An actual picture postcard that Paul Jungtitsch sent Mrs. Julia Schulkey in Maywood, California, shows Wonder Lake, Alaska, on the front. The vintage black & white card contains the following message:
“Anchorage, Alaska
Thursday May 29
Hi there Old Dear –
It took us 14 days to drive up here.
Had lots of tire trouble this is a
nice busy city. I am going to fly back.
Will be seeing you soon from Paul Jungtitsch.”
It appears that Mr. Jungnitsch was not well prepared for his trip north. Travelers on the Al-Can Highway back in the day needed a couple of spares, if not more. Roadside assistance was not easily available in 1956, the year that Paul’s postcard was sent.
He makes no mention of visiting Mt. McKinley or Wonder Lake. I assume Mr. Jungnitsch picked this card up from one of the Anchorage gift shops. There’s more information regarding Julia Schulkey and Paul Jungnitsch at the end of this writing.
Nestled deep within Mt. McKinley National Park and Preserve, Wonder Lake is one of Alaska’s most scenic and iconic destinations. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of North America’s highest peak, Denali (now officially known as Mount McKinley), Wonder Lake offers visitors a chance to experience the wild and untamed beauty of interior Alaska.
Wonder Lake lies approximately 85 miles into the park’s only road, making it one of the more remote and pristine accessible locations in Denali. The lake itself is about 2.6 miles long and less than half a mile wide, 280 feet deep, with crystal-clear waters that often reflect the snow-capped summit of Denali on calm days.
The surrounding landscape features tundra, spruce forests, and vibrant wildflowers in the summer, creating a picturesque vista that draws photographers and nature lovers alike.
The area around Wonder Lake bursts with wildlife. It’s common to spot moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and a variety of bird species, including loons and arctic terns, in the vicinity. The lake and its surroundings are particularly popular with birdwatchers and those seeking to immerse themselves in Alaska’s rich biodiversity.
Wonder Lake is a favorite destination for backpackers and campers. A campground near the lake, accessible by the park shuttle bus, provides rustic accommodations and stunning sunrise and sunset views of Denali, weather permitting. Visitors are rewarded with solitude and serenity, far from the bustle of city life, and a sense of awe inspired by the sheer scale and majesty of the landscape.
During the summer months, the area comes alive with wild flowers and nearly endless daylight, while autumn brings a spectacular display of fall colors. On clear nights in late summer, lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis dancing over the lake’s surface.
For those willing to journey deep into the park, Wonder Lake offers not just a destination but an experience—a place where silence is broken only by the call of loons, and where the grandeur of Alaska is laid bare. Whether for hiking, wildlife viewing, or simply soaking in the sights, Wonder Lake is truly a wonder of the North.
Julia Schulkey was a recently widowed lady when Paul Jungnitsch wrote her in 1956. Her husband, Francis Adolph Schulkey, died in 1955. The couple had been married for 34 years. Francis and Julia Schulkey were farmers in North Dakota before moving to California and starting a dry cleaning business. When Francis became too ill to manage the business, it was sold.
Paul Jungnitsch was from North Dakota and evidently an old friend of the Schulkeys. Paul was also a widower, with his wife, Agnes, a school teacher, dying in 1941. The couple had been married for 26 years. After retiring from farming, Paul moved to Long Beach, California, where he married Myrtle Johnson in 1964. He was 73 at this time.
Paul died on June 27, 1974, with his body shipped back to North Dakota to be buried beside his first wife, Agnes. Julia Schulkey passed away on March 29, 1995. She’s buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California. Julia never remarried.
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