Alaska, Day 2

[grizz1]

On Sept 6th, early morning we boarded the Alaska railroad in Fairbanks and headed South to Denali.  Not sure, but think we were about 12 cars back from the engines.

In this photo we are nearing Denali, riding the rails along the Nenana River.


Shot straight out my window of the train is the Nenana River, later on in the day I rafted through this very section  of the river to learn that the rapids near this section is called "train wreck", for reasons you don't want to know if you plan to ride the rails between Denali and Fairbanks. I'll just say, that it looks much safer from the rail car than it does from the river looking up or should I say looking over the the train wheels that are in the river.

Another pic from my rail car of where I had just been, across the Nenana  on a railroad bridge.

Within a couple miles of Denali NP at this point. Found out later my hotel was in the lower left side of this pic right next to the river.

[grizz1]

Starting into Denali park in this photo, colors were amazing here on Sept 6th, later in the day snow was falling on the higher peaks.

Part of the Talkeetna river basin, this was where I had the best luck at seeing grizzlies later in the day, they were eating berries, often at low elevations.

Some more drainage areas into the Talkeetna, the vastness was almost over whelming at times. It is a place I wish all could see, if you like the outdoors you have to love Denali.

Getting right down to the waters edge of the Talkeetna river in this shot. At this time I didn't know that two hours later I would be pinned down in a visitor center 22 miles upstream by a Grizzly. Also thought that I was fast at getting my camera out of the backpack but not as fast as a Grizz can cover 250 yards. Did not get a close shot of that Grizz as I prized my hide over the photo of a lifetime as it was looking kind of short when it happened.

[Kt29]

It is very hard to concieve the vastness of Alaska.   You packed alot of seeing and photographing in these first two days.  I agree, it would be great to come back to Alaska every year.   Keep those pics coming Steve.   You are giving us a great view of Alaska.

[JerseyHunter]

Wow now this is some breathing takeing pics great so beautiful thanks for sharing.

[grizz1]

I was amazed at how the Grizzlies would appear and disappear in the foliage but once I learned what they were eating they became much easier to locate. They were after berries that grew in the open country, lower elevations, saw several Grizzlies in Denali NP. This one was a sow with 2 cubs, don't think I ever got all 3 of them together, they were feeding fast, grabbing mouth fulls of berries and seldom looking our way.