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A Geologic Guide to Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska A Tectonic Collage of Northbound Terranes By Gary R. Winkler1 With contributions by Edward M. MacKevett, Jr.,2 George Plafker,3 Donald H. Richter,4 Danny S. Rosenkrans,5 and Henry R. Schmoll1 Introduction region—his explorations of Malaspina Glacier and Mt. St. Elias—characterized the vast mountains and glaciers whose realms he invaded with a sense of astonishment. His descrip Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve (fig. tions are filled with superlatives. In the ensuing 100+ years, 6), the largest unit in the U.S. National Park System, earth scientists have learned much more about the geologic encompasses nearly 13.2 million acres of geological won evolution of the parklands, but the possibility of astonishment derments. Furthermore, its geologic makeup is shared with still is with us as we unravel the results of continuing tectonic contiguous Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, Kluane processes along the south-central Alaska continental margin. National Park and Game Sanctuary in the Yukon Territory, the Russell’s superlatives are justified: Wrangell–Saint Elias Alsek-Tatshenshini Provincial Park in British Columbia, the is, indeed, an awesome collage of geologic terranes. Most Cordova district of Chugach National Forest and the Yakutat wonderful has been the continuing discovery that the disparate district of Tongass National Forest, and Glacier Bay National terranes are, like us, invaders of a sort with unique trajectories Park and Preserve at the north end of Alaska’s panhan and timelines marking their northward journeys to arrive in dle—shared landscapes of awesome dimensions and classic today’s parklands. -
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Study Summer 1995
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Study Summer 1995 Report 77 Visitor Services Project Cooperative Park Studies Unit Visitor Services Project Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Study Margaret Littlejohn Report 77 January 1996 Margaret Littlejohn is VSP Coordinator, National Park and Preserve Service based at the Cooperative Park Studies Unit, University of Idaho. I thank Diane Jung, Maria Gillette, Glen Gill and the staff of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve for their assistance with this study. The VSP acknowledges the Public Opinion Lab of the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center, Washington State University, for its technical assistance. Visitor Services Project Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Report Summary • This report describes part of the results of a visitor study at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve during July 12-18, 1995. A total of 531 questionnaires were distributed to visitors. Visitors returned 444 questionnaires for an 84% response rate. • This report profiles Wrangell-St. Elias visitors. A separate appendix contains visitors' comments about their visit; this report and the appendix include a summary of visitors' comments. • Fifty-five percent of the visitors were in family groups; 20% were in groups of friends. Forty-nine percent of Wrangell-St. Elias visitors were in groups of two. Most visitors (56%) were aged 26- 55. • Among Wrangell-St. Elias visitors, 11% were international visitors. Forty percent of those visitors were from Germany. United States visitors were from Alaska (31%), California (7%), Florida (5%) and 43 other states. • Almost two-thirds of Wrangell-St. -
Hydrologic and Mass-Movement Hazards Near Mccarthy Wrangell-St
Hydrologic and Mass-Movement Hazards near McCarthy Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska By Stanley H. Jones and Roy L Glass U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4078 Prepared in cooperation with the NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Anchorage, Alaska 1993 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ROBERT M. HIRSCH, Acting Director For additional information write to: Copies of this report may be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center 4230 University Drive, Suite 201 Open-File Reports Section Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4664 Box 25286, MS 517 Denver Federal Center Denver, Colorado 80225 CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................ 1 Introduction.............................................................. 1 Purpose and scope..................................................... 2 Acknowledgments..................................................... 2 Hydrology and climate...................................................... 3 Geology and geologic hazards................................................ 5 Bedrock............................................................. 5 Unconsolidated materials ............................................... 7 Alluvial and glacial deposits......................................... 7 Moraines........................................................ 7 Landslides....................................................... 7 Talus.......................................................... -
The Mccarthy Road-What Will Be Its Fate?
Vol. Eleven Issue Three 'l\vo Dollars The McCarthy Road-what will be its fate? WSEN Slott photo Ironically, we shot this photo of a hapless tourist's vehicle as we were heading home to attend the Department of Transportation meeting in McCarthy after a night's stay at the new Princess Hotel in Copper Center. At the meeting it was announced that the Chitina Highway MaintenHnce Station will be closed July 1. This past mon th \ve also learned that the state may lack sufficient property interests in the righ t-of-way to complete proposed project. Details inside. PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIJ\B NEWS .IUJ.Y & AUGUST 2002 BY BONNIE KENYON t is summ ertime in t he us. listening to campfire stories of Wrsmgells! In spite of t he I want to thank you the youth staffers. I think she did I fact t hat our 81 degrees subscribers who have been an excellen t j ob! feels like ] 00, I run thr illed to see sending in your recipes! Judy Wrangell St. ELias News t he wildflowers in bloom, the Fulton from Cordova is welcomes aboard the following tree swallows feasting on our contributin g to this issue (page new s ubscribers: Deen n Hunvitz plent iful crop of mosquitoes, and 32) with a few rhubarb recipes. and Doug li'ord, C'l'; Chet Randall the garden is beginning and Joan Fortin, OR. to lool{ like a garden. I hope each of you are enjoying your f1 Um.mer season wherever you live WrangeU St. -
Community & Copper in a Wild Land
Community & Copper in a Wild Land McCarthy, Kennecott and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska Shawn Olson Ben Shaine The Wrangell Mountains Center McCarthy Copyright © 2005 by Shawn Olson and Ben Shaine. Illustrations copyright as credited. Photos not otherwise attributed are by the authors. Published by The Wrangell Mountains Center. Front cover photo by Nancy Simmerman, 1974. Back cover photos: McCarthy street in winter: NPS; child sledding, harvesting garden: Ben Shaine; dog team, fall color, cutting salmon, splitting firewood: Gaia Thurston-Shaine; mountain goat: WMC collection; Kennecott mill, flowers, McCarthy garden, snowmachine sled repair, Root Glacier hikers: Nancy Simmerman. The Wrangell Mountains Center McCarthy 20 P.O. Box MXY Glennallen, Alaska 99588 (907) 554-4464 / [email protected] www.wrangells.org The Wrangell Mountains Center is a private, non-profit institute dedicated to environmental education, research, and arts in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Contents Introduction 1 Maps 3 Rocks and Mountains 7 Glaciers 9 Climate 17 Ecosystems 21 Plants: Trees 29 Flowers and berries 33 Mosses and Lichens 37 Animals: Birds 38 Mammals 42 Fish 47 Hunting and Fishing 48 Human History: The Ahtna 51 Copper Discovery & Development 53 Kennecott 60 McCarthy 64 After the Mines Closed 67 Designation of the Park 69 A New Economy and a Growing Community 71 The Park Service at Kennecott 75 Entryway to the Wild Wrangells 78 Hikes in the McCarthy-Kennecott Area 80 Appendix: Species Lists 81 Bibliography 84 Kennicott Glacier panorama. (Wrangell Mountains Center collection) Preface and acknowledgements As a general introduction to its natural and cultural history, this Artistic contributions are many. -
The Alaska Vegetation Classification
The Alaska Vegetation Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station General Technical Classification Report PNW-GTR-286 July 1992 L.A. Viereck, CT. Dyrness, A.R. Batten, and K.J. Wenzlick Authors L.A. VIERECK is a principal plant ecologist, C.T. DYRNESS was a research soil scientist (now retired), and K.J. WENZLICK was a secretary (currently is an editorial assistant, Research information Services, Portland, Oregon 97208), ‘Institute of Northern Forestry, 308 Tanana Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5500; and A.R. BATTEN is research associate at University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-l200. Abstract Viereck, L.A.; Dyrness, C.T.; Batten, A.R.; Wenzlick, K.J. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-286. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 278 p. The Alaska vegetation classification presented here is a comprehensive, statewide system that has been under development since 1976. The classification is based, as much as possible, on the characteristics of the vegetation itself and is designed to categorize existing vegetation, not potential vegetation. A hierarchical system with five levels of resolution is used for classifying Alaska vegetation. The system, an agglomerative one, starts with 888 known Alaska plant communities, which are listed and referenced. At the broadest level of resolution, the system contains three formations-forest, scrub, and herbaceous vegetation. In addition to the classification, this report contains a key to levels I, II, and III; complete descriptions of all level IV units; and a glossary of terms used. Keywords: Vegetation, classification, Alaska, tundra, boreal forest, coastal forest, plant communities. -
Hardware Store Herald Volume 13 News from the Wrangell Mountains Center Winter 2012/13
HARDWARE STORE HERALD Volume 13 News from the Wrangell Mountains Center Winter 2012/13 The Wrangell Mountains Center fosters understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of wildlands and mountain culture in Alaska through scientific and artistic inquiry in the Wrangell Mountains. WMC & Willow Creek Watershed understand how streams, soils, springs, and Council Share Monitoring Efforts lakes—and the biota they support—are The Willow Creek Watershed evolving as climate and land-cover change. Consortium (WCWC) in Kenny Lake is The project involves collaborative getting technical assistance from the Wrangell assistance from the local National Resources Mountains Center in establishing and Conservation Service (Arlene Rosenkranz), operating a long-term monitoring program. the Kenny Lake Soil and Water Conservation Barry Hecht, WMC Science Committee District (Doug Vollman), Kenny Lake high chair, has been establishing stream gages school students, volunteers, the WMC, Wrangell Mountains Center and monitoring wells which the WCWC Copper River Watershed Project, and Board of Directors monitors on a year-round basis. WCWC, led UAF-Extension. The WMC assisted the by long-time resident and former high-school WCWC in setting up two gauging stations Guy Adema biology teacher David Wellman, is now in its and monitoring wells and the observation Sally Gibert third year of measuring watershed hydrology retrieval system, in addition to helping with Lilly Goodman-Allwright, Vice Pres. and ecology in this complex watershed, a measurement questions and data reduction. Barry Hecht microcosm of landscape types seen in the Now that the measurement network has Margot Higgins Copper River Basin. Willow Creek rises on been established, the challenge for 2013 the slopes of Stuck Mountain, flows beneath will be to better understand the sources of Howard Mozen, President the pipeline and the Richardson Highway springs which support salmon spawning in Maria Shell and Edgerton Cutoff to the Tonsina River, lower Willow Creek and then to identify how Joey Williams south of central Kenny Lake. -
Mccarthy Celebrates Independence
WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 1 w.wsen.n ww et Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Vol. Twenty-Two Issue Four July & August 2013 $2.50 McCarthy celebrates independence s the floats were staging Anext to the McCarthy Museum, crowds lined the main street of the town, awaiting the opening of festivities commemo- rating the birth of our nation. Sticking with tradi- tion, the Kennecott Avenue Marching Band was at the forefront of the parade. They stopped in front of the crowd and played a spirited rendition of the Na- tional Anthem. All photos WSEN staff What is a parade without children? The appropriately small “McCarthy Kiddos” float was sandwiched among much larger fire trucks and logging vehicles. The fun level of this group was anything but small, though! PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 A note from the publisher McCarthy Center has a selection brating your 94th doing Alaska’s oday is July 12th and Mc- for sale, if you want one!) Boreal Canopy Adventures. Carthy folks are experi- Our Alaska guests tell us the Another subscriber, Charlie Tencing another of those mosquitoes are just as bad in Branch, sent a newspaper clip- hot, summer days. The high temper- their neck-of-the-woods. I am ping from his hometown paper ature today peaked at 80 degrees. thankful to report that they have We are seeing record temperatures in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Jamie lessened in the last week. Maybe Esler (brother of Jason Esler) this summer. -
For the Love of Freedom Miners, Trappers, Hunting Guides, and Homesteaders an Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Wrangell-St
National Park Service Wrangell-St. Elias U.S. Department of the Interior National Park and Preserve FOR THE LOVE OF FREEDOM MINERS, TRAPPERS, HUNTING GUIDES, AND HOMESTEADERS An Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Karen Brewster As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Cultural Resource Programs of the National Park Service have responsibilities that include stewardship of historic buildings, museum collections, archeological sites, cultural landscapes, oral and written histories, and ethnographic resources. Our mission is to identify, evaluate and preserve the cultural resources of the park areas and to bring an understanding of these resources to the public. Congress has mandated that we preserve these resources because they are important components of our national and personal identity. Published by the United States Department of the Interior through the Government Printing Office. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior. All errors are attributable to the author. Design/layout by Francis Broderick, Archgraphics. For the Love of Freedom Trappers, Hunting Guides, and Homesteaders: An Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Karen Brewster 2018 Front cover photo: Left to right: Hilda Reynolds, unidentified man, Sheriff Reynolds, man with back to camera may be Martin Harrais, Margaret Keenan Harrais, Alvina Schultz, Henry Schultz. -
WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2011 PAGE 1 Ww.Wsen.N W Et Wrangell St
WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2011 PAGE 1 ww.wsen.n w et Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Volume Twenty Issue Four July & August 2011 $2.50 Copper Spike driven 100 years ago— celebrating this monumental feat! Cordova Now in Close Touch With Famous Bonanza Mine at Kennicott, a Big Producer of Photo courtesy courtesy Ron Simpson Photo Fabulously Rich Ore he goal has been reached. 3:30 p.m., TWednesday, March 29, Wednesday afternoon will copper spike, that marked the 1911. ever remain a memorable occa- completion of track laying on At a cost of over twenty mil- sion in Alaska. It records an the new railway that runs from lion dollars. event that will have important the sea port terminus of Cordova The Copper River & North- significance throughout the to Kennicott, the end of the line western Railway, from Cordova United States. as at present projected. to Kennecott, 196 miles. At the time recorded the last At the interior terminus is rail was driven into place by a located the renowned Bonanza (continued on page 13) Editor’s note: It has been 100 years since the Copper Spike was driven, signifying the completion of the CR&NW Railway from Cordova to Kennicott. On April 1, 1911, Will A. Steel, editor of The Chitina Leader, wrote and published this cover story. The headlines read: RAILROAD COMPLETED TO THE COPPER BELT and COP- PER SPIKE IS DRIVEN AT MINE. WSEN first printed this story in two installments in the March/April and May/June issues in 2003. -
Resources: Part One - Community Profiles
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SUBAREA CONTINGENCY PLAN RESOURCES SECTION PART ONE COMMUNITY PROFILES ......................................................................................... B-1 PART TWO EQUIPMENT .............................................................................................................. B-61 A. Commercially Available Equipment ............................................................... B-61 B. Non-Commercially Available Equipment ....................................................... B-69 C. Industry/Spill Cooperative Equipment ........................................................... B-73 PART THREE INFORMATION DIRECTORY ............................................................................... B-75 A. Airports and Air Services ............................................................................... B-75 B. Oiled or Potentially-Oiled Wildlife ................................................................ B-78 C. Contractors: BOA and Term ........................................................................... B-79 D. Historic Properties Protection ......................................................................... B-81 E. Emergency Services/Managers ....................................................................... B-81 F. Fishing Fleets and Organizations .................................................................... B-82 G. Government Contacts & Information ............................................................. B-83 H. Hospitals ........................................................................................................ -
Hardware Store Herald
HARDWARE STORE HERALD Volume 10 News from the Wrangell Mountains Center Winter 2009/10 Based in McCarthy, Alaska, at the heart of the nation’s largest National Park and just minutes from the toe of the Kennicott Glacier, the Wrangell Mountains Center offers programs that foster appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Alaska’s wildlands and communities. We meet the needs of students, scientists, artists, writers, travelers, and local citizens. Dedicated to environmental education, science, and the arts in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, we help people of all ages and abilities to explore, express, and be transformed through direct experience with this extraordinary place. Welcome INCPA! by Lilly Goodman-Allwright The Wrangell Mountains Center is thrilled to have joined up with other environmen- tal education centers and nonprofits as a part- ner in the Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska (INCPA). The certification program trains participants from all over South- Central Alaska to become adept natural history interpreters, environmental educators, and non- formal science teachers. Over the course of one year, participants are required to complete hours of standard requirements, many of which can be fulfilled by attending WMC programs. The photo by Jon Campbell June educators’ workshops, many events in the An Alaska Wildlands Studies group approaches an ice arch along the Kennicott Glacier Summer Arts and Lectures Series, the Wrangell edge. The seven-week college course includes two backcountry trips, one of one week, one of three weeks; students conduct their own research projects and study the geology, glaciology, Mountain Walks, and special events like the Re- and ecology of the Wrangells.