• VALDEZ
• CANNABIS
FAIRBANKS • GOLD RUSH HISTORY • FOX • ESTER
and Interior Alaska
2019 • MIDNIGHT SUN FUN • NENANA • HEALY
• TOK
• CENTRAL
• CIRCLE
• DELTA JUNCTION
• UAF • NORTH POLE • DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Cabin 2 in Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks
We have many locally handcrafted Alaskan gifts, soaps, books, jewelry, fabric and espresso coffee shop. Why not stop by for our great home made soup & sandwiches while enjoying it in our Historical log cabin!
Operated by Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #4 & Igloo #8
Open Summers from 11 A.M - 8 P.M. 7 Days a Week
GOLD RUSH TOWN · PIONEER PARK PIONEER MUSEUM Interior Alaska History OPEN DAILY IN SUMMER 11 amto8pm
Interior & Arctic Alaska’s Aeronautical History. 16 Aircraft, 31 Engines, Memorabilia, Artifacts, Photos, Stories & More.
Open 10:30am-8pm
email: info@fairbankspioneermuseum.com Phone for off-season visits 907-456-8579
Admission: $4 Single, $8 Family|Children Under 12 FREE but must be accompanied by an adult
Gold Rush Saga
Go Online for Class Info
(907) 451-0037 • www.pioneerairmuseum.org
Featuring: Gold Rush Paintings by C. Rusty Heurlin. Narration by Alaska's poet laureate Ruben Gaines.
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4 Shows Daily
e We havd! move
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7 Days A Week May 15 - September 10
BIG STAMPEDE SHOW
www.PioneerPark.us
& You’re In A Special Place!
Step into the Gold Dome....
ADMISSION FREE: DONATIONS REQUESTED
NOMINAL ADMISSION CHARGE
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The Bag Ladies of Fairbanks
Mediterranean and American Food • in business since 1972 •
Bring This Coupon for a Free Soft Drink with food purchase
Pioneer Park Cabin #17 • in Gold Rush Town
Open Daily 11 am - 8 pm • 456-3672
Bring this coupon to their new location for a free soft drink with a food purchase. Pioneer Park Cabin 17 - in Gold Rush Town.
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Table of contents Fairbanks/North Pole
Welcome ....................................................................4 Downtown Fairbanks..................................................5 Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center ..............6 Fairbanks Community Museum.................................8 Biking in Fairbanks .....................................................9 Fairbanks Ice Museum................................................11 Fairbanks Children’s Museum.....................................12 Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum........................13 North Pole...................................................................14 Trans-Alaska pipeline.................................................17 Running Reindeer Ranch............................................18 Chena Hot Springs Resort...........................................19 Creamer’s Field Migratory Bird Refuge.......................20 Riverboat Discovery....................................................21 Gold Dredge No. 8.......................................................24 Alaska Railroad...........................................................25 Farmers Markets.........................................................28 Map of Fairbanks ........................................................30 Summer arts and events............................................32
Pioneer Park
Salmon Bake/Pioneer Theatre....................................33 Park overview.............................................................34
Major attractions........................................................36
UAF
Museum of the North.................................................38 Large Animal Research Station...................................40 Georgeson Botanical Gardens....................................41
Main events
Midnight Sun baseball game.....................................42 Midnight Sun Run ......................................................43 Golden Days................................................................44 Tanana Valley State Fair...............................................46 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics..................................47 Arctic Lightning Air Show ..........................................48
Outdoor recreation
Golf..............................................................................49 Tanana Lakes Recreation Area....................................50 Chena River State Rec Area.........................................51
Denali
Denali National Park Overview...................................52 Getting around in Denali............................................54
The Guide to
FAIRBANKS and Interior Alaska
2019
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska is a product of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, located at 200 N. Cushman St., Fairbanks, Alaska. Mailing address: P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 General telephone: 907-456-6661 Advertising: 907-459-7548 Newsroom: 907-459-7572 Business hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Find us online at newsminer.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fairbanksDNM. Find this 2019 guide online at newsminer.com/visitors_ guide/ You can stay connected to Fairbanks after you leave by subscribing to the News-Miner’s electronic edition. Start your subscription at newsminer.com/subscribe. Cover photo: A bicyclist crosses in front of the flag-adorned Cushman Street Bridge in downtown Fairbanks. Photo by Eric Engman/ News-Miner
Kidfriendly activities in Denali.........................................55 Air, land excursions in Denali......................................56 Denali Highway..........................................................57
out and about
“Little 5” animals to spot............................................58 Floating the Chena River.............................................60 Fishing.........................................................................61 5 hikes from easy to grueling.....................................62 Legal cannabis FAQs...................................................64 Dog mushing..............................................................66
beyond fairbanks
Steese Highway..........................................................68 Aurora Borealis............................................................70 Parks Highway............................................................71 Dalton, Elliott highways..............................................72 Taylor Highway...........................................................74 Alaska, Richardson highways.....................................75 Valdez fishing..............................................................77 Advertiser index..........................................................78
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS All of Alaska is in area code 907. The area code is required when using a local phone to call a location in Alaska but outside the local calling area.
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks post
451-5100
Fairbanks Police Department, business line
450-6500
Fairbanks Police Department dispatch (24-hour non-emergency number )
450-6507
Fairbanks Fire Department
450-6600
North Pole Police Department
488-6902
North Pole Fire Department
488-2232
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
452-8181
Tanana Valley Clinic
459-3500
Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center 452-1776
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Welcome to FAIRBANKS, Alaska’s Golden Heart City
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elcome to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska, a fascinating land rich in gold mining history, outdoor wonders and friendly people. There’s so much to see and do here, and our long summer days are perfect for letting you enjoy all that our region has to offer. If the outdoors is your thing, well, you’ve come to a great part of the Last Frontier to experience it. You can hike and fish in the Chena River State Recreation Area, a 397-square mile park just outside of Fairbanks. Closer to town, you can relax at the Chena Lake Recreation Area and the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area, both run by the local government. Want to spend some time at museums? There’s the University of Alaska Museum of the North, located on the university’s Fairbanks campus. There are also several niche museums, such as the Fairbanks Community Museum, Pioneer Air Museum, Pioneer Museum and Tanana Valley Railroad Museum. Learn about life, culture and history of Interior Alaska at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center in Fairbanks. This town was built on gold, and you can see the remains of the gold rush era and relive its glory today —
and even do a little panning yourself. And what about that 24 hours of daylight we’re known for? There’s so much activity at summer solstice in June that, just like the daylight, it’s non-stop. How about the famous Midnight Sun Baseball Game? The Midnight Sun Fun Run? Or the Midnight Sun Festival, June 23. And don’t forget to take in the Chena River itself, the main waterway running through the center of town and feeding into the Tanana River, which itself feeds the mighty Yukon River. Take a leisurely cruise down the river in a stately paddlewheel, rent a canoe and float along with friends, or just take a pleasant walk along the riverside path. There’s something for everyone here. We’re sure you’ll find lots of ideas and useful information on the pages of this Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska to make your stay enjoyable and fulfilling.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
FAIRBANKS REGION
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chena river is the heart of downtown fairbanks By Robin Wood rwood@newsminer.com
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Plenty of venues offer a cozy atmosphere for a tasty drink. Two of the newest are Venue on Second Avenue, which recently started serving beer and wine, and Goldies AK on Fifth Avenue, a chic spot for mixed drinks. You also have more opportunities to delight your taste buds with Fairbanks Distilling Company’s expanded hours. The company crafts potato vodka in old City Hall. Downtown Fairbanks is also the core district for local businesses. Art galleries, gift shops, Alaska Native gifts, coffee shops, antique stores, restaurants, outdoor goods and more total more than 300 Alaska-owned business in the city center. If your visit to the Golden Heart City happens to fall on the first Friday of any month, be sure to check out the vast display of local artists at various galleries. An impressive amount of history and entertainment is packed in Fairbanks’ small downtown, much more than can be shared here. For more information and ideas visit www. downtownfairbanks.com, www.morristhompsoncenter.org or go to the visitor center at 101 Dunkel St.
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t its heart, Fairbanks is a river town, and downtown’s Golden Heart Plaza is the easiest spot to enjoy the Chena River as it slowly meanders downstream. “The river, of course, is a major feature,” said David van den Berg, executive director of the Downtown Association of Fairbanks. Multiple sculptures throughout the plaza honor Fairbanks’ influences, from indigenous culture to the city’s role in World War II and the inescapable influence of wilderness. A bike and pedestrian path parallels the south side of the river from the Steese Highway to Pioneer Park and offers excellent opportunities for an afternoon outing. Try starting at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center — you can even get family portraits in traditional Athabascan garments there — then take the path through a green belt to the plaza, where information signs were installed in 2017 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 flood. Keep your eyes out for high water signs on buildings, installed the same year. Returning for two months this year are Third Thursdays on Second Avenue — a small street fair incorporating stores, street vendors and entertainment. The fair will be held on May 16 and June 20 with an al fresco feeling. Golden Heart Plaza is also the epicenter of what organizers say is Alaska’s largest single-day event: The Midnight Sun Festival. Each year city streets are closed down the weekend closest to summer solstice, vendors and entertainment are brought in and thousands cycle through. This year’s festival is June 23. Also in Golden Heart Plaza is the office of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, housed in an old cabin. Stop by and learn a little about one of the toughest sporting events around. Work in recent years has significantly improved walking in downtown, specifically on Cushman and Noble streets. “Sidewalks and crosswalks are better from Westmark Hotel all the way to Golden Heart Plaza,” van den Berg said. Fairbanks’ newest and oldest landmarks stand side-byside just north of the Chena River. The Polaris sculpture, a multi-pronged stainless steel pyramid with accompanying informational plaques about Fairbanks’ past, is adjacent to the 1904 Immaculate Conception Church, one of Fairbanks’ oldest buildings. The church was built on the opposite side of the river and relocated in the winter of 1911. Sadly, another one of Fairbanks’ oldest buildings, the 1906 Masonic Temple, partially collapsed and was torn down in 2018.
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START YOUR VISIT AT THE MORRIS THOMPSON CENTER By Dorothy Chomicz dchomicz@newsminer.com
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ith a wide variety of cultural programs and educational exhibits, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center informs and entertains while giving visitors a glimpse into life in Interior Alaska. Open year-round and situated near the banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, the center offers a warm welcome to all and serves as a place for community members to share their cultures with each other and the world. Five local entities — Explore Fairbanks, Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Programs, Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Alaska Geographic and Denakkanaaga Inc. — share the airy and sunlit building. Last year more than 162,000 people passed through the doors to view interpretive exhibits, watch free films
about Interior Alaska history and culture in the 100-seat theater and get information from helpful and experienced staff members. Three life-size dioramas featuring realistically rendered landscapes allow visitors to experience the seasons as they walk through the 9,000-square-foot exhibit hall. A wolf, eagle and ermine eye pieces of salmon curing at a summer fish camp, while a beaver, Arctic ground squirrel and grizzly bear prepare for winter near the site of a fall hunting camp. A replica of a public-use cabin boasts a large window through which visitors can see a dog sled and a moose as a dazzling projection of the northern lights shimmers above a winter scene. Spring is portrayed with explanations of the various signs of the season, which include geese returning to Creamer’s Field, the beginning of road construction and the first mosquitoes coming out of hiding. The exhibit
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
FAIRBANKS REGION
ends with a visit to the Elders Hall and displays of historic and modern tools, clothing and artwork common to the Interior. Outside, nearby bike paths and walkways wend through the center’s grounds and neighboring Griffin Park, allowing visitors a peaceful space to contemplate nature and the spectacular beauty of a Fairbanks summer. Many use the center as a jumping-off point for exploring town, while others prefer to wave hello to the world at the popular moose antler arch webcam, view the Athabascan beadwork-inspired sidewalk mosaics or visit the restored 1905 pioneer cabin on the center’s grounds. The center offers Wi-Fi, ample parking, restrooms and storage lockers for those who want to temporarily store their gear. It is open daily year-round, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter. Explore Fairbanks staffers will happily answer visitor questions, help plan itineraries and share their wealth of knowledge about Fairbanks and the Interior. Public computers, free courtesy phones and hundreds of brochures for local attractions and services are offered, and a daily listing of available accommodations can be found at www.explorefairbanks.com. For more information, call 456-5774 or visit the website. TCC Cultural Programs director Dixie Alexander has created three programs that highlight the traditions, crafts and culture of Interior Alaska’s Athabascan people with the help of local Alaska Native high school and college students. The Cultural Connections show runs through June, July and August, while the Make It and Take It and Pho-
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tos in Athabaskan Garments programs are offered year round. For times and prices, contact the Cultural Programs staff at 459-3741 or stop by the Alaska Native Gift Shop at the center. The gift shop features authentic, Alaska Native art and crafts created by more than 60 artists. Alaska Public Lands Information Center offers visitors resource education; public lands information; interpretive services; fee collection; hiking, fishing and camping resources; and an extensive collection of maps to aid in backcountry trip planning. APLIC also sponsors the daily natural history and cultural films shown in the theater. The nonprofit Alaska Geographic bookstore offers books about Alaska culture, history and wilderness adventure, as well as children’s books, Alaska Native arts and crafts, DVDs, photography collections and maps. The bookstore is open daily during the summer season. For more information, call 459-3710 or visit akgeo.org. Denakkanaaga Inc. is a nonprofit organization that serves as the voice for Alaska Native elders in the Interior. The organization oversees the Fairbanks-based portion of the Road Scholar program, which offers seniors allinclusive experiential learning adventures. To learn more about the program, call 451-3900 or visit www.denakkanaaga.org. New for 2019 is a yearlong series of programs about Alaska Native languages, which includes storytelling, films, community conversations, family activities and introductions to languages. The free events, which began in February, are a collaboration between Doyon Foundation, the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Alaska Native Language Center, Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Programs and the Morris Thompson Center.
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EXPLORE FAIRBANKS’ COLORFUL PAST Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
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xperience more than 100 years of Interior Alaska history through photographs, newspaper clippings and artifacts at the Fairbanks Community and Dog Mushing Museum, located in the Co-Op Plaza at 535 Second Ave. Admission is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. One display offers a glimpse into how residents amuse themselves during long, cold winters. A display about the Klondike Gold Rush, lots of dog mushing memorabilia, photographs and home movies from the historic 1967 flood are just some of the additional offerings. “Seasons of the Sled Dog,” a film about musher Mary Shields, is screened twice a day, and other movies are rotated in. A small gift shop with Alaska literature and keepsakes helps fund the museum. The collection of historic photographs includes classic pictures of miners arduously ascending Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. Some of those prospectors eventually made their way to Interior Alaska, striking gold in the hills surrounding Fairbanks and helping put the Golden Heart City on the map. An art gallery exhibits works by local artists in an art show on the first Friday of every month. The museum has exhibits dedicated to the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Examples of beaded mittens and slippers made in the Interior Alaska village of Galena, located on the north bank of the Yukon River, are on display. Another display case boasts a bear skin coat with a wolf ruff.
Check out one of the dog sleds that Charlie Biederman used to haul mail up and down the Yukon River. Biederman was the last contract mailman to deliver mail by dog sled. His route stretched 160 miles between Circle and Eagle on the Yukon River and was discontinued in 1938. Another exhibit pays tribute to the late George Attla, one of the greatest sprint-race dog sled champions of all time. Across a wall are professional photographs showing all manner of wintertime events and activities in Fairbanks, including a picture of the famous outhouse races that used to take place at the Chatanika Lodge. More than 400 photographs of the aurora borealis taken by late photographer Warren Gammel can be viewed on an electric display. The museum also possesses an old panoramic photograph of Fairbanks that is believed to have once adorned a wall at the Nordale Hotel, which burned down in 1972. It was found in a dump and donated to the museum, and burn marks on the picture lend truth to the story that it was salvaged from the hotel’s ruins. The museum’s summer hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is located on the second floor of the Co-Op Plaza.
Fairbanks Distilling Company Conveniently located in downtown Fairbanks, our artisan craft distillery produces World Class spirits that are internationally recognized. Free tours of our distillery which is on the National Historic Register of Places are offered daily. Sample our spirits and drink refreshing locally produced FairbanksDistilling.com cocktails in our beautiful Tasting Room. You deserve the best when out Tues-Thur 4-8pm on the town. Our spirits are super Fri-Sat Noon-8pm smooth and truly a delicious taste of Interior Alaska. Nostrovia!
410 Cushman St. (907) 456-5055
Fairbanks Distilling Company
BEADS & THINGS
Sample our spirits and drink refreshing locally produced cocktails in our beautiful Tasting Room. Cheers!
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FairbanksDistilling.com
Free tours of our distillery, which is on the National Historic Register of Facebook: FairbanksPlaces, are offered daily. Distilling
“Specializing in ALASKAN NATIVE Arts & Crafts”
537 2nd Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska (907) 456-BEAD • (800) 478-BEAD
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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410 Cushman St.
Conveniently located in downtown Fairbanks, our artisan distillery (907) 456-5055 produces World Class spirits that are internationally recognized.
FAIRBANKS REGION
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GET A TWO-WHEELED PERSPECTIVE ON FAIRBANKS Staff report newsroom@newsminer.com
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nterior Alaska summers are made for bike lovers. The combination of the midnight sun, balmy temperatures, clear skies and epic views provide a perfect environment for two-wheeled adventure. Whether you choose a leisurely pedal through area neighborhoods or a longer trip into the gentle hills surrounding town, a bike trip is a must for visitors who want to experience everything Fairbanks has to offer. Fairbikes offers daily bike rentals via a phone app at an average cost of $5 per hour for casual use. Users can also opt to purchase a month-long membership for $20, which brings the rental cost down to $1 an hour. The bright red-and-yellow, three-speed bikes come complete with a basket, a bell and a “really comfy seat,” according to Fairbikes co-founder John Stowman. The bikes can be picked up at and dropped off at 15 stations around town, including Golden Heart Plaza downtown, the UA Museum of the North, the Farmer’s Market on Col-
lege Road and Pioneer Park. The Fairbikes app is available on the Apple App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices. The app shows locations of available bikes, processes payment and unlocks the bike from its station. Visit www.fairbikes.com for more information and step-by-step instructions on how to use the app. Another fun bike rental experience is offered by CanoeAlaska. The company offers standard, road and fat bike rentals and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from May 18 to Labor Day weekend. A popular adventure option is the Downtown Bike and Boat package, in which you float the Chena River on an inflatable kayak or stand up paddle board and bike back to the start on a wide, paved riverfront trail. CanoeAlaska’s bike rental packages range from four hours to weekly. More information is available at canoealaska.com or by calling 907-457-2453. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center maintains a list of businesses that rent bikes and other equipment.
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center 101 Dunkel Street • Downtown Fairbanks 8am – 9pm Summer • 8am – 5pm Winter
www.explorefairbanks.com (907) 456-5774 info@explorefairbanks.com
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Be inspired by the light of the Aurora Borealis. Renew your energy under the Midnight Sun. Experience the warmth of Fairbanks—Alaska’s Golden Heart—and the gateway to Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska. Make the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center your first stop to planning your Alaskan adventure.
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Information can be found online at alaskacenters.gov. Some city streets are safer than others for biking, so local governments have created an online map with preferred bike routes in Fairbanks and North Pole. The online map can be found at http://fmats.us/bikeways_map/ and a paper copy is available at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. A good half-day bike trip is the 16-mile bike path that follows Farmers Loop. The route climbs into the hills north of Fairbanks, giving a great view of the city and the snowcovered mountains of the Alaska Range more than 100
Visit our Local convenience store serving the community of Fairbanks over 25 years.
Check out our $5 meal deals
Owned and proudly operated by Jennifer Haynes Stop in to buy candy, sodas, pop corn, sundries & tobacco products.
STORE HOURS: Mon–Sat 9am to 9pm • 452-3289 • 212 Lacey Street
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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Rides
miles to the south. Other road bike excursions from Fairbanks include trips to the town of Ester (about 20 miles round-trip from downtown Fairbanks) and Fox (about 25 miles round trip). A bike path alongside Chena Pump Road ends at the Tanana Wayside and Boat Launch on Chena Pump Road, offering bicyclists a 9-mile roundtrip accessible from various shared-used bike paths around Fairbanks. Popular mountain bike areas include Birch Hill Recreation Area and the University of Alaska Fairbanks trails. Both are used by skiers in the winter and are popular with bikers in the summer. For a more challenging mountain bike trip, try the single-track trails on Ester Dome.
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Ice museum: a hot time for a cold adventure By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
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t can get pretty warm in Fairbanks during the summer when the sun is shining almost 24 hours per day, but one place where you can cool off is the Fairbanks Ice Museum. Located at the corner of Second Avenue and Lacey Street in the historic Lacey Street Theater, the Ice Museum is operated by Hoa and Dick Brickley, who also produce Christmas in Lights in December and January and the Ice Art Park in February and March here in Fairbanks at the George Horner Ice Park. “Our goal is to show people what it’s like in the winter while they are enjoying their summer in Fairbanks,” said Dick Brickley. The Ice Museum offers hourly shows from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week from early May through midSeptember. Each show features a film on winter in Fairbanks and ice carving, the opportunity to view ice sculptures and see an ice carver at work. For the adventurous, there’s the chance to go down an ice slide while viewing the ice sculptures in the cold room. There are photo opportunities with the ice sculptures as
if you go What: Fairbanks Ice Museum, 500 Second Ave.
p.m.; aurora When: Ice art show hourly 10 a.m. to 7 show at 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults, $10 children ages 6-12; aurora show, adults $10, $8 children ages 6-12. More info: 907-451-8250, www.icemuseum.com
well. Coats that will keep you warm are provided as the room is kept at about 20 degrees. At 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day, the late LeRoy Zimmerman’s photo symphony “The Aurora Experience!” is shown in the theater. Zimmerman’s show on the aurora borealis is billed as a “widescreen, panoramic, visual masterpiece.” Zimmerman was a photographer for more than 40 years and traveled the globe capturing images of the northern lights. Brickley said work is in progress on a museum on the second floor of the building that features ice sculpture photographic displays from every country in the world, and he hopes that portion of the venue will be complete this summer.
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THIS MUSEUM IS TAILOR-MADE FOR KIDS By Kyrie Long klong@newsminer.com
if you go
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owntown Fairbanks is rife with entertainment, but for activities tailor made to teach kids, the Fairbanks Children’s Museum is the place to go. One day their exhibits might be all about the ocean and creatures living in its waters, the next might take children on a journey through space. Open every day except Monday, the museum shifts themes every month, keeping activities fresh and offering new learning experiences to the families who come through the doors. General admission is $8, but there are discounts offered to military and SNAP recipients. A rock wall, an air maze, an area just for toddlers: the museum has plenty of activities for children looking to play, with the added benefit of learning along the way. The water table is a popular attraction, full of floating toys, with flowing water where children can begin to understand how running water is redirected through hands-on activity. In addition to their exhibits and play areas, Fairbanks
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Good Books. Good Prices. Great Cause! This ad good for one free book up to $2.75 value. Limit 1 per customer. Expires: December 31, 2019
Literacy Council of Alaska Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5
517 Gaffney Rd • 456-6210 www.literacycouncilofalaska.org
What: Fairbanks Children’s Museum When: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays Where: 302 Cushman St., Suite 101 Cost: $3 for those with SNAP benefits presenting EBT cards; $7 for military; $8 general admission; between Memorial Day and Labor Day active duty military families are offered free admission. More info: 907-374-6873
Children’s Museum offers programs several days a week. The Mess Makers program, from 11-11:30 p.m. on Wednesdays is for preschoolers and it’s exactly what it sounds like—time for kids to get messy. On Thursday, also 11-11:30 p.m., kids can learn about various STEM topics during the museum’s Pint Size Science program. And on special weekends throughout the month, the museum will hold a Super Saturday. They’ll partner with someone else in the community and bring some outside speakers for the children to learn about new topics. These will usually include an arts and crafts project and physical activities that kids can enjoy, like feeling pelts of various animals.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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DRIVE THROUGH THE PAST AT ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM By Kyrie Long klong@newsminer.com
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if you go What: Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum When: Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
ing and reserving time slots in advance. This is advised for large groups who want to visit the museum. Audio tours in various languages are available, as are educational handouts for guests. You may also catch sight of a speedster cruising down the road. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a living museum; the cars run, and from carriages to 1930s classics, the staff will take them out for a spin while the roads are clear.
Where: 212 Wedgewood Drive Cost: Ages 13 and above, $10; Ages 6 to 12, $5; 5 and under, free; Adult season pass, $40; family season pass, $60.
When in Fairbanks, don’t miss...
More info: 907-450-2100 or faam@fountainhead-
Feel at home as you shop the best stocked gift store in FAIRBANKS
hotels.com
Visit One Of the Oldest Frame Houses in Fairbanks, The Two Sisters Building, Built in 1910, is Home of The Craft Market Gift Shop
• Authentic Alaskan Artwork • • Original Sculputres • Gifts • Ulus • • Jewelry • Ice Age Fossils • Ivory • Jade • Come & See Our Museum Room With Eskimo Artifacts & Old Alaskana - Soapstone - Baskets - Unique Alaskan Souvenirs
The Only Place Like This!
St.
Steese Hwy
. Lacey St
Noble St.
. 5th Ave . 6th Ave Cushman
The clothing is the largest collection of vintage fashion in the Pacific Northwest, with thousands of curated pieces cycling through the exhibits. New this year are five pieces from the House of Worth, largely credited for its work with haute couture. Alaskana exhibits show some of the first cars to come to Alaska while footage from the Alaska Film Archives plays alongside to transport people back to the early days before statehood. One attraction popular for pictures is the Sourdough Roadhouse Exhibit—a replica of the Sourdough Roadhouse on the trail from Valdez to Fairbanks—alongside an interactive car where people can climb in wearing dusters and hats and get their pictures taken. Giant windows give guests a look at restorations in progress at the garage. Museum docents are part volunteer, part car enthusiast. Often the person giving a tour will have worked on some of the cars and be able to give intimate details of the restoration process, from gears to varnish. Visitors can book one- or two-hour docent tours by call-
The Craft Market
Free GIFT with any purchase!
401 5th Avenue • Corner of 5th and Noble Hours: 10am - 6pm • 907-452-5495 www.newsminer.com
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ou don’t have to be a gearhead to go the auto museum. From flashy cars to fashion statements and film reel, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a trove of historic collections. The museum is home to 95 pre-World War II vehicles, including some “sole survivors,” some of the last cars of their kind left on the planet. The museum also houses a collection of vintage clothing, displayed and posed around the cars to give off an aura of the eras.
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Visit santa, enjoy small-town charm of north pole By Amanda Bohman abohman@newsminer.com
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• • • • •
Free Continental Breakfast Extended Stay Guest Suites Business Center & Free Wi-Fi Spectacular Santa Suite Walking Distance to Popular
• Area Attractions & Restaurants • New Fitness Center • Alaskan Owned
www.hotelnorthpole.com • 907-488-4800 • 877-488-4801 449 Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, AK
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orth Pole, 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks, is home to one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Interior, the Santa Claus House. You can also find an historic gospel radio station, KJNP, and top-notch Chinese food at the Pagoda Chinese Restaurant and Bar, which has been featured on the Food Network. The town motto is “Where the spirit of Christmas lives year round,” and the city center is adorned with candlestick streetlights plus road names such as Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane and Saint Nicholas Drive. The North Pole ZIP code, 99705, including the city and surrounding area, is the fastest-growing region of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. North Pole embraces its place in Christmas folklore as the home of Santa Claus with a counter on the city website showing the number of days until Christmas. A fully decorated Christmas tree stands all year long at City Hall. North Pole hosts a large military population with its
proximity to Fort Wainwright Army Post and Eielson Air Force Base, which is expanding and is expected to bring thousands more people to the area. The North Pole High School athletic teams are known as the Patriots and have won multiple state titles. In addition to a state football trophy, the JROTC drill team has a 2018 state championship title. The 4-square-mile city boasts at least eight churches and six drive-thru coffee stands. A visitors center is tucked in an old log cabin on the east side of the Richardson Highway. The city hosts the largest Independence Day parade in the state of Alaska, according to North Pole Mayor Mike Welch. But the real magic of North Pole happens in December when the community celebrates the holiday season with a festival that includes fireworks, a candle lighting ceremony, a holiday bazaar and a community tree lighting ceremony. A six-week winter ice park, Christmas in Ice, features competitive ice sculpting, an ice maze and slides. The North Pole mayor takes pride in the city’s rustic atmosphere and small town ways. Political views in North Pole tend to run conservative. Unlike Fairbanks, marijuana businesses are prohibited inside city limits. “I know just about all of my neighbors and they know me,” Welch said. “That is part of what it means to live in North Pole.” The city of 2,124 people, incorporated in 1953, is home to the Santa Claus House, which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The 67-year-old family owned store sits along the Richardson Highway and is one of the Interior’s biggest attractions. Originally a trading post that also served as North Pole’s first post office, the Santa Claus House has recently been remodeled. The red-and-white-colored building houses a coffee bar and a large variety of Christmas treasures, including ornaments and knick knacks. Visitors can purchase a deed to 1 square inch of North Pole land for $9.99. For the same price, the store offers a personalized letter from Santa on special stationary. A 42-foot tall, 900-pound plastic Santa Claus statue has stood next to the Santa Claus House since 1983. The property is also home to Antler Academy of Flying & Reindeer Games, Santa’s reindeer team. North Pole has four fireworks stands — the highest concentration in the borough. The local tradition is to light fireworks on New Year’s Eve when it’s dark outside rather than on July 4 when it’s light almost all night. Another North Pole landmark is KJNP, which stands for “King Jesus North Pole,” radio and television studios located on a Christian missionary compound. The studios are
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
The WorldThe Famous World Famous
Santa Claus
HOUSE
101 St. Nicholas Drive North Pole, Alaska
101 St. Nichols Drive Since 1952, Santa Claus House has provided millions North Pole Alaska of guests with an exciting shopping experience and an abundance of photo opportunities. Visit with Santa, browse through thousands of unique gifts, enjoy a treat from The Sweet Shop, and view the World’s Largest Santa, standing nearly 50 feet tall. While you’re here, meet Santa’s Reindeer Team, next door at Antler Academy. And, don’t forget to ask about the “Original Letter from Santa,” a family tradition for generations.
Since 1952, Santa Claus House has provided millions of guests with an exciting shopping experience and Antler Academy flying & Reindeer Games anofabundance of photo opportunities. Visit with Santa and his reindeer, bro through thousands of unique and view World’s Tallest Santa, wheregifts, reindeer go the to fly standing over 40 feet high. H POLE NORT
1-800-588-4078 or (907)488-2200 1-800-588-4078 or (907) 488-2200 www.SantaClausHouse.com www.SantaClausHouse.com
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tucked in a log cabin that has been recognized as a historic site by the borough Historic Preservation Commission. KJNP was founded by missionaries Don and Gen Nelson in 1967 as a way to bring gospel to Alaska, particularly rural communities. One popular program, “Trapline Chatter,” enables family, friends and acquaintances to contact those who live in rural areas and who may have limited communication. People call 907-488-2216 to send greetings, messages and announcements over the airwaves. Residents and visitors to North Pole have multiple restaurants to choose from, including fast food, comfort food, Asian food and pizza. Pagoda is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Alaska, according to Mayor Welch. One of its many specialties is walnut shrimp. The recipe was featured on the
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Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” The Pagoda seats 180 people and has won the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Readers’ Choice award for best Asian cuisine multiple times. Chef and owner Benny Lin opened the Pagoda in 1990 in a former Arby’s. Lunch is $14.99. Entrees and family-style dinners are in the $20s. North Pole boasts several parks, including a music park, skateboard park, dog park and exercise trail. One of the newest parks, The Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park, is a solemn place where those killed while serving the public are remembered. The park is named after two Alaska State Troopers killed in the line of duty in 2014. This summer, eight names will be added, commemorating the loss of people who died in the Vietnam War and whose last home of record was in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to Mayor Welch. The Hotel North Pole, built in 2009, is the main public lodging. The hotel has 70 rooms, suites and extended-stay suites. Summer rates range from $170 to $300. Winter rates run $106 to $250. The Santa Suite is decked out with Christmas decorations, and guests can book a visit from Santa himself for $100. The hotel also has a fitness center, business center, banquet room and a continental breakfast that includes waffles. Walking trails, playgrounds and a library with magazines, newspapers and Wi-Fi are also available in North Pole. The laundromat, Forbes Laundry, offers showers.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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Trans-Alaska oil pipeline: Still delivering 40 years later Staff Report newsroom@newsminer. com
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For visitors seeking a more sweeping view of the pipeline, Donnelly Dome, located just south of Delta Junction on the Richardson Highway, rises above the surrounding valley and provides a view of the pipeline as it travels south alongside the Delta River. Not far south from Donnelly Dome, the pipeline crosses the Richardson Highway, going below ground to travel under the highway before rising back out of the earth onto its supports. The highway pullout near the pipeline crossing is a popular stopping point for drivers. While in Fairbanks & North Pole, stop by & try our “Summer Flowers!” Home of Fruity Pebbles • Sourdough • Big Smooth
Sunday 12-6 Monday-Saturday 10-9
907-488-0489 1725 Richardson Hwy North Pole
540609-1-5-17-19IG
he trans-Alaska oil pipeline, one of the most ambitious construction projects ever undertaken, stretches hundreds of miles across some of the roughest and most remote terrain in the world. Crews began laying pipe in spring 1975 and laid the final stretch of the line on May 31, 1977. The first oil moved through the pipeline on June 20 of that year. More than 70,000 workers were involved in building the pipeline. It cost $8 billion in 1977 and was, at the time, the largest privately funded construction project ever undertaken. The pipeline stretches more than 800 miles from Alaska’s North Slope to the ice-free port of Valdez on Prince William Sound. There, at the pipeline’s end, the oil is transferred into storage tanks and loaded onto tanker ships for transport to West Coast refineries. The high point of the pipeline can be found at Atigun Pass with an elevation of 4,739 feet. Those vertical posts frequently seen along the pipeline are heat pipes. There are more than 124,000 heat pipes along the pipeline, which transfer ground heat into the air to ensure soil remains stable and able to support the pipeline. How much oil goes through the pipeline? The highest average daily throughput was 2.03 million barrels in 1988. The pipeline carries much less than that now; it averaged 509,315 barrels daily in 2018. Overall, Almost 17 billion barrels have moved through TAPS. The pipeline is one of the top attractions for visitors to Alaska, and some of the best places to view the pipeline are in the Interior. The pipeline often trails alongside the Dalton, Elliott and Richardson highways. One of the best places to view the pipeline is just north of Fairbanks, at 8.4 Mile Steese Highway near Fox. Visitors there can get out of their cars and walk alongside the pipeline, which rests above ground on vertical support beams.
Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. For use by adults 21 or older. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Business License #11000.
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TAKE A WALK WITH THE REINDEER By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
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aking a walk with a reindeer has become one of the Fairbanks area’s most popular year-round attrac-
tions. After all, reindeer and Alaska are a natural fit, and Running Reindeer Ranch is heading into its ninth season of providing nature walks in Goldstream Valley. The tour gives visitors the opportunity to mingle with these mostly docile animals that are the domestic version of caribou. The ranch is located in Goldstream Valley about 12 miles from downtown Fairbanks. The eight reindeer are the stars of the 2½-hour tour on the property owned by tour guide Jane Atkinson and her husband, Doug Toelle. A couple more baby reindeer are expected to be added to the cast later this summer. On most days, tours can be scheduled for either at
Great Unique Gift Shop Gifts • Glass • Jewelry • Alaskan Souvenirs
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907-474-3923
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1-2 Day Notice • $35 – $60
10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m., however, there usually is only one tour per day. The first visitors who reserve a spot on a particular day get to choose the time of the tour. Anyone else who registers on that day will have only one option. On some occasions, the ranch will schedule a second tour, so visitors are urged to check the schedule online at www.runningreindeer.com. All tours must be booked online. The cost of the tour ranges from $75 to $100 for adults and $45 to $65 for children age 3-11 depending the day of the tour and how far ahead a visitor registers. It is recommended that children be at least school-age to participate. The first reindeer arrived at the ranch in 2007 as a compromise for Atkinson’s daughter Robin Spielman, who really wanted a horse. The business started by accident after walks with the reindeer became popular with friends and family. Atkinson knew little about reindeer before the first one arrived at the ranch but has since become knowledgeable about the history and behavior of the animals. Atkinson said most of the questions she gets are about the difference between reindeer and caribou as well as questions about the animals’ antlers. The summer tour begins with an introductory safety talk, followed by a walk through the woods on the property and concludes with another talk about the natural history of the area and reindeer. A question and answer period and cookies for tour participants wrap up the day’s activities The ranch has grown larger through the years with the acquisition of neighboring property, enabling the proprietors to offer a variety of trail options. For more information, send an email to info@runningreindeer.com or call (907) 455-4998. All tours must be booked online at www.runningreindeer.com.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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SOAK, HIKE, EAT, RELAX AT CHENA HOT SPRINGS RESORT Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
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or more than a century, people have been heading to Chena Hot Springs to soak up the mineral springs. Today, they also can tour ice carvings and geothermically heated greenhouses and ride behind a team of sled dogs. All are open year-round. The resort lies 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks at the end of the paved road that bears its name. The resort draws visitors from around the world and is renowned for the amazing aurora borealis displays overhead in the winters. The aurora isn’t visible under the midnight sun, but there are plenty of other activities. Chena Hot Springs Resort adds a number of amenities to the naturally occurring springs, including an indoor pool ideal for kids and hot tubs. The resort features about 80 rooms and family suites in its Moose Lodge as well as cabins and camping areas. Several hiking trails lead into the hills surrounding the resort. Other attractions include an activity center, a disc golf course, bike and canoe rentals and horseback and all-terrain-vehicle tours. A sled-dog kennel offers cart rides. For day-trippers, a dip in the pool is $15, or a family punch-card with 10 slots is $100. The resort is also home to the world’s largest year-round ice structure — the Aurora Ice Museum. The ice museum was created from more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow and was completed in January 2005. It is kept at 25 degrees year-round and is filled with spectacular ice carvings. Parkas are available, free of charge. Ice museum visitors 21 and over can also sample
an appletini in a carved-ice glass for $15. The resort is self-contained and sustainable in a number of ways. It includes its own restaurant, cafe, ice museum, cabins, hotel and saloon. Interested in the technology that powers the resort? Take one of two daily renewable energy tours to learn about the unique system. For many years and in many cultures, mineral spring waters have been considered to possess healing properties. In addition to taking the waters at Chena Hot Springs, visitors can schedule a massage at the resort’s massage parlor. Developer Bernie Karl is a firm believer in sustainable business methods. Much of the food served at the resort is grown in its greenhouse on site, and much of the rest is locally sourced from Interior Alaska. The greenhouse, like the springs, is heated geothermally. While visiting the ice museum, chilled to 20 degrees in the summer, people can take an ice-carving class and go to the ice bar for a drink in an ice glass. The resort’s website includes information on its accommodations and openings as well as pictures of the hot springs in both summer and winter. Special online-only deals are often posted on the resort’s website: www.chenahotsprings.com.
RED COUCH
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309 Second Ave • 374-3414 • Fax 374-3430 www.newsminer.com
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Creamer’s Field is a WOODLAND REFUGE By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
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ne of the true natural gems of Fairbanks is Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Located on the northern edge of the city about two miles from downtown Fairbanks, Creamer’s Field offers visitors and residents alike a true quality outdoor experience without leaving the confines of the Golden Heart City. The environmentally diverse wildlife refuge is a safe haven for migratory birds and other wildlife as well as an oasis for people who want to spend a few quiet minutes or even hours outdoors. The refuge was purchased from Creamer’s Dairy through a community-wide fundraising campaign more than 50 years ago and is now part of a large complex that includes the farmhouse and gift shop and Creamer’s Dairy barns. It also houses the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fairbanks offices. With the support of the Fairbanks community, the Friends of Creamer’s Field conducts programs throughout the year at the refuge. The most popular programs are conducted in the summer and fall months. The nonprofit organization run by volunteers serves as steward of the state-owned refuge in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Friends of Creamer’s Field website states: “Our Mission: Inspiring environmental stewardship and lifelong learning through experience, awareness and appreciation of the natural and historical resources of Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.” There are three main hiking/walking trails at Creamer’s Field and trail maps are available at the visitor center. The Boreal Forest Trail is the most popular of the three trails, taking you on a 1.5-mile journey featuring at least 17 points of interest. The Farm Road Trail and the Seasonal Wetlands Trail go out into the adjacent fields where the migratory geese, cranes and swans frolic during the spring and fall. The Friends of Creamer’s Field offer volunteer-naturalist nature walks at 10 am. Monday through Saturday, June 1 to Sept. 1, departing from the visitor center. A guided hike also takes place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The walks generally use the Boreal Forest Trail, but sometimes use the other trails depending on wildlife activity, according to organizers. If you go to Creamer’s Field on your own, dogs are allowed but they must be kept on leashes. Doggy stations are set up along the trails.
There are elevated observation platforms for those who want a birds-eye view over the birch, spruce, poplar and willow trees. Visitors can leave the trails and venture into the fields at any time except during the bird migration periods when the fields are off limits to people and dogs. Among some of the more popular annual events hosted by the Friends of Creamer’s Field, are the Design Alaska Wild Art Walk (June 16), Creamer’s Dairy Day (July 21), the Sandhill Crane Festival (Aug. 23-25) and the Luminary Trail & Open House (Dec. 7). The Art Walk features as many as many as 30 Fairbanks area artists along the walk route drawing, sketching and painting wildlife artwork. Many of those works are auctioned off to help Friends of Creamer’s Field continue its mission at the refuge. Creamer’s Dairy Day features a tour of the former dairy, shared anecdotes about the farm from members of the Creamer family and an ice cream social. The 22nd annual Sandhill Crane Festival happens when thousands of the birds make landfall in the front field of the refuge for a few weeks before continuing their fall migration from Siberia and Alaska. This year’s festival will include workshops, demonstrations and talks by special guests, guided nature walks and other fun activities. Visit www.friendsofcreamersfield.org for more information.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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DISCOVER INTERIOR ALASKA HISTORY ABOARD STERNWHEELER Staff Report newsroom@newsminer. com
Sternwheelers, floatplanes and dog mushing were once the main transportation systems in Interior Alaska. You can learn about all three modes of transportation and a whole lot more by taking a ride on one of Fairbanks’ most popular attractions — the Riverboat Discovery. The Binkley family has plied the rivers of the Interior for five generations spanning more than 100 years. Since the 1950s various versions of the Riverboat Discovery have taken visitors for a true Alaska river ride. The tour meanders down the Chena River, where passengers can watch a bush pilot take off and land in a small plane. The sternwheeler pauses at Trailbreaker Kennels, home of the family of late four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Susan Butcher, where you will learn about modern competitive mushing. Sled dogs were a vital form of winter transportation before the invention of snowmachines — or snowmobiles as they are called in the Lower 48 — as residents of Alaska Native villages traveled and carried mail and freight from village to village. Continuing down the river, the Riverboat Discovery stops at a replica of an Interior Alaska Native village and
if you go What: Riverboat Discovery When: May 11-Sept. 21, two tours daily, 9 a.m.noon and 2-5 p.m. Where: 1975 Discovery Drive Cost: Adult, $69.95; children ages 3-12, $42.95; children younger than 3, free. More info: 907-479-6673
fish camp. The tour stops for an hour at the village, where passengers get off the boat and take a guided tour. Village hosts relate stories about their history, culture and subsistence lifestyle. Tour a fish camp and learn techniques for catching, drying and storing salmon. You also have the chance to meet sled dogs, mushers and dog handlers during your stop at the village. On the return trip up the Chena River, you’ll get to taste the Binkley’s salmon dip on a cracker as you enjoy the local scenery. Your tour begins at Steamboat Landing in west Fairbanks near Fairbanks International Airport. The landing is a replica of a gold rush river port, complete with a dining hall where a hearty miner’s stew, kale-apple-pecan salad and brownie is served for $13.95 for adults and $5.95 for children. The landing also features a gift shop, museum and ice cream parlor. If you want to feel what it’s like during an Alaska winter, you can participate in “Alaska at 40 Below,” a specially designed chamber that drops the mercury to mid-winter temperatures in Interior, Alaska. The experience is free, but it does cost $10 to get your picture taken. Reservations to ride on the Riverboat Discovery are required and can be made by calling 479-6673 or online at www.riverboatdiscovery.com.
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catch gold fever at Gold dredge no. 8
Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
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here are two kinds of gold found in Alaska, and both created stampedes to Interior Alaska and the Fairbanks area in particular. A trip to Gold Dredge No. 8 will give the visitor a chance to learn about both kinds. The first gold rush was for the mineral gold found in the rivers, streams and ponds dotting the Fairbanks area. That rush started in the early 1900s and in some form or another continued until almost the middle of the century. Visitors will have their own opportunity to discover gold at the gold panning area. The second stampede came in the 1970s with the
if you go What: Gold Dredge 8 When: 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. daily, May 11 to Sept. 21 Where: 1803 Old Steese Highway Cost: $42.95 for adults, $26.95 for children age 3-12, free for children age 3 and under; reservations required More info: 907-479-6673; www.golddredge8.com
building of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, which brings black gold (oil) from Prudhoe Bay through the Interior to the port city of Valdez. Located just seven miles north of Fairbanks in the beautiful Goldstream Valley, Gold Dredge No. 8 offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the gold seekers of yesteryear as well as the “black gold” flowing through the oil pipeline. Visitors start at the train depot near Goldstream Road and the Old Steese Highway just north of Fairbanks. You will ride to the dredge site on a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad that linked mining communities north of Fairbanks to the river system in the early gold mining days. You will hear tales of the thousands of miners who swarmed the surrounding valley in the early 20th century searching for the big strike. The tour also provides a close-up view of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. You’ll learn about construction and operation of the oil pipeline while standing in its shadow. Gold Dredge No. 8 is a National Historic Site, and the tour focuses on the history of small- and large-scale mining in the Interior. You’ll see firsthand how dredges in Alaska sifted the gold from the soil, recovering 3.5 million ounces of gold during the time they were in use. The two-hour tour allows visitors time to explore the dredge, the dredge camp and the gift shop to have their gold weighed before boarding the train for the ride back to the depot.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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RIDE THE RAILS ON THE ICONIC ALASKA RAILROAD By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
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ooking for a unique way to take in the grandeur of the Alaska landscape? You might want to think about taking a ride on the Alaska Railroad. The state-owned railroad links Seward, in Southcentral Alaska, to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and there are numerous packages you might be interested in depending upon what kind of adventure you might want to have in the Land of the Midnight Sun. The railroad offers a multitude of passenger options, from daily Fairbanks-to-Anchorage and Anchorage-toSeward runs as well as multi-day packages that include kayaking, hiking and glacier cruises. Visit www.alaskatrain.com to check out all the packages, routes and rates. One of the most popular passenger trains is the Denali Star, a daily summer service between Anchorage and Fairbanks with stops at Talkeetna and at Denali National Park and Preserve. The trains depart at 8 a.m. each day from each location and arrive at the opposite end of the route at 8 p.m. You will see spectacular scenery no matter which direction you are headed. The railroad has a passenger service fleet of dozens of railcars, including passenger coaches and dining cars. It also features a variety of cars specifically for enjoying scenery along the route, including glass-domed GoldStar cars with a viewing platform and reclining seats. The Vista Dome Coaches, with reclining seats beneath a dome in the middle offering 360-degree views, and lowlevel dome coaches have seats arranged around tables and also have a small galley and service bar. One of the summer packages includes the train from Fairbanks to Denali National Park and Preserve and back
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with an overnight stay in the park. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy either an afternoon or morning bus trip into the park before returning to the Golden Heart City. The train leaves Fairbanks at 8 a.m. one day and departs Denali for the return trip at about 4 p.m. the following day. Other summer passenger trains include the Coastal
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Classic, daily service between Anchorage and Seward, which is increasing in popularity every year. The Glacier Discovery
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538547-1-5-17-19VG
907-374-3900
36 College Rd.• Bentley Mall • Fairbanks, AK 99701 www.greatharvestfairbanksak.com M-F: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM • Sat–Sun 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
features daily service between Anchorage and Whittier with whistle-stops at Spencer Glacier and Grandview. The Hurricane Turn features Thursday through Monday service between Talkeetna and Hurricane with several stops in between. Zip-lining is available to passengers on the Denali Star, and kayaking is available to passengers on the Glacier Discovery. The railroad also offers vacation packages running from two days to 10 days. Offerings include glacier cruises, a rails and trails package featuring backcountry hikes, and a basic tour featuring stops in Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali. Summer rail service is offered from mid-May to midSeptember. The Alaska Railroad also offers winter passenger service between Anchorage and Fairbanks at least once a week. During the holiday season and in February, service increases to twice a week, and in March there are three trips per week with the train going one direction one day and the opposite direction the following day. You can book your tours online at www.alaskatrain.com or by calling 1-800-266-8625. Alaska has relied on the railroad to transport goods and people across the vast state for more than a century. The railroad is not just a busy passenger service giving almost 500,000 annual riders a leisurely look at some otherwise inaccessible scenery. It also is a critical infrastructure hub for the state. The railroad hauls nearly 4 million tons of freight and 2 million tons of gravel each year. If you want a unique way to see the Alaska countryside, the Alaska Railroad is the way to go.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
Worship Directory – Visitors are always welcome! Anglican Church of the Redeemer
Pioneer Park (Alaskaland) Chapel: 10:00 a.m. 457-5667 KJV & 1928 BCP all services
Bethel Church
Immaculate Conception Church
2 Doyon Place 452-3533 Mass: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Weekday Masses (Mon. through Fri.): 12:10 p.m.
Jewish Congregation of Fairbanks
1744 Aurora Drive 456-1002 Friday: 7:30 p.m. • orhatzafon@mosquitonet.com
www.bethelchurchak.org Contemporary Worship with Solid Bible Teaching 1310 Farmers Loop Rd. Worship: Sunday 9:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School - all ages: 11:00 a.m.
1201 Hoselton Road 455-4433 Sunday services: 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Bible Baptist Church
270 Fairhill Road Sunday Services: 10 a.m.
Journey Christian Church The Lighthouse
452-1407 32 Adak Ave. Off the Steese Highway at College Road E. Sun 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. & Wed 7 p.m. Bible believing — Old fashioned singing Plenty of parking for RV’s Free transportation from motels & campgrounds www.BibleBaptistFairbanks.com Doug Duffett, Pastor 388-9815 cell
1300 Peger Rd. 474-9032 email: shcparishoffice@gmail.com Weekend Masses: Sat. 4:30 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: 1:00 p.m. on Sunday Monday - Friday Masses: Call the Parish office for schedule
Christian Science Church
Sunday Mass: 5:30 p.m. Held in the Margaret Murie Life Science Bldg Auditorium on UAF campus For info: email uaf.stmark@gmail.com or online: stmarksuaf.org
811 First Avenue 456-2319 Sunday: 11:00 a.m., and Wednesday: 7:00 p.m.
Church of Christ
645 11th Avenue 456-4921 Sunday 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
Community Covenant Church - C3
2136 McCullam Avenue (on Airport Way) www.c3fairbanks.com • 456-6553 • Sunday: 10:30 a.m.
Denali Bible Chapel
1201 Lathrop Street 456-5157 Service: 10:30 a.m. www.DenaliBibleChapel.org
Fairbanks First United Methodist Church
915 Second Avenue 452-2956 Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Traditional • 11:15 a.m. Contemporary office@fairbanksfirst.org
Fairbanks Lutheran Church
Sacred Heart Cathedral
St. Mark’s University Catholic Church
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
1029 First Avenue 456-5235 Sunday Services: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul Church
Independent Traditional Methodist Worship Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. 949 Farmers Loop Road, by Dog Mushers 479-7998 Pastor: Father Steve Reed A Friendly Little Country Church
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fairbanks 4448 Pikes Landing Road 451-8838 Services: 10:30am on Sundays www.uuff.org
University Community Presbyterian Church
3510 College Road 479-6728 Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. www.ucpcfairbanks.org
Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS)
1012 Cowles Street (ELCA) 452-3425 Summer worship time: 9:30 a.m. www.fairbankslutheranchurch.org / fairluth@gci.net Facebook: FairbanksLutheranELCA
2982 Davis Road www.zionfairbanks.org 456-7660 Worship Services: Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m 9:45 a.m. Sunday School/Bible Studies for ALL ages!
Fairbanks Seventh-day Adventist Church
Healy/Denali area
First Baptist Church of Fairbanks
Sunday 10:00 a.m. at church in Healy 683-2525 Saturday Night Mass 6:00 p.m. at Denali Bus Depot Theatre (1 mi. Denali Park Rd.)
1811 Farmers Loop Road 479-6070 Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m., Worship Service: 11:00 a.m. www.fairbanksak.adventistchurch.org 805 Sixth Avenue - Downtown 456-4923 Sunday Morning: 11:00 a.m. www.firstbaptistfairbanks.com
Friends Church
(Non-denominational) 1485 30th Avenue • 452-2249 • info@friendschurch.org www.friendschurch.org • facebook.com/friendschurchfairbanks/ Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Hamilton Acres Baptist Church
138 Farewell Avenue Independent Sunday 9:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Pastor Bruce Hamilton 378-9103
Holy Mary of Guadalupe - Catholic Church
nortH Pole area St. Nicholas Catholic Church
707 Saint Nicholas Drive 488-2595 Mass: Sat. 5:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. and Noon Weekday Masses: Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri. 9:00 a.m., Wed 5:30 p.m.
True Victory Baptist Church
2141 Richardson Highway 488-1588 Sunday School: 9:30 a.m., Worship Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: All Alaska phone numbers are area code 907
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Fairbanks area
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FARMERS MARKETS THRIVE UNDER THE ALASKA SUN By Gary Black gblack@newsminer.com
T
he bounty of the state’s harvests can be found all over Interior Alaska, especially at our farmers mar-
kets. Usually starting in May and running through midSeptember, farmers markets in the Fairbanks region offer everything that grows big and bold under our 24-hour summer daylight: zucchinis, yellow squash, onions, potatoes, broccoli, greens, carrots, radishes, tomatoes and more. Much more. If we can grow it in Alaska, you can find it at a farmers market. And that’s not even mentioning the people who turn out to sell their homemade wares. Potters, craftsmen and artists all inhabit our markets, too, selling everything from homemade goat milk soap to paintings and pottery to hand-crafted items that reflect Alaska. Don’t forget the food, either. Our markets are filled with
WEDNESDAY 11 – 4
SATURDAY 9– 4
PRODUCE • CRAFTS FOOD
2600 College Road
www.tvfmarket.com
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vendors selling fresh-made items for purchase that you can eat on the spot. The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is the largest of Interior Alaska’s farmers markets. Located at 2600 College Road, the market is open Saturdays and Wednesdays through Sept. 21. The market opens for the season May 11. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The Tanana Valley Farmers Market also features Chef at the Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every other Wednesday starting in July. The program, now in its eighth season, is an effort between the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation and the farmers market in which local chefs demonstrate easy recipes using Alaska-grown produce. Market Festival Fairbanks takes place downtown in Golden Heart Plaza. The market, which features produce stands from local farmers, food vendors, and artists and
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their wares, opens at the end of May and runs through the beginning of September. It’s open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays. The nonprofit organization Festival Fairbanks organizes the downtown market. Because of its central location in downtown, Market Festival Fairbanks also includes a slate of rotating performers and musicians who perform summer concerts in the plaza. It’s located at 516 First Ave. In South Fairbanks, the Southside Community Farmers Market, hosted by Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, is returning. It will operate 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays at the corner of 24th and Rickert streets, next to the JP Jones Community
h!
Soups, Salads & Sandwiches Made Fresh Daily Organic & Local Produce, Meats & Seafood Vitamins, Supplements, Natural Body Care Monday-Saturday 8 to 8 Sunday 10 to 7
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ARCTIC TRAVELER’S GIFT SHOP
ARCTIC TRAVELER’S GIFT SHOP 526 Gaffney Road (907) 457-1023 www.coopmarket.org
WE
WN! WNTO O D E R A
• Athabascan Beadwork • Glass & Porcelain figurines • Qiviut • Ivory • Gold & Silver Jewelry • Yupik Baskets • Soapstone Locally owned & operated since 1955
201 Cushman Street | Fairbanks Alaska 907-456-7080 | www.ArcticTravelersGiftShop.com FOLLOW US ON
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Center. The market opens June 4 and runs through the end of September. The market also doubles the value of food stamps and accepts WIC and senior stamps. Just outside Fairbanks, the community of Ester is home to the Ester Community Market each Thursday, starting June 6 and running through September, from 4:30-7 p.m. in Ester Community Park. Nenana, about 60 miles south of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway, hosts its farmers market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays starting in mid-May and running through midSeptember at the Nenana Civic Center on Main Street.
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F A I R B A N K S
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• Alaska Public Lands Information Center • Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau
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2433 Arvilla Street 99709 907-328-FLWR (3597)
3290 Peger Road Ste. B 99709 907-328-0448
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4 Fairbanks Distilling 5th Ave. & Cushman Street 99701 907-452-5055
5 Gold Dredge 8 1803 Old Steese Hwy N 99712 907-479-6673
5th Ave 7th Ave
6 Great Alaskan Bowl Co. 4630 Old Airport Road 99709 907-474-9663
FORT WAINWRIGHT
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K E Y T O F E AT U R E D ADVERTISERS
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
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7 Great Harvest Bread 36 College Road Ste. 4 99701 907-374-3900
8 Greenlife Supply 511 30th Avenue 99701 907-374-4769
9 Just Haircuts Bradway Rd
2319 Cushman Street 99701 907-452-4487
10 Riverboat Discovery 1975 Discovery Dr. 99709 907-479-6673
11 Two Street Gallery 535 2nd Avenue 99701 907-455-4070 DEEDEE HAMMOND/NEWS-MINER
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A world of culture, all summer long By Gary Black gblack@newsminer. com
that spans every facet of the arts — song, theater, improv, dance, music, spoken word, culinary, healing arts, writing and more. Local artists and instructors as well as guest artists from across the world come to Fairbanks to teach classes and host performances at venues throughout the city and region. Residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up for classes, which can be found on the festival’s website, www. fsaf.org. The site also lists performances that take place across Fairbanks, many of which are free to attend. The festival started in 1980 as a one-week jazz festival. Since then, it’s grown and spread, not only across Fairbanks but also Alaska. Visiting artists often host performances in Denali National Park and Preserve as well as in other Alaska communities. The festival is one of the premier arts events during the summer and runs July 14-28.
T
he arts world thrives in Fairbanks, and summer offers its share of performances, concerts and events to fill your cultural need while in Interior Alaska. Many of the productions feature local performers as well as guest artists who travel to Fairbanks for a chance to perform on our stages. Here’s a look at some of the biggest arts events of this summer.
Live music
Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre was founded on the banks of the Chena River in 1992 and has grown into a year-round production company. Each summer, the troupe performs a summer outdoors production at Jack Townshend Point on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. This summer, the theater is producing “MacBeth,” directed by Rebecca George. Dates are July 10-28, Thursdays through Sundays. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., and matinees are at 2 p.m. See www.fairbanksshakespeare. org for ticket information.
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is a two-week event
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The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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The Fairbanks area is rich in live music, with many bands and performers playing gigs in public venues that are accessible to all. The Fairbanks Arts Association hosts Gazebo Nights, with live music every night of the week all summer under the gazebo in Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, starting in June and running through August. Genres span everything from classical to bluegrass. At Georgeson Botanical Garden, 2178 W. Tanana Drive on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, musicians gather for the Music in the Garden series, hosted by the university’s Summer Sessions program. Music in the Garden is every Thursday starting May 23 and running through Aug. 9, and features a slate of performers and genres. In Golden Heart Plaza in downtown, musicians and bands gather to perform on Mondays during the public marketplace hosted by Festival Fairbanks. Gazebo Nights, Music in the Garden and the Golden Heart Plaza performances are all open to the public and free to attend. Also, many local pubs and entertainment spots host touring bands as well as local musicians all summer. You can find a weekly listing each Thursday of art, entertainment and music events in Latitude 65, the weekly entertainment section produced by the Fairbanks Daily NewsMiner.
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Salmon Bake, Palace Theatre are top dining, entertainment destinations By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
Y
ou’ve spent a long day under the Midnight Sun seeing as many of the sights and sounds Fairbanks has to offer. You’re as hungry as a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation, and you just want to spend a relaxing evening capping off a wonderful day in the Interior. The Alaska Salmon Bake and Golden Heart Revue in the Palace Theatre at Pioneer Park are the perfect ways to wrap up your adventure. Enjoy true Alaska cuisine surrounded by a park filled with historic buildings and antique mining equipment. After dinner, enjoy an old-fashioned live performance at the Palace Theatre located in rustic Gold Rush Town, just a short walk from the Salmon Bake. The Salmon Bake offers all-you-care-to-eat fire-grilled salmon, hand-dipped beer-battered cod and slow roasted prime rib. Alaska crab is available to add on to your dinner for an additional fee in half-pound, 1-pound and 2-pound sizes. It is not included with the all-you-care-to-eat dinner. Each meal comes with a trip through the salad bar and includes roasted potatoes, baked beans, sourdough rolls, dessert, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages included. Each entrée is $36.95 for adults, $16.95 for children age 9-12 and $12.95 for children age 5-8. Beer and wine are available for an additional cost. The venue features indoor and outdoor seating. The salmon is caught in Alaska waters, cooked on an outdoor grill over a bed of black spruce coal while basted in a sweet sauce. The cod is from the Bering Sea and dipped in a special beer batter. The prime rib is dry-rubbed with the venue’s signature seasoning and slow cooked in an outdoor smoker. Dinner is served from 5-9 p.m. daily May 12 through Sept. 13. The Salmon Bake offers a shuttle service from many local hotels for $8 round-trip. For more information go to www.akvisit.com.
Palace Theatre For some relaxing after dinner entertainment, you’ll find plenty of laughs and merriment at the Golden Heart Revue, located just a short stroll away from the Salmon Bake.
Through original songs and light-hearted stories, the cast of the Golden Heart Revue answers commonly asked questions about Fairbanks such as “Why would anyone want to build a town in this swamp area, anyway” and “Why has this unlikely little town survived for almost 120 years?” The Golden Heart Revue features music and lyrics by Fairbanks composer Jim Bell and anecdotes by Timothy Ames, William Arnold, Richard Ussery and Steve Arthur. The professional, live performance at the Palace Theatre is at 8:15 p.m. every evening from May 13 to Sept. 7. Additional performances may be added later in the summer. The cost of the show is $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. To make reservations, call 1-800-354-7274. The Alaska Salmon Bake and Palace Theatre are familyowned businesses that have been in operation for more than 39 years.
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HISTORY, SHOPPING, FOOD AND FAMILY FUN AT PIONEER PARK Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
P
What: Pioneer Park When: Concessions open from noon-8 p.m. from
Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.
Where: Main entrance on Airport Way between Peger Road and Wilbur Street Cost: Admission is free, cost of attractions varies. More info: On Facebook at Fairbanks North Star
Borough Pioneer Park
There are several historic exhibitions located at the park at 2300 Airport Way — Harding Car, Kitty Hensley House, Pioneer Air Museum, Pioneer Museum, Riverboat Nenana, Tanana Valley Railroad Museum, Lavelle Young Wheelhouse and the Wickersham House. Other attractions in the park include the Canoe Alaska, Bear Gallery, Big Stampede Show, Crooked Creek Railroad, Roela’s Carousel, First Presbyterian Church, Dance Hall,
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ioneer Park offers a little bit of everything for visitors to the Golden Heart City. If you want history, head to Pioneer Park. If you want fun for the kids, go to Pioneer Park. If you want to eat on the run or have a family-style dinner, go to Pioneer Park. With five museums, multiple attractions, shops, lots of places to get some grub plus arts events, playgrounds and picnic areas and more on the 40-acre site, the historically-themed park gives the visitor an opportunity to learn a lot about Interior Alaska and early Fairbanks. Most of the buildings in Gold Rush Town are homes of prominent Fairbanks founders, moved to the location when the park opened as the “Alaska ‘67 Centennial Exposition” in 1967 to celebrate the 100 years since the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. Originally known as Alaskaland, the name was changed to Pioneer Park by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly in 2002.
if you go
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
FAIRBANKS REGION
Salmon Bake and the Palace Theater. You can do plenty of shopping on the grounds, as well. Shops include Kiersten’s Photography, CHARMS by CJ, Fairbanks Arts Association, Just Originals, Little Willow, Oh So Wonderful, and the Pick and Poke Gift Shop. If you are looking for some food, there’s plenty of it, with the Alaska Salmon Bake, Frosty Paws, Gold Rush Ice Cream Parlour, Souvlaki, The Bag Ladies of Fairbanks and possibly others all offering up something to please. If you’re into the arts, the Bear Gallery in the Centennial Center for the Arts offers monthly shows, and there are Gazebo Nights featuring different local musicians or storytellers at 7 p.m. daily at the gazebo. There’s a square dance hall as well. New for 2019 is Market Mondays featuring the work of local artists, vendors and entertainers. The weekly event will include a beer garden and food trucks parked in the Gold Rush Town. Market Mondays starts the first Monday after Memorial Day and runs until the Monday before Labor Day. Classes are offered throughout the summer by the Folk School Fairbanks, which is headquartered at the park. Classes focus on a variety of topics including woodworking, blacksmithing, storytelling and vehicle maintenance. Pioneer Park also features two large playgrounds stocked with plenty of equipment, a picnic area, horseshoes, volleyball, a carousel, a three-hole disc golf course and a narrow-gauge train that takes passengers for a ride
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around the perimeter of the park. The park is open year-round. Concession hours, however, are from noon to 8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is no general admission fee, but some museums have admission charges while others accept donations. Pioneer Park also welcomes RV visitors to stay in the parking lot for $12 per night for a maximum of five consecutive nights. No reservations are required, but RV visitors should register at the dropbox in the parking lot. There are no hook-ups available. Potable water is available onsite.
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PIONEER PARK A FAMILY-FRIENDLY SITE, FULL OF ACTIVITIES Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
ioneer Park offers visitors numerous opportunities to take in the deep and rich history of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska. Museums and facilities in the park showcase aviation and railroad history, as well as some of Fairbanks’ storied buildings. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Department oversees the park. Facilities are open from noon to 8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Most are free, but some charge admission as noted. Donations are gladly accepted. Here are some of the major attractions:
walls of the museum, which was built in 1967 as part of the Alaska 67 Exposition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ purchase of Alaska from Russia. Photos and dioramas depict the first Fairbanks gold rush as well as the second surge when a series of gold dredges extracted millions of ounces of gold from area lakes and ponds. The museum also has a research computer to check family genealogy or to view any of the more than 10,000 photographs from the early days of Fairbanks to the mid1960s. Marks on the outside of the building show the water levels from the devastating flood of 1967. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated.
Pioneer Museum
Big Stampede Show
The Pioneers of Alaska play a huge role at Pioneer Park by operating the Pioneer Museum, the Big Stampede Show and the Kitty Hensley House. Hundreds of photographs and numerous items donated by the early pioneers and gold-seekers adorn the
The Gold Rush Saga comes to life in the Big Stampede Show, which shows four times daily throughout the summer. Take a trip over Chilkoot Pass, shoot the rapids, strike it rich in Dawson City, then move on to Fairbanks. The 50-minute show is narrated by poet laureate Ruben Gaines and includes 17 paintings by C. Rusty Heurlin valued at more than $1 million. Shows are at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the theater. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children age 6-16. Children under age 6 get in for free.
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Tanana Valley Railroad Museum
Kitty Hensley House The Pioneers of Alaska also operates the Kitty Hensley House, which was originally located at 921 Eighth Ave. In 1914, Kitty’s friend Cap Smythe, a retired riverboat captain with excellent carpentry skills, remodeled the cabin using lumber from the sternwheeler, which had been damaged during spring breakup. The house was moved to Pioneer Park in 1967. The Pioneers of Alaska have furnished the house with authentic pieces of furniture from the period.
The SS Nenana
Open Everyday 12pm - 8pm, located in Pioneer Park
Free Admission (907)459-7420 TananaValleyRailroad.com
F540614-1
Visit our website to see the schedule of events, like our live steam operations!
Located in the center of Pioneer Park, the SS Nenana is the largest steam-powered wooden sternwheeler ever built west of the Mississippi River and one of three of its kind left in the United States. Built in 1933 for the Alaska Railroad for service on the Yukon, Nenana and Tanana rivers, she could carry up to 300 tons of freight and carried military cargos during World War II, including lend-lease aircraft en route to Russia. The “Last Lady of the River” was retired in 1955 and
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brought to Fairbanks to be preserved. The SS Nenana was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The Nenana is closed to tours in 2019.
Harding Car Near the Pioneer Park front entrance rests the Harding Car, the elegant railroad car President Warren G. Harding traveled in while touring the territory just two weeks before he died in California from a heart attack. Harding was the first chief executive officer to visit the territory and came to Fairbanks to celebrate the completion of the Alaska Railroad. The Harding Car was restored by the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation.
Wickersham House Judge James Wickersham is known as the man who brought law and order to the early days of the gold rush town of Fairbanks, but there’s more to his story. In addition to being a law man, Wickersham was a carpenter, an advocate for the community and what would eventually become the 49th state, and a leader in a community that was growing in all directions. As a carpenter, Wickersham built the first “modern home” in the thriving gold rush town in 1904. The first home constructed of milled lumber, the house on the corner of First Avenue and Noble Street also was the first home to be surrounded by a white picket fence. All homes in Fairbanks before that time were made with logs. Operated by the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, the Wickersham House was relocated to Pioneer Park in 1968 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The furnishings are as they would have been in Wickersham’s time, with some original pieces.
Pioneer Air Museum Operated by the Interior and Arctic Alaska Aeronautical Foundation, the 14,000-square-foot circular building with a gold dome is filled with artifacts and aircraft from Alaska’s early aviation history, most of which took place in Fairbanks and other parts of the Interior. The museum houses 14 aircraft as well as one of the largest piston engine displays ever assembled. A collection of more than 500 photographs chronicle early flight and the brave men and women who ventured into the unknown skies above Alaska. Displays range from the first flight in Fairbanks in 1913 to the present. Admission is $4 for adults and $8 for a family of four.
Children younger than age 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult. The museum is open from 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum and Engine House The railroad played a vital part when the gold rush ripped through Interior Alaska and a key component of that era now resides in Pioneer Park. Steam engine No. 1, an 8.5-ton engine built in 1899 by H.K. Porter Locomotive Works of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the first locomotive in the Yukon and Tanana river drainages. It arrived in Fairbanks in 1905. It is the oldest gold rush artifact in Interior Alaska. Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad restored Old Engine No. 1 in 1999, and she is rolled out several times a summer to putt down the tracks circling Pioneer Park with at least two open cars full of visitors. On other days, the train pulled by a replica, Engine No. 67. When at rest, Engine No. 1 resides at the museum and engine house, operated by the all-volunteer Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad. An operating speeder, Model T and velocipede also are on display, as are dioramas showing the former townsite of Chena and the railroad station as it looked in the 1930s.
Folk School Fairbanks The Folk School is a nonprofit organization offering classes year-round in traditional arts, crafts, gardening, building and more. Floral design, how to butcher a chicken, snowshoe making, singing, tree felling and building a birch bark canoe are just a few of the classes that have been offered. The school has operated for about 15 years and was previously located in the Goldstream Valley. An expansion and move to Pioneer Park happened in 2018. The vision of the Folk School is to “provide a dedicated, centrally located, safe, friendly and welcoming place offering a rich variety of hands-on experiences.” www.newsminer.com
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UA Museum features earthquake exhibit, increased accessibility By Erin McGroarty emcgroarty@newsminer.com
T
he University of Alaska Museum of the North, home to more than 1.5 million artifacts and specimens, six galleries, and a mummified steppe bison, is taking measures to improve accessibility in preparation for the summer tourist season. According to Director of Exhibits Roger Topp, visitors will now have additional options to help them experience the exhibits throughout the museum, including hearing aids and open captioning. This will help visitors enjoy special exhibits like “Shake,” an exhibit focusing on Alaska’s tumultuous history of earthquakes. As part of the exhibit, visitors can learn about Alaska earthquakes in real time, take a look inside the Alaska Earthquake Center’s remote seismometer station and listen to first-hand accounts of earthquake experiences across the state. The museum will feature new sound installations in all the galleries, including a new introductory video in the Rose Berry Art Gallery upstairs in the museum. This is on top of the already-existing sound installation titled “The Place where you go to Listen,” which features an everchanging musical ecosystem composed by Pulitzer Prizewinner John Luther Adams, and allows visitors to experience “the rhythms of daylight and darkness, the phases of the moon, the seismic vibrations of the earth, and the dance of the aurora borealis.” The museum is home to six different galleries: the Alaska gallery taking visitors through a natural and cultural history of the state; the Rose Berry Art Gallery featuring 2,000 years of Alaska art; the Special Exhibits Gallery which
if you go What: University of Alaska Museum of the North When: Summer hours June 1-Aug. 31, open daily 9 a.m - 7 p.m. Where: 1962 Yukon Drive, UAF campus Cost: $14 for ages 15 and up, $8 for ages 5-14, free for UA students with a valid student ID, UA museum members and for active-duty military families stationed in Alaska. More info: 907-474-7505
will host the “Shake” exhibit; the collections gallery where visitors can take a took at research and artifacts; the family room with couches and fun puzzles and activities for children; and the Natural Wonders Gallery, which features a collection of photos by the late Michio Hoshino portraying Alaska landscapes and wildlife. In addition to visiting Blue Babe, the 36,000-year-old mummified bison, museum visitors are encouraged to take a selfie with the towering mounted Kodiak grizzly bear at the front of the Gallery of Alaska. Don’t forget to hashtag #OttoBear. Once visitors have finished wandering through galleries and viewing artifacts, they can relax in the museum’s auditorium to view films including “Dynamic Aurora,”“Extreme Weather” and “Sea Monsters.” Movie tickets are $5 per visitor. The museum is located on UAF’s beautiful West Ridge and features a coffee shop and café and an expansive lawn with a view over the Tanana Valley.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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MUSK OX, REINDEER FOCUS OF UAF RESEARCH CENTER
By Kyrie Long klong@newsminer.com
T
he Large Animal Research Station out at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has the only captive research musk ox herd in the world and a reindeer herd too, just for good measure. Visitors can come by every day of the week over the summer to learn about the animals, their arctic adaptations, the herd’s past, as well as the station’s history and research. Field trips, private tours for large groups and behind the scene tours are available if booked in advance. This year there’s some old and some new out at the station—and not just because of the herds have had calves. A new section of the gift shop is opening, where items made by UAF students and alumni will be available. Returning is weekly storytime on Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Lunch 11-4
✦
Dinner 5-10
456-2200
388 Old Chena Pump Road, 99709
Eat Good ✦ Live Good www.LemongrassAlaska.com
F540455-1
“Combine authentic Northern Thai recipe with seasonal Alaskan ingredients from the farm and sea.”
Children can come hear a story, meet the animals and make a craft. LARS will be posting what the new craft is each week on its Facebook page. Speaking of Facebook, for the social media savvy it will be easy to keep up with any musk ox or reindeer friends. LARS has a Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram in addition to the aforementioned Facebook page, all @ UAFLARS. Sometimes they’ll have themes, like the 12 Days of Reindeer in December, when workers gave some interesting reindeer facts, but most often there will be pictures and video of the herds and station research taking place. So if you form a bond with a particular animal, updates on its life at the station will be available across platforms. Although you may want to check out that Snapchat, if only for videos of the calves playing in kiddie pools. LARS is open every day from May 28-Sept. 1. Folks need only show up a little before one of the tour times and get ready to meet the animals. In September LARS Local’s Day will take place, when visitors can make food bank donations to tour the station.
if you go What: Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station When: May 28-Sept. 1, every day at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., winter tours available by appointment Where: 2220 Yankovich Road Cost: $10 adults; $9 senior and military; $6 students; free children 5 and younger More info: 907-474-5724 or uaf-lars-tours@alaska.edu
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Take time to smell the peonies at botanical gardens
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ocated on the West Ridge of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Georgeson Botanical Gardens is an oasis of color and calm with a stunning view of the Tanana Valley and Alaska Range. Sure to please, this 5-acre garden is alive with a profusion of flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs and vegetables that thrive under the midnight sun. Billed as the northernmost public garden in North America, the garden is named for Dr. Charles Christian Georgeson and is part of the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station that he founded. A center for research and education, the garden was established in its current incarnation in 1991. Visitors and locals alike enjoy spending hours viewing the scenery while surrounded by the bounty of Interior Alaska’s short but intense growing season. Popular features include benches, birdbaths, sculptures and a pond, and a children’s garden features a hedge maze, a water garden and a miniature log cabin. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Guided tours are offered at 2 p.m. every Friday, or visitors can enjoy self-guided tours with the aid of a free “Garden at a Glance” map available on site. Suggested admission is $5 per person. Not surprisingly, the garden is home to many special events, parties and classes. Music in the Garden features local bands every Thursday night from May 23 to Aug. 8, except for July 4. The concerts are free to the public and run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Grant’s Treehouse, which features a covered gazebo reached via a wooden suspension bridge, can hold up to 25 people and is a favorite site for weddings. A hexagonal deck surrounded by flowers and featuring a huge grassy area is another top choice for nuptials or private parties. The Rotary Garden and the Beistline Class-
room both offer a covered, cement-floored space for larger gatherings of 40 to 100 people. All four spaces are available for half-day or full-day rental. Visit www.georgesonbotanicalgarden.org for more details. The Georgeson Botanical Garden Society also host free events throughout the season. A calendar can be found on the events page at the garden’s website.
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CELEBRATE ALASKA GOLDPANNERS’ 60TH ANNIVERSARY UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN
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he Alaska Goldpanners take the field in June for their 60th season of summer college baseball. The Goldpanners are going into their fourth year as an independent program after playing in the Alaska Baseball League for more than 50 years. The Goldpanners’ first month of action is highlighted by 114th annual W.G. and Eddie Stroecker Midnight Sun Game on Friday, June 21 at Growden Memorial Park at Second Avenue and Wilbur Street. This year’s matchup against the Seattle Studs starts at 10 p.m., and will be played entirely without artificial lights. The Midnight Sun Game has been featured in the Sporting News, Grantland and Sports Illustrated, and on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, declared the game on Summer Solstice a must-see event for baseball fans.
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The Goldpanners, who went 27-12-1 last season under first-year manager Miles Kizer, from Western Oregon University, have only lost the Midnight Sun game 12 times since they took over the tradition in 1960. The tradition began in 1906 as a bar bet between the Eagles and the California Bar, led by Eddie Stroecker, who is nicknamed, “Father of the Midnight Sun Game.” One of the traditions of the game is to sing the Alaska Flag Song during the half inning closest to midnight. The mostly college athletes who play for the Goldpanners use wood bats. More than 200 former Goldpanners have gone on to play in the major leagues. The list of Goldpanners alumni includes Baseball Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield. Other notable MLB players who have donned the Goldpanners uniform include Barry Bonds, Dave Kingman, Terry Francona and Dave Lee. The 2019 season for the Goldpanners begins with a series June 7 and 8 against the Northwest Honkers in Fall City, Washington, near Seattle. After the two-game set against the Honkers, the Goldpanners have a 12-game homestand that includes the Midnight Sun Game. The Goldpanners face an all-star team from the Fairbanks Men’s League at 7 p.m., June 11 and host the San Diego Waves for seven games from June 12-18. Each game against the Waves begins at 7 p.m., except the June 13 contest, which starts at 3 p.m. The Midnight Sun Game is part of a four-game stretch against the Studs. The games against Seattle on June 20 and 22 each begin at 7 p.m., and the June 23 series finale starts at 3 p.m. The Goldpanners play 41 games this season. The team’s complete schedule is available at goldpanners.com.
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MIDNIGHT SUN RUN ‘A BIG PARTY’ FOR FAIRBANKS By Danny Martin dmartin@newsminer. com
T
he Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Midnight Sun Run is one of the highlights of the annual Midnight Sun Festival in the Golden Heart City. It’s also an event that attracts more than 3,000 participants from around the state, nation and world. Among the participants are serious runners and those who want to take a leisurely stroll during the race conducted on the longest day of the year. This year’s 36th edition of the 10-kilometer race begins at 10 p.m. Saturday, June 22. The starting line is in front of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Patty Center, and the finish line is at the Square Dance Hall inside Pioneer Park. Wendy Cloyd, who helps coordinate the race, has described the Midnight Sun Run as “kind of a big party for the city.” The race’s costume contest supports that distinction. This year’s contest has three categories — Alaska Frontier Days, I Love Music and Anything Goes! There are divisions for individuals, teams of up to four people, and for children 12 and under. Local businesses sponsor prizes for the best costumes. Another fun aspect of the race is that the course runs through neighborhoods where residents come out to cheer on the participants. I N G O B I N G O B
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A pair of Fairbanks runners won last year. Rick Lader was first overall in 32 minutes, 3 seconds and Kendall Kramer, a West Valley High School student and one of the top junior Nordic skiers in the nation, was the women’s winner in 38:12. Registration and more information about the race is available at https://midnightsunrun.net/.
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GOLDEN DAYS CELEBRATES FAIRBANKS’ GOLDEN HISTORY By Bob Eley For the News-Miner
I
nhabitants of the Golden Heart City can find just about any reason to celebrate, but celebrating the discovery of gold in Fairbanks is one of the biggest reasons to take to the streets, and the Chena River for that matter, and enjoy the long summer days. Fairbanksans spend more than a week in July celebrating the founding of the city on the banks of the Chena River and the discovery of gold by the legendary Felix Pedro in the hills just north of town. The 2019 Golden Days celebration, primarily organized by the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce with contributing events by several other entities, is scheduled from July 13-21 at venues throughout the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The multi-day celebration of the founding of Fairbanks and the discovery of gold in the hills north of the city features the Grande Parade, a street fair, the Rubber Duckie Race, a river regatta, the Pioneers of Alaska Mug-
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Up, the 120th anniversary of Old (railroad) Engine No. 1, the Felix Pedro Monument re-dedication and more during its nine-day run. Visit www.fairbankschamber.org/goldendays for a schedule of Golden Days events and www.goldendaysregatta.com for river regatta information. Both sites are continually being updated as new information becomes available. The biggest day of the celebration comes on July 20 with the Golden Days Grande Parade presented by Kinross Fort Knox Mine, the street fair presented by Foundation Health Partners and the Rubber Duckie Race presented by Sunrise Bagel and Espresso. The Grande Parade starts at the Carlson Center and rolls through downtown Fairbanks on Second Avenue and proceeds down Noble Street to Gaffney Road. The Golden Mile, a Running Club North event that raises funds for the Literacy Council of Alaska, kicks off the day’s events when more than 100 runners follow a mile of the parade route in front of thousands of spectators awaiting the biggest parade in Alaska to begin. Once the parade has come to an end, the street fair swings into gear on First Avenue and in Golden Heart Plaza with food and craft booths. Free pony rides, a petty zoo and kid’s corner are now parts of the celebration thanks to the UA College Savings Plan. The Rubber Duckie Race caps the downtown portion of the celebration when thousands of rubber ducks are deposited into the Chena River at the Wendell Street Bridge with the first ducks to reach the finish line at the Cushman Street Bridge earning money for those who have purchased the lucky winning tickets. More than $20,000 in cash and other prizes are doled
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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out to those who have purchased tickets for either $5 or $10. Another event added this year on July 20 at Pioneer Park is the Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad 120th anniversary of Old Engine No. 1, the first steam engine to pull miners and equipment to the gold fields in the Fairbanks area. The engine is still used to pull the Pioneer Park train on special occasions during the summer. Other Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce events include a kickoff luncheon on July 16, Old Tyme Games presented by Golden Heart Utilities on July 17, and a Business After Hours event at a location to be determined. Details on other events, such as a daily pancake feed and the rededication of the Felix Pedro Monument, most likely on July 21, will be announced in the weeks leading up to Golden Days. The big week should get started with the Golden
Days Regatta on July 13. The regatta starts at 11 a.m. at Graehl Landing and ends at Pioneer Park, with the flotilla after-party scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at the International Bar and Lounge. For rules and regulations and details on how to enter the event, go to www.goldendaysregatta.com.
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PIRATES, PUNS AND FAMILY FUN AT 2019 TANANA VALLEY FAIR By Julie Stricker jstricker@newsminer.com
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rrrrrrg, ye maties. This year it’s talk like a pirate at the Tanana Valley State Fair. Or take a selfie with a pirate — there will be a few strolling around all 10 days of the fair, according to Executive Director Mahla Strohmaier. Strohmaier was hired to lead the fair last year and has plans to restore it as Fairbanks’ premier summer event. The 95th fair will run Aug. 2-11, and the Pirates for Hire are one of this season’s headliners, Strohmaier said. “They’ve been at the Palmer fair, and we had two of them at A Women’s Affair. They were a big hit,” she said. The pirates will do daily shows and spend time walking around the fairgrounds and act like pirates. “The guy who plays Jack Sparrow (in Pirates for Hire) is a photo double for Johnny Depp in the movies,” she said. Other headliners are The Fearless Flores Thrill Show, featuring the Globe of Death and other exciting feats of skill and daring, which were featured on “America’s Got Talent.” Uncle Kracker is the musical guest.
The fair theme is also a nod to past punny agricultural themes: Love is a Cattle Field. The fair has had a bumpy run for a few years, but Strohmaier has a vision and a strong team that will put the focus on the future, she said. “I’m from Fairbanks,” she said. “I’ve been here all my life. I’ve watched the fair go up and down over the years. When I was a kid, the fair was the summer event.” Some changes in the works are in how the fairgrounds are arranged. Entry dates will be expanded and exhibit premiums will be paid out earlier. The rides vendor, A-1 Midway Rides, will be bringing up some new attractions, she said. But, there’s nothing she can do about one thing the fair is known for. “Yes, it will rain,” Strohmaier said, laughing, “but it’s nothing we can’t handle. “We’re all working to make it a friendly, inclusive place — not that it hasn’t been,” she said. “We treat this as our home and we are having a great big party in August and we want everyone to come. We’re celebrating Fairbanks. “
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Non-Perishable Entry Days - July 28 & 29 Junior Perishable Entry Day - August 1 Adult Perishable Entry Day - August 7
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WEIO TAKES A NEW STEP WITH DANCES
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he dance competition has been one of the most popular events in the long history of the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. There will be no dance competition in the 59th edition of the celebration of Native culture and games. Instead, participants will be involved in a dance festival during WEIO on July 17-20 at the Carlson Center. The WEIO Board of Governors, according to an announcement on the WEIO website (weio.org), voted recently to change Native Dance Venue to a dance festival rather than a dance competition. “Dance groups are invited to come celebrate dance for the sheer joy of it and to share their joy with all of us,’’ the announcement stated. The games of WEIO also are popular and they’re based on traditional survival skills. The ear pull, for example, is a tug of war of ears. It’s based on enduring frostbite during harsh winters in the North. The Eskimo stick pull, another popular event, tests a person’s strength and mimics pulling a seal from a hole in the ice. The best-of-three contest involves two competitors trying to wrest a stick from one another as they sit facing each other with their knees bent, feet together and hands
clenching a long wooden stick. WEIO attracts visitors from around the nation and world, and dance groups and competitors from throughout Alaska. Athletes from Canada and Greenland also have participated. WEIO has drawn attention from national media, as it’s been featured in People and Cosmopolitan magazines and in USA Today. It’s enjoyed exposure on television programs such as ABC’s “Good Morning America,”; ESPN’s “SportsCenter”; and NBC’s “Tonight Show” when Jay Leno was its host. WEIO veteran athlete Nick Hanson, of Unalakleet, is former finalist on “American Ninja Warrior.” Two inductions in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame in Anchorage are related to WEIO. WEIO was inducted in the events category in 2008. Nicole Johnston, who grew up in Nome and has been involved with WEIO as an athlete, coach, administrator and chairwoman of the board of governors, was inducted in the individual category in 2017. More information about WEIO is available on its website or by calling 452-6646.
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48
Arctic Lightning Air Show: Air Force plans air show near North Pole IN JULY By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com
T
he first military air show in the Interior in more than 10 years takes place this summer on July 13. The Arctic Lightning Airshow will feature the new F-35 Lightning II, the Air Force’s newest fighter jet, which will be stationed in Alaska starting in 2020. The event, open to the public, will occur at Eielson Air Force Base, which is about 30 minutes from Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. Demo teams for the F-35 fighter jet and other military aircraft, along with entertainment acts and food trucks, are scheduled to be part of the show, scheduled for July 13. July 14 is set aside as a backup day should weather be a problem. Air shows are common in Anchorage, where the Arctic Thunder air show takes place every two years, but Eielson hasn’t hosted a show since 2008. Hosting a new air show in the Interior has been a goal of Col. Benjamin Bishop, who took command of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson in July, said wing spokesman 2nd Lt. Kitsana Dounglomchan. “It was his vision to say, ‘I want to open up the base to the community and do it a little bit different,’” Dounglomchan said. In recent years, the base has hosted open houses with aircraft displays on the ground. “As an air show, you’re actually going to have planes flying around doing acrobatics and demos. What’s really cool about this year is you’re going to have the F-35. You couldn’t time it any better with us getting 54 F-35s starting in 2020. This is a chance for people to get out and touch
noses with the plane,” Dounglomchan said. Details of the event are still being worked out, but doors of the base are expected to open at 8 a.m. The main Hursey Gate will be used for people with U.S. Department of Defense ID cards. The new gate, farther south on the Richardson Highway, will open for non-DOD cardholders. The event will be free and the base has ample room for large groups of people. According to the Air Force, about 6,000 people came to the 2008 air show despite rainy conditions. These year, the base will have the capacity to accommodate a crowd of 10,000 people, Dounglomchan said.
Planned air show lineup • F-35 Lightning II Demo Team — This is the model of fifth-generation fighter that will be stationed at Eielson starting in 2020. Fairbanksans have been hearing about this plane and seeing bumper stickers with its silhouette for years as the Air Force considered whether base its newest fighter jets in Alaska and then began preparing for their arrival. The demo team is based at Luke Air Force Base, in Arizona. • Pacific Air Forces F-16 Viper Demo Team — The F-16 is the model of fourth-generation fighter based at Eielson. The demo team is based at Misawa Air Base, Japan. • Air Force Academy Wings of Blue — This is a skydiving team based at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. • Joint Forces Demonstration — This demonstration will feature both Air Force and Army forces. It’s designed to give the public a sense of what happens during the Red Flag training exercises, Dounglomchan said. Other acts will be announced at a later date.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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Hit tee shots, sink putts at Interior alaska courses
T
he Interior offers a few options to visitors who want to play a round of golf. It’s recommended to call in advance to book a tee time at any of the courses. The North Star Golf Club, on Golf Course Drive off the Old Steese Highway, will not be operating this summer unless new ownership is found.
Fairbanks Golf Course
The facility near the intersection of Farmers Loop and Ballaine Road is the oldest operating golf course in the Interior. The 9-hole, 3,132-yard layout offers three holes each at par-3, par-4 and par-5. The course is open to the public and offers yearly membership. It also is home to the Edge Restaurant, which is open year round. Call 479-6555 to book a tee time. More information is available at www.fairbanksgolfcourse.com/.
Chena Bend Golf Course
Chena Bend is located on Fort Wainwright and is the nation’s farthest north military golf course.
Golf Digest has ranked Chena Bend multiple times as the No. 1 golf course in Alaska. The layout is par-72, 18 holes and 6,476 yards. Several holes are located along the Chena River. The Chena Bend Clubhouse offers two state-of-the-art aboutGolf simulators. Call 353-6223 to book a tee time. More information is available at wainwright.armymwr. com/programs/chena-bend-clubhouse. Chena Bend is scheduled to host the Alaska State Match Play Championship on Aug. 1-4.
Black Diamond
The nine-hole course is located at the Black Diamond Resort and it features views of the Alaska Range. The course is located minutes away from Denali National Park, and pickups and drop-offs are offered to golfers staying at area hotels. There’s also chances that golfers can encounter wildlife or find moose hoofprints on the course. Tee times can be made at 907-683-4653 or https:// www.blackdiamondtourco.com/golfing.html.
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TANANA LAKES REC AREA: A wilderness area minutes from the urban center By Amanda Bohman abohman@newsminer.com
T
he Tanana Lakes Recreation Area offers nature trails, a swim beach, boat launches, a rifle range, a picnic area, fishing holes, paddle boat rentals and two playgrounds just minutes from downtown Fairbanks. The 750-acre wilderness park is located at the end of Cushman Street along the Tanana River, and admission is free. The park opened in 2014 and has been drawing more visitors every year, according to facility supervisor Reb Adkins. Last July, an estimated 43,000 people visited Tanana Lakes, which is operated by the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Adkins expects its popularity to increase after the park added two new playgrounds. “The beach is definitely pretty popular,” Adkins said. “I would imagine these playgrounds are going to be popular too.” A musical playground is located near the picnic shelter, and a second playground was built on the peninsula across from the swim beach. It wasn’t long ago that the recreation area about a 10-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks looked very different. It formerly looked like a wasteland with trash and abandoned vehicles. The area attracted partiers and lawbreakers. Community groups came together and cleaned things up with the help of grant money, donations and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor. Slowly, new amenities are being added, but it remains rustic with gravel roads, gravel parking lots, vault toilets, light staffing and an unfinished walking path circling the swim lake.
The beach boasts 4 1/2 acres of sand where people can bake under the endless summer sun before cooling off in Cushman Lake, which is dotted with islands. There is no lifeguard on duty, but life preservers are available for loan. The beach has two volleyball courts. At the nearby paddle boat launch, boat rentals will be available again this summer by a private vendor, Adkins said. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake regularly with Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. The lake also has pike. The picnic area has a pavilion for rent, picnic tables, grills and a restroom. The cost to rent the picnic shelter is $30 for four hours and $50 for more than four hours. Reservations can be made by calling 4591070. Other areas of the park can be reserved for special events and groups for $20 for up to four hours and $40 beyond four hours. Motor boats and personal watercraft are allowed on a second lake, which has a floating dock and two concrete launch ramps. The motorized boat lake connects to the Tanana River. A public restroom is available at the launch. The park also attracts dog walkers, but dogs must be kept on a leash and are not allowed on the swim beach. A few years ago, Tanana Lakes became a year-round recreation area with groomed ski trails, a skating rink, a half-mile skating loop and ice fishing. Hours starting Memorial Day weekend are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Some events and activities are planned for the summer of 2019 with more expected to be announced as
the summer progresses, Adkins said. On May 27, Memorial Day, Epic Kayak Ultimate is marking the unofficial start of the summer season with food and beverages. On June 22, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting Dragonfly Day, an all-ages event aimed at taking families to catch and identify dragonflies. More than 300 people attended the five-hour event last summer. July 11 is the Roll, Run and Row Triathlon, which involves a 5K bike ride (roll), 2K run and 3K row. Participants provide their own equipment and can registers as individuals or as teams. July 27 is the Cardboard Boat Regatta at the swim beach from noon to 3 p.m. On Aug. 10 is a 3K/5K Fundraiser run for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Tanana Valley, also known as the Fyndout Free Pregnancy Center. The 3K is for children and the 5K is for adults. A cookout will follow.
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CHENA REC AREA OFFERS FLOAT, FISH AND HIKING OPTIONS By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com
B
efore it spills into downtown Fairbanks, the Chena River flows through a wild landscape 30 miles west of town. The Chena River State Recreation Area encompasses 397 square miles and is a popular destination near Fairbanks for hunting, fishing and playing outside. The recreation area is accessible along Chena Hot Springs Road between mileposts 26 and 56. The recreation area borders Chena Hot Springs Resort (located where the road ends at 56 mile), so any activity in the recreation area can easily be complemented with a float in the hot water. All milepost markers below refer to Chena Hot Springs Road. Chena Hot Springs Road is accessible from the Steese Highway.
Popular trips
Chena River: Chena Hot Springs Road crosses or approaches the Chena River a half-dozen times in the recreation area, allowing for ample boating opportunities.
It’s Class I water under most water conditions, but watch out for sweepers, branches or trees that stick out into the channel and can easily capsize boats. The Chena River water is very cold even during the hottest months. The river is a great place to catch arctic grayling, but the fishery is catch-and-release only. Several lakes along Chena Hot Springs Road are stocked with fish, including rainbow trout and chinook salmon. Fish caught in stocked ponds can be kept, but be sure to get an Alaska fishing license and research bag limits and rules. Hiking: The two most popular trailheads are Granite Tors and Angel Rocks, accessible at mileposts 39.5 and 48.9, respectively. A $5 day-use fee is required at both trailheads. Off-road vehicles: Popular trails for four-wheelers include the Compeau Trail at mile 29.9, the Angel Creek Hillside Trail at mile 50.5 (the Lower Chena Dome trailhead), and the Stiles Creek Trail at mileposts 31.6 and 36.4. Information is available online at dnr.alaska.gov/parks/ units/chena or by calling the northern region office of Alaska State Parks at 907-451-2695.
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SCENIC DENALI NATIONAL PARK A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com
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W
hen an Alaskan says “the mountain is out” there is no doubt which mountain is filling the horizon. It is the tallest mountain in North America —Denali— a magnificent sight when it emerges from the cover of clouds. The mountain is not the reason Denali National Park and Preserve was created, though. In 1917, the park was formed to protect the wildlife. Eventually expanded to 6 million acres, the park is home to moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears. More than 650 species of flowering plants eke out a living in the park, along with a variety of mosses and lichens. Only plants adapted to long, cold winters and short growing seasons can survive in Denali’s subarctic climate.
What: Denali National Park and Preserve When: Park bus service begins May 20 each year
(and runs through the second week after Labor Day. However, the entire road is not accessible by bus until June 8.
Where: The park entrance is about 120 miles south of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway. Cost: $15 per person. No fee for children age 15 and younger. This provides a seven-day entrance permit. Denali annual pass: $45. Annual military pass is free. More info: www.nps.gov/dena
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the wood frog. There are no reptiles in Denali National Park. Dinosaur tracks, discovered in 2005, revealed for the first time that prehistoric creatures also lived there. Get to the park by train, bus, car or even charter a small airplane. The Denali Park Road is a narrow, primarily gravel road that winds through the mountains and across rivers. It continues for about 92 miles to the old mining community of Kantishna, now a visitors’ haven. Private vehicles are not permitted, though anyone can drive the first 15 miles to Savage River. After that, traffic is limited — except during the few days annually when winners of the Denali Road Lottery head into the park in their personal vehicles. The National Park Service allows as many as 400 permit winners per day to drive vehicles the entire length of the park road at the end of the tourist season, in mid-September. See the Denali National Park website for information on how to apply for this lottery. In 2019, Road Lottery weekend is Sept. 13, 15, 16 and 17, with Military Appreciation Day on Sept. 14. The non-refundable application fee for the road lottery is $15. Apply online at www.recreation. gov from May 1-31. Winners must also pay a $25 permit fee to drive the park road.
Limiting traffic on the park road is deliberate. This park is managed for the wildlife, not the people. Enjoying and appreciating the wilderness of Denali National Park is easy. The Denali Visitor Center is the central location to pick up a trail map, acquire a backcountry permit, and to check schedules of guided walks and other programs. There are trails in the entrance area that are free for hiking anytime. They range in difficulty from easy to challenging. The park also offers hiking, bicycling and backcountry camping. Experienced park rangers lead special hikes, as well. Photography is encouraged in the park, but take care when photographing wildlife. There are guidelines on how close you should approach bears, eagles, caribou and other animals. There also are guidelines for hiking, to help preserve fragile tundra plants that cling to life during the short season. Take special measures to enjoy wildlife from afar and to avoid chance encounters with bears. For a close-up view of how the park operates, visit the Denali Kennels, where a team of sled dogs lives year round. During the summer, these working dogs welcome visitors and their handlers provide an informative program. The dogs patrol the Denali wilderness during winter months.
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SHUTTLES, BUSES TAKE VISITORS DEEP INTO DENALI BY Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com
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he 92-mile road into Denali National Park and Preserve runs from the Parks Highway to the former mining community of Kantishna. The first 15 miles are paved and open to the public. Past that point, at the Savage River checkpoint, vehicle travel is restricted on the narrow, winding gravel surface. Buses shuttle visitors in and out of the park and drop off hikers and campers. Bus trips range from two to 12 hours, and visitors can take either a tour bus or a shuttle bus, or an all-day tour to/from Kantishna. Shuttle buses are less expensive and have fewer amenities, but travel farther into the park. Visitors can get off when they want to hike for awhile, then get back on another bus, if seats are available. Visitors planning to hike, bike, camp, backpack or picnic in the park should take a shuttle bus. The shuttle is available for folks who just want to enjoy the scenery and wildlife viewing. Be sure and bring along food and water. There are no convenience stores along the way. Those who prefer a more deluxe trip can opt for one of the tours. A variety of tour lengths, prices and options are available. Fees vary and are in addition to the park entrance fee. Reservations for shuttles and tour buses can be made by calling 800-622-7275 or go online to www.reservedenali.com. You can also reserve a spot in person at the Denali Bus
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Courtesy buses
Free courtesy buses take visitors around the entrance area of Denali National Park, connecting with hotels and restaurants just outside the park. Catch those buses at the Denali Visitor Center, Denali Bus Depot, Riley Creek Campground, Denali Park Post Office, Riley Creek Mercantile, Railroad Depot and trailheads that include Mountain Vista Loop and Savage River Loop. A free bus takes visitors to the Denali Sled Dog Kennels for each 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. demonstration. Board the bus at the Denali Visitor Center bus stop only 40 minutes before the demonstration is due to begin. Return 90 minutes later. Many businesses provide buses for people on their individual tours.
Options Inside Park Shuttle or Transit Bus: This is the more flexible and more economical option. You can get on and off at any time - except for wildlife restricted areas and seat availability. Narration is not included, but experienced drivers often provide it anyway. Choices range from 6 to 12 hour trips. Tundra Wilderness Tour: This 7-8 hour narrated tour goes to Mile 53 Toklat from May 20-31 and then to Mile 62 from June 1 to mid-September. Box lunch and hot beverage provided. Most departures are early morning or early afternoon. Natural History Tour: 4 1/2 to 5 hour tour focuses on the natural and cultural history of the park and goes to the Teklanika River, Mile 27. Snack and beverage provided. Tour includes a stop at the Savage Cabin, an original ranger’s cabin, and an Alaskan Native presentation at Primrose Ridge. Kantishna Experience: One-day, 12-hour round-trip to Kantishna that includes full lunch. A National Park Service interpretive ranger provides narration. Time is spent in Kantishna learning about its history. Two daily departures, 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
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Depot reservation desk, up to two days in advance. Check the website at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit for schedules and details.
Visitors headed to the backcountry for overnight stays should take the special camper bus, to accommodate their gear. These visitors require special backcountry permits that are obtained at the Denali Visitor Center. Buses leave from the Denali Bus Depot.
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KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES ABOUND IN PARK By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com
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reams come true at Denali National Park for kids who want to become a junior ranger. All they have to do is complete a series of activities. Everything needed to complete this challenge is in the park or on the park’s website. The program is designed to be completed cooperatively with parents or other adults. Pick up your free personal Junior Ranger Activity Book at the Denali Visitor Center. Finish all the tasks, then turn it over to a ranger at the visitor center. You will recite the junior ranger pledge, sign the junior ranger certificate and receive your official junior ranger badge. There are plenty of activities at Denali for the park’s youngest visitors and their families. The first stop should be the Denali Visitor Center, which has many kid-friendly exhibits. It’s a good first stop to learn about the park and the animals that live there. Sign up for hikes with a ranger or grab a picnic lunch and set out on any of the easy trails that leave from center.
You can also borrow a free Denali Discovery Pack at the Denali Visitor Center. There are lots of fun activities to pursue. Use binoculars in the pack to spot animals and plants. A colorful guide is included. Perform an experiment with a water testing kit. Make a cast of a wolf print to take home. Return the pack at the end of your visit. Jump on the free bus to Savage River at Mile 15 of the Park Road. Hike the Savage River Loop. Evening programs are held at various campgrounds. Check at the Denali Visitor Center for times. If you are considering family camping, think about Riley Creek, Savage River or Teklanika Campground (which requires a three-night minimum). All of these are accessible by personal vehicle or bus. Ride a free bus to the sled dog demonstration, then either ride the bus back or hike the Roadside Trail. These dogs patrol Denali during winter months, and a 30-minute program at the kennel tells their story. A free travel guide called “Denali With Kids” is available for download at the Denali National Park website: www. nps.gov/dena/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm.
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EXPLORE DENALI FROM THE AIR AND BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com
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ne of the best ways to absorb the grandeur of Denali National Park is to see it from the air. A number of flightseeing companies provide that unique service. Contact them individually for details of their tours.
Denali Air Operating in the Denali area since 1970, Denali Air departs from a private airstrip just south of the park entrance. The air tour in six- or eight-passenger twin engine planes is narrated, and every seat is a window seat. See www.denaliair.com.
Denali Summit Flights Two longtime Alaska businesses partner to make this tour of Denali happen. They are Northern Alaska Tour Company and Warbelows Air. Pilot/guides provide first-hand knowledge and history of what you see from your window seat. See www.denalisummitflight.com.
Fly Denali This longtime Denali aviation business will provide flightseeing and landing on a glacier inside Denali National Park. The trip happens in a deHavilland Turbo Beaver that seats up to eight passengers, each with a window seat. The pilot is also the tour guide, who narrates throughout the tour. See www.flydenali.com.
Kantishna Air Taxi This longtime local company is based in Kantishna, very close to The Mountain. Pilots/guides provide up-close views of Denali, streaming glaciers and the spectacular landscape of Denali National Park. Choose a flight tour that suits your schedule and climb aboard a Cessna 206, which seats five passengers and one pilot. See www.katair.com/flightseeing
Stampede Aviation Experienced Bush pilots/guides provide an up close look at Denali, formerly Mount McKinley, and surrounding wilderness landscape. Ninety-minute tours return along the Stampede Trail, with a fly-over of the bus, made famous by the book/movie Into The Wild. See www.stampedeaviation.com.
Temsco Air Flightseeing by helicopter is the option with this com-
pany. The tour includes about 35 minutes of flight time through the eastern wilds of Denali National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife and for The Mountain in the distance. See www.temscoair.com.
On the ground If you prefer to stay grounded, try these tours. You can act as your own driver and get up close to wilderness, very near to Denali National Park.
Denali ATV Adventures Get out and ride! That is what this company encourages its guests to do. Four different all-terrain vehicle tours are offered, including two specialty tours. One of those happens late at night, when the midnight sun is still shining. See www.denaliatv.com.
Black Diamond ATV Tours These special tours through Black Diamond Resort offer a unique way to see the backcountry adjacent to Denali National Park. One tour even includes backcountry dining. See www.blackdiamondtourco.com.
Denali Highway Jeep Excursions If you seek a little more comfort in an on-the-ground tour, this may be the tour for you. It’s a drive-your-own jeep tour in a caravan down the Denali Highway, which boasts some of the most spectacular views of any road in the state. The tour travels more than 100 miles in about four hours. The Denali Highway is located about 30 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park. See www.denalijeep.com.
Denali Backcountry Safari This off-road safari travels along the Stampede Trail, a road carved out by early miners. There’s lots of bumps, mud and off-road adventure. Your guide shares history of the area along the way. See www.DenaliBackcountrySafari.com.
Stampede Excursions A self-guided jeep tour can help you explore the park road, the nearby Denali Highway, Broad Pass or a mining history route near Healy. Or choose a rugged six-wheel drive Army truck through backcountry of the Stampede Trail. An ATV adventure is also available. For all options see www.stampede excursions.com.
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DENALI HIGHWAY TRAVERSES VAST ICE AGE LANDSCAPE
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he Denali Highway offers one of the most scenic drives in Alaska, with frequent reminders of the region’s glacial past. It runs between Cantwell on the Parks Highway and Paxson on the Richardson Highway. Cantwell is 27 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park. The road cuts through the Alaska Range, and majestic mountains and vast tundra line both sides of the highway. Constructed in 1950, for many years, the Denali Highway provided the only access to Denali National Park before construction of the Parks Highway. Now a variety of lodges help tourists enjoy the natural beauty of this remote wilderness. Most of the highway passes through alpine terrain. You have a good chance of spotting caribou, moose and bear. Parts of the road sit atop eskers, ancient streams that wound through the glaciers. Kettle ponds, formed by melting ice chunks, offer nesting areas for swans and other
waterfowl. Maclaren Pass is the highest point on the drive, at 4,086 feet. On a clear day, you can see the Maclaren Glacier. Tangle Lakes is close to Paxson and offers canoeing, hiking and extraordinary bird watching. It is also an archeological site. Alaska Native people have lived in this area for more than 10,000 years. Archaeologists continually find traces of their prehistoric life. Just driving the road can be an adventure, depending on the condition of the road and its potholes. Be sure to bring along a spare tire. Maybe two. The BLM maintains campgrounds at Brushkana Creek and at Tangle Lakes, but you can pull over anywhere along the road and camp. A few small roadhouses offer lodging, including the Tangle River Inn, Maclaren River Lodge and Alpine Creek Lodge. See www.tangleriverinn.com, www.maclarenlodge. com and www.alpinecreeklodge.com. On the west end, near Cantwell, is where the 2007 film “Into The Wild” was filmed.
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The ‘Little 5’: Five interesting animals summer visitors are actually likely to see in Interior Alaska By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com
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he subarctic is not the same as Africa’s Serengeti, but I can see why people expect a similar actionpacked wildlife safari experience when I see marketing materials for Alaska. Like eastern Africa, Alaska has several charismatic megafauna — large animals that most Americans can only see in zoos. At Denali National Park and Preserve, they call the most sought-after animals the Big Five: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears and wolves. The fine print about Alaska wildlife is that many of these creatures are spread out over vast areas and at low densities. Caribou — the most commonly-sighted animal of the Big Five — have a population of about 3,000, in a park that’s about the size of New Hampshire.
Fairbanks, recommends the area around the entrance of Denali National Park and the Eagle and 12-Mile summits along the Steese Highway. Hikers may also see them on ridge hikes in the Fairbanks such as the Granite Tors loop. People in alpine areas may also spot or hear the whistles of marmots, a significantly larger burrowing rodent also found in the Interior.
Introducing the Little Five
I was thinking about the Big Five this spring. I’m reminded of my efforts to find these animals for visitors last summer who wanted to see Alaska wildlife. I wonder if my guests would have enjoyed their trip more if they hadn’t set their hopes on seeing bears and wolves. I’m glad they weren’t looking for lynx and wolverines, which are particularly elusive. That’s why I’m introducing this Little Five wildlife viewing list. It’s a checklist of Interior Alaska critters that are both interesting, fairly common and easy to find in the Interior. There are many to choose from, but I settled on this collection of mammals, birds and the state’s most notorious insect. Except where otherwise noted, the information about each animal comes from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s online species profiles.
Arctic ground squirrels
These prairie-dog-like animals of Canada, Alaska and Siberia are legendary for their hibernation skills. Researchers in Fairbanks have found they drop their body temperatures to below-freezing temperatures during the winter, then periodically shiver themselves warm while still hibernating. In the summer, they are easy to spot near their large burrow colonies. Where to find them: Arctic ground squirrels tend to live at or around alpine areas, so look for them at elevations and latitudes near the treeline. Mike Taras, a wildlife education and outreach specialist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in
Sandhill cranes
They’re not year-round residents of Alaska, but these birds make a big splash when they arrive each spring. They have a striking, unmistakable appearance, with tall legs and bright red caps over their orange eyes. They’re among Alaska’s largest birds, with a wingspan as long as 7½ feet. The big birds breed here and migrate through the Interior. They winter in the southern United States and northern Mexico. Where to find them: Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks is the obvious spot, but they can be spotted in many open areas. The cranes usually arrive in April and leave in August. The Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival, a celebration of the fall migration in Fairbanks, takes place Aug. 23-25 at Creamer’s Field this year.
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with an abrupt flapping of wings. Where to find them: Like ground squirrels, ptarmigan are alpine animals, especially in the summer months. In the winter they come down to the hills surrounding Fairbanks. In the summer, flocks can often be seen north of Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway, and around 12-mile and Eagle summits on the Steese Highway. Willow ptarmigan generally live at lower elevations than rock ptarmigan.
North American beavers
Even if you don’t see beavers, it’s hard to miss their handiwork. Beavers are busy construction workers that cut down trees with their teeth and build dams and lodges along waterways. North American beavers are the largest rodents in North America, with adults weighing about the same as a mid-size dog. Beavers are by no means unique to Alaska. They are found in most parts of Canada and the Lower 48 states except for the Southwest and Florida. But they’re pretty common and easy to spot in the Interior. Where to find them: The Chena River and Noyes Slough in Fairbanks support beaver populations. In general, beavers can be found wherever trees are found in Alaska. They are spreading north as the treeline moves north with the warming climate.
Mosquitoes
You don’t have to look for these flying pests. They find you in most parts of the Interior in the summer. Alaska is home to several dozen different species of mosquitoes, not all of which bite humans. The list includes the snow mosquito, which stays active in the winter and is the largest mosquito in North America. The good news for Alaskans is that while the mosquitoes here are a pest, they’re usually not associated with spreading disease like types of mosquitoes at lower latitudes, said Andrew Guinness, a Ph.D. student at the University of Notre Dame who surveyed mosquitoes in Denali National Park in 2015. Where to find them: The main question people ask is how to avoid them. The best protection is clothing that covers the skin, insect repellent and seeking out high spots with strong breezes.
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Local Spirits Ptarmigan are members of the grouse family. They’re medium-sized, meaty game birds that gather in big flocks and nest on barren hilltops. Two of the three ptarmigan species in Alaska live in the Interior: the rock ptarmigan and the willow ptarmigan. The willow ptarmigan lives in most parts of Alaska and is the state bird. Ptarmigan rely on camouflage for defense, changing plumage between a snowy white in winter and various shades of mottled brown in summer. They can be hard to see until they flush
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ENJOY FAIRBANKS FROM THE VANTAGE OF THE CHENA RIVER By Erin McGroarty emcgroarty@newsminer.com
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n a hot summer day, there may be no better way to experience Fairbanks than by floating the Chena River through town. Grab a cooler, rent a boat, don your life jacket and relax for the afternoon. The Chena River is a meandering Class I river, but inexperienced boaters should keep an eye out for log jams and floating trees. The river is relatively slow moving, so these drifters are easily avoided when spotted in time. There are several spots to put in and take out depending on the desired length of your float. A personal favorite is to begin at Graehl Park in downtown Fairbanks near Pro Music and take out at Pioneer Park, several miles downriver. For those more adventurous, a longer float can bring boaters to the popular Boatel Bar along the river a few miles past Pioneer Park. After a cold drink for adults 21 and over, boaters can continue farther downriver to the historic Pump House Restaurant. This is the perfect place to take out and have dinner on the deck. A paddle from Pioneer Park to the Pump House takes most boaters about two hours. A float from Graehl Park to the Pump House will likely take floaters a full afternoon. Best to start around noon in order to afford maximum relaxation throughout the afternoon. By law, all boaters are required to have personal floatation devices for every person on board. Minors are required to wear personal flotation devices at all times. Visitors who don’t have boats of their own have a num-
ber of options for rentals. Don’t forget to pack snacks and water. Happy floating!
Trax Outdoor Center
For those interested in a bit more of a unique experience, Trax Outdoor Center rents stand-up paddleboards. The shop is located at 310 Birch Hill Road and can be reached by phone at 907-374-9600. Interested paddlers can rent paddleboards for $45 for three hours; $75 for six hours; $100 for 24 hours; and $150 for three days. Paddleboard delivery is available for a $25 fee. Rentals of four or more paddleboards can be delivered for free. Trax Outdoor Center is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Canoe Alaska
Canoe Alaska is a full-service paddlesports rental shop located at 1101 Peger Road at the Pioneer Park dock. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals range from $55-65 per day, $80-$100 for 24 hours, weekend rentals range from $150-$200 and rentals for the full week range from $250-$300. Canoe Alaska also offers shuttle services for those wishing to begin floating from somewhere other than Pioneer Park. Canoe Alaska can be reached at 907-457-2453 or at canoealaska.com.
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FISH ON! ALASKA WATERWAYS HOME TO A VARIETY OF FISH fish and looks out onto the hatchery floor. It has exhibits about how the hatchery works and about fish stocking around the Interior.
Popular Interior Alaska fish
By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com
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he Interior is covered with rivers and lakes filled with fish, including salmon, trout, grayling and pike. These Interior freshwater species are good eating, can be fun to catch and seldom require much equipment to bring in. To catch grayling — the most common species in Interior Alaska — you don’t have to go far. They swim through Fairbanks on the Chena River, which is accessible in town and upstream in the Chena River State Recreation Area along Chena Hot Springs Road. Check Alaska’s fishing regulations before heading out. The Chena River is a catch-and-release fishery for grayling except for a new youth-only fishery on four summer weekends. However, several ponds and lakes are stocked with grayling, rainbow trout and other fish that anglers can take home for dinner. Complete fishing regulations can be found online at 1.usa. gov/1Dntb6s. Fishing licenses cost $25 per day for non-Alaska residents. Discounts are available for multi-day licenses. Fairbanks has numerous stores that sell fishing tackle and licenses. They can also be purchased online at adfg.alaska. gov/Store. A good place to learn about Interior fishing, and see where tens of thousands of fish are raised, is the visitor center at the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery, at 1150 Wilbur St. The visitor center has a large aquarium with Interior
Salmon: Salmon can be found on some Interior rivers as they make their way to their spawning grounds. Alaska is home to five species: king (also known Chinook), silver (coho), red (sockeye), pink (humpback or “humpy”), and chum (dog). All five species live their adult lives in the ocean and return to fresh water to spawn. By the time they’ve reached the Interior, they’ve already swum hundreds of miles upriver, a trip they make without eating and while their bodies begin to decay. They can be caught here, but salmon are fresher closer to the ocean. Arctic grayling: This trout relative usually grows to between 8 and 18 inches in the Interior but is known for its voracious appetite and a disproportionate fight for its size. Fly fishermen prize grayling for their willingness to respond to a dry fly. The fish is easily distinguished by the large fanlike dorsal fin along its back. Arctic char: These salmon-shaped fish can grow to more than 3 feet. They generally have light spots on a dark background, but their markings can range widely based on season and habitat. Northern pike: Pike are long, aggressive fish with a fearsome row of sharp teeth. Pike of about 20 pounds are common. The record northern pike is 38 pounds. They’re found in large Interior Alaska rivers such as the Tanana south of Fairbanks and in some lakes. They’re considered invasive in lakes south of the Alaska Range, where they’ve been illegally introduced. Burbot: Ugly but tasty, burbot are a blotchy-colored eel-like fish in the cod family. They average 3 to 5 pounds but can grow to more than 10 pounds. They’re not known for fighting particularly aggressively but are valued for their meat. www.newsminer.com
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Five area hiking trails from easy to grueling By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com
The Fairbanks area offers hiking opportunities from intown nature walks to long ambitious treks. Here is a sampling of popular hikes in order of length and difficulty.
Creamer’s Field trails
Located near downtown, the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a former dairy farm that’s the place to go to see sandhill cranes, geese, ducks and other birds during the migratory season in May and August. There are two short trails that showcase different habitats: the 1.6-mile Farm Road Trail and the 2-mile Boreal Forest Trail. There’s also a wheelchair loop. Along the trail are observation towers for getting a better view of the birds. Access: The trails start behind the old barn, behind the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office at 1300 College Road.
University of Alaska Fairbanks trails
An extensive network of cross-country ski and hiking trails leads down from the West Ridge area of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The wide trails are good for hiking or biking and include some moderate hills. The trails also feature one of the two disc golf courses in Fairbanks. The other is at Birch Hill on the east side of Fairbanks, which is also a good place to walk. In the summer, avoid trails marked “winter trail” such as the Estle Connecter. These are nice ski trails in the winter, but are extremely swampy in the summer. Access: The main access point is the ski hut at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ West Ridge. Another common access point is at Ballaine Lake on Farmers Loop near the intersection of Ballaine Road.
Angel Rocks
Rock outcropping visible from the road jut out of the
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ridgeline near 49 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. These are the Angel Rocks, the destination of probably the most popular day hikes in the Fairbanks area. The rocks are accessed by a 3.7 mile trail that follows the Chena River for about three-quarters of a mile before climbing steadily up. As with the other trails outside town, be prepared for bear encounters. More ambitious hikers can continue past the Angel Rocks on an 8.7 mile (oneway) trail that ends at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. This trail can be easy to lose, so bring a map or someone who knows the way. Access: The trailhead is about an hour from downtown Fairbanks on the right of Chena Hot Springs Road at 49.5 mile. Bring $5 for the day use parking free for Alaska State Parks.
Wickersham Dome
For a commanding view in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, climb up Wickersham Dome, a 6.5 mile round trip hike north of Fairbanks. The dome is named for James Wickersham, a founding father of Fairbanks who was the first federal judge here. The trail leads straight up out of the parking lot, quickly taking hikers into alpine country, before dropping into a saddle and steadily climbing again toward the top of the dome, which is topped by communication towers and rock outcroppings. The trail proper continues past the dome for about 20 miles to Beaver Creek, but several social trails lead left to broad summit area. Hikers with more time can continue on the trail. Another destination beyond the summit is the trail shelter 8 miles from the trailhead. Access: The trailhead is about an hour from downtown Fairbanks. Park at the Wickersham Dome trailhead on the right side of the Elliott Highway at 28 mile.
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Mount Prindle
The rocky ridgeline that leads to the summit of Mount Prindle dwarf those the Angel Rocks and Granite Tors. It’s an impressive sight but it takes wet feet and a bit of route finding to get there. Bring a map. There are social trails along the route, but no well-established trail or signage. It’s also a long day hike. The hike is about 19 miles round trip to and from the summit. Turning around at a false summit cuts out about two miles and a steep downhill and uphill. From the Mount Prindle campground, hikers immediately cross the icy cold Nome Creek twice before slowly making their way up the Nome Creek Valley. It’s a good idea to bring a pair of saddles or old running shoes for the first six miles or so along often-flooded social trails. Bring boots or sturdy trail runners for rock hopping along the ridgeline later in the hike. At the top of the valley, hikers gain the ridge and follow it over broad alpine passes, lichen covered boulders and past massive rock outcroppings. Look out for Dall sheep, they’re often spotted in this area. Access: Like the previous hike, Mount Prindle is in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, but this hike accesses the area from a different side. The trailhead is about 1 1/2 hours from Fairbanks. Turn left at U.S. Creek Road at 57.1 mile of the Steese Highway. At the “T” intersection, follow the signs right to the Mount Prindle campground. The route begins by crossing Nome Creek on the northeast side of the campground. For more information about these and other Interior trails, check out Kyle Joly’s guidebook “Outside in the Interior,” which features information on more than 50 hikes, bikes, skis and floats. www.newsminer.com
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Welcome, Alaska visitors Here’s what to know about legal cannabis in the Last Frontier By Erin McGroarty emcgroarty@newsminer.com
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laska was the third state after Washington and Colorado to legalize marijuana, and for those traveling to Alaska from any of the 40 remaining states where cannabis is still illegal, the concept of statecondoned cannabis consumption can be exciting. Here are some tips to ensure that your THC tourism can be as safe and enjoyable as possible:
Consumption and regulations Alaska law prohibits purchase, possession or consumption of cannabis by any person under the age of 21. But for those lucky 21 and over individuals, it’s still a good idea to know the state’s laws. Adults are allowed to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana at a time. Alaska state law prohibits the use of marijuana in any public place, which includes businesses, parks, sidewalks and
public accommodations. Most hotels and rentals prohibit marijuana use, so be sure to check beforehand. Alaska recently became the first state in the nation to legalize onsite consumption of legal marijuana. So, if you are visiting a cannabis retailer, be sure to ask if onsite consumption is allowed and what rules they have. Marijuana is still federally prohibited, meaning it remains illegal to consume cannabis on federal lands, including national parks and preserves like the everpopular Denali National Park, for example.
Travel If you are traveling by vehicle, adults are allowed to travel with up to 1 ounce of cannabis, but most states require cannabis to be in a sealed container and inaccessible to the driver. Marijuana paraphernalia such as pipes or bongs are allowed in the car, but the use of cannabis while operating a motor vehicle, including
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The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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OUT AND ABOUT boats and ATVs, is prohibited as is driving under the influence of cannabis. If traveling by air, it can get a little more complicated. Traveling between states with marijuana, even if below 1 ounce, is prohibited as the substance is still illegal under federal law. However, traveling within Alaska with a legal amount of cannabis has become somewhat allowable as federal law is primarily focused on prohibiting drug trafficking and underage use. But specific rules should still be followed. “Generally, whether travelers are Alaska residents or tourists, as long as they’re following Alaska state law and carrying under allowable limits, they should be OK,” said Fairbanks International Airport Police Chief Aaron Danielson. Danielson noted that specific airlines may balk at the idea of transporting marijuana, so it is a good idea for travelers to check with airlines ahead of time. “TSA may flag it if they find it because it is an illegal substance under federal law,” Danielson said. “But we do have state officers who come in and verify that no state laws are being broken, and then travelers are allowed to continue. From our perspective, we don’t really enforce federal laws in that nature.” However, due to possible Transportation Security Administration and law enforcement checks, if you are traveling within Alaska with marijuana, it is a good idea to get to the airport with plenty of time so as to avoid missing your flight if you’re held up at security while police verify the legality of your cannabis. In addition to following those rules, if you do decide to fly with a small amount of legal marijuana, be sure to travel with it in a sealed container so as to diminish any smell that may disturb other travelers. Marijuana is not allowed in any form on the ferry system or cruise ships, so that means no traveling with your stash between coastal communities.
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smell the product, but you are not allowed to touch it until after purchase. Retailers can also help you figure out what strain you might be interested in. Different strains provide different effects and highs depending on THC levels and whether the strain is a more calming indica or a more energizing sativa. Currently all shops operate on a cash-only basis so be sure to hit an ATM before going shopping. Some stores do have an ATM inside, however, so you might want to call and ask. Weedmaps is a recently developed app to help consumers find marijuana retailers in their area. A list of Fairbanks retailers can also be found at www.potguide. com/alaska/ If you or anyone you’re traveling with has additional questions, the best source of information is the experts themselves. Feel free to wander into a retail shop and ask one of the friendly workers about laws and regulations. Most shops also have helpful brochures outlining state laws and providing information on responsible consumption.
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Shopping Since legalization, marijuana retail shops have popped up in communities across the state, including at least a dozen in the Fairbanks area. These retailers can help you procure the best cannabis experience, from helping you find a strain that you like to giving you tips on consumption based on the type of high you are looking for. Remember to bring your ID, as retailers are required by law to check it prior to purchase. In most shops, cannabis and cannabis products such as edibles are stored behind the counter. A retail worker can help you choose which product you are interested in and will allow you to look at and
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Experience Alaska’s state sport: dog mushing By Julie Stricker jstricker@newsminer.com
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here may not be any snow on the ground, but visitors can still get a taste of Alaska’s state sport — dog mushing — under the midnight sun in Interior Alaska.
Mushing history The indigenous peoples of subarctic and Arctic Alaska have a relationship with dogs that goes back thousands of years. Dogs carried packs, pulled sleds, and served as hunting companions. When prospectors came to Alaska in search of gold, they discovered dogs were still ideal working companions. Mail was delivered by sled dog teams in Alaska and Yukon until the 1950s, and you can’t forget the epic delivery of diphtheria serum to Nome in 1926 that is part of the inspiration for the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Interior Alaska has its own epic distance sled dog race, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, which runs 1,000 miles every February between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon, on traditional mail trails along the Yukon River. The start and finish alternate between the two cities each year. The 2020 race starts in downtown Fairbanks and finishes in Whitehorse. The Alaska race headquarters is located in the log cabin at 550 First Ave., which contains a display of sleds and mushing memorabilia, race results and Yukon Quest merchandise and apparel. For more information, call 452-7954 or visit www.yukonquest.com If you are looking for more information about the Yukon Quest, the Fairbanks Community Museum, upstairs in Suite 215 of the Co-op Plaza on Second Avenue downtown, includes exhibits and displays about sled dog racing. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call 457-3669 or email info@fairbankshistorymuseum.com.
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ary Shields is a legend in the mushing community. She was the first woman to finish the Iditarod, running the race in 1974, its second year. (Lolly Medley also ran the race that year, but finished 29 minutes behind Shields. It took both women 28 days to cover the race trail.) Since then, Shields also has run the Yukon Quest and the 1,200-mile Hope race in the Russian Far East. But more than racing, Shields loves to share what it’s like to live a life full of adventures with sled dogs in her highly rated Alaskan Tails of the Trail. Shields, now 74, says the most frequently asked question is whether she was afraid to be outdoors in the wilderness alone. “I tell them, ‘I’m not by myself. I have these dogs with me,’” she said. She still has five big dogs at her home. These are larger dogs, more typically used to pull freight rather than sprint short distances or run long-distance competitive races like today’s Iditarod. “They’re pretty mellow dogs,” she said. “They pose pretty dramatically. One of them gives kisses all day. They’re working dogs, but they’re pets, too.” Shields, now 74, conducts one tour a day, starting at 10 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m. in the boreal forest near her home in Fairbanks. “I try to reflect why we love doing this so much,” she said. “The dogs, of course, love all the attention. I just want it to be a real personable experience, so they feel like they’re just a friend coming for a visit.” Reservations are required. To make a reservation or for more information, visit www.maryshields.com.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
OUT AND ABOUT
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Even in the summer, visitors can meet these canine athletes and their humans in person. Here are some that offer summer-time sled dog experiences. For more information on these and others, contact www. explorefairbanks.com.
Summer sled dog tours
• Leslie Goodwin of Paws for Adventure has been giving sled dog tours since 1998. Located off 5.5 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road, at the corner of Herning and George Herning weather. Call 907-750-2313 or text or visit, friskypupsbb. and George roads, Paws for Adventure offers summer rides com. at 7 p.m. daily, depending on the weather. The Tukaway • Black Spruce Dog Sledding conducts tours throughout Tour is a kennel tour and cart ride with Yukon Quest veteran black spruce forests and scenic areas north of Fairbanks. VisiChase Tingle. Other times may be reserved, depending on tors will be seated in a five-passenger buggy being pulled the weather. Call 907-699-3960 or email dogs@pawsforadby dogs. There’s also hands-on experience for the visitors venture.com for information. such as harnessing the dogs and helping give them water. • Just Short of Magic is located at 16.5 Mile Chena Hot The company will also be offering its Husky Hiking ExperiSprings Road. Owner Eleanor Wirts offers a 90-minute sumence where visitors take the dogs on a off-leash nature walk, mer educational tour. Guests get an opportunity to gain depending on the weather or trail conditions. Tours are hands-on experience with the dogs, accompanied by a offered by reservation from late May to October. Visit blackbroad range of sled dog information. Visitors will have a sprucedogsledding.com or call 907-371-3647. chance to meet the dogs, handle mushing equipment, prepare a sled dog’s meal and help feed them. Just Short of Magic does not offer rides during the heat of the Interior summer. Reservations are required. For more information, visit www.justshortofmagic.com and click on the summer link of the website. 377 HELMERICKS AVE. • Frisky Pups Bed and BreakFAIRBANKS, ALASKA fast and Sled Dog Tours is coowned by Iditarod mushers Bill and Sandy McKee. It is located FIND US ON FACEBOOK at 14.1 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road and offers a kennel tour and, depending on the weather, short rides. The dogs will be hooked up to a five-passenger side-by-side all-terrain vehicle to take visitors on a ride lasting up to 10 minutes. Bill McKee said rides will start at 9 a.m. and are determined by the F538550-1
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DRIVE INTO GOLD RUSH HISTORY ON THE STEESE HIGHWAY Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
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trip north up the Steese Highway from Fairbanks takes you through some of Alaska’s richest gold country as you make the 155-mile drive to Circle City, located on the Yukon River. In addition to traveling through historic gold rush communities, part of the Steese is near the trail of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog race, a 1,000-mile trek between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon. Heading north from Fairbanks, the highway starts by skirting the eastern edge of Fairbanks, making a right at the intersection with the Elliott Highway. The first notable stop comes in Fox, 10 miles north of Fairbanks. Fox began as a mining camp in 1905, but has since become a destination for restaurants and nightlife for those willing to make the short drive. The Turtle Club restaurant is well known for its heaping plates of prime rib and seafood. Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Co. is the northernmost brewery in the United States.
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The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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From May to October, the Howling Dog Saloon features live music in a colorful atmosphere. That’s not all there is at the Howling Dog. There’s a sand volleyball court and horseshoes. There’s a café serving cheesesteaks, burgers and daily specials. If you need a place to stay after a night at the saloon, cabins are available. Road trip supplies and gas are available at the Fox General Store. From Fox, the Steese takes a sharp turn to the east, running through tailing piles and equipment from giant dredges that worked the valley in the mid-1900s. At 16 Mile, visitors can stop at the Felix Pedro Monument, the site where the Italian miner discovered gold in 1902, starting the stampede to Fairbanks. A public gold panning area is located just across the highway from the monument. Gold mining is still alive and well in the area; please respect private property. The Steese also offers road access to the White Mountains National Recreation Area, where you can pan for gold at Nome Creek at 57 Mile. You also can hike, fish and camp in the White Mountains. Much of the area was burned by a wildfire in 2004. Hillsides are strewn with charred trees but become filled with color when the fireweed blooms in mid-July. After descending from Cleary Summit, the Steese Highway winds through the scenic Chatanika River Valley. The town of Chatanika, created by mining activity, was once 10,000 people strong. Chatanika Gold Camp is the site of the old Fairbanks Exploration Co. Camp, built between 1923 and 1925 as the bunkhouse and dining hall for men who worked on Chatanika’s Gold Dredge No. 3. The camp is on the National Register of Historic Places. At 28.5 Mile is a rustic lodge, across the road from what is left of Gold Dredge No. 3, which burned in 2013. The Chatanika Lodge was established in the 1930s as a trading post. The lodge’s Alaska decor showcases its hearty fare, with a full kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and din-
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ner. At 30 Mile is Poker Flat Research Range, the only high latitude rocket range in the United States. It is owned by the University of Alaska. Poker Flat offers walking tours throughout the summer. Visit www.gi.alaska.edu/facilities/pokerflat for information. Then stop at Long Creek Trading Post at 45 Mile for an espresso or ice cream. A 2.5-mile loop offers access to the Davidson Ditch. The ditch is an 83-mile series of ditches, siphons and pipes once used to carry water from a small dam on the Chatanika River. It was one of the largest engineering projects in the world when it was built in 1925. The road then climbs well above the tree line at TwelveMile and Eagle summits, two popular places to watch the sun skirt the northern horizon on the summer solstice. After coasting down Eagle Summit to the small community of Central, about 128 miles north of Fairbanks, travelers enter the Circle Mining District. Central has a post office,
general store and museum featuring the history of the Gold Rush and early 1900s. Turning right at Central points you in the direction of Circle Hot Springs. The historic springs and associated resort, about 8 miles down the road, have been closed for years, but you can still check out the small ghost town. From Central, Circle City, the road narrows and winds 34 miles to the banks of the Yukon River. The river is 2 miles wide at Circle. Circle, founded in 1893, was the largest city on the Yukon until gold was discovered in Dawson City, Yukon, in 1898. It served as the hub community for mines in the Circle Mining District. At its peak, more than 1,000 people lived in Circle, which was named in the belief that it was located on the Arctic Circle, which actually is about 40 miles to the north. Today, the town has only a handful of residents. Gasoline and groceries are available.
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Aurora borealis brings wonder to northern nights
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he aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are a splendid sight, with their green, red and purple hues. The lights can be seen in Fairbanks and Interior Alaska for about eight months a year, from midAugust to mid-April. Here are some answers to some common questions about the northern lights.
Q: What is the aurora?
A: The glow in the sky, known as the aurora borealis, is the result of energetic particles entering the upper atmosphere. The specific glow is different from other forms of brightness in the sky, such as scattered sunlight or lightning. Magnetism within the Earth’s atmosphere guide the energetic particles, most often electrons, along field lines to the high-latitude atmosphere. As the energetic particles penetrate the upper atmosphere, the chance of colliding with an atom or molecule increases the deeper they go. When a collision occurs, the atom or molecule takes some of the energy of the energetic particle and stores it as internal energy while
the electron continues on its path at a reduced speed. The release of that stored energy by an atom or molecule, achieved by sending off a photon, produces light.
Q: What makes the color in the aurora?
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A: The composition and density of the atmosphere and the altitude of the aurora determine the possible light emissions. The atmosphere is made up of varying levels of oxygen and nitrogen. Sometimes the photons emitted by the energetic electrons, creating aurora energy, are strong enough to split the molecules of the air around them into oxygen and nitrogen molecules and atoms. This process gives them the signature colors of nitrogen and oxygen storms. Oxygen atoms typically emit green and red colors. The overall impression is a greenish-whitish glow. An intense aurora can get a purple edge at the bottom, which is a mixture of blue and red emissions from nitrogen molecules.
Q: What is the altitude of the aurora?
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A: The bottom edge is typically at 60 miles altitude, but it extends over a large altitude range. An intense aurora from high-energy electrons can be as low as 50 miles.
Q: How often does the aurora appear?
A: There is always some aurora at some place on Earth. You just can’t always see it. When the solar wind is calm, the aurora might be too high and faint to see. To see the aurora, the sky must be dark and clear, which is why it’s not visible in the Interior until August. If you are here then, hope for clear skies and head outside for a look.
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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enjoy the sights along the Parks highway
By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com
I
t takes a little more than two hours to drive the 123 miles to Denali National Park and Preserve from Fairbanks. If you take your time, you might discover some treasures along the way. Right outside Fairbanks is the little town of Ester. This former mining community, sometimes referred to as “The Republic of Ester,” is a reminder of days gone by. Now it is home to artists, teachers and lots of folks who don’t want to be lumped in with Fairbanks. The center of town? The Golden Eagle Saloon, popular with both visitors and locals. The Ester Community Association now sponsors the Ester Community Market every Thursday. Here, artists, farmers, musicians and other vendors sell their wares. The market opens in June and runs through September from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in Ester Community Park. Continuing south, the Tanana Hills can be treacherous driving during winter months. But in the summer, the road winds through scenic views on both sides of the road. Vast views of the Tanana Valley and Alaska Range are visible at every turn. On a clear day, you can see Mount Denali in the distance, towering over all the other mountains. The next “big” community you’ll run into is Nenana. 7th Annual
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The entrance to the community is grand: A towering silver bridge ushers drivers over the confluence of the Tanana and Nenana Rivers. Nenana is home of the Nenana Ice Classic, a lottery that lets people guess the exact moment a black-and-white tripod will fall when the ice goes out on the Tanana River at the end of winter. It began in 1917 when bored railroad workers tried to guess when the ice would break free and float downstream. Many an Alaska resident has spent hours poring over statistics of ice thickness, hoping to get lucky with every ticket. This also is an important staging area for barges that supply communities along the Tanana and Yukon rivers. The barges deliver fuel and other important supplies to these remote villages. It was in Nenana that President Warren Harding drove the golden spike on the Alaska Railroad in 1923. A monument depicting that spike is on display at the depot museum. That presidential rail car is now at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. The Alfred Starr Nenana Cultural Center includes a small museum and Native crafts shop. Some local artists sell their wares here. The oldest building in town is a charming 1905 log cabin church on Front Street. Continue driving south and you’ll have the opportunity to turn right, into the small community of Anderson. It is 6 miles off the highway, so it doesn’t get a lot of visitors. Three homesteaders settled here in the late 1950s. In 1959, the town’s namesake, Art Anderson, divided his 80-acre homestead into quarter-acre lots and sold most of them to civilian workers at the adjacent Clear Air Force Station, a radar site for detecting incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles. You’ll see Clear Air Force Station while on your way to Anderson, but it’s not a site for casual or spur-of-themoment visitors. This is a military installation that houses both Alaska Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force personnel. An elementary school was built, and the city was incorporated in 1962. When you get back on the Parks Highway, be sure and stop at the Clear Sky Lodge for the best prime rib sandwich in the area and some conversation with longtime local residents. Then, drive on. Soon, you’ll be in Healy, the gateway community to Denali National Park. www.newsminer.com
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Dalton, Elliott highways offer rugged, remote trips
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isitors to Alaska often like to get off the beaten path, and there are few roads that provide that opportunity better than the Dalton and Elliott highways. The Dalton Highway, which was built to support the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, is the farthest-north road in North America. Commonly called the “haul road,” it takes motorists past the Arctic Circle and farther north, almost to the Arctic Ocean. The Elliott Highway, which intersects the Dalton en route to Manley Hot Springs, is a good option for travelers interested in remote adventure and hot springs. They’re both long, remote, partly unpaved roads, so planning ahead is important. Fill up on gas at the few stations along the 498 highway miles between Fairbanks and Deadhorse. Bring one or more spare tires. Watch out for big trucks.
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A good resource on this and other Alaska road trips is “The Milepost,” a mile-by-mile guide to Alaska’s highways updated every year and available at most Alaska convenience stores and grocery stores. If driving a rental car, check with the company before heading out. Many require customers sign agreements not to drive on gravel roads.
Elliott Highway The Elliott Highway moves through rolling hills covered in birch trees as it begins in the community of Fox, where the highway splits from the Steese Highway. The last stop for gas for 100 miles is the Hilltop Truck Stop, a diner known for its pies and appearances on the reality show “Ice Road Truckers.” At 84 Mile, the northbound Dalton Highway begins as the Elliott jogs west to the community of Manley Hot Springs. A junction at 109 Mile Elliott Highway leads south to the Athabascan village of Minto. The small community of Manley Hot Springs offers a rustic and low-key experience for visitors. Four tubs are located in a greenhouse, and visitors can take a soak in the hot springs for a small fee surrounded by foliage such as grapes and flowers. Use of the greenhouse is restricted to one party at a time, so visitors are asked to call 907-6723213 in advance. The Manley Lodge (formerly Roadhouse), established in 1903, provides a cozy launching point for an Alaska adventure. The inn offers meals and lodging “with a pioneer flare.” For information, call 907-672-3161.
Dalton Highway The Dalton Highway crosses the Yukon River and climbs the continent’s northernmost mountain range, the Brooks Range, before ending at a security fence just short of the Arctic Ocean. There are few populated places along the way. Here are a few landmarks: • Yukon River Bridge: 56 Mile (from Elliott Highway junction). The only vehicle crossing in Alaska across the state’s largest river. Fuel, food and lodging are available at Yukon River Camp in the summer. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - ANWR
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camp. Amenities include gas, food, lodging and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (open only in the summer), the visitor center for Arctic federal lands, including Gates of the Arctic National Park. • Wiseman: 189 Mile. Turnoff for Wiseman, a historic mining community three miles off the highway. • Atigun Pass: 244 Mile. At 4,800 feet, this Brooks Range pass is the highest highway pass in Alaska. • Deadhorse: 414 Mile. There is fuel and lodging at the community of Prudhoe Bay oilfield workers. Security fences block access to the Arctic Ocean, but Deadhorse Camp, which offers lodging for both oilfield workers and visitors, offers shuttles to the ocean. Shuttles leave twice per day in the summer and cost $69 per person. Lodging reservations can be made at 877-474-3565, with the shuttle available through www.deadhorsecamp.com. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks has specific information on the Dalton Highway and receives road condition updates from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
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• Arctic Circle sign: 115 Mile. The sun does not rise on the winter solstice nor set on the summer solstice north of the Arctic Circle. • Coldfoot: 175 Mile. A former pipeline construction
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Taylor Highway: 160 miles of history No. 4 and view the many historic associated relics. Feel like being a miner? There’s a few options for trying that out, too. Chicken’s small wintertime population swells to about 800-1,000 during Chickenstock, a bluegrass and folk music festival that draws fans from as far away as Europe. The annual Chickenstock Music Festival takes place June 14-16, and a ticket buys you a camping spot. Information about the festival is available at www.chickenstockmusicfest.com/ The Chicken Creek Outpost houses a cafe, saloon, espresso bar and gift store that offers gasoline and seating for 70. Cabin and room rentals are available, Kayak rentals are also available. The Chicken Gold Camp and Outpost opens in midMay and closes in September, weather permitting.
Eagle Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com
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he 160-mile Taylor highway offers a stunningly scenic drive through some of Alaska’s most historic mining regions. The highway is open April through October and travels from its starting point at Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway to its terminus at historic Eagle. The road frequently climbs above treeline and offers expansive views of Alaska and east to Canada’s Yukon. The route, which follows old mining trails established as far back as the 1880s, provides access to scenic waysides and campgrounds, the historic Fortymile Mining District and the Top of the World Highway. The Taylor has several steep grades, and services are few and far between, so travelers are advised to fill up their fuel tanks and bring adequate supplies. The highway is closed to vehicle traffic between October and April. Parts of the highway are narrow and winding with steep drops. The maximum speed on some stretches is 30 mph. Travelers should use caution.
Chicken The Chicken Gold Camp and Outpost is a one-stop shop where travelers can camp, stock up on supplies, eat a good meal, drink a beer, buy authentic Alaska-made gifts and even get in some recreational mining. Owners Mike and Lou Busby also own Lost Chicken Hill, which is the oldest continuously mined placer mine in the state. Visitors can take a guided tour of Felix Pedro Dredge
Eagle was first incorporated in 1901, making it the first Interior Alaska community to do so. This small community at the end of the unpaved Taylor Highway (closed in the winter) overlooks the vast Yukon River and was an important community during the gold rush. An Army garrison, Fort Egbert, was completed in 1900, but was abandoned about a decade later. Eagle also served as the headquarters for the Third Judicial District and the courthouse and many of Judge James Wickersham’s papers are preserved. Visitors can take a guided tour of historic Fort Egbert and other buildings and museums in the town. Eagle is also home to the headquarters for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve and is a popular jumping off spot for river trips. Eagle offers several accommodation options, including the Riverside Hotel, built after a devastating spring flood wiped out the town’s riverfront in 2009. The building also houses the Eagle Trading Co. grocery store and a cafe. For more information, visit www.riversidehoteleaglealaska. com. Gasoline, diesel fuel, propane and a coin-operated laundry facility are located across the street. Hunting licenses and an ATM are also available. Nearby, the Falcon Inn B&B Lodge, a classic scribed log home, a has a variety of room options and sweeping views of Eagle Bluff, the Yukon and Canada’s Ogilvie Mountains. Visit falconinnlodgelogcabins.com or call 907-547-2254. For those who prefer to get back to nature, the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Campground has 18 campsites. A fee is required. BLM also operates the West Fork campground at mile 49 of the Taylor, and the Walter Fork campground at mile 82.
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Adventure awaits along richardson, Alaska highways
T
he Alaska Highway serves as the gateway to the North. The world-famous highway traverses more than 1,000 miles through Canada before reaching its terminus in Interior Alaska. Built during World War II by the military as a means of getting supplies to the strategic northern territory, the long highway was also meant to help connect the previously unconnected airfields used under the Lend-Lease Agreement to send planes and supplies over the Bering Strait into Russia to support the Eastern Front. Though the highway stretches more than 1,300 miles today, fewer than 200 of those miles run through the state for which the highway is named. The highway ends in Delta Junction, where it converges with the Richardson Highway, 198 miles from the Alaska-Canada border. The Richardson Highway winds north from Valdez, the port city on Prince William Sound where tankers dock to load oil from the trans-Alaska pipeline. The highway and the pipeline meander north from Valdez, often running alongside each other. The Richardson meets up with the Alaska Highway at Delta Junction and branches off to the northwest, toward Fairbanks, as does the pipeline. While the Richardson Highway ends in Fairbanks, the pipeline continues to the North Slope.
Delta Junction Delta Junction stands at the junction of the Alaska and Richardson highways. It is bordered by the Tanana and Delta rivers. Delta Junction’s museums, roadhouses and festivals inform visitors of the town and the region’s rich agricultural history. • The Deltana Fair runs from July 26-28. It includes games, music, food and contests. The Deltana Fairgrounds are located on Nistler Road in Delta Junction. More information on the fair can be found by calling 907-895-3247. • Big Delta State Historical Park is another main attraction near Delta, featuring Rika’s Roadhouse, which is operated by a private concessionaire. The park shares the history of the former owner, Rika Wallen, whose roadhouse played a significant role in Interior Alaska’s past. Rika’s Roadhouse rests on the banks of the Tanana River, where a trail once ran from Valdez in the south to the gold claims of Fairbanks in the north. Rika’s provided the trail’s travelers with a place to rest and recuperate from their journey before continuing. The Roadhouse is not always open, but
the Alaska State Parks Department operates the historic park site.
Donnelly Dome Donnelly Dome rises high above the surrounding landscape just south of Delta Junction. The dome rises nearly 4,000 feet in a wide valley 15 miles south of Delta Junction, surrounded on two sides by towering peaks of the Alaska Range. The dome lies along a fault line that runs along the northern edge of the Alaska Range, which contributes to its expansive rise.
Black Rapids The Lodge at Black Rapids sits across the Richardson Highway from its namesake. When the ice along the river breaks up in the spring, Black Rapids on the Delta River flow alongside the highway below the roadhouse. The rapids are so named because of the tremendous amount of glacial silt that flows down from the Alaska Range, darkening the water in the shallow riverbed. The lodge can be seen along a ridge parallel to the highway. Views from the Richardson Highway, especially at the Black Rapids Roadhouse, include the river valley to the Black Rapids Glacier in the mountains to the west, and to the east, the looming peaks of the range that form the back of the lodge’s ridge. More information can be found by calling 877-825-9413 or going on line to lodgeatblackrapids.com.
Alaska Range and south Continuing south on the Richardson Highway, the road climbs above treeline as it crosses Isabel Pass at 3,210 feet elevation. As it descends to the south through the Copper
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River Valley, it skirts 12-mile-long Paxson Lake. Keep an eye out for caribou, which are frequently seen in the area. Glennallen sits at the intersection of the Glenn and Richardson Highways. The small community includes lodging and restaurants and stunning views of four different
mountain ranges. The highest mountains to the east are the volcanic Mount Sanford (16,237 feet), Mount Drum (12,010 feet) and Mount Wrangell (14,163 feet). Visit the headquarters of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, 106.8 Richardson Highway, in Copper Center, for information on visiting historic Kennicott and other sites in this little-visited and remote park. Continuing south, the Richardson climbs through the Chugach Mountains before ending in scenic Valdez.
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Tok is the first town visitors drive through after crossing the border with Canada. Tok provides accommodations for RVs and campers. The Tok visitor center provides a range of information on the region’s history and geography. Tok serves as the hub for the other villages in the eastern part of Alaska’s Interior, such as Dot Lake, Northway, Tetlin, Tanacross and Mentasta. It was built to serve as a roadwork camp during the construction of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s. Tok is surrounded by three Alaska State Parks. Eagle Trail State Recreation Site is 16 miles south of town at 109.5 Mile Tok Cutoff Highway. Eagle Trail offers hiking trails, many of which were part of the old Eagle-Valdez Trail. Moon Lake State Recreation Site is northwest of Tok near 1,332 Mile Alaska Highway. The park is a popular boating destination. Tok River State Recreation Site is 4.5 miles east of Tok near 1,309 Mile Alaska Highway and is a stopping point for visitors entering the state from Canada. The biggest celebration in Tok is its Fourth of July parade, which typically begins at 11 a.m. at Fast Eddy’s restaurant, another popular stopping point for hungry travelers.
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Cast off for big-time fishing in Valdez
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t’s a long drive from Fairbanks to Valdez, but it’s worth it for the scenery along the way and the marine fishing once you get there. When Fairbanksans want salty air and ocean fishing, they often drive the entire 366-mile Richardson Highway to reach the Prince William Sound port town of Valdez. Prince William Sound and the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska hold some of Alaska’s tastiest and most iconic fish species. Halibut are white, buttery-tasting flatfish that can grow to more than 350 pounds in Gulf of Alaska waters near Valdez. The area is also home to five species of Pacific salmon. The king salmon, also known as chinook salmon, can grow to more than 90 pounds. Anglers can catch salmon from shore but need boats to reach halibut habitat. Full-day halibut charters in Valdez take fishermen out to the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska and usually cost $355 to $400 per person, according to charter booking business Fish Central. Other marine species such as lingcod and yellow-eye rockfish can be caught from Valdez-based boats. Salmon charter trips usually cost about $250 for a full day. Another option is a self-guided fishing trip. Groups of up to six people can rent a covered 20-foot boat for a day for $550. Valdez hosts a series of fish derbies in the summer. They include contests for halibut and silver salmon, which are also known as coho salmon. The derbies include special classes for female fishermen and children. Buy a derby ticket before going fishing for a chance to
win cash prizes of up to $10,000 for catching the biggest fish. Last year a Clovis, California, woman won the halibut derby with a 285.8-pound fish. A Valdez man won the silver salmon derby with a 17.28 pounder.
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Index of advertisers 49th State Brewing Co.......................................................................53
Great Alaskan Bowl Company* ...................................................30, 47
Alaska Cannabist Magazine ..........................................................65
Great Harvest Bread* .........................................................................26, 30
Alaska Raw Fur Co. ..............................................................................70
Greenlife Supply (Cannabis)* .......................................................30, 57
Alaskan Blooms (Cannabis)* .........................................................30, 64
Hotel North Pole ..................................................................................14
Alaskan Tails of the Trail ....................................................................66
Howling Dog Saloon .........................................................................68
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop ................................................................29
International Hotel & Bar AKA The Big I .................................42
Bag Ladies of Fairbanks ....................................................................2
Just Haircuts* .........................................................................................30, 69
Beads N Things ......................................................................................8
Kennicott Glacier Lodge...................................................................76
Beaver Sports .........................................................................................62
LA Nails ......................................................................................................42
Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn .................................................80
Lemongrass Thai Cuisine ................................................................40
Black Diamond Resort ......................................................................54
Morris Thompson Cultural Center ............................................6
Black Spruce Brewery* .....................................................................30, 41
Nenana Gospel Music Fest ............................................................71
Blue Door Antiques ............................................................................50
Northern Alaska Tour Co. ................................................................72
Bobby’s Downtown Greek Cuisine ...........................................43
Parks Highway Service & Towing ...............................................52
Chena Cannabis ...................................................................................17
Pioneer Air Museum/IAAAF ..........................................................2
Chena Hot Springs Resort...............................................................79
Pioneer Park Museum ......................................................................2
Clearwater Lodge.................................................................................75
Pioneer Park ............................................................................................34
Cold Spot Feeds* .................................................................................30, 67
Princess/Westmark Hotel ...............................................................55
Cookie Jar Restaurant, The .............................................................25
Red Couch Breakfast, Deli & Bakery ..........................................19
Craft Market ............................................................................................13
Riverboat Discovery* .........................................................................22, 30
Denali Raft Adventures ....................................................................53
Riverview RV Park ................................................................................16
Department of Transportation “Know Before You Go” .73
Santa Claus House ..............................................................................15
Eagle’s Rest RV Park .............................................................................80
Santa’s Smokehouse ..........................................................................44
Ebony & Ivory Convenience Store .............................................10
Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottle Co. ..............................................69
Explore Fairbanks .................................................................................9
Souvlaki Mediterranean & American Food ..........................2
Expressions in Glass ...........................................................................18
Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruise..................................80
Fairbanks Coop Market & Deli ......................................................29
Stella’s Superstore ................................................................................32
Fairbanks Community Museum .................................................10
Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market .....................................................28
Fairbanks Distilling Co.* ...................................................................8, 30
Tanana Valley State Fair ....................................................................46
Fairbanks Public Libraries ...............................................................45
Totem Hotel & Suites..........................................................................77
Food Factory ...........................................................................................49
Turtle Club, The .....................................................................................68
Forget-Me-Not Books .......................................................................12
Two Street Gallery* .............................................................................5, 30
Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad ......................................36
University Museum of the North ...............................................39
Frontier Outfitters ................................................................................52
Ursa Major Distilling ...........................................................................59
Fudge Pot, The .......................................................................................32
Vallata, The ...............................................................................................25
GCR Tires & Service .............................................................................73
Waldo Arms Hotel ...............................................................................72
Gold Dredge 8* .....................................................................................23, 30
Worship Directory ...............................................................................27
Good Titrations (Cannabis) ............................................................51
Youth Sports Bingo ............................................................................43
* Businesses are listed on the Fairbanks map, pages 30-31
The Guide to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska 2019
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