Although we don’t have dogs, because we travel so much, we love them! The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has always amazed me, and I looked forward to learning all about it. But today was double dog day in Denali, so first things first!

First, we visited the Denali National Park Visitor Center where we had the option to catch a shuttle to see a demonstration of the husky dogs the National Park Service uses as working dogs in Denali. Heck yeah, count us in! We hopped on the first shuttle.

Denali is the only national park with a kennel of sled dogs. These huskies are a more reliable form of transportation to remote areas of the park in extreme sub-arctic conditions than an airplane or snowmobile. The dogs are adapted to cold temperatures down to -40 degrees, and they prefer being outside in the snow running rather than lounging around in a warm indoor setting. Besides, there is no problem starting their “motor” whereas a snowmobile can be finicky in those extreme temperatures.

The dogs assist rangers in everything from protecting the wilderness of Denali National Park to rescues. If equipment needs to be hauled in the sleds along with the rangers, the dogs will do it with enthusiasm. This is an excellent video about the training of the dogs and how they work as a team with the rangers.

Here are some of the dogs we got to meet:

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

Following the demonstration, we returned to the visitor center where Bruce watched a couple of excellent films about the sled dogs and Denali, and I hiked the Spruce Forest Loop Trail and a portion of the Triple Lakes Trail. By the end of my hike, the clouds had started to clear and blue skies shined through. YES!

In the afternoon our group visited Husky Homestead, owned by Jeff King, four-time Iditarod race champion (1993, 1996, 1998, and 2006). His final win was at age 50, and he was the oldest musher to ever win the grueling 1,049-mile race. Husky Homestead is where he trains sled dogs, and it is open for tours and demonstrations.

Have you ever wondered how sled dogs are trained during the warmer months when there is no snow? Check out this short video clip I shot during the demonstration:

Meeting the pups was the best part!

Sunny scenes from around our lodge:

Coming up next: SEATTLE & ALASKA #7: OUR FABULOUS, FANSTASTIC FLIGHT!