August 19th, 2024 - Dog Sledding in Denali

Our day started out slow. Yes, we were lazy - LOL!

We decided to get moving after lunch and headed to the Sled Dog Demonstration at 2 PM.

In Denali, Sled Dogs have been an important mode of transportation in the winter for over 100 years.  The only exception was during WW2 when the Canine Rangers were drafted into the war.

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/kennels.htm

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/meet-the-sled-dogs.htm

Our ranger:

She told us about the history of the dogs in Denali and a little about the dogs.  Then we had a demonstration of a ride.  As the dogs were attached, they were so excited:

And away they go!:

When they came back and were tethered, the ranger continued her talk:

One of the things they are taught are to come back home.  This was just cool to watch:

And away he goes - notice his trainer in the orange:

He knew where to go to be safe!

After the demo, we were free to walk around.  This is the training sled:

From there we stopped at the Sled Shed - interesting information:

From there we went to the puppies - :-):

They were all so cute!  Here are a few:

One question I had was "Do they ever roam free"  and the answer is yes...when the people are not here - LOL!:

Cute:

More information on the dogs and their breeding:

Lots of info here:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/national-parks/2022/10/29/denali-national-park-sled-dogs-alaska/10525268002/

https://pawsandreflect.blog/denali-national-park-sled-dogs-visiting-the-kennel/

https://www.whatspawsitive.org/home/2023/8/10/denali-dogs-how-alaskan-sled-dogs-help-maintain-and-entertain-at-denali-national-park

https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/climate-change-dog-sledding-denali.htm#:~:text=Today%2C%20park%20rangers%20and%20scientists,for%20other%20visitors%20to%20use.

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=85118750-1DD8-B71C-07CE18ECAA2D7364

So glad we went - what a great time!

From there we decided to take a ride to the end of the road for private vehicles.  Yesterday, we saw moose and caribou here. Sadly no animals today.

After the fireweed bloom, their leaves start to turn this beautiful red!:

Our road (sadly, another cloudy, rainy day!):

New snow on the mountain...oh my, time to leave... sad!:

The road continues:

So does the snow - LOL!:

The fall in Alaska - the green turns to reds and browns:

What a wonderful afternoon!

We will be here one more day.  I was truly hoping for sunny skies to see Denali in its finest but...  May have to be here in the Winter/Early Spring - LOL!

Enjoy today!