Denali to Paxson Lake via the Denali Highway (Cantwell to Paxson)
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We planned on an early start but I slept later than planned and there was a wait at the dump station. Then we had to stop at the post office to mail some things to the special grandchildren. We finally got on the road at 9:50am. We traveled 176 miles with a stop for gas in Cantwell and multiple stops for pictures and one for lunch. We finally arrived at Paxson Lake around 4 pm. The temps were in the low 50s all day with scattered rain showers.
The first 3 miles of the Denali Highway were paved and then the next 10 were muddy as the road had been graded leaving loose dirt and gravel on the top. With the rain it turned to slippery mud. Beyond that it was rough in spots; washboard, potholes, etc., but for the most part not worse than the other gravel roads we traveled (Dempster & Top of the World). The unpaved portion is 110 miles and the scenery changed as we went east. There were scattered showers and low clouds so we couldn’t really see the mountain ranges on both sides of us. On a clear day this route would be fantastic. As it was it was worth the effort and the bumps.
View of the Nenana River
The truck and trailer after the first segment with the mud
Along the road:
View of the Susitna River
Wood decked Susitna River Bridge
Caributts
We came upon what we thought were people from a distance but was a herd of caribou cows and their young.
They stayed on the road looking back at us for quite awhile until a motorhome came from the other direction and they finally scattered in different directions off the road.
More sights along the road
Swan on small pond
McClaren Glacier
Tuesday, July 24th
Paxson Lake to Glacier View (via the Richardson and Glenn Highways)
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We departed at 8:15am and were 9 miles down the road before we returned to the campground to get the outdoor mat that I had left of the picnic table to dry out some. In all we traveled 158 miles (it should have been 140) and arrived at 12:30 pm. It was 46⁰ when we left and was in the mid 50s when we arrived. It was raining with low clouds most of the way but as we neared our destination the clouds began to lift some and we had some sunshine.
Nelchina Glacier along the Glenn Highway
Summit on the Glenn Highway
Note the poles that mark the snow depth and where the sides of the road are for the snowplows.
We stopped at Grand View Café and RV Campground. The mountains across the road are noted for viewing sheep. We are in an area surrounded by mountains and is beautiful, providing they are not covered by clouds. The little RV Park is mostly composed of gravel but the view makes up for it. The Café and staff have been great and the food is good. We would return to this little spot in the road
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