Fires in the surrounding areas made for very smoky skies. We weren't able to have the clearest views on the Savage Alpine Trail but it was still a beautiful hike nevertheless.
After the hike and a tailgate car lunch we went to meet the Sled Dogs of Denali National Park. They are the canine rangers and we learned about them and were able to see a demonstration. They hooked up some of their dogs to the summer sled and took a lap around. It was very interesting to learn their purpose at the park which includes protecting and preserving the park as working dogs. They are the most reliable to operate in the conditions of a sub-arctic winter and are able to run through ice, slush and snow that snowmobiles and trucks cannot. This is the 100 year anniversary of the sled dog history in Denali!
After saying hello to the dogs we took one last hike at Horseshoe Lake Trail.
We saw a lot of evidence of beaver activity.
It was a great way to finish our time at Denali.
A cold beer and dinner was on the schedule for tonight at 49th State Brewing in Healy. I had also wanted to see the "Magic Bus" replica that they have on the property. The food and beverages were great and after we toured the bus which was set up like a museum with informational cards. "Into the Wild" was a book written about Christopher McCandless (AKA Alexander Supertramp) who searched for meaning and solitude eventually found his way (and his end) to Fairbanks city bus 142 where he lived his final months in the Denali wilderness. His story is compelling and intriguing and also adapted into a movie.
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