One 'Jewel' stands tall

March 29, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

Alaska visitors and residents alike have many recreation opportunities during the spring and summer - and perhaps none are better than those presented by the Alaska State Parks system.

There are numerous state parks within a 200-mile radius of the core area, but three stand out, and have been recognized as "Jewels of the Alaska State Parks."

Denali State Park is north of the Valley on the Parks Highway. Mount McKinley is huge - and so is Denali State Park, covering 325,240 acres, which is roughly half the size of Rhode Island. The western boundary of Denali State Park butts up against Denali National Park and Preserve, its much-bigger neighbor.

The state park is tucked between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, and the terrain located with the park is diverse. From low-lying areas filled with streams to alpine tundra, the park presents a wealth of recreational opportunities to visitors.

For photographers, the park provides ample opportunity to capture a truly "Alaskan" scene on film. A host of wildlife call the state park home, from brown and black bears to smaller animals like muskrat and beavers. More than 130 species of birds can be found in the state park alone, making it a birder's paradise.

While in Denali State Park, there are several options for campers. Lower Troublesome Creek Trailhead, at Mile 137.5 Parks Hwy., has 20 camping sites, as well as a range of other services. The largest campground is at Byers Lake Campground, with a total of 74 sites. Like Lower Troublesome Creek, there are toilets and drinking water available. Byers Lake Lakeshore Campground has six sites, but there is no road access. The final camping sites are located at Denali Viewpoint North Campground, which has 23 camping units available. It is located at Mile 162.7 Parks Hwy.

Hikers have a choice of where to go in the park. Popular hiking routes include Troublesome Creek (15.2 miles), Kesugi Ridge Trail (36 miles), Byers Lake Loop Trail (4.8 miles) and Chulitna Confluence Trail (1.2 miles).

Hikes vary from difficult to easy, so it's important to know what you are getting into before you head out.

The second "Jewel of the Alaska State Parks System" is Independence Mine State Historical Park, located in Hatcher Pass. Robert Lee Hatcher found gold in the Willow Creek Valley in 1906, and the rush was on - but it was a hard living to be made.

Lode mining was expensive, and required elaborate tunnels and heavy equipment, and much of that is on display in the state park.

Independence Mine State Historical Park has a visitors' center, which usually opens in June, and guided tours are available throughout the summer. There are day-use parking lots available.

If history isn't your thing, but getting out in the canoe is, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is a great alternative.

There are more than 130 lakes and ponds in the system, with plenty of connecting trails and canoe portages. Twelve public-use cabins are located within the area, which is used heavily yearround.

The park is located near Mile 67 Parks Hwy., and can be accessed by turning left (when traveling north) onto Nancy Lake Parkway. That road winds for 6.5 miles to South Rolly Lake Campground.

Like Denali State Park, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is chock full of wildlife and photographic opportunities.

There is also ample opportunity to wet a line and catch some trout, landlocked salmon and northern pike, in selected lakes.

Maps of the area are available at all Alaska State Parks offices, as well as online at www.alaskastateparks.org.