Denali National Park

Thursday was the last trip of the summer season for shuttle buses driving into Denali National Park. From Friday through Monday, 400 drivers a day from the 1,600 park road lottery winners will be able to drive the 93-mile road. A major road construction project will also begin along the park road on Oct. 1. Construction crews will be working on culverts, which will shut the road down to vehicles. Bicyclists and walkers will still be able to walk on the road. “Those culverts are 45, 50 years old, “said National Park Service-Alaska spokesperson John Quinley.

by The Associated Press Wednesday, July 14, 2010 FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- The National Park Service says it might seek reimbursement from a solo climber evacuated from Mount McKinley last week. The Park Service called on military helicopters to take 25-year-old Andrew Randolph off the mountain after camp doctors determined his behavior was erratic. The removal operation cost tens of thousands of dollars. The park service is investigating whether criminal charges or the climber's insurance can help cover the cost.

From its glacier carved valleys to the top of North America's tallest peak, Denali National Park and Preserve is filled with precious treasure. It's a place that, but for a very few exceptions, has largely been left to its own. Life in Denali unfolds today much as it did hundreds of years ago. There are towering mountains in the distance; the Alaska range bisects the park. The stark white peaks are crowned by the tallest of all in North America - majestic Mount Mckinley. Denali's "base camp" each summer.

Denali National Park officials say this year’s Denali Road Lottery will take entries by phone and mail, after concerns from the public about plans for an online-only lottery system. Entries for the lottery, which distributes driving passes from Sept. 16 through Sept. 19 for the typically tour-bus-only park road, are being taken this month. Only one entry per person is permitted, with duplicate entries disqualified. A non-refundable $10 entry fee will be charged to all applicants.

Alaska is full of outdoor adventures; Alaska hiking offers breathtaking views, and a chance to see Alaska in its natural form. From the towering peaks of central Alaska to the glaciers along the Gulf of Alaska. With over 1400 miles from north to south to over 2300 miles from west to east, Alaska hiking has some of the most incredible scenery to be found in the United States. In order to enjoy all Alaska has to offer, visitors should get out and experience it for themselves. Alaska has amazing trail systems for all abilities - from accessible nature paths to mountain hikes that are physically challenging.

The trapping death of two wolves that belonged to one of Denali National Park's largest and most-seen wolf packs, in an area directly adjacent to one of the park's boundaries, has a conservation biologist calling for action. Rick Steiner says he written Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell to request an emergency closure to wolf kills in an area just outside the northeast boundary of Denali National Park. Two wolves from the Grant Creek pack, including one of its breeding females, were fatally snared right outside the park boundary by a trapper who shot an aging horse to use as wolf bait, according to Alaska State Troopers.

A man climbing the West Buttress route of Denali fell to his death Friday while attempting to retrieve a backpack, according to a Talkeetna Ranger Station public information officer. Maureen McLaughlin says at about 4:30 p.m. Denali National Park and Preserve mountaineering rangers received a report the climber fell 1,100 feet down the north face of the buttress.    The man was reportedly part of a three person, un-roped climbing team, which had just reached the top of the 'headwall' or 'fixed lines' section of the West Buttress route.  The team was at an elevation of 16,200 feet when the climber fell.

The Washington Monument is an amazing sight, and on Monday, Alaskan Brandon Latham had the best view the 555 ft. structure had to offer - standing outside the top window. Latham is a park ranger at Denali National Park. He's also an expert climber who was recruited to help a team of engineers climb around the outside of the monument as they check for damage sustained in August's 5.8 earthquake. The engineers weren't able to work on the monument Tuesday because of lightning, but Latham said he and another climber set up the rappelling gear.

Feared, frequently photographed and often vilified in books or movies the wolf is a big part of our culture.  Conservationists are worried this predatory creature may be no more in Denali National Park "I think fall of 2012, the count was 55 or 56 wolves that they actually counted, which was one of the lowest in 25 years, this spring it's even lower, 49 animals" said Rick Steiner, citing data from the National Park Service. Steiner is a former UAA Professor and consultant for Oasis Earth, and environmental group based in Anchorage.

by Jason Lamb and Rebecca Palsha Friday, March 5, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Alaska Board of Game narrowly voted Friday to eliminate the wolf protection buffer zone around Denali National Park. Environmentalists are speaking out against the move, but board members defend the decision. There was a request on the table to increase the buffer zone, but it was eliminated instead. Alaskan wolves in the wild are a sight you won't soon forget -- but seeing them less often is what some fear will happen.