An Independent Day

On July 4th we originally planned to fly from Talkeetna and soar over Mount Denali, but the Alaskan Range had a different idea for us. Clouds rolled over the peaks, preventing planes to ride around it. Determined to reach our stay in Denali that night, we decided to try it a different day and to enjoy hiking trails that lined our route. But first, we happily walked through the small town of Talkeetna, eating spinach bread and watching the July 4th parade pass us by. Each float had a wooden moose that was painted or decorated for each business, and we were given candy and our own copy of the Declaration of Independence by a little boy with a fake beard. It was so festive, and an unexpected treat!

We stopped in Denali State Park and parked just outside Little Coal Creek Trailhead.  The path was a significant incline for 3.3 miles, taking us up towards the Kesugi Ridge. It wasn't until later did we realize that the Kesugi Ridge gave incredible views of Mount McKinley and the surrounding ridge line, and again, Alaska did what it does best:  it took away something, and gave something right back. During the ascent up the mountain we took breaks to look out at the breathtaking Range, and though Mount Denali was still hidden by clouds, the smaller peaks embraced us all around. We frolicked and jumped, sang to any nearby bear, and then headed back down with visions of peaks and tree lines dancing in our heads.

It was a promising start to all that Denali was about to reveal to us.