news from Denali Nat'l Park

Hello everyone - about 15 degrees and rivers are freezing up.

If you are coming to the Park this winter, here is the latest news:

Denali Park road closed at Mile 3 - currently, there isn%26#39;t enough snow coverage for winter recreational activities, but let%26#39;s hope that changes soon.

Murie Science and Learning Center is open daily from 9am - 4pm as the winter visitor center. Park rangers are on hand to provide updated park info, a variety of daily interp programs and backcountry permits.

Riley Creek campground is open year round, but has no running water - vault toilet is available on ';Bear'; loop and water can be obtained at the MSLC.

If you need park info, call 907-683-2264 from 8am-4:30pm.

Just wanted everyone to have the updated news.

news from Denali Nat'l Park

Coalminer how lucky you are to be able to experience Denali in all seasons. I was there in August/September in a bit of snow and wondered how true winter would be. I hope to venture up there soon in another season besides summer. Thanks for all your updates!

news from Denali Nat'l Park

Hi coalminer,

Your post brings to mind an article that I read in an environmental magazine earlier this year (prior to my visit). It stated that snowmobiles are currently...or will be... allowed in the park, and that these vehicles have (or will) create an environmental hazard for the wildlife, because of harmful fumes that are generated.

I found the article interesting because I knew that I would visit the area in the near future. However , my question is..was the article based on a radical view of an extremist, or is there truth in this?

Additionally, the article discussed other environmental issues within the State, such as allowing streams to dry up where salmon went to spawn...and quite frankly, bashing the governor for ignoring preservation of wildlife. Just wondering what the real truth is : - )

aquablue - ah, that was interesting, as it varies wildly up here whether that should be taken as an extremist view point or something right on! Alaskan%26#39;s are very independent . . .and have a wide range of views - just in our small area, we have people trying to save the wolves, and others out there trapping them . . .lots of different views. Same goes with mining, etc. It gets interesting around here during the voting season. :)

As far as snowmachining (Alaskans don%26#39;t call them snowmobiles - they are snowmachines and you go snowmachining) you can only do it in a limited area - the preserve area, which is also open to hunting as well - the National Park section is all closed to all hunting, snowmachines, etc. They have several articles concerning this on the Denali Park webpage www.nps.gov/dena. Personally, I don%26#39;t think they should allow them in the National Park at all - Alaska is a huge state and there is plenty of room to find a place to ride. Does that help at all? Maybe others will share their thoughts as well. :)

Thanks coalminer. I didn%26#39;t mean to put you on the spot. I really appreciate your clarification. I%26#39;m sure Alaska is open to all sorts of controversy. Hopefully in years to come, it will remain the beautiful, unique destination (and home to you) that we%26#39;ve all come to love. And yes, I will be back!

Oh, it%26#39;s fine - you didn%26#39;t put me on the spot at all . . . I don%26#39;t mind sharing my views, but wanted to note that there would be a wide variety of opinions - wish more Alaskans would hop on the forum! See you next time! :)

HI Coalminer

Sounds as if you have survived the long winter-------so far!!!! Are you actually asking for more snow? Keep an eye on everything for us and hopefully we will see you soon.

JQ