re: Bucketlist

I flew into Denali (small outpost at the end of the road with a tiny lodge, can't recall the name). On the prop plane was the only time I saw the peak of McKinley the whole time. The rest of the time it was shrouded in clouds when looking from the ground. Hiked for half a day in the area of Wonder Lake, which I later regretted when I realized how many grizzlies were all around.

Purchased a one-way bus pass (at said tiny lodge) and got picked up at a ranger station somewhere near Wonder Lake. Imagine being on a school bus full of Japanese tourists leaning out of windows taking pictures.

quote:

---

I love hiking and hate being around crowds for the most part.

---

Be advised the hiking kind of sucks, because you are walking on thick, deep, wet moss that gives a lot with every step. I have no idea what it is called, but its sort of like always walking in mud, at least from a "wear your arse out" perspective.

You need rubber boots, too. Its gorgeous, but as soon as I caught the bus near the lake, we rounded a bend and started seeing grizzlies....everywhere. Grizzlies on the hillside, shrouded in mist. Grizzlies walking down the little gravel road we were on. I was about shitting myself right then and there realizing I had been hiking in wet moss in rubber boots in what amounted to a grizzly sanctuary.