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Denali National Park and Preserve

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Nikolai, Telida, Lake Minchumina, and Cantwell residents are authorized to hunt inside the park because large portions of these communities historically hunted in the area for subsistence purposes[1].


There are several non-native species in the park including common dandelion, narrowleaf hawksbeard, white sweet clover, bird vetch, yellow toadflax, and scentless false mayweed[2][3]. There are 28 invasive species documented in the park and 15 of these species are considered a threat[2]. Volunteers and park rangers work to keep non-native plant populations low[2].

Glaciers

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Measurements indicate that glaciers in the park are losing about 6.6ft (2m) of vertical water equivalency each year[4].

This an image of Hidden Creek Glacier. The top image is from 1916 and the bottom image is from 2004. There is noticeable glacier melt.

Permafrost

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Permanently frozen ground is known as permafrost. The permafrost is discontinuous in Denali due to differences in vegetation, temperatures, snow cover and hydrology[5]. The active layer freezing and thawing seasonally can be from 1 inch (25 mm) to 10 feet (3.0 m) thick. The permafrost layer is located at between 30 and 100 feet (9.1 and 30.5 m) below the active layer. A stand of oddly leaning white spruce growing on a lower slope of Denali is called the Drunken Forest. The trees lean due to the soil sliding as a result of permafrost freeze/thaw cycles. Permafrost impacts the ecosystem in the park by influencing hydrology, patterns of vegetation, and wildlife[6].

During the very cold Pleistocene climates, all of Denali was solidly frozen[7]. The northern areas of the range are still frozen due to continued cold temperatures. About 75% of Denali had near-surface permafrost, or an active permafrost layer, in the 1950s[8]. In the 2000s, around 50% of Denali had near-surface permafrost. It is suspected that by the 2050s, only about 6% of surface permafrost will remain. Because of climate change, most of the shallow permafrost is thawing. It is estimated that with an addition 1-2 degree warming, most of Denali's permafrost will thaw[9]. Permafrost thaw causes landslides as the ice rich soil transforms into mud slurry[10]. Landslides have previously impacted accessibility in Denali by obstructing the roads in the park[11]. Permafrost thaw releases addition carbon into the atmosphere[12].

Pretty Rock Landslide Time-lapse from July 21 to August 25, 2021, in which the road was displaced 6.5 meters

Rules and Regulations

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General

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Picnic near Denali National Park and Preserve in June, 2013.

There are no restrictions on walking, hiking, or picnicking.[13] Group sizes must consist of 12 or less individuals including guides in backcountry units 1-21, 23-47, 61-64, 70-79, 81, 86, 87 on the east side of the park and 6 or less individuals in backcountry units 22, 48, 65-69, 80, 82-85 on the west side of the park.[13] Possession or use of marijuana and other controlled substances are prohibited within all national parks, preserves, rivers, and monuments.[14]

E-bikes are permitted in the park on trails open to traditional bicycles, park roads, and parking areas.[13] Where traditional bicycles are prohibited, e-bikes are also prohibited with the exception of where public motor vehicles are allowed.[13]

Camping

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Camping is allowed in designated park areas for a time of up to 14 consecutive days.[15] Visitors can also choose to camp in designated backcountry units for up to 30 days with a limit of 7 days in a unit per trip between April 15 and September 30.[13] Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds are where fires can be lit and maintained.[13] If any rocks are moved to create fire-pits, following the extinguishment of the fire, they must be returned to their original locations, and all trash, including burned food, glass, and cans, must be properly disposed of.[13]

Mountain climbing in Denali National Park and Preserve.

Mountain Climbing

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Those who wish to mountain climb on Denali and Mt. Foraker must obtain a climbing permit at least 60 days prior to the start of the climb.[13] In addition to obtaining a permit, solo climbers must also submit a Supplemental Solo Form.[13] Climbers must check in before and after their climb at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station with their expedition group and attend a mandatory safety orientation and learn about resource protection prior to climbing.[13]

Gathering and Collecting

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Visitors are allowed to collect unendangered natural foods including fruits and berries, uninhabited seashells, surface rocks and minerals, and dead wood as campfire fuel.[15] Visitors may not collect silver, gemstones, or fossils. All gathering and collecting must be done by hand and cannot use shovels, pickaxes, or anything that will disturb the ground surface.[15]

Hunting and Fishing

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Sport hunting is permitted within Denali National Preserve but prohibited within all areas of Denali National Park.[16] Some local rural residents over the age of 18 with a valid Alaska State hunting license are permitted to subsistence hunt on lands added by the Alaskan National Interest Conservation Act.[16] Visitors may fish in all park areas in accordance with applicable State and Federal law.[15]

References

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https://www.nps.gov/articles/aps-v6-i1-c2.htm

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/thawing-permafrost-forces-denali-national-park-to-reimagine-its-future

  1. ^ "Historic and Contemporary Ethnographic Landscapes of Denali National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  2. ^ a b c Park, Mailing Address: PO Box 9 Denali; voicemail, AK 99755 Phone: 907 683-9532 A. ranger is available 9 am—4 pm daily If you get to the; Message, Please Leave a; Us, we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller Contact. "Non-Native Species - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Ma, Peter; Kumar, Sunil; Rocca, Monique; Morisette, Jeffrey T.; Jarnevich, Catherine S.; Benson, Nate (2010-02). "Ensemble Habitat Mapping of Invasive Plant Species". Risk Analysis. 30 (2): 224–235. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01343.x. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Melting Denali: Effects of Climate Change on Glaciers (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  5. ^ "Permafrost Landscapes (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  6. ^ "Melting Denali: Effects of Climate Change on Glaciers (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  7. ^ Park, Mailing Address: PO Box 9 Denali; voicemail, AK 99755 Phone: 907 683-9532 A. ranger is available 9 am—4 pm daily If you get to the; Message, Please Leave a; Us, we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller Contact. "Thinning Glaciers - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Thawing permafrost prompts Denali National Park to reimagine its future". Environment. 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  9. ^ "Melting Denali: Effects of Climate Change on Glaciers (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  10. ^ "Permafrost Landscapes (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  11. ^ Patton, A. I.; Rathburn, S. L.; Capps, D. M.; McGrath, D.; Brown, R. A. (2021-08-28). "Ongoing Landslide Deformation in Thawing Permafrost". Geophysical Research Letters. 48 (16). doi:10.1029/2021GL092959. ISSN 0094-8276.
  12. ^ Tarnocai, C.; Canadell, J. G.; Schuur, E. A. G.; Kuhry, P.; Mazhitova, G.; Zimov, S. (2009-06). "Soil organic carbon pools in the northern circumpolar permafrost region". Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 23 (2): n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2008gb003327. ISSN 0886-6236. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Denali National Park and Preserve Compendium" (PDF). National Park Service. 3/15/2022. Retrieved 4/20/2022. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Park, Mailing Address: PO Box 9 Denali; voicemail, AK 99755 Phone: 907 683-9532 A. ranger is available 9 am—4 pm daily If you get to the; Message, Please Leave a; Us, we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller Contact. "Laws & Policies - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ a b c d "Part 13 - National Park System Units in Alaska". Code of Federal Regulations. 4/18/2022. Retrieved 4/20/2022. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ a b Park, Mailing Address: PO Box 9 Denali; voicemail, AK 99755 Phone: 907 683-9532 A. ranger is available 9 am—4 pm daily If you get to the; Message, Please Leave a; Us, we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller Contact. "Hunting Information - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)