Denali Zipline tour tops off wonderful day

TALKEETNA — “Cross your feet, spin around and fall back,” our tour guide ordered, as I stood at the edge of what seemed like the platform was three stories high. Normally I wouldn’t oblige such a request, but this instance was different. In this particular moment I was having the time of my life, zooming through the trees with Denali Zipline Tours in Talkeetna.

A tour with Denali Zipline starts at their headquarters in downtown Talkeetna, walking distance from both the train station and Main Street. After a short van ride, the trip really begins in a secluded part of the forest. You put on your gear, learn how to zip, and before you know it you’re standing in a tree, over 70 yards from the ground. A true appreciation for that distance comes when you sit back in your harness and lift your feet from the platform, as you zip to another platform on a tree that’s 100 meters away, at the very least.

There are nine zips on the tour, taking you on a three-hour expedition through the canopy of the surrounding woods. Some of the lines stretch over huge lots and gorges, and the last one dips over a beautifully clear lake, which the management has named “Reflection Pond.” As you dart from one platform to the next there is time to truly appreciate your surroundings, not only as you fly past branches and spruces, but also while you wait at each station, looking out at the dense center of the forest.

Ziplining isn’t the only activity on this trip, however. There is also a spiral staircase, a few wobbly suspension bridges and a rappel, which is the part that involves letting yourself fall from the platform. This element of the tour keeps the adventure fresh, there is always something new to learn, and along with that, a new thrill to be had. Each activity demands a different skill, whether it be balance, timing, or simply self-control.

After unhooking from the last zipline, it’s hard not to smile. Denali Zipline employees say they often have clients who are extremely nervous — even before they start zipping — but that the trip ends the same for everybody.

“No matter what, when people get out of the van, they are just grinning from ear to ear — they’re just so excited”, said Denali Zipline manager Stephanie Stevenson.

The thrill of rocketing through the air is guaranteed to stay with you long after finishing a tour, she said.

Part of that feeling also stems from the Denali Zipline staff, who are not only welcoming and kind, but also local. Our guides, Kristy Kingery and Virginia Gallagher of Talkeetna were incredibly patient and enthusiastic. On our way back to Denali Zipline headquarters, the office staff genuinely inquired about our tour, sharing similar partiality to certain ziplines and reverence for the adventure.

Behind the considerate and local personnel stands a complementary business. Denali Zipline began in 2012, when owners Mark Wildermuth and Laura Caillet of Talkeetna decided that they wanted to do something environmentally responsible with a plot of land that they owned. The business helps preserve their land, while simultaneously providing employment to many local residents.

When my sister and I arrived home from our trip, we couldn’t stop talking about our tour. We keep finding new stories to tell our friends and family about the trip, even weeks after it has passed. Our tour was so incredibly enjoyable that we are now attempting to convince our parents to try it, partially because we just can’t wait to go again.

Whether you are searching for the next great adventure in the state of Alaska, or are just taking a day trip to Talkeetna, make a reservation with Denali Zipline. It is not only an electrifying experience, but also an exciting way to see Alaska from a totally new perspective.

For more information, or to make reservations, visit denaliziplinetours.com or call 733-3988.

Contact Kaden Weaver at 352-2270 or kaden.weaver@frontiersman.com.