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National Park Service rangers issued violation notices to two parties
of snowmobile users for illegally entering closed portions of Denali
National Park during the weekends of April 8-9 and April 15-16.
They have the option of paying the ticket by mail or appearing in
court. Both parties claimed that they were unaware that they were
in the old park, although the wilderness boundary is marked in areas
heavily traveled by snowmobiles. The people involved in these incidents
were from the greater Anchorage area.
The riding parties were observed within the boundary of the former
Mount McKinley National Park by park rangers patrolling in the Bull
River area, approximately 15 miles southwest of Cantwell . Additional
evidence of other illegal incursions was found in the Cantwell Creek
area and northwest of the Dunkle Hills.
The 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve remain open
to snowmobile use for traditional activities as long as snow conditions
allow, however, riders are reminded that all lands within the former
Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides
of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal
regulation. It is recommended that snowmobile users wishing to access
lands adjacent to this area become familiar with park regulations
and the location of park boundaries prior to their trip. Rangers
will continue to conduct regular patrols of the park additions by
snowmobile and aircraft throughout the spring.
Snowmobile operators must be at least 16 years of age unless accompanied
and supervised by a responsible person 21 years of age or older.
The supervising rider must keep the other rider in sight and may
not supervise more than one person at a time. Alaska State statutes
also require that snowmobiles be registered and numbered. Riders
must report accidents resulting in injury to or death of a person,
or property damage by the quickest means to park rangers.
Federal regulations also require that riders do not:
Intentionally disturb or frighten wildlife.
Operate a snowmobile that makes excessive noise.
Operate a snowmobile without a headlamp and red tail lamp ½
hour before and after sunrise/sunset or when persons and vehicles
are not clearly visible for 500 feet.
Operate a snowmobile in excess of 45 miles per hour or racing.
Additional park information, including current weather and backcountry
conditions, can be obtained by calling the park at (907) 683-2294
from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. Park information is also
available on the Internet at www.nps.gov/dena .
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Author:Jane
Ahernl
Last modified on: April 18, 2003
www.nps.gov/akso
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