Photo Story # 2 – Extraordinary Scenery
Of course I need to start this post with Denali.
Denali is the highest mountain in North America, at 6,190 metres. Its name originates from the Koyokon word for “tall” or “high”, and is often referred to as the Great One. From the late 1800s onwards, the name Mount McKinley started being used in the newspapers, and finally in 1917 this name was formally adopted. Despite the fact that in 1975 the state of Alaska changed the name of the mountain to Denali, it wasn’t until 2015 that Denali was adopted as the official name on a national level. Then, in 2025 President Donald Trump ordered that the name be changed back to Mount McKinley.
You can listen here to the late Chief Mitch Demientieff of Nenana, reading an Athabascan legend about the origins of Denali.
I had been cautioned before the trip that I might not actually get to see the whole of Denali, since it is often shrouded in clouds. However, fate was kind, and it seemed that every time we passed Denali (including when we were in the air) it was visible in all its splendour!
While Denali tends to take the limelight, it seemed that every day, there was remarkable scenery everywhere.
At the start of our trip, we went on a cruise of the Prince William Sound, heading out from Whittier.
It was lovely to be out boating, and the scenery had this ethereal quality produced by the contrast between the harshness of the land formations and the satin-like appearance of the water. The monochrome colour palette just added to the atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the trip is the journey on the Winter Aurora Train, when we travelled from Fairbanks to Anchorage.
The trip took all day (i.e. around 12 hours), and I had been wondering if being on a train for than long would become monotonous. Well, I shouldn’t have been concerned! The seating was comfortable and spacious, and there were other areas in the train to relocate to for a change. However, it was the scenery which made the time pass so quickly.
There were jaw-dropping mountain backdrops and oh-so-pretty riverscapes.
And wonderful forest landscapes.
And glimpses of footprints in the snow beside the tracks, hinting at the presence of big beasts, and starting a preoccupation with moose-spotting!
Occasionally a township would glide past the window, with houses and vehicles alike all covered in snow.
At one point, the train slowed down and then came to complete stop… in the middle of nowhere (so it seemed). Actually it was to pick up Shannon Cartwright, an author of children’s books. Cartwright lives off grid, and has an arrangement with Alaskan Railroads to come on board, bringing with her supplies of her books to sell to the passengers. Of course, I couldn’t resist!
This video gives you an idea of the magic of the journey. I would absolutely do the trip again!
It’s time to circle back to the Iditarod
And to the fact that, sometimes, the combination of the sled teams against the dramatic backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, just took my breath away….
