Conservation Milestones

Two famous refuges in Alaska are planning milestone celebrations during
2010, when both the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Izembek National
Wildlife Refuge reach the mid-century mark.

The remote Arctic Refuge, the northernmost in the National Wildlife Refuge
System, encompasses a vast 19.3 million acres famed for its polar bears,
grizzlies and caribou herds. Plans for its anniversary are being made on a
commensurate scale. They include releasing a feature-length documentary
film, staging a play about Arctic explorers Olaus and Mardy Murie and
mounting a photo exhibit by noted landscape photographer Jeff Jones. A
companion book, Arctic Sanctuary, featuring photos by Jones and poetry and
essays by Fairbanks writer Carolyn Kremers, is slated for publication next
fall by the University of Alaska Press.

Izembek, the smallest of Alaska’s refuges at about 400,000 acres (300,000
of them designated as wilderness), plans a series of events culminating in
a celebration on December 6, 2010, the anniversary of its founding.
Visitors, including hunters and anglers, can reach the refuge only by state
ferry (which now runs once a month May through October) or by air, weather
permitting. The refuge, near the tip of the Alaska peninsula encompasses
Izembek Lagoon, a world-renowned wetland and a pivotal stopover for
hundreds of thousands of migratory waterbirds. The Izembek Refuge protects
a range of species, including salmon, caribou, sea otter and brown bears.

The Eisenhower administration established the Arctic National Wildlife
Range in December 1960. In 1980, the range was expanded and renamed the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Izembek was also first established in 1960
as a national wildlife range and renamed a refuge in 1980.

Next year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act, a sweeping land conservation measure that protected
more than 100 million acres of federal lands in Alaska and doubled the size
of the Arctic Refuge.

Source NFWS

Alaska’s Selawik National Wildlife Refuge is the first observation site in the North American Arctic that is part of a worldwide network studying the effects of global climate change on vegetation in high mountains. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the network is known as GLORIA – Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments, http://www.gloria.ac.at/.

GLORIA scientist Laszlo Nagy will be flying to Selawik Refuge in July to help set up data collection sites. Four sites will be situated in an area known as Hockley Hills on Selawik Refuge, where 16 temperature probes will continuously record the temperature. At that time, Nagy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional botanist Stephen Talbot also will be recording information on plant species abundance and richness.

GLORIA is looking specifically at alpine environments where the effects of climate change are easier to measure. Most of the network’s 47 observation sites are located in Europe; other sites are in Africa, South America, Colorado and California. Climate changes are particularly intense in the Arctic, where average temperatures have risen at almost twice the rate as anywhere else, Talbot explained.

After three years, data from the temperature probes will be sent electronically to GLORIA headquarters and new probes will be inserted. Talbot will record any changes in vegetation. The process will continue every three years. According to Talbot, GLORIA provides a scientifically credible approach that may show differences as early as 2010; dramatic changes may take years.

Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview of National Park Locations

http://www.nps.gov/carto/PDF/AKPAAmap1.pdf

Name: Crane Lake
Zipcode: 99833

Info needed on this hike

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Name: Deer Mountain-John Mountain Trail
Zipcode: 99901

Info: Cabins may be closed from mid-march to mid October
It is possible to find a large variety of plants and animals on this trail. This diversity is due in part to the wide range of habitats represented, from dense timber at low elevations, to high alpine flats. Some of the more common plants include the four major tree species found in southeast Alaska: Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar and Alaska (Yellow) Cedar. You may see bald eagles, ravens, seagulls, spruce grouse, songbirds and a variety of waterfowl. Mammals like black bear, marten, Sitka Black-tailed deer, beaver and goats may be seen along the trail corridor.The trail varies from natural tread to boardwalk step and run constructions at various relocations along the trail. As you gain elevation, encountering log steps and small bridge structures are found along both ends of the trail.
0:00:00
Ketchikan, Gateway, Borough
Towering 3000 feet above the waterfront, the summit of Deer Mountain is one of Ketchikan’s most familiar landmarks. Climbing to the top is also the most popular hike out of Ketchikan, since the trailhead is only .5 mile from downtown. Deer Mountain can be hiked in the better part of a day; although spending 2-3 days to hike the trail from Ketchikan to Silvis Lake is not uncommon.June through September are the most popular hiking months in southeast Alaska. Upper elevations are often snow-covered until mid June, making the going tough without skis or snowshoes. A clear fall day, without bugs and with autumn alpine color, can be a great time for a trip, providing you are prepared for sudden weather changes.

Facilities: Bench(es)
Cabin(s)
Restroom(s)
Parking


Features: Creek(s)
Meadow(s)
Mountain peak(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Waterfall(s)
Wetland(s)

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Name: Mendenhall Moraine Ecology Trail
Zipcode: 99835

Info:
The trail loops through textbook plant succession and wildlife habitat and offers many views of Mendenhall Glacier and Lake.
Near a major residential area as well as the most visited natural feature in Southeast Alaska, heavily used by locals and by thousands of visitors each year. An easy walk, attractive as a loop trail.
Connects to the Dredge Lakes Trail System in the Mendenhall Recreation Area.Trail Mix, Inc. and Southeast Alaska Guidance Association have both invested expertise and hundreds of hours for several years in maintenance of this trail.Much of the trail is level, smooth and easily reached from a parking lot.
0600The Moraine Ecology Trail at Mendenhall Glacier takes the traveler back in time to trace the path of plant succession in the wake of the glacier’s retreat. As nitrogen-fixing shrubs give way to mixed forest, the area is active habitat fro birds, a beaver colony, other small mammals and Sitka black-tailed deer. A salmon spawning stream crossed by the trail attracts black and brown bears late in the summer or fall. Hikers can easily see the shape of the landscape carved by the glacier and how plants and animals have colonized it since the glacier’s retreat. Erratic rocks consisting of granite called Diorite have been left by the glacier throughout this trail. There are excellent views available of the glacier and lake in front of it, at times filled with icebergs.

Facilities: Water, potable
Parking
Parking, trailer
Public shelter(s)
Restroom(s)
Telephone(s)
Trail access information
Trail intersection(s)
Trailhead(s)
Trash disposal
Vistor center(s)
Water, non-potable


Features: Beach(es)
Creek(s)
Geological feature(s)
Glacier(s)
Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Wetland(s)

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Name: Mt. Edgecombe
Zipcode: 99835

Difficulty: Difficult

Info: The Mt. Edgecumbe Trail leads seven miles from a remote ocean beach to the summit of Mt. Edgecumbe, a Mt. Fuji-like volcano that is the scenic centerpiece for Sitka, Alaska. The trail is located on Kruzof Island about ten miles west of Sitka and is accessible by a half-hour boat ride from the Sitka city docks. At the trailhead, a mooring buoy for boat moorage and a new Forest Service recreation cabin were installed in 2003. (The cabin, Freds Creek Cabin, sleeps eight, and is available for public use through the National Recreation Reservation System). Reconstruction of the entire trail was completed in 2002 using innovative materials and techniques to provide a gravel walking surface that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. Mt. Edgecumbe Trail begins at Freds Creek cabin in a Sitka Spruce flat. Heading west, it gradually rises, traversing several miles of muskeg alternating with forest. Four miles up the trail at the crook in a small stream, a three-sided Adirondack shelter built from local timbers is available free of charge for hikers. About a mile past the shelter, the trail steepens considerably as it climbs the mountains flank. An English trail construction method known as 'stone pitching' was used in this section to create a flagstone surface to rehabilitate the heavily eroded trail section. Timberline is reached at about 2000 feet in elevation. The final steep pitch of the mountain slope to the crater rim is covered by red volcanic ash and low-lying vegetation. Above the tree line, trail cedar post cairns lead the way for hikers who may become disoriented in fog or clouds. On a clear day, the panoramic vista from the summit is spectacular.Mt. Edgecumbe Trail (and the associated Forest Service recreation cabin) offers a unique hiking (and camping) experience for those looking for an Alaskan adventure. Boating; beachcombing; berry picking; the opportunity to view brown bears, Sitka black tail deer, and other wildlife; and a great hike from sea level to a 3000 feet summit makes this a stellar destination.located on Kruzut Island about 10 miles west of Sitka. Access is by boat or helicopter across Sitka Sound. The trail begins near Freds Creek recreation rental cabin


Facilities: Fire ring(s)
Water, non-potable
Cabin(s)
Public shelter(s)
Sign(s), directional


Features: Mountain peak(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Geological feature(s)
Other features include: volcano, series of bogs, cobble beach
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Name: Naha River Trail
Zipcode: 99901

Difficulty: Intermediate

Info: Cabins may be closed in winter.
Winding along the water’s edge, the Naha River NRT provides access to some of the best stream fishing in the Ketchikan area. Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are present year-round, and several species of salmon are in the river from July through September. Spring and fall steelhead provide the fishing for which Naha is especially famous. Mammals like black bear, marten, Sitka black-tailed deer, beaver , wolves and otters may be seen along the trail. Birds include eagles, ravens, seagulls, Spruce grouse, songbirds and many types of waterfowl.Originating at Orton Lake, the Naha River flows through a chain of small lakes, reaching its full size at the outlet of Heckman Lake. This popular river system can be reached from downtown Ketchikan by floatplane in 15 minutes or by the combination of car and boat in 60 minutes. When traveling by boat to the Naha River one should be aware of the tide race or salt chuck at the outlet of Roosevelt Lagoon. This narrow, rocky constriction becomes a frothy, roaring whitewater chute as the tide comes in or goes out. While a small boat could negotiate the passage at a high, slack, tide, it is wiser to avoid this potentially dangerous area and tie up at or near the float at the base of the Naha River.
0:00:00
Ketcikan, Gateway, Borough
The trail varies from a nearly flat boardwalk over the lower 2.5 miles to a moderately steep grade for the next four miles to Heckman Lake. June through September are the most popular hiking months in southeast Alaska. Upper elevations are often snow-covered until mid June, making the going tough without skis or snowshoes. A clear fall day, without bugs and with autumn alpine color, can be a great time for a trip, providing you are prepared for sudden weather changes.
60 minutes by car from Ketchikan. The trail starts at he head of Naha Bay from the floating dock and ends at the cabin site at the outlet of Heckman Lake.


Facilities: Public shelter(s)
Cabin(s)
Boat launch(es)
Bench(es)
Picnic area(s)
Restroom(s)
Other facilities available: Dock. Two Forest Service recreation cabins located on trail (Jordan and Heckman Lake)

Features: Creek(s)
Meadow(s)
Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Waterfall(s)
Wetland(s)

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Name: Perseverance Trail
Zipcode:

Info: Avalanche danger in winter limits access
Along the trail many relics of the gold mining era can be seen from broken bottles, tools, and water wheels to foundations, oldmill sites, and glory holes. These relics are intermixed with a diversity of vegetation,waterfalls, snow lide gulches, and majestic views of the rugged mountains.The trail is the main access to the Mt. Juneau, Red Mill, Granite Creek, glory Hole, and Mine Camp ruins trails which provide access to the surrrounding alpine, mining ruins, and other spectacular destinations.The Preseverance Trail is jointly managed by Alaska State Parks and the City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department, with help from the nonprofit organization Trail Mix, Inc. and many volunteers.The five foot wide trail enables visitors to walk side by side while enjoying the natural and historic sites. The trail feels as though it were wedged into the lush vegetation as it winds its way up a narrow valley with rugged alpine mountains on both sides.
0:00:00
Juneau City, Borough
The historic Perseverance Trail started out as the first road in Alaska, providing access from the shores of Gastineau Channel to various mines and mills in the silverbow Basin. Parks of the trail cling to steep cliffs on wooden cribs or rock walls while other parts wind through the northern rainforest and subalpine of the Gold Creek drainage. Over the years the road has turned into one of Juneau’s most heavily used trails because of its smooth gravel tread, spectacular surroundings and easy access by foot from downtown Juneau.
The Perseverance Trailhead is a short walk from downtown Juneau and the cruise ship docks


Facilities: Bench(es)
Historical site(s)
OHV play area(s)
Sign(s), interpretive
Sign(s), directional
Trail intersection(s)
Trailhead(s)
Water, non-potable


Features: Archeo/paleo/historical
Geological feature(s)
Grove(s)
Mountain peak(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Valley(s)/canyon(s)
Waterfall(s)

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Name: Petersburg Lake
Zipcode: 99833
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Name: Pinnell Mountain
Zipcode: 99707

Difficulty: Difficult

Miles: 40.95

Info: Best dates: June through September
Winter from October to march - extreme weather conditions - not recommendedThe 27-mile Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail traverses alpine ridge lines and saddles. all above timberline. It allows access to outstanding natural resources associated with a high alpine tundra community. The alpine tundra is the summer home of many different nesting birds, including Long-tailed Jaeger, Surfbird, Northern Wheatear (a Eurasian migrant), Horned Lark and Gray-crowned Rosy-finch. These birds nest in typical trail side habitat and are exciting sightings for birders and wildlife watchers. Many different kinds of wildflowers abound during the summer, when the 24-hour daylight of the midnight sun brings a spectrum of color to the lush greens of the tundra. The trail is an excellent place to observe periglacial features associated with the discontinuous permafrost of the Yukin-Tanana Uplands.

Facilities: Cabin(s)
Parking
Restroom(s)
Trailhead(s)
Trash disposal


Features:
Shelter cabins located along the trail, first come basis.

Wayside parking & trailheads:
Eagle Summit @PMNRT mile 0;
Twelvemile Summit @ PMNRT mile 27.3

Trash disposal at Eagle Summit wayside.
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Name: Resurrection Pass
Zipcode: 99631

Difficulty: Intermediate

Info: Resurrection Pass Trail, located on the Seward Ranger District, Chugach National Forest, is a road-accessible trail popular year round. Its popularity is due to the significant amount of diverse opportunities available, including hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, camping, scenic vistas, waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and access to lakes and streams. Day hikes and multi-day trips are possible, depending on hikers desires and time available. Five Forest Service public recreation cabins are also available along the trail at miles 7, 9, 9.5, 13 and 18, making a 'hut-to-hut' experience a popular trip opportunity.Resurrection Pass Trail traverses through spruce and aspen forests at lower elevations, and climbs into higher alpine tundra with lush wildflowers. Spectacular scenery abounds. The surrounding topography of steep and narrow canyons, sub-alpine vegetation of low shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers, and accessible ridgelines make for exciting hiking opportunities. Elevations reach 2,400 feet. Wildlife includes moose, bears, wolves, Dall sheep, mountain goats and grouse. Fishing opportunities for Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, grayling, salmon, whitefish, burbot, and lake trout are available in some of the nearby lakes and streams.


Facilities: Picnic area(s)
Fire ring(s)
Water, potable
Camping area(s)
Restroom(s)
Telephone(s)


Features: Creek(s)
River(s)
Meadow(s)
Archeo/paleo/historical
Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)
Valley(s)/canyon(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)

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Name: Swan Lake Canoe Route
Zipcode:

Info: Open all year round. Extreme cold/ snow in winter dictates that travel is by xc ski, snowshoe
'A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.' With these words, the Congress of the United States defined the general characteristics of a wilderness area. The Kenai Canoe Trails is one of only two wilderness canoe systems established in the United States (the other being Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota). These trails are located within the northwestern section of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, an area of 1.3 million acres, established by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 for its outstanding wildlife and recreational values. The Kenai Canoe Trails are divided into two systems, the Swan Lake and Swanson River Canoe Routes. Both trails are National Recreation Trails. The Swan Lake System is perhaps the most visited of the two systems and contains 30 lakes linked with the main branch and the West Fork of the Moose River in an interconnecting system of waterways and portages. This forms a canoe route of about 60 miles, though many shorter excursions are possible and even likely. The Swanson River Canoe Route lies north of the Swan Lake System and connects 40 lakes with 46 miles of the Swanson River. In total, the Swanson River Canoe Route forms a trail system of just over 80 miles in length.Besides the lakes directly connected by portages and waterways, this area contains thousands of other lakes which are seldom explored or even seen. The contour of this wilderness is not particularly rugged, but is generally a flat to gently undulating topography of ancient glacial deposits. Surrounding the lakes that are scattered throughout the area are rounded hills and ridges rising up to a maximum of 295 feet in elevation. But the lakes are the most noticeable feature. They drain either directly or indirectly into two systems, the Moose and Swanson Rivers. These are both shallow streams, following meandering paths through poorly-drained swamps and muskeg flats. Both the Moose and the Swanson River also offer interesting floating possibilities.


Features: Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)

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Name: Swanson River Canoe Route
Zipcode:

Info: Open all year round. Extreme cold/ snow in winter dictate that trail(s) travel is by xc ski , snowshoe


Features: Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)

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Name: Tony Knowles Coastal
Zipcode: 99519-6650

Info: As the name implies, the Coastal Trail hugs the coastlines of Knik Arm and Cook Inlet from 2nd Avenue downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park 10+ miles away. This roundtrip tour starts at Westchester Lagoon (milepost 0), runs north to 2nd Avenue and H Street, then, back to Westchester Lagoon. This section of the Coastal Trail is approximately 1.28 miles in length (one-way) and is not marked by mileposts. The other section of the Coastal Trail is presented separately under 'Coastal South.' Click on the map thumbnail for a larger map; use your browsers back button to return. Some highlights of the trail are listed below.
Scenic Views of Knik Arm, Cook Inlet, Mountain Ranges, the Port of Anchorage, & Sections of Downtown Anchorage
The Alaska Railroad Tracks Parallel the Trail
Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park (Westchester Lagoon), Elderberry Park, & Oscar Anderson HouseBird, Duck, Small Mammal, & Beluga Whale Sightings

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Name: Williwaw Trail
Zipcode: 99503

Facilities: Parking
Parking, trailer
Sign(s), directional
Trailhead(s)


Features: Creek(s)
Lake(s)/pond(s)/reservoir(s)
Scenic viewpoint(s)
Waterfall(s)

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Most of the USA Wilderness areas are so remote there is not much information available, as they are administered by several different agencies.

If you've had a wonderful wilderness adventure, please share your trip reports and create a new topic in the forum in the correct part of the state where the wilderness area is located.


Name: Aleutian Islands Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Andreafsky Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Becharof Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Bering Sea Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Bogoslof Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Chamisso Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Chuck River Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Coronation Island Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Denali Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Endicott River Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Forrester Island Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Gates of the Arctic Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Glacier Bay Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Hazy Islands Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Innoko Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Izembek Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Karta River Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Katmai Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Kenai Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Kobuk Valley Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Kootznoowoo Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Koyukuk Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Kuiu Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Lake Clark Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Maurille Islands Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Mollie Beattie Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Noatak Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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Name: Nunivak Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Pleasant/Lemusurier/Inian Islands Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Russell Fjord Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Saint Lazaria Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Selawik Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Semidi Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Simeonof Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: South Baranof Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: South Etolin Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: South Prince of Wales Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Stikine-LeConte Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Tebenkof Bay Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Togiak Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Tuxedni Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Unimak Wilderness

Category: Fish & Wildlife Service
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Name: Warren Island Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness

Category: Forest Service
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Name: Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness

Category: National Park Service
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