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May
9, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kris Fister (907) 683-9581
Denali National Park and Preserve Initiates Seasonal Snowmobile
Closure Due to Lack of Snow Cover
Denali
National Park and Preserve Superintendent Paul Anderson has determined
that there is no longer adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles
for traditional activities in Denali National Park and Preserve.
Those portions of parklands that were open for snowmobile use are
now closed until next season. Even in areas such as Broad Pass and
Cantwell, the warm temperatures and long days have reduced snow
depths to a level that is no longer adequate to protect vegetation
and soils.These park additions and preserve will be reopened as
soon as there is adequate snowcover next season.
Visitors to the park can currently drive their private vehicles
to the Teklanika rest area on the park road at Milepost 30. The
road will close to private traffic when the visitor transportation
system buses begin running on Saturday, May 24.
The
Visitor Center is currently open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The
hours will be extended to 7 a.m.-8 p.m. beginning Friday, May 23.
The Riley Creek Campground is open all year, and other campgrounds
will open on May 23. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-622-7275.
The Riley Creek Mercantile will open for the season on Thursday,
May 15.
Ranger-led sled dog demonstrations will begin on May 15, taking
place at 2 p.m.daily. An additional 10:00 a.m. demonstration will
begin on Monday, May 26. Free bus transportation to the sled dog
demonstrations will leave the Visitor Center ½ hour before
the demonstration, as there is no parking at the kennels.
For
additional information call park headquarters at (907) 683-2294.
Trip planning information is also available on the park website
at http://www.nps.gov/dena.
-NPS-
Privacy
& Disclaimer
Author:Jane
Tranel
Last modified on: April 18, 2003
www.nps.gov/akso
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