Investigation Continues in Fatal Bear Attack

After two days of rain and poor weather conditions, on Tuesday, August 28 rangers returned to the site of the fatal bear attack to continue investigation of the incident. They were able to determine where Richard White of San Diego had taken the images that were found in his digital camera. The initial photos of the bear were shot at a distance of 75 yards from the bear, which at that time had its head down in the vegetation, browsing on berries. Other images, including the last five where the bear's head was up, looking at and moving toward the backpacker, were taken at a distance of 60 yards.

Most of the backcountry units that were closed as a result of the incident are now open. Unit 10, where the attack took place, will remain closed for the next few days for continued monitoring and investigation. The unit encompasses an area of almost 50 square miles.

Federal subsistence hunting permits for Wrangell St Elias National Park and Preserve available

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Federal subsistence registration permits for permit hunts in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve are available at the park's Visitor Center in Copper Center, the Slana Ranger Station, and the Chitina Ranger Station.Please bring your State of Alaska resident hunting license, a photo ID (such as a driver's license), and proof of your local physical address (such as a voter registration card or utility bill listing the physical address) when you come to get a permit. Regular season sheep hunters, make sure you get a state harvest ticket and seal the horns. For more information, call 822-5234.

Avalanche Recovery Efforts Suspended on Mt. McKinley

TALKEETNA, Alaska: A two-day ground search of the debris path from a fatal avalanche on Mt. McKinley has been suspended after clues were found confirming the likely location of four deceased climbers. Mr. Yoshiaki Kato, Ms. Masako Suda, Ms. Michiko Suzuki, and Mr. Tamao Suzuki of the Miyagi Workers Alpine Federation (MWAF) expedition are presumed to have died in the avalanche, while one team member, Mr. Hitoshi Ogi, survived the event with a minor hand injury.

The fatal avalanche happened at approximately 11,800-feet on the West Buttress, and was originally believed to have occurred early morning June 14. However NPS rangers have since confirmed with both Ogi and multiple teams on the mountain that the slide occurred during the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 13. Ogi first reported the event to NPS rangers when he arrived at the Kahiltna Basecamp the afternoon of June 14.

An aerial hasty search took place on June 14 followed by an initial four-member NPS ground search the following day. On Saturday, June 16, an expanded 10-person ground crew consisting of NPS rangers, volunteer patrol members, a dog handler, and a trained search and rescue dog probed and further investigated the debris zone. During the search, NPS mountaineering ranger Tucker Chenoweth descended into the same crevasse that the survivor Hitoshi Ogi had fallen into during the avalanche. While probing through the debris roughly 30 meters below the glacier surface, Chenoweth found a broken rope end that matched the MWAF team's rope. He began to dig further, but encountered heavily compacted ice and snow debris. Due to the danger of ice fall within the crevasse, it was decided to permanently suspend the recovery efforts.

There have six climbing fatalities on Mt. McKinley this season. Since 1932, a total of 120 climbers have perished on the mountain, 12 due to avalanches. This week's four avalanche fatalities were the first to occur on the popular West Buttress route.

Mountaineer Dies in Ski Descent of Mount McKinley

TALKEETNA, Alaska: A 36-year-old Finnish mountaineer died from injuries incurred in a fall while descending Mt. McKinley the afternoon of Wednesday, May 23. Ilkka Uusitalo of Oulu, Finland was skiing down the 40- to 45-degree slope known as the 'Orient Express' with two teammates when he fell from an elevation of 17,800 feet and was unable to self-arrest. Uusitalo tumbled through snow, ice, and rocks, coming to a stop in a crevasse at 15,850 feet.

While one of his teammates continued down to the NPS ranger camp at 14,200 feet for rescue assistance, Uusitalo's other teammate rappelled into the crevasse with the help of a nearby team. They determined that Uusitalo was likely deceased.

An NPS response team arrived on scene approximately one hour later, and Ranger Tucker Chenoweth was lowered 60 feet into the crevasse by his team of 3 volunteer rangers. After confirming that Uusitalo was deceased, the NPS patrol members hauled both Chenoweth and the victim out to the glacier surface. Soon after, Uusitalo's body was evacuated via a long line operation by the park's A-Star B3 helicopter to the Kahiltna Basecamp, then on to Talkeetna.

This accident is the second fatal fall on Mt. McKinley this climbing season. Since 1972, 16 fatalities have occurred during descents of the Orient Express.

BLM to Premiere New Film at Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot

Arctic Ice Bergs (Photo credit: Polar Cruises)

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Bureau of Land Management will celebrate the release of a new film, Arctic Visions & Voices, with a reception and screening at 7 p.m. on the summer solstice, June 21, 2012, at the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot.

Inspired by the unique environments and people of northern Alaska, the 15-minute film was produced by Post Modern Company of Denver, Colorado, for viewing in the visitor center’s auditorium. The film’s release puts the final touch on the award-winning visitor center, which first opened to the public on the summer solstice in 2004.

Arctic Visions & Voices shows the starkly beautiful and sometimes ferocious arctic environment and the different ways people value the area. It entices viewers to go out and explore further – to touch the tundra, listen to the songbirds, and dip their toes in the Arctic Ocean. Featured in the film are a highway equipment operator, a truck stop manager, a permafrost scientist, local residents, wildlife biologists, visitors, backcountry guides and the spectacular landscape itself.

The film, like the visitor center for which it was made, is the result of a long-standing, cooperative effort between the BLM, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center is open in summer from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call 907-678-5209 or visit the BLM’s Dalton Highway website at www.blm.gov/ak/dalton.

Photo contest and posters highlight Alaska’s National Forests

English: Erin McKittrick, www.groundtruthtrekking.org, own work Category:Images of Alaska (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chugach and Tongass National Forests Partner with Alaska Geographic to launch creative campaign

Contacts:
Erin Uloth, Tongass National Forest
euloth@fs.fed.us,  907-228-6201 or @TongassNF

Sara Boario, Chugach National Forest
sboario@fs.fed.us, 907-317-0756 or @ChugachForestAK

The Tongass and Chugach National Forests are kicking off a summer-long story and poster series this week with a statewide, social-media-driven photo contest highlighting the beauty and diversity of these unique community assets.

Photo Contest
The contest, conducted in partnership with Alaska Geographic, will feature the popular smart-phone application Instagram and will invite residents and visitors alike to share photos of the Forests throughout the summer. Winners will receive a copy of the “Tongass National Forest” or “Chugach National Forest” coffee table books published by Alaska Geographic, a set of the posters and a collectable pin. Check out the photos on Instagram and set up an account to vote for your favorite!

Poster Series
 

The contest and story series are designed to build on 2011's International Year of the Forest by recognizing the connection between Alaskans and their backyard forests and to find new ways to explore and recreate in them. This year, the Forests are also presenting two new collectible posters with the themes “Adventure within Range” and “Rooted in Community.” The new posters are out now and available free to anyone who wants one; stop by your local Forest Service office to pick up one or both. And if you missed it last year, we still have a few of the International Year of the Forest posters left!

Story Series
While Instagram and the posters explore the community and adventure themes through imagery, stories also shape these places. Each month, the Forests will release a new set of stories related to these themes, drawing out just how fundamental community and adventure are to the Alaska lifestyle. The stories, which will all be posted at www.myalaskaforests.com, will highlight people, communities, activities and events you may not be aware of from the Forests—but that help shape and define these special places.

To kick things off, check out the following stories:

• “The Yakutat Tern Festival: An Event Rooted in Community on the Tongass National Forest”
• “Spencer Whistlestop: Adventure within Range on the Chugach National Forest”
  • Watch the video
• Coming Soon: “Faces of the Forest: John Neary, wilderness ranger”

Twitter Conversations
These stories are not the only stories out there—we want to hear about your experiences, favorite places and thoughts about the forest landscapes and neighboring communities. In addition to the Instagram competition, which will tell our stories through pictures, the Forests will be posing a “question of the week” on Twitter, inviting thoughts and reflections on specific places or experiences.

Get out there!
Some of those experiences might come at one of the many events and activities happening across both Forests this summer, such as fishing days, Get Outdoors day, and BioBlitz—go to myalaskaforests.com for a full listing. And if you’re looking for other ideas for where to go in the Forests, download the Alaska App in iTunes and search for the Tongass or Chugach. New material is going online all the time, so check back often!

Photo competition details: Photo competition will run from now (June 7) through until 5:00pm (AKDST) on July 15. Photos posted on Instagram and Twitter must be hashtagged with “#myakforests”.  Please also include a brief description of where the photo was taken, including which forest. If you link your photo to Twitter, be sure to mention us, @TongassNF or @ChugachForestAK.

As of 5:00pm (AKDST) on July 15, the photo from each forest with the most “likes” will win. There will be two winners, one for each forest. Winners will be notified within Instagram as a comment on their photo as well as a photo announcement. Winners will be asked to send the photo by email along with mailing address for sending awards.

Winners will receive a coffee table book about the forest they photographed, a set of the posters, and a pin from Alaska Geographic.

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Proposal for Russian River campground

Picture of a Norseman still operating as a charter in Cooper Landing, Alaska.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Forest Service is proposing to reconstruct portions of the infrastructure at Russian River Campground near Cooper Landing, AK. We are starting an environmental assessment and would like to understand your comments or concerns with these proposed actions. By early next week we will have a letter with maps loaded onto the Chugach National Forest website.

f you have more questions about the project, please contact:

• John Eavis: 288-7701
• Karen Kromrey (after June 23): 288-7745. 

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Russian RIver Fishing Season Approaching

Russian river Alaska (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cooper Landing, Alaska—The Russian River opens to fishing June 11. This popular area for fishing results in a mixture of people, fish and bears. The Kenai-Russian River area is an intensively used fishing and recreation area, valued by anglers, federally qualified subsistence users, and other visitors for its easy access. High human use between the months of May and September, coupled with abundant fishery resources, has led to public and employee safety concerns and impacts to the resources in the area.
Visitors are requested to respect the areas that are fenced or roped off to protect restored vegetation and cultural sites. Visitors should to stay on maintained and established trails and boardwalks. Visitors are also strongly requested to use the public restroom facilities that are dispersed throughout the area due to the potential of disturbing sensitive cultural sites along the river corridor.

“Alaska Natives have used this area, known as the Sqilantnu Archeological District, for centuries. The area is one of the most complex archeological sites in Alaska and it is up to all of us to leave a legacy of responsible use that we can be proud of,” said Sasha Lindgren, Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

Whale Waters Update for Glacier Bay Effective May 25, 2012

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Superintendent Susan Boudreau announced today that a vessel speed limit of 13 knots through the water will be implemented in the middle of Glacier Bay to protect numerous humpback whales that have been sighted in this area. During the past week at least 19 different humpback whales, including a mother/calf pair, have been observed in this area. This speed restriction will apply to all vessels from 5AM Friday May 25 until further notice.
As shown on the attached map, the designated 13-knot whale waters in the middle of Glacier Bay are as follows:

• southern boundary: a line from the northern tip of Strawberry Island to the northern tip of Lars Island, contiguous with the northern extent of lower Glacier Bay whale waters
• eastern boundary: a line from the northern tip of Strawberry Island to the western tip of Flapjack Island, then following the motorless waters boundary to Bear Track Cove, and then following the eastern shoreline of Glacier Bay north through South Sandy Cove.
• northern boundary: a line drawn from the northern edge of South Sandy Cove to the northern tip of North Marble Island to the southern tip of Drake Island and then due west to the mainland shore
• western boundary: follows the western shoreline of Whidbey Passage from due west of the southern tip of Drake Island to the northern tip of Lars Island, not including the waters of Fingers Bay or Berg Bay
• Note that a large portion of Whidbey Passage is included in these whale waters, along with Bear Track Cove, South Sandy Cove, and Spokane Cove 

Since May 15th, Lower Glacier Bay whale waters have been in effect in the waters extending from the mouth of Glacier Bay (a line between Pt. Gustavus and Pt. Carolus) to a line drawn between the northern tip of Strawberry Island and the northern tip of Lars Island, including Bartlett Cove. This boundary is shown on NOAA nautical charts of Glacier Bay. All vessels passing through this area are restricted to a speed limit of 20 knots through the water. In addition, vessels greater than 18 feet in length passing through this area are restricted to a mid-channel course or 1 nautical mile offshore.
Boaters are reminded that vessels are prohibited from operating within ¼ nautical mile nautical mile of a humpback whale in Park waters, including those Park waters outside Glacier Bay proper. In addition, vessel operators positioned within ½ nautical mile of a humpback whale are prohibited from altering their course or speed in a manner that results in decreasing the distance between the whale and the vessel. Speed and course restrictions in whale waters are intended to reduce the disruption of feeding humpback whales and to lower the risk of whale/vessel collisions. Boaters should proceed cautiously in all areas where whales are present because whales may surface in unexpected locations, posing a hazard to both the vessel and the whale. Although humpback whales sometimes tend to be distributed along the shoreline, boaters should note that whales frequently cross mid-channel as they move between feeding sites.
Boaters are advised to verify whale waters designations prior to entering Glacier Bay by telephoning (907) 697-2627 or by contacting KWM20 Bartlett Cove on marine VHF radio.
Whale waters restrictions are authorized in Glacier Bay National Park in accordance with Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart N, 13.1174.   

National Trails Day on the Chugach

 A shaded-relief map showing the extent of the Chugach National Forest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This year you can celebrate National Trails Day on the Chugach National Forest on Saturday, June 2^nd and Wednesday, June 6th.
Glacier Ranger District has joined Girdwood Trails on Saturday, June 2^nd from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Meet at the Glacier Ranger Station (first left off the Alyeska Highway) and go to work on the Girdwood Bike Path cutting back alders and other brush.
Contact Alison at arein@fs.fed.us or 754-2329
The second National Trails Day outing is for the Kids! Meet at the Ptarmigan Creek Campground Day Use Area (mile 23.5 of the Seward Highway) and takes place on Wednesday, June 6^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. You’ll have an opportunity to take part in a variety of nature activities, crafts, bear safety, and counter assault bear spray demonstration. Pack a lunch and some water and join a short hike after the festivities conclude.
Contact Irene for more information ilindquist@fs.fed.us or 907-288-7748

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Denali National Park Seeking Artists and Writers for 2013 Artists-in-Residence Program

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Denali National Park and Preserve is seeking applications from visual artists and writers for the 2013 Artist-in-Residence Program. This program provides the opportunity for established artists and writers to use an historic roadside cabin as a base to explore the park and seek inspiration from it. Many of the works created by previous artists-in-residence are displayed in the Denali Visitor Center and the Eielson Visitor Center. "These interpretations of the park's landscape, wildlife, and cultural history, as portrayed through the skills of professional artists and writers, provide a superlative means to connect our visitors to the beauty and complexity of this great national treasure," said Superintendent Paul Anderson.

A link to the online application and more information about the program is available here. Applications for the 2013 season must be submitted by September 30, 2012. Notification letters will be sent out by December 15, 2012.

Selected artists reside in the East Fork cabin, located at Mile 43 on the park road, for a ten day period between June and mid-September. In return for their residency, each artist donates a piece of artwork or written piece inspired by their time in the park to the park's collection. Artists also offer a public presentation for visitors at the end of their residency.

The Artist-in-Residence program is a national program. Artists have played a significant role in raising public awareness of the natural wonders preserved within the National Park System and the need for their protection since the creation of Yellowstone, the first national park. This is the 12th year of Denali's program.

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All Areas of Denali National Park and Preserve 1980 Additions Closed to Snowmobile Use Cantwell Area Trails Temporarily Closed to ORV Use

Denali National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Superintendent Paul Anderson has determined that due to the deterioration of the snowpack, there is no longer adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve on both sides of the Alaska Range. All park lands that were open for snowmobile use are now closed for the season. Even in areas such as Broad Pass and near Cantwell, the warmer temperatures and long days have reduced snow depths to a level that is no longer adequate to protect vegetation and soils from damage by snowmachine use.

All lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the crest of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal regulation.

Effective immediately, the Windy Creek Trail, Cantwell Airstrip Trail, Pyramid Trail, Cantwell Creek Floodplain Trail/Corridor, and the Bull River Floodplain Trail/Route are temporarily closed by regulation (36CFR 13.903 and 13.460) to the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) by authorized subsistence users in order to protect vegetation and soils from damage. The temporary closure will allow the trails to dry in order to sustain ORV traffic. These trails will re-open for use on June 15, 2012. View a map of the closed area.

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Denali Facilities Opening for Summer 2012 Season

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The lengthening days, milder overnight temperatures, return of migrant birds, and arrival of summer employees are all signs that the seasonal facilities and services that enhance the park experience for Denali National Park and Preserve visitors are opening soon! 

The Denali Bookstore, operated by park partner Alaska Geographic, opens Monday, May 7 to kick off the season. Many other park entrance area facilities will open on Tuesday, May 15, including the Morino Grill, Wilderness Access Center, Backcountry Information Center, and the Denali Visitor Center. The visitor center features stunning exhibits on Denali's natural history and cultural heritage, screenings of the award winning, high definition feature film, "Heartbeats of Denali", and friendly rangers who can answer questions and help visitors plan how to spend their time in the park. It is open daily from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.

The season's first interpretive offering, the 2:00 pm sled dog demonstration, commences on May 15. Free buses to the park kennels depart from the Denali Visitor Center shuttle stop at 1:20 p.m. The 10:00 am sled dog demonstrations begin on Sunday, May 20.

Denali Natural History Tours start on Monday, May 14, and the shoulder season Tundra Wilderness Tour (TWT) to the Teklanika Rest Area will be available May 15 - 19. The regular TWT begins Sunday, May 20.

The park road is open for travel by private vehicles to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) through Saturday, May 19. Beginning Sunday, May 20, the park's shuttle bus system starts providing visitor access beyond the Savage River (Mile 15) as far west as the Toklat River (Mile 53). Buses will start running to the Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) on Friday, June 1. The entire 92-mile length of the park road will open for buses on Friday, June 8, conditions permitting.

The first fifteen miles of the park road will remain open for travel by private vehicles throughout the summer season. This year a project to replace over 100 aging culverts is taking place on the paved portion of the road in preparation for future repaving. Drivers should expect to encounter minor traffic delays (5-10 minutes) between 5:00 am - 11:00 pm.

Work will also take place at night. Beginning Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 18, the road may be closed between Mile 3.4 (just west of park headquarters) and Mile 15 from 11:00 pm to 4:59 am, Monday - Thursday. From May 18 -September 13 the road may be closed seven nights of the week between 11:00 pm and 12:00 midnight and from 2:00 am - 3:00 am.

Camping is free at the Riley Creek Campground until fee collection begins on May 15. Water and sewer services may be available by that date, depending on weather conditions. The Savage River Campground will open on Saturday, May 19 and the Sanctuary River, Teklanika River, and Igloo Creek Campgrounds all open on Sunday, May 20. The Wonder Lake Campground opens on Friday, June 8.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. You can pay the entrance fee at the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) through May 14, and the Denali Visitor Center (DVC) beginning May 15. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC or DVC. 

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Active Duty U.S. Military Offered Free Entrance to All National Parks

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To show our appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on Saturday, May 19 - Armed Forces Day - the National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.

"We all owe a debt to those who sacrifice so much to protect our country," said National Park Service Alaska Regional Director Sue Masica. "We are proud to recognize these brave men and women and hope that a visit to a national park will offer an opportunity to unwind, relax, rejuvenate, and just have fun with their families."

In Alaska, only Denali National Park and Preserve charges an entrance fee ($10 per person, ages 16 and older). The fee provides the visitor with an entrance permit valid for seven days. Several other national parks in Alaska have fees associated with particular amenities, such as camping, but these are not covered by the military pass. Denali NP visitors reserving shuttle bus seats online should look for instructions on how the fee waiver will be applied.

Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can pick up their pass at Denali National Park, at the park's ranger station in Talkeetna, or at the Alaska Public Lands information Center in Anchorage or Fairbanks. They must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. More information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm. The pass can also be obtained at any national park which charges an entrance fee. A list of national parks with entrance fees in the Lower 48 is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm.

This military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass also permits free entrance to sites managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The pass is also available at those locations.

"Through the years, military members, especially those far from home in times of conflict, have found inspiration in America's patriotic icons and majestic landscapes, places like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon that are cared for by the National Park Service and symbolize the nation that their sacrifices protect," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "This new pass is a way to thank military members and their families for their service and their sacrifices."

National parks and the military have strong ties going back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872. The U.S. Cavalry watched over America's national parks and did double duty, serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was created 44 years later. During World War II, many parks (including Denali) were set aside for the training and care of military personnel. Today, dozens of national parks commemorate military battles and achievements.

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BLM-Alaska Celebrates 150 Years of the Homestead Act

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anchorage—Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has declared May 20, 2012, Federal Homestead Day in Alaska.  In addition to the Governor’s proclamation, BLM-Alaska is marking the 150^th anniversary of the Homestead Act with several local events and a new Webpage.  Grab the family and jump in the wagon (or station wagon!) this 4^th of July and join BLM-Alaska as we honor 150 years of the Homestead Act.  BLM-Alaska will participate in the Anchorage July 4^th Parade and will host a Homesteading in Alaska-themed booth at the Festival on the Parkstrip from Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Anchorage 4^th of July Celebration on the Delaney Parkstrip.  The last female homesteader in America, Elizabeth M. Smith, and other Alaskan homesteaders will join us at the booth to talk about their experiences homesteading on the Last Frontier.  The booth will also feature interpretive displays and materials on homesteading and its history.  BLM-Alaska has also developed a Web page that covers the origins, opportunities and legacy of Homesteading in Alaska.  The page features an interactive timeline, videos, photos and a downloadable poster.  The page can be found on the BLM-Alaska website at www.blm.gov/ak.

Homesteading in Alaska began when President William McKinley signed legislation in 1898 extending homestead laws to the District of Alaska.  In the rest of the United States, homesteading began when President Lincoln signed the 1862 Homestead Act, enabling over 1.6 million people to claim federal land intended for small farms. By the time the last Alaska homestead claims were made in the 1980s, approximately 3,500 people had homesteaded in the Alaska territory.  Potential homesteaders traveled by boat, car, and later by airplane, some north of the Arctic Circle where grizzlies outnumbered humans, some to a plot accessible only by train, most settling near areas close to roads or where boats could land.  They included Gold Rush era miners who resumed prior careers as farmers in the early 1900s, and some WWII soldiers returning to Alaska after 1945 having become enchanted with their memories of a sportsman’s paradise.  Others came just wanting the adventure of Alaska, some arriving as late as the 1970s.  Most Alaska homesteaders came overland, some dragging trailers up the Alaska Highway after it opened in 1947, they were the only ones who avoided building a house from scratch with no indoor plumbing.  All faced the brutal Alaskan winters, some found it to be too much and abandoned their dreams of living in the wild, leaving Alaska or settling in a town where life was easier.

The distinction of being Alaska and America’s last female homesteader to receive a homestead requiring cultivation of the land belongs to Elizabeth M. Smith.  She received a homestead patent on Oct. 18, 1984, for land near Big Delta, Alaska.  The distinction of being Alaska’s last male homesteader, and the last homesteader in the entire nation to receive a homestead requiring cultivation of the land, belongs to Kenneth W. Deardorff.  He received a homestead patent on May 5, 1988, to land on the Stony River near Lime Village in southwestern Alaska. He filed his homestead claim in 1974, but its remoteness caused delays in his receiving patent to the land until the spring of 1988.  Descendants of homesteaders today are estimated at about 93 million Americans, with many thousands still living on farms claimed by their ancestors.

Some Snow Machine Areas Remain Open in Chugach

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Seasonal snowmachine closures for parts of the Chugach National Forest are in effect beginning May 1^st. The normal closure date of the Forest for over the snow vehicles is May 1, however, due to above average snow depth the following areas will remain open:

Turnagain Pass from Bertha campground NORTH to where the power line crosses the Seward highway at approximately Mile Marker 74 can remain OPEN to allow access from the motorized lot, to the up-track, and into the Seattle Ridge area.

• NOTE: Turnagain Pass from Bertha campground SOUTH, including Johnson Pass is CLOSED

Most winter-motorized areas on the Seward Ranger District remain open. See below for trail conditions and recommendations.

• Motorized travel in the following areas is currently good: Carter Lake, Lost Lake via Primrose or Seward Trailheads, Resurrection North (road to the trailhead has been plowed), and Palmer Creek.
   
• Travel is not recommended to Lost Lake via the Snug Harbor Rd. Chugach Electric has plowed the road one-mile beyond the winter parking area and the road is blocked with a large dozer blade. This mile of plowed road is down to gravel and there is no snow.
   
• Travel is not recommended by snowmobile on West Juneau Road or Slaughter/Bean Creek for access to Resurrection South due to road plowing activities.
   
• Travel is not recommended by snowmobile up the South Fork of Snow River due to the amount of open water.
   
• Travel is not recommended by snowmobile on Trail Lake.

We will measure snow depths weekly.   When conditions deteriorate to the point of resource damage, areas will be closed to motorized travel. Areas may close with little notice, so check our website at www.fs.usda.gov/chugach or follow us on twitter @ChugachForestAK or www.cnfaic.org for the latest information.
Recreationists should be aware of weather and snow conditions before they go into the backcountry. Using the backcountry involves risk anytime of the year. Avalanche conditions may exist even in the summer.  Take a look at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center website at www.cnfaic.org for “Springtime Avalanche Tips.”
If you are going into the backcountry, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Travel in a group rather than alone. Be prepared to survive an emergency situation. All backcountry users need to know their skill level and use common sense and discretion.
For more information visit www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach or call one of our offices: Anchorage 743-9572; Cordova 424-7661; Girdwood 783-3242; or Seward 224-3374.
 Violations of motorized closures may result in a fine.

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Wrangell St Elias To Hold Public Hearing Regarding Closure of Malaspina Forelands To Use Of Off-Road Vehicles For Subsistence

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Copper Center, AK - The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is proposing to close the Malaspina Forelands and other lands in its Yakutat District to the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) for subsistence access. The closure is needed to prevent damage to park resources. It would apply to all portions of the Park and Preserve south of the Bagley Ice Field and Seward Glacier, extending east to the western margin of the Hubbard Glacier. A public hearing on the proposed closure will be held at the National Park Service's Yakutat Visitor Center on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, from 4 PM to 6 PM.

Local users including the Wrangell-St. Elias Subsistence Resource Commission have recommended that the Park Superintendent implement this closure to prevent damage to park resources on the Malaspina Forelands. The use of ORVs on the nearby Yakutat Forelands, even in the presence of regular monitoring and enforcement, has led to extensive resource damage in a relatively short period of time. Current NPS staffing in Yakutat does not allow for monitoring at the frequency needed to successfully address and prevent resource damage. This closure would be in effect until a determination by the Superintendent concludes that ORV use in this area no longer represents an unacceptable adverse impact on the resource.

Less restrictive measures will not be effective are because the park does not currently have the capacity to effectively monitor use or enforce permit conditions.A complete closure is the only option that can be adequately enforced at this time.

This closure would be a seasonal closure in effect only during summer months. During winter periods in which there is 6-12 inches of snow or more, or a combination of snow and frost depth sufficient to protect underlying vegetation and soil, these areas will be open to over snow vehicles. Use of ORVs will still be authorized for commercial fishermen under the authority of 36 CFR 13.40(c), and/or by permit issued by the Superintendent.

A map of the closed area is available for public inspection at the park headquarters in Copper Center, at the NPS Yakutat Visitor Center, at the Yakutat Post Office, and on the park web site at http://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkmgmt/subsistence-maps.htm.

Additional information may be obtained by calling Rick Obernesser, Superintendent, 907-822-5234.

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Childs Glacier Recreation Site Open with Limited Service in 2012

Map of the Copper River Highway in Alaska. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Childs Glacier Recreation Site will be open in mid-June with reduced services to the public and permittees. The Copper River Highway which provides access to the popular glacier viewing area and campground was closed at the mile 36 bridge by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) in August 2011 due to erosion and structural concerns.
The Recreation Area and campsites will be open from mid-June through September 30 for public use on a first come first serve basis. Camping fees will be $10.00 per night per site.  Bear-proof storage boxes and potable water will be available. Two vault toilets will be operational.
Visitors are asked to observe Leave no Trace principles and pack out whatever you pack in. No garbage cans will be available. The Forest Service will monitor and maintain the site throughout the summer.
The Forest Service is reviewing applications from several commercial operators for upriver access to the recreation site.
The Copper River Highway will remain closed until the bridge can be replaced. Replacement of the bridge is estimated to be several years out.  Please visit www.dot.state.ak.us/comm for more information on the Highway closure and the timeline for bridge replacement.

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