagulls diving at some young rock-throwing visitors who were entirely too close to the seagulls' nests.

Snowshoe hare

Friendly ground squirrel

We chatted again with the ranger and saw a snowshoe hare (notice his huge back feet) next to the ranger station building trying to hide from us. As we neared the car, another friendly ground squirrel came running over to us before realizing how big we were and dashing away.

To make up for any exercise we may have gotten on our long hike, we returned to the Creekside Cafe for dessert before dinner. We each ordered a berry crisp... blueberries and raspberries in a tasty crumble. So yummy. To be sure we would completely undo any of the positive effects of the hike, we ordered one slice of strawberry rhubarb coffee cake and three giant cinnamon buns to go. Excellent.

We rolled ourselves back to the RV for dinner and played cards until midnight, laughing and carrying on the whole time. What an awesome day of fun!