Denali National Park & Preserve

This location on the Meadow View Trail overlooks the confluence of Hines and Riley Creeks. The view highlights the nearby wetlands and mixed spruce-deciduous forest.  On a clear day, one may also see the high peaks of the eastern Alaska Range, including 12,339 ft (3,761 m) tall Mt. Deborah.

Do you notice any change occuring in forests near or far? The native spruce beetle has recently reached outbreak population levels, causing a large proportion of mature white spruce in this area to die. Your participation in capturing images will help us track the pace of change in this area. 

For more info on fire, spruce beetles,  and other forest disturbance in Denali visit: https://www.nps.gov/dena/learn/nature/living-with-fire.htm

Meadow View Trail

The Horseshoe Lake Loop offers a unique view of not only Denali's beautiful scenery and wildlife, but also forest disturbance in progress.  Observe moose prints, beaver chew, and squirrel middens along the trail and consider how forest change may affect animal movements.

Along the Horseshoe Lake trail, visitors are surrounded by mixed spruce forests— ecosystems adapted for high severity fire. In 2024, the Riley Fire, visible on the hillside above, burned nearly 500 acres. Watch as the forest recovers from this disturbance and also is subjected to another. Tree mortality caused by the native spruce beetle is prominently displayed along the trail and on the hillside above. Your participation in capturing images will help us track the pace of change in this area. 

For more info on fire, spruce beetles,  and other forest disturbance in Denali visit: https://www.nps.gov/dena/learn/nature/living-with-fire.htm 

Horseshoe Lake Loop

The Tsenesdghaas Na’ trailhead provides access to the Nenana River Trail, Triple Lakes Trail, and the Oxbow Loop Trail. The view from the first major overlook allows one to observe the glacial-fed Nenana River. Walking trails meander through mixed spruce and aspen forests allowing visitors to enjoy the sounds of the river and resident birds. Visitors may even spot woodpeckers, red squirrel, or moose.  

Along the trail, many large white spruce have been recently killed by the native spruce beetle. As trees die, the canopy opens to allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor. This may trigger changes to the forest composition visible for many years. Your participation in capturing images will help us track the pace of change in this area. 

Denali National Park & Preserve

Alaska

3 chronologs managed by Denali National Park & Preserve

Meadow View Trail

Nenana River Overlook

Horseshoe Lake Loop

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