Snowmachine use on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge opened this week, a week after the Chugach National Forest closed some of its areas to snowmachine use citing “inadequate snow conditions.”
An emergency order published by the U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday, Dec. 13, says that parts of the Seward and Glacier Ranger Districts are closed to the use of snowmachines. An announcement from the service connected to the order says that without enough snow coverage on the forest floor, use of snowmachines can damage resources.
The closed areas include multiple areas along the Seward Highway, including near Johnson Pass Trailhead, as well as near Cooper Landing and Seward. The order says that Placer River and Lost Lake Trailhead have received enough snow and remain open.
The order, and the closure, will be in effect until Feb. 15, “unless rescinded sooner.”
On the refuge, all areas “traditionally open to snowmachine use” are now open, according to a news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This does not include the Headquarters area, Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, Swan Lake and Swanson River Canoe Systems, and those areas above the timberline — excepting the Caribou Hills.
A map of the closed area can be found at fs.usda.gov/chugach. Maps of the areas opened on the refuge and closed in the national forest will also be included with this story online at peninsulaclarion.com.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
