Denali Highway Points of Interest Brochure

Home , Cook Inlet, Mount Drum, Mount Hayes

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Delta Delta brochures BLM to Refer opportunities. boating

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Nenana, Delta, and Gulkana rivers offer various various offer rivers Gulkana and Delta, Nenana, www.blm.gov/office/glennallen-field-office

Tangle Lakes and the upper upper the and Lakes Tangle Canoeing/Floating: at: Internet the on us Visit

maps, spare parts and repair equipment. repair and parts spare maps, (907) 822-3217 (907)

99588 Alaska Glennallen, 147 Box P.O. are not marked. Come prepared with adequate adequate with prepared Come marked. not are

Hwy Glenn 186.5 Milepost

and sharp rocks. Mileposts and many trailheads trailheads many and Mileposts rocks. sharp and

Office Field Glennallen

area can be rough and dusty with wet, boggy areas areas boggy wet, with dusty and rough be can area

Management Land of Bureau

The Denali Highway and trails in the the in trails and Highway Denali The Bicycling:

from:

Highway Denali the Along Tour Geologic A Glaciers: trumpeter swan, and other waterfowl. other and swan, trumpeter

Rocks, Ridges & & Ridges Rocks, book $10 the of copy a obtain for caribou, moose, fox, marmot, wolf, ptarmigan, ptarmigan, wolf, marmot, fox, moose, caribou, for

For more information about the Denali Highway, Highway, Denali the about information more For vegetation, glacial features, and wildlife. Look Look wildlife. and features, glacial vegetation,

outstanding views of the Alaska Range, boreal boreal Range, Alaska the of views outstanding

The entire route presents presents route entire The Sightseeing: the beginning of August until the road closes. road the until August of beginning the

harvesting activities along the highway from from highway the along activities harvesting

and Cantwell. Cantwell. and

Expect to encounter subsistence hunting and and hunting subsistence encounter to Expect

including stores in Glennallen, Delta Junction, Tok, Tok, Junction, Delta Glennallen, in stores including

person from license agents throughout the state, state, the throughout agents license from person

Do not depend on a cell phone for your safety. your for phone cell a on depend not Do website at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us, or buy in in buy or http://www.adfg.state.ak.us, at website

the Denali Highway. Cell phone coverage is limited. limited. is coverage phone Cell Highway. Denali the at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Game and Fish of Department Alaska the at

services are available 20 to 55 miles apart along along apart miles 55 to 20 available are services fishing license and view sportfishing regulations regulations sportfishing view and license fishing

take to get help if you become stranded. Limited Limited stranded. become you if help get to take many lakes and streams. Purchase an Alaska Alaska an Purchase streams. and lakes many

situation. You cannot predict how long it will will it long how predict cannot You situation. Lake trout and arctic grayling inhabit inhabit grayling arctic and trout Lake Fishing:

extra water and sufficient food for an emergency emergency an for food sufficient and water extra

crossing wet spots. wet crossing make sure you have a jack and lug wrench. Carry Carry wrench. lug and jack a have you sure make

unmarked. Rubber boots are recommended for for recommended are boots Rubber unmarked. is in good working order. Check your spare tire, and and tire, spare your Check order. working good in is

Bring topographic maps. Most trails are are trails Most maps. topographic Bring Hiking: Before venturing on this road, be sure your vehicle vehicle your sure be road, this on venturing Before

come, first-served basis. first-served come, recommended speed on the highway is 35 mph. 35 is highway the on speed recommended

60-day period. BLM campgrounds fill on a first- a on fill campgrounds BLM period. 60-day windshield — and it could be yours! The maximum maximum The yours! be could it and — windshield

lands. All camping is limited to 14 days within a a within days 14 to limited is camping All lands. vehicle. Just one small flying rock can damage a a damage can rock flying small one Just vehicle.

commercial camping on BLM-managed public public BLM-managed on camping commercial

SLOW DOWN, especially when passing another another passing when especially DOWN, SLOW

Permits are not required for non- for required not are Permits Camping:

rest of the road is gravel. When driving on gravel, gravel, on driving When gravel. is road the of rest

Points of Interest of Points What to Do to What and for three miles east of Cantwell Junction. The The Junction. Cantwell of east miles three for and

Highway road is paved for the first 21 miles west of Paxson Paxson of west miles 21 first the for paved is road

and hiking opportunities can be yours. be can opportunities hiking and

other time, as snowdrifts can block your way. The The way. your block can snowdrifts as time, other

abundance of camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, viewing, wildlife fishing, camping, of abundance

October 1. Do not attempt to travel the road at any any at road the travel to attempt not Do 1. October

landscapes in all directions. With planning, an an planning, With directions. all in landscapes

Denali Denali The highway is generally open from mid-May to to mid-May from open generally is highway The

archaeological glimpse of the Last Frontier – wild wild – Frontier Last the of glimpse archaeological

a little extra time, the highway is an historic and and historic an is highway the time, extra little a Anchorage is about 600 miles. Allow several days. several Allow miles. 600 about is Anchorage

in Alaska. For those with a heart for adventure and and adventure for heart a with those For Alaska. in Fairbanks is 436 miles and a loop trip from from trip loop a and miles 436 is Fairbanks

spectacular scenery and recreational opportunities opportunities recreational and scenery spectacular Junction on the Parks Highway. A loop trip from from trip loop A Highway. Parks the on Junction

motorists, yet it offers some of the most most the of some offers it yet motorists, Paxson on the Richardson Highway with Cantwell Cantwell with Highway Richardson the on Paxson

The Denali Highway is often overlooked by by overlooked often is Highway Denali The The Denali Highway, 135 miles long, connects connects long, miles 135 Highway, Denali The

Bureau of Land Management Management Land of Bureau

Introduction Travel Tips Travel U.S. Department of the Interior Interior the of Department U.S.

Points of Interest, continued from previous page 20 Alaska Range Interpretive Sign MP 95.0/40.0 (gravel “road” on north side of highway) 10 Palsa MP 41.0/94.0 (no parking spot) Road construction in 1957 cut 21 Brushkana Creek Campground MP 104.0/31.0 into the partially collapsed palsa on the south side BLM campground with fire pits, water, vault toilets, of the road and initiated its deterioration. A palsa is trail, and 22 campsites that are available on a first- a small dome-like frost mound, usually 10 to 20 feet come, first-served basis. high, containing peat. Closer examination reveals individual ice and peat layers typical of a palsa. 22 Taiga MP 111.5/23.5 At northern latitudes, there is a short, cool growing 11 Kettle Lakes MP 41.5/93.5 season followed by a long, cold winter. Trees Several small lakes and depressions in this area that survive under these harsh conditions have were formed when chunks of ice broke off of stunted growth caused by permafrost, climatic Horseback riding is one of several ways to enjoy the views retreating glaciers and were buried in the glacial conditions, elevation exposure, and other factors. along the Denali Highway. debris. The ice eventually melted, leaving circular- These boreal forests, called taiga, are dominated shaped depressions called kettles. melted away, these deposits were left as elongated by spruce trees. 12 Maclaren Glacier Viewpoint, Maclaren River mounds. Eskers along this highway are some of 23 Denali Highway Orientation Sign Bridge MP 42.0/93.0 North America’s most outstanding examples of MP 115.0/20.0 The Maclaren Glacier is about 16 miles north. this type of glacial feature. 24 Nenana River MP 116.5/18.5 13 Crazy Notch MP 46.0/89.0 17 Susitna River MP 79.5/55.5 (gravel turnout) The Nenana Glacier is the primary The Crazy Notch was formed by the actions of The Susitna River is a major drainage system in source of this glacial river. The river flows into ice and water. The Maclaren Glacier once flowed the Denali region. The river flows south from the the Tanana River west of Fairbanks. The Tanana through the Maclaren River Valley and deposited a Susitna Glacier and the Alaska Range, eventually River then flows into the Yukon River and out to lateral moraine — a buildup of rocks on the sides turning west through the Talkeetna Mountains the Bering Sea. The Nenana is not good for fishing of the glacier. Crazy Notch was created when a and then south to Cook Inlet. The Susitna is not because it carries a heavy glacial silt load during glacial stream cut through the moraine. The notch floatable because of Devil’s Canyon downstream. the summer, but its whitewater rapids make it acts as a natural snow catchment, closing the The historic Valdez Creek Mine is on the east side increasingly popular for river running. Denali Highway in winter with huge snowdrifts. of the Susitna River. While the historic mine is now 25 Denali View MP 124.0/11.0 to 14 Waterfowl Lakes MP 49.5/85.5 closed and the land reclaimed, small-scale mining 130.5/4.5 continues further up the drainage. These lakes and ponds are excellent summer During clear weather, this section of road has habitat for many species of waterfowl and 18 Valdez Creek Mine Viewpoint MP 85.0/50.0 excellent views of North America‘s highest peak. shorebirds. Look for diving and dabbling ducks, Look across the Susitna River to the east for a Approximately 80 percent of Denali’s 20,310-foot geese, grebes, and shorebirds. You may also spot view of the Valdez Creek gold mine reclamation elevation rises above the surrounding landscape, bald eagles, moose, caribou, beaver, and fox in the in the foothills of the Clearwater Mountains. making its base-to-summit rise greater than that of vicinity. Look for the interpretive sign on the north Originally discovered by the Peter Monahan party Mount Everest. side of the road. in 1903, the mine produced about 495,000 troy 26 Pavement Break MP 132.0/3.0 15 Clearwater Creek Wayside/Outhouse ounces of gold before it closed in 1995. Pavement begins/ends. MP 55.5/79.5 19 Alaska Range Viewpoint MP 85.5/49.5 27 Junction with Parks Highway MP 135.0/0.0 16 Eskers MP 59.0/76.0 Watch for a small hill on the north side of the The community of Cantwell is approximately two You are driving on an esker, a sinuous ridge of highway. The slight climb for about 600 yards miles to the west. silt, sand, gravel, and cobbles that were carried is well worth the effort as it rewards you with a and deposited by a stream that flowed within the breathtaking view of Mount Deborah (12,339 ft), glacier, confined by walls of ice. When the glacier Mount Hess (11,940 ft) and the Susitna River valley. LEGEND

DENALI NATIONAL to Fairbanks er Paved Road Gas ci 130 Miles la PARK AND PRESERVE G r na ie r na lac lacie Unpaved Road Picnic Area Ne G G rk tna o si R F u S I t C Campground Restroom to Fairbanks s r e ie H 123 Miles B ac A W lack s Gl R Rapid D Cantwell S Interpretive Site Tangles Lakes O Archaeological N Boat Launching District Cantwell Junction M a er c Ramp 135/0 iv k la 26 25 R or re 27 na F n 24 a st Note: Commercial visitor services between n Ea G 23 e l N a Y c Paxson and Cantwell change from year to year. to Anchorage 209 Miles i A D e r W H Check with local communities and visitor 115/20 r I G H E Brushkana Creek Campground e W H G N 22 v W centers for current information. I e S i 21 s A H A t R 104/31 Y N S L F I I

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Lake a 11 A r Glacier reek e w Long dy C W t D in r Gap Lake EN W R a 12 10 R Tangle to Delta CANTWELL ALI a oc HIG A w k HWAY E e Junction 17 r 13 21.5/113.5 2 L l C Lake PAXSON C a 9 reek 80 Miles

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C l Tangle t Paxson 14 i 6 Highway Close it 1 d v Lake 3 In W L Tangle Lakes 0/135 in e ter 7 4 GLENNALLEN r Archaeological District 5 Mud 16 15 Lake to Glennallen Osar Lake Upper Su 13/122 74 Miles ANCHORAGE si Tangle Swede tn Lakes Lake a Clearwater Creek Wayside The Denali Highway is paved for three R Paxson miles on the west end and 21 miles on the east i 55.5/79.5 v Midd Lake e Delta Wild and Scenic le end. More than 100 miles are graded gravel with River Wayside Fo r Dickey rk G a recommended speed limit of 35 mph. Some car Lake u Paxson Lake Campground lk Gulkana an rental agencies do not allow driving on gravel a R. 21.5/113.5 Wild and Scenic River roads, so check your rental agreement.

Points of Interest

Note: Points of interest are listed in the Alaska Range. Several peaks in peak on the left, Mount Drum (12,010 5 Pavement Break MP 21.0/114.0 7 Delta Wild and Scenic River 9 Alaska Range and Maclaren River numeric order traveling east to west. view have elevations greater than ft) is on the right. In the center is Pavement ends/begins. Wayside MP 21.5/113.5 Viewpoint MP 37.0/98.0 Approximate milepost (MP) numbers 12,000 feet. This range extends in a Mount Wrangell (14,163 ft), which This BLM wayside is for day-use only You are now at an elevation of about are also listed for travel in either great arc from Cook Inlet through the occasionally releases steam. It is 6 Tangle Lakes Campground (no camping). It is equipped with a 4,000 feet, just a short distance from direction. For travel east to west, set Denali massif (a principal mountain the northernmost active volcano on MP 21.5/113.5 picnic area and vault toilets. The boat Maclaren Summit (4,086 ft), the your odometer at 0 at Paxson and use mass) and on to the Canada border, the Pacific Rim. Look for the Denali This BLM-managed campground, launch provides access and parking second highest highway summit in the first set of MP numbers. For travel a distance of 650 miles. The Gulkana Highway orientation sign on the equipped with water pumps, vault for extended wilderness canoe trips Alaska. Stop and enjoy the panoramic west to east, set your odometer at 0 just Glacier, seen from this point, south side of the road. toilets, a boat launch, and 45 in the Upper Tangle Lakes system to view of the Alaska Range and the as you turn onto the Denali Highway at was formed from the buildup of campsites on a first come, first the south, where numerous lakes of Maclaren River. Mount Hayes (13,832 4 Tangle Lakes Archaeological Cantwell and use the second set of MP snowfields high in the Alaska Range. served basis rests amid a series all sizes provide important wildlife ft) and the Maclaren River and Glacier District (east boundary) numbers. Layers of snow accumulated year of long, narrow lakes known as habitats. are dominant features, but you may MP 16.0/119.0 1 Paxson, on Richardson Highway after year and compacted into ice. As the Tangle Lakes. The lakes are also see Aurora Peak, Mount Shand More than 500 archaeological 8 Landmark Gap View MP 0.0/135 the glacier became heavier, it began connected by the Tangle River and and Mount Geist. The Maclaren to move downslope, scraping and sites indicate that ancient peoples form the headwaters of the Delta MP 22.5/112.5 Paxson Lodge was closed in 2014. River flows from the Maclaren gouging the rock. This action, called inhabited this area for at least 10,000 River. The campground boat launch Landmark Gap is a glacially scoured The nearest services are at Meir’s Glacier south to the Susitna River glacial erosion, contributed to the years. Because this district has provides access to the lakes and cut in the mountains that formed Lake Lodge, MP 170 Richardson and then into Cook Inlet just west of rugged, jagged appearance of the some of the densest concentrations is the designated put-in for the during an ice age more than 10,000 Highway, or Tangle River Inn, MP 20 Anchorage. Alaska Range and created the long of archaeological resources in the popular 30 river-mile Delta Wild and years ago. The gap was a caribou Denali Highway. U-shaped valleys you can see from North American subarctic, it is listed Scenic River float trip (refer to the migration route and a favorite Alaska Vegetation at this elevation is low- 2 Alaska Range/Glacial Geology the road. on the National Register of Historic BLM brochure Delta Wild and Scenic Native hunting area in centuries growing alpine tundra. Abundant MP 6.5/128.5 Places. To protect these prehistoric River). A 1/2-mile non-motorized trail past. The Nelchina caribou herd wildflowers bloom here during the 3 Wrangell Mountain Viewpoint reminders of the past for further short Alaska summer (June and July). This State of Alaska-maintained at the campground offers expanding still migrates through this area. The MP 13.0/122.0 study, off-road vehicle travel is limited Look for pikas, ground squirrels and wayside with picnic area, vault views of the river corridor, lakes and mountain peaks visible through the The Wrangell Mountains are about to designated roads and trails from ptarmigan. toilet and interpretive panels offers campground. gap are McGinnis Peak (11,400 ft) 78 air miles to the southeast. Mount this point west to MP 38. Collection sweeping views to the north of one of and Mount Moffit (13,020 ft). Sanford (16,237 ft) is the prominent of artifacts is illegal. the state’s greatest mountain ranges, — continued on other side