Denaili rules name game

By Bill Wagner

 

What’s in a name?Over the decades when it comes to Denali, North America’s highest mountain, about the only thing everyone seems to agree on is that its name means "the high one." 

Actually it’s "Deenaalee" to the Koyukon, a Native people of Alaskan Athabaskans.
Native Alaskans have been calling the mountain by that name for thousands of years. It’s definitely a “high one” with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet.
Starting in 1896, it was called Mt. McKinley for reasons that defy any logic. Seems some old prospector liked William McKinley who was running for president.
As history buffs know, McKinley served one term but was assassinated in 1901 just as his second term started, making Theodore Roosevelt president.
McKinley never visited the park. Over the years, folks in Ohio stood firm whenever there was talk of renaming the mountain or the park.
The first chance to correct this misnomer came about 20 years later when several prominent folks pushed to have the peak and the land around it set aside as a national park. Many wanted the park to be called Denali, that sentiment was far from

unanimous. Rather than chance having the designation denied because of a debate on the name, the Denali-ites decided discretion was the better part of valor and went along with naming it Mount McKinley National Park.
The official designation came on Feb. 26, 1917.
Fast forward to 1980 when the Alaska Lands Act not only tripled the park’s size, but also bowed to pressure and hanged its name to Denali National Park.
Still the mountain kept the former president’s name.
Even before the park was enlarged, starting in 1975, Alaska‘s state legislature asked the United States Board on Geographic Names to officially rename the mountain Denali. Alas, congressmen from McKinley's home state of Ohio blocked the request.
If it worked for the folks in Ohio in 1975, why not do it again. They did. For the past four decades, Alaska’s pols introduced the measure only to have Ohio reps knock it down.
But as has happened over and over during President Obama’s tenure in office, the mountain was renamed by going around Congress. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, signed a secretarial order that bypassed the legislative branch, granting Alaska's state

representatives wish to have the mountain renamed.
Obama made the announcement on Aug. 30, 2015 while visiting Alaska.
We visited the park for the first time a year later — mostly looking for moose up close and personal.
Of course, a view of the historic mountain would have been nice, but we were on the wrong end of the “30 percent rule.” That rule says just 30 percent of the hundreds of thousands who visit the park, actually get to see the mountain.
Not surprisingly, we ended up in the 70 percent who had to picture the majestic peak hidden behind the clouds.
Cars are allowed to drive on the first 15 miles of the park road. After that only National Park Service buses are permitted.
We passed on the bus ride.
The Bull Moose we spotted was a ways off the road. Light was low and rain drops were falling. Not the best for photos.
Later with sun out, a younger male and lady friend were grazing nearer the road, which made for better photos.

 

Bill Wagner wins 2016 Alaska Bearfest photo contest

Bill Wagner of Redding won the 2016 Alaska Bearfest photo contest held annual in the City of Wrangell in Southeast Alaska.
The winning entry was announced July 31 during the week-long celebration that also features a berry pie contest, marathon, concerts and guest speakers
Wagner’s photo was of an Alaskan coastal brown bear coming up empty after trying to snatch a pink salmon from the waters of Anan Creek.
Bears have been coming to Anan for hundreds of years as the creek swells with several hundred thousand pink salmon coming home to spawn each summer.
The U.S. Forest Service maintains The Anan Wildlife Observatory located 30 miles southeast the of Wrangell, which is on the island of the same name. While on Alaska’s mainland, the Anan Creek is only accessible by boat or float plane.
Anan Creek has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska, which in turn attracts both black and brown bears. In addition, the area is a favorite spot for bald eagles, which also feast on the salmon.
It is one of the few places where brown and black bears “fish” for salmon as they bulk up or a winter of hibernating.

Bridal Veil Falls a hidden gem

Bridal Veil Falls is a picturesque gem in the foothills just south of Canada’s Highway 1 outside Chilliwack, B.C. east of Vancouver.
It was billed as being right off the highway. True. And the hike to the falls was little more than one-half mile. Also true. Alas, it was pretty much straight up.
The hike was well worth it.
The falls cascade some 200 feet over smooth rock, creating the effect of a veil.
The area was designated as a Provincial Park in 1965. Before that, the falls were used to generate electricity in the early 1900s for the Bridal Falls Chalet. According to the park’s Web site, the area is where Popkum, an ancient village, was located with records going back to the 1700s. Popkum is a First Nations word meaning “puff ball,” a plant that grows in the area.
The park is located on the south side of the Fraser River, 16 km east of Chilliwack. Take Exit 135 off Highway 1 and follow the signs. The nearest communities, towns and cities are Bridal Falls and Chilliwack.