Flight-Seeing the Alaska Range

Flight-seeing with a bush pilot around the Alaska Range is an adventure way beyond "ooooh" and "ah." It's magical, spiritual, breath-taking-and the superlatives don't stop there. It's also a bit of a splurge, but worth every cent to really savor, not just see, the majesty of the striated granite mountains, the carved paths of the glaciers, and the rugged white snowscape contrasting against bright blue sky. Nowhere is Mother Nature more amazing than in Alaska!

Since tiny and remote Talkeetna is the closest town to North America's literal highlight- 20,320 foot Mount McKinley (also known as Denali)-choose an air tour company that operates from there. You might feel a little apprehensive about climbing into a tiny aircraft, I sure did, but consider that a small plane with just three or four passengers is what allows the up close and personal experience you're going for. Plus, take comfort in knowing that your pilot is prepared for emergencies-Alaskan law mandates that, among other things, food, blankets, first-aid equipment and survival hunting/fishing gear be carried on back-country flights.

Once airborne, a glance out the window turns any residual trepidation into tingling excitement! Hidden rivers, lakes, and homesteads come into view, all tucked into rough and remote wilderness rarely seen by outsiders. In no time, the thick forest gives way to monoliths of ice, snow, and rock. We flew straight for them-as well as around, over, down and in-between the peaks. The pilot knowledgeably called out their names as my camera clicked away- Mount Hunter rising to 14,573 feet; Mount Foraker looming at 17,400 feet; and the great Denali towering at 20,320 feet above sea level. As the small aircraft made yet another steep turn to provide us with the best views, its wingtips seemed to just narrowly miss the walls of the hulking Moose's Tooth! Then suddenly the next grand scene appeared-the winding river of ice known as the Ruth Glacier.

Just when I thought the air adventure couldn't improve, our plane's skis provided a smooth landing on a glacier. We piled out and promptly sank to our knees in freshly fallen snow. The brisk air was take-your-breath-away cold and the undisturbed frozen landscape sparkled in the sunshine like crystal. I felt small and insignificant standing on that endless carpet of white gazing up at mountains that reached to dizzying heights. And while I've lost track of many of the peak's names, their grandeur is frozen in my mind's eye forever.

All too soon, we were winging it back toward Talkeetna. At the airport, I was tempted to inspect the Cessna's wingtips for scrape marks. Silly, I know, but after flying so "reach-out-and-touch-it-close" to those grand peaks, you almost need convincing!