Sable Pass is the first of four, nearly 4,000 ft. (1,292m) mountain passes that you cross on the 90 mile stretch of Denali Park Road. I took this picture in August while visiting the park during a very cloudy and rainy period. Denali looms off in the clouded mountain background, not visible in this picture.
Sable Pass, Denali National Park. Canon 5D Mark III, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 1/100 sec @f/10, ISO 100.
The pass is a favorite region for me in the park. Much of it is closed to hiking and restricted to road travel only, save for adjacent areas that permit one to look over the pass region. Over the years I’ve photographed many grizzly bears in this area and the one below is a classic since this sign has been replaced many times due to bears chewing on it, even in spite of the nails that serve as a partial deterrent.
Grizzly bear scratches on sign in Sable Pass, Denali National Park. Canon 1Ds Mark II, 500mm f/4L IS, 1/400 @ f/4, ISO 400.
