Mush Some Huskies at Denali National Park

When you think of animals commonly found in Denali National Park, images of the Big Five -- moose, grizzlies, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep-- come to mind. While amazing to see from a distance, this kind of wildlife should not be observed too closely. But the temptation to befriend a beautiful animal is hard to resist. Luckily, you CAN have a personal encounter with big paws and bushy tails-as long as they belonged to an Alaskan husky! And when you visit the dog kennels at Denali National Park, you're actually encouraged to play with the friendly dogs.

After a mandatory short and free bus ride from the Visitor Center, you'll arrive at the kennels where a pack of sociable canines can't wait to be petted and photographed. Indulge yourself in cuddling man's best friend and also take a good look around. Sleds, harnesses, and other equipment are displayed, as well as charts showing the lineage of each dog. Surprisingly, these canines are not one particular breed, nor are they a mix of purebred dogs. An Alaskan husky is the result of hundreds of years of breeding dogs that are adapted to cold weather, have a strong desire to run and pull, a thick coat of fur, a bushy tail, long legs, and a great demeanor. What a pedigree!

Although it's easy to get side-tracked by the dogs, don't miss the informative talk given by the kennel manager. Visitors learn about the life and training of a sled dog, the establishment of the kennel in the 1920s, and the long history of mushing. Listening to the stories, it's clear that these dogs have serious jobs. They log hundreds of patrol miles during the long winter months looking for poachers and taking supplies to rangers in remote, back-country cabins. In fact, there are vast stretches of designated wilderness where mechanized vehicles are prohibited-even if the terrain would allow, which it doesn't. A team of 8 -10 adult dogs (individually weighing about 70 pounds) can pull a 400-500 pound load over ice and snow in blizzard as well as fair conditions-and love doing it!

How could any animal be enthusiastic about hauling a heavy sled over rough terrain in sub-zero weather, then sleep outdoors?! Everyone is pretty skeptical at first, but all doubts vanish the moment the sled appears in the demonstration ring. Almost as if on cue, the entire kennel of jumping huskies boisterously bark and howl just begging to be chosen for the run. What a commotion! Since the ground is dry in the summer, the team is harnessed to the sled and they instead run on a gravel track. The does are no less ecstatic to show off their pulling power, even sans snow.

In 1938, famous Alaskan Judge James Wickersham said, "He who gives time to the study of the history of Alaska, learns that the dog, next to man, has been the most important factor in its past and present development." Nowhere is this statement truer than at the sled dog kennels inside Denali National Park.