Grand Scenics of Alaska - Denali (aka, Mount McKinley)

This post brings to a close the Grand Scenics of Alaska series of posts. What better way to end it than with something REALLY grand – the famed Denali peak and its neighboring mountains! 

There’s been a lot of controversy about the mountain’s name over the years. Mister Jim still calls it Mount McKinley, from the time that he used to work there as a young whippersnapper. This national park saw the start of his photographic career. He started working at the park as a park naturalist and shuttle bus driver. When Lady Bird Johnson started the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign, they needed someone to take photographs. Jim volunteered! The rest, as they famously say, is history. In the 1970s, he moved from Alaska down to the lower 48 states. So our journey this summer was a bit of a homecoming for him.

The Denali peak is hidden behind clouds the majority of the time. It is a gamble whether it will show itself during a brief vacation visit. We were so grateful that the mountain came out to say hello to Mister Jim once again and hello to me for the first time. It was an incredible sight that will forever be remembered in our hearts.

What Alaska photo series is next? Wildlife Wonders!