Biking

Denali ranks as one of the most bike-friendly national parks. The park road is 90 miles long and bikes are allowed on the whole length. You can even take your bicycle with you on a camper shuttle bus. During the spring and fall, when road closures are in effect, bicyclists are permitted to ride beyond closed gates.

Bicycles are, however, restricted to designated roadways. They may not be used on trails, the roadside path, or in the backcountry. Wildlife walk and roam the roads, too, so take care when rounding blind corners and brushy areas. Just like hiking along the road or in the backcountry, make noise when you are in areas of low visibility. Don't approach animals too closely. If you see a bear, don't approach within 1/4 mile. Stop and wait.

Bicycle Camping: Register for campsites in advance or at the Visitor Center. If you prefer to backpack from a campground, leave your bike locked there. And make sure you have a backcountry permit.

Climbing

Mount McKinley is a world class climbing destination. Although the south summit is the highest, most climbers have their eyes on the north summit— North America's second highest peak (19,470 feet). 17,400 foot Mount Foraker is another world-class challenge.

Temperatures on the summits are severe, even in summer. Winter lows at just 14,500 feet can plummet below -950F! During storms, winds can gust to more than 150 mph. Permanent snowfields cover more than 50 percent of the mountain and feed the many glaciers that surround its base. The mountain's granite and slate core is, in fact, overlain by ice that is hundreds of feet thick in places. Getting to the top of McKinley is not for inexperienced climbers.

All Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker climbers must register 60 days prior to beginning their ascent. Groups heading for other peaks are urged to register. There is a climbing permit fee. For information contact:

Talkeetna Ranger Station
Box 588, Talkeetna, AK 99676
(907) 733-2231; fax (907) 733-1465

Fishing

Denali is no centerpiece for an Alaskan fishing vacation. Most park rivers contain a milky suspension of silt, or rock flour, that fish can't tolerate. However, Arctic grayling are caught in a few clear mountain streams and lakes. Alaska (mackinaw) trout are caught in Wonder Lake. If you want to plan a backcountry trip, the confluence of the Stony and Little Stony rivers is said to be worthy. The folks at the visitors center can probably steer you to some other likely spots. No license is required to fish in the Denali Wilderness unit. Just a quixotic sense of luck.

If you don't mind venturing outside the park, Butte Lake, reached from a trailhead at milepost 93.3 of the Denali Highway has good stocks of lake trout, grayling and whitefish, and is said to be the best fishing in the area.

Paddling

The rivers at Denali are shallow, heavily braided glacial streams; not the stuff of good river running. Folks do run the Nenana, which flows mostly outside the park and forms part of the park's eastern border.

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