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DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA

Hike Denali National Park: Taiga to Tundra

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 AK

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 Walking/Hiking

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 $1000 - $1500

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Road Scholar
Program #9748RJ

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7 Days | 6 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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While all of our learning adventures offer extraordinary value, our "Best Value" programs were rated by our participants themselves who thought their dollar went particularly far.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
Participants will travel to 3900 feet during the trip into Denali National Park.

 Equipment Requirements
Waterproof footwear with ankle support and proper rain gear are both highly recommended.

Itinerary for Jul 7 — Jul 13, 2013

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Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, July 07 - Independent arrivals and Introductions 
Arrive To: Independent arrivals, noon to 5pm

Afternoon: Orientation.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Introductions.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, July 08 - Hike to Triple Lakes 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Get oriented to the northern forest on a guided hike along the Triple Lakes trail. The trail begins near the Denali Education Center and climbs to three lakes. The trail gains about 300 feet in the first mile, then meanders through boreal forests with views of each lake. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the boreal forest and high latitude aquatic ecosystems. You may see beaver, moose, or a variety of waterfowl. The lakes are 1.5 to 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Up to 4 miles and 900 ft. elevation gain on a maintained trail.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Learn about the sometimes surprising, always extreme, conditions that shape life in Denali and define a subarctic ecosystem in “Welcome to the Subarctic.”

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA. Schedule for expert local evening presenters in Denali will be announced on first day of program.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, July 09 - A wild hike up Mount Healy 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Stretch your legs on an invigorating climb up Mount Healy. Excellent views of the Alaska Range can be had from Mount Healy, weather permitting. The second half of the trail is steep and travels over difficult terrain that is often slippery. This is the most challenging hike of the week, takes about 4-6 hours for the 4 mile roundtrip with 1700 feet elevation gain.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Discover the extraordinary animals that call Denali home and learn about their marvelous adaptations to life at high latitudes in Wildlife of Denali.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, July 10 - Journey to the heart of the Park 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife watching opportunities on a day-long journey into Denali National Park by shuttle bus to Eielson Visitor Center.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Want to hike independently in this pristine wilderness? We invite you to leave the bus behind and travel cross-country... at any time throughout the day.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Free time.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Five: Thursday, July 11 - Sled dogs and boreal forest hike 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: The Rock Creek Trail hike includes a stop at Park Headquarters to meet the working sled dogs of Denali and the opportunity to see the dogs in action during a demonstration. Up to 6 miles and 850 ft elevation change, mostly gravel paths, some portions may be muddy and uneven. Although wildlife may be difficult to spot in the forest, signs of their presence can be discovered by the careful observer, and intriguing flora abounds. The trail parallels the Park Road at first, then continues for 3 miles through mixed boreal forest. Highlights include stands of birch and spruce trees, and beautiful ridge views.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Sign-up for optional free time activities on Friday. Enjoy a bit of free time.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Guest speaker TBA.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Cabin

 Description: The Denali Education Center campus was built in 1990 along the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on the banks of the Nenana River. This quiet wooded campus, consisting of 12 cabins and Riverside Hall, was the first in the U.S. built exclusively for Road Scholar programs. All facilities are on the ground floor with four steps leading into each cabin. The longest walk from your cabin to Riverside Hall is about 200 yards on a gravel walkway, and the shortest is about 15 yards.

Contact info:
Milepost 231 George Parks Highway
Denali Park, AK 99755 USA
phone: 907-683-2597
web: www.denali.org

Room amenities: Our location is idyllic, rooms and services are simple. Each cabin at the Denali Education Center has one bathroom that may be shared by up to four people. There is no housekeeping during the week, though fresh towels are available mid-week. Rooms do not have clocks, radios, TV’s, microwaves, or hair dryers. All rooms are non-smoking. There are no phones in the rooms, though cell phone reception is fine. Emergency calls may be received in the office, as needed. An answering machine will receive calls after hours or when staff is in the field.

Facility amenities: Laundry facilities are available for $2 per wash and $2 per dry, laundry detergent included. Internet access is available nearby.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: Each cabin has two rooms with one shared bath.

Additional nights before: $117/room/night plus tax
Please call (907) 683-2597 or contact roadscholarprograms@denali.org to reserve a room for additional nights.

Check in time: 12:00 PM

Day Six: Friday, July 12 - Savage River tundra hike 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Leisurely guided hike in the subarctic tundra along Savage River in Denali National Park. The trail follows the Savage River for nearly a mile, then crosses the river and returns along the opposite bank. This short hike is an excellent opportunity to explore a river-cut valley in a tree-less tundra with diverse flora. There are many moderate and strenuous areas to explore off-trail in this area. Venture off trail and hike uphill from the Savage River area, and quickly gain views of Mt. McKinley, weather permitting.

Lunch: In the field

Afternoon: Choose your own adventure. Explore the Park independently or pursue optional activities including rafting, flightseeing or visiting the kennels of an Iditarod champion.

Dinner: Riverside Hall

Evening: Program wrap-up.

Lodging: Denali Education Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Seven: Saturday, July 13 - Independent departures. 11am check-out 
Breakfast: Riverside Hall

Morning: Independent departures. 10 am check-out.

Meals Included: Breakfast
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
Currently selected:Prices Starting At:
Jul 7 — Jul 13, 2013 waitlist only  

Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•6 nights of accommodations
•17 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
•5 Expert-led lectures
•6 Field trips
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Ratings

5
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