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HIKING

The Fairbanks Area Hiking Club has several hikes scheduled this month.

• Tuesday — Moose Creek Bluff, 7 p.m. From Fairbanks, go south on the Richardson Highway. Cross over the Chena Flood Control Project bridge and take the first left exit. The parking area is right off of the highway. The Bluff is a large rock outcropping with graffitti painted all over it. Call John for info 488-6500.

• July 15 — Ester Dome, 7 p.m. Meet at the intersection of Ester Dome and Henderson roads. Go up Sheep Creek Road to the first left after passing Anne's Greenhouse. Call John for info at 488-6500.

• July 19 — Angel Rocks to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Meet at Mile 48.9 at Angel Rocks Trailhead on Chena Hot Spring Road to shuttle cars to resort. 8.3 mi trail is moderate and takes about 6 hours. Elevation gain is 2,000 feet. Trail leads to large granite outcroppings, excellent views of the Alaska Range, Granite Tors, and Chena Dome. Bring swimsuit, towel and cash for pool admittance and food at Resort at end of hike. Call John for info at 488-6500.

• July 22 — Skyline Ridge, 7 p.m. Meet 790 Merlin Lane. Go out Farmer's Loop and turn on Auburn Drive. Go north past Pearl Creek School, go straight at the four-way stop and the road changes to Wolverine. Wolverine goes up the hill and at the top near a sign "Limited Sight Distance" keep going straight onto LaRue which intersects with Merlin on the left in about 1/2 mile. Turn left on Merlin. Fourth house on the right. Call Paul for details 479-8757.

PADDLING

Don Pendergrast will be presenting a free program about paddling the Tangle Lakes and Delta River on Thursday, July 10 at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center.

Pendergrast, outdoor education specialist and chief of interpretation for the National Park Service, will talk about launch areas, sweepers, safety equipment, take-out points and the splendor of traveling through the Alaska Range.

The program begins at 7 p.m. The public lands information center is located on the corner of Third Avenue and Cushman Street.

ROAD LOTTERY

The National Park Service began accepting entries for the annual Denali Road Lottery on Tuesday.

Winners get a chance to drive into Denali National Park and Preserve after the summer tourist season ends. This year’s lottery will take place Sept. 12-15, weather permitting.

Up to 400 vehicles per day will be issued permits to enter the park and drive the length of the 92-mile road.

Entries will be accepted by mail and must be postmarked July 1 through 31. Entries postmarked before or after these dates will not be accepted. Each lottery entry must include a check or money order for $10 made payable to the “National Park Service”. Do not send cash. The entry fee is non-refundable.

The drawing will take place during the second week of August. Applicants are advised to mail entries early so that they arrive in time.

The names of people selected for permits will be posted on the park’s Web site shortly after the drawing.

On the envelope, entrants must include: A legible return address, including a first and last name. Choice of dates, in order of preference, written on the back of the envelope.

Only one entry per person is allowed, and duplicate entries will be disqualified. Entries received without an application fee will be returned.

Entries should be sent to:

Road Lottery

Denali National Park and Preserve

P.O. Box 588

Talkeetna, AK 99676

All applicants will be notified by mail on the status of their entry, and those who are selected for permits will also receive a letter confirming the day of their permit, with additional information on how to obtain the road permit and prepare for their visit to the park.

A $25, non-refundable fee will be required on the day the permit is picked up at the park. In addition, permit holders must pay the park entrance fee of $20 per vehicle unless they have a federal recreation pass.

Permits are transferable, i.e. the person who was awarded the permit can give it to someone else if they are not able to participate that weekend.