Due to the fact that Mt. McKinley is so much higher than the surrounding mountains, it actually creates its own weather and is often shrouded in clouds. The park rangers in Denali never seemed to grow tired of reciting the statistic: only a third of all visitors to the park ever get to actually see the mountain.

It would be difficult to use my visit to the park as an example, though. As I was driving north from Anchorage towards Denali the mountain was shrouded with clouds, but as I got closer to the park they melted away. Through the remainder of my visit of several days not once could I not see the mountain due to clouds. The day of my departure clouds covered the mountain once again. This coincidence not only afforded me far too many opportunities for great shots of the mountain, but also allowed a very special experience.

I was on a discovery hike with a ranger climbing up Cathedral Mountain. The climb up was interesting, with the rangers commentary on the geology of the mountain, Dall sheep, and my cousins discovery of a large gem like rock, but the real treat was the discovery of a mountain trail, blazed by the Dall sheep who traverse the cliffs. At first I was hesitant to make the crossing to the opposite ridge because of the forty five degree angle slope on either side of the foot-wide trail, but eventually I bravely edged across. I’m glad I did. Over the ridge was a spectacular view of the whole Savage River Valley, and on the horizon, the majestic Mt. McKinley.