When To Visit?

The difficulty in journeying to the mountain to view Denali "because it is" happens to be when?

Being that the Alaska Range itself is the battle line between warm, moist, marine air of the Japanese Current, moving inland, and the dry cold of the Arctic Interior, Denali is a classic cloud catcher. If no clouds are available to hide behind,the mountain often creates his own.

Consequently, during the popular time of year to visit - June through August - the chance of viewing the summit is about 35 percent, and many people leave feeling disappointed. I have experienced viewing the mountain from Wonder Lake on absolutely clear days, as well as socked-in views from the Eielson Center. Perhaps my favorite is when the peak, literally, plays peek-a-boo through the clouds. Now you see it. Now you don't. Where? Over there!

The mountain is more likely to be clear of cloud cover during the morning, than during the afternoon. June and August are better than July. I prefer the crisp colorful days of September, a risky time to visit, as the clouds could be laden with snow.The good part of the weather game is that there is more wildlife moving about when the mountain is hidden by clouds, and if it does rain, that tends to bring out the wildflowers (best in late June).

Even if you dont see the mountain on a short visit, you will feel his presence.