Backpacker Magazine – January 2011

Our Backyard: Denali National Park

Explore Denali's top dayhikes, photo ops, and epic wildlife treks.

by: Kristy Holland

Tags:
• Alaska
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• Destinations
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• Denali National Park
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After more than 20 trips into Denali’s backcountry, former ranger Jason Walsh, 37, of Chugiak, has learned that planning multiday trips is key for snagging hard-to-get permits in the park. “When you pick up your permit on the day of travel, add extra days to your itinerary in areas of high demand,” he says. “You’ll get first dibs on permits that people will be waiting in line for days ahead.”

Terri Massa, 45, a Fairbanks resident since 1987, has visited Denali for more than 20 years but only just discovered her favorite season there: winter. “Snowshoeing, skijoring, and mushing,” she says. “It’s relatively dry and windless, so temps in the -20 to +20˚F range are comfortable.”




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