Northern Areas of Denali Closed to Snowmobile Use

Date: January 23, 2014
Contact: Kris Fister, [phone]

DENALI PARK, Alaska:Denali National Park and Preserve Superintendent Don Striker has determined that due to the unseasonably warm temperatures and rain 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 that are north of the Alaska Range. Those park lands that were open for snowmobile use are now closed until there is additional snow cover."The snow depth and structure of the snowpack are no longer adequate to protect vegetation and soils from damage by snowmachine use" stated Striker.

The snow cover south of the Alaska Range is still adequate for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve.

Riders are reminded that 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. Maps with GPS coordinates for the park and preserve boundary are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/park-boundary-info.htm.

There are areas of thin ice or open water on rivers and hazardous avalanche conditions may exist due to the varying layers within the snowpack. Riders should utilize travel routes that minimize avalanche risk, avoiding narrow valleys, ravines, and other terrain traps.

The Murie Science and Learning Center at Mile 1.3 on the park road is open daily from

9:00 am – 4:00 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits. Additional park information is available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling 907-683-9532 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily.

Stay connected with "DenaliNPS" on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and iTunes – links to these social media sites are available atwww.nps.gov/dena.

www.nps.gov