 |
| 2011 Trail Crew |
2011 was a productive season! With the hard work of 32 employees, 8 SCA crews and multiple volunteer individuals and groups, many goals were accomplished. Among the many trails projects, a few season highlights included:
The grand opening of the Triple Lakes Trail! As of 14 September 2011, the Triple Lakes Trail is officially open. After 6 years of construction, complete with zip-lining, gravel hauling, bench-cutting, structure building, helicopter ops, cross-cut use, and the energies of hundreds of trail builders, the trail is ready for hikers to travel from McKinley Village to Denali Visitor Center while taking in the Triple Lakes themselves, autumn blueberries, and ridge-top vistas.
 |
| SCA volunteers stump pulling on Triple Lakes Trail |
 |
| Building Riley Creek Bridge |
 |
| Bound Log Crib Triple Lakes Trail |
 |
| Work on Triple Lakes Trail |
 |
| Bench Lake Construction Triple Lakes Trail |
 |
| Triple Lakes Trail Dedication |
 |
| Ribbon Cutting Triple Lakes Trail |
New trail construction on both the east and west ends of the Savage Alpine Trail – The “growing” Savage Alpine Trail will eventually allow hikers to venture to the high tundra between the Savage Campground at mile 13 and the Savage River Parking Area at mile 15 on the park road. This summer, the NPS crew worked above the Savage Rock, heading up-up-up to the “ridge” above Savage Rock. The trail is now open to the ridge and offers a breath-taking hike with views of Denali and the Alaska Range in all its glory.
 |
| Rock Drill use Savage Alpine Trail |
 |
| Working in the shadow of Denali |
 |
| Rock Work Savage Alpine Trail |
On the east end of the Savage Alpine Trail, the NPS equipment crew constructed a ½ mile of ADA trail, ending at a creek-side stop with benches and a cottonwood canopy. Beyond this spot, SCA and other volunteer crews performed most of the construction that now allows hikers to begin the climb toward the alpine along a bench-cut trail amidst dwarf birch and willow. The 2012 season promises to build on this year’s progress with lots of building on both ends of the trail, resulting in an eventual 4-mile trail.
 |
| SCA Savage Alpine Trail east end |
 |
| Brain Buckets |
No small number of other projects kept crews busy throughout the park with maintenance on the McKinley Bar Trail out by Wonder Lake, ramp construction at the Riley Creek Bridge site, walking and skiing access to the newly built parking at headquarters, and survey work for future projects.
 |
| Riley Creek Mushing |
 |
| National Trails Day volunteers |
 |
| Lazy Trail Crew Worker |
 |
| Autumn in Denali |
