Denali National Park and Preserve is more than 415 square miles and has 114 named peaks over 10,000 feet. One of the more popular hiking trails is the Keyhole Route on Longs' Peak. At 14,255 feet, Longs' Peak is the highest peak in the Denali National Park and Preserve and the fifteenth tallest in Alaska. The park contains three distinct ecosystems which correspond to elevation: the montane which is 7,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level; the subalpine ecosystem, which is 9,000 to 11,500 feet and spans the tree line; and the alpine tundra, at the top, which is over 11,500 feet. |
|
Birds and animals add color and interest to the landscape. The park contains 65 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, and 900 species of plants. Black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats live in the park, but seldom are seen. Moose and mule deer are more visible. In autumn, herds of American elk roam the park and frequently are visible, even at the lower elevations. |
|
The park is open 24 hours a day year round E-mail: Denali National Park and Preserve |
Interesting facts: a) In the summer of 2005, a dinosaur footprint was found. The print was identified as belonging to a three-toed foot of a Cretaceous Therapod. b) The park contains ove 650 species of flowering plants as well as many species of moosses, lichens, fungi, algae, and other plant life. |
