McKinley Explorer
Relax and enjoy the unmatched splendor of wild Alaskan scenery from your spacious upper-level seat aboard a deluxe dome railcar. With your dedicated car manager as your extra pair of eyes, you’re in for an exceptional seven-plus hour nature show extravaganza! Be on the lookout for wildlife and your first sight of Denali. On a clear day, you’ll catch a glimpse of “The High One” within half an hour of departing Anchorage.
Three hours into the excursion finds you rolling into some pretty spectacular views of North America’s tallest mountain, and in perfect viewing weather, the train will slow for this priceless photo op. North of Talkeetna you’ll traverse the 918-foot Hurricane Gulch trestle, spanning 296 precarious feet above the white water below – intrepid souls unfazed by peering out their windows will want to have their cameras ready to capture this lifetime shot! Moving through largely unforested Broad Pass, the highest point on the Alaska Railroad at 2,363 feet, where you’ll see the Alaska Range to the northwest, the Talkeetnas to the southeast, and Denali (when it’s visible).
Your car will feature an open-air viewing platform perfect for some exhilarating “outside the train” photos plus a lower level observation lounge and handy gift shop. Beverage service is available in the dome area and gourmet meal service is enjoyed in the dining room downstairs!