Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

EASTERN INTERIOR ALASK A  195

and picnicking at this lovely site,
which also offers good boating
opportunities. Although the
area was burned in the Tok
wildfire in 1990 and in the
devastating fires of 2004, the
campground itself was spared
and remains a pleasantly green
place to stop and take a break.
In addition to 43 campsites,
10 of which have room for RVs
up to 60 ft (18 m) long, there is
a picnic shelter with drinking
water and facilities, a boat
launch, a short nature loop, Visitors’ Center at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
and interpretive sign boards
that describe the human and Today, Northway remains r Tetlin National
natural history of this part the main US port of entry for Wildlife Refuge
of Interior Alaska. A campfire private aviators arriving from
area is provided on the beach. the Lower 48 states. It is also E of Tok on the Alaska Highway.
the first US village for travelers Transport map F3. @ Anchorage–
arriving via the Alaska Highway. Whitehorse. n Mile 1229, Alaska
e Northway The modern settle ment Highway, 883-5312. Open mid-May–
consists of three sepa rate mid-Sep: 8am–4:30pm daily. 8
59 miles (95 km) E of Tok. Transport 7 visitors’ center only. = 
map F3. * 70. ~ charter plane only. sectors. Northway Junction ∑ tetlin.fws.gov
@ Anchorage–Fairbanks. lies right on the Alaska Highway,
with a café, lodge, and gas Snow-capped peaks, glacial
This small village was named station. The airstrip is on the rivers, open tundra, lakes, and
in 1942 to honor the local Northway Road, seemingly endless forests and
Athabaskan chief, Walter 6 miles (10 km) mus keg flats mark the 1,140-sq
Northway, who passed away in south of the Alaska mile (2,955-sq km) Tetlin
1993 at the age of 117. During Highway, and another National Wildlife
the 1940s, the village served as 2 miles (3 km) to the Refuge. Along with
an airstrip on the Northwest south is the Athabaskan the Kenai National
Staging Route, a chain of air Native village of Northway, Wildlife Refuge (see
bases and radio ranging stations where visitors can p109), it is one of the
that were built every 100 miles purchase basketry, Sandhill crane, a few Alaskan ref uges
(160 km) from Edmonton, Native moosehide migratory visitor that are accessi ble by
Alberta in Canada to Fairbanks, and fur clothing, hats, road. Situated under
Alaska, to provide defense gloves, and shoes deco rated a bird migration corridor, the
during World War II. with fine beadwork. refuge attracts over 185 spe cies
of waterfowl, songbirds, and
raptors. At least 115 of these,
including the once threatened
trumpeter swan, breed and nest
here, and the annual migrations
of sandhill cranes through the
Tetlin corridor are spectacular
events. In addition, some 25
hardy bird species remain in
the refuge through the frigid
winters of the Alaskan Interior.
Wildfire raging through forests in Interior Alaska The northern boundary
of the refuge runs along the
Wildfires in Alaska Alaska Highway, with seven
In 2004, a record-breaking 10,156 sq miles (26,304 sq km) of Alaskan interpretive turnouts and two
forest was destroyed by wildfires. Fires burning every 80 to 200 years free campsites. At Mile 1229 of
are a necessary part of forest devel opment, as they consume dead the Alaska Highway, just west
vegetation and recycle vital nutrients without destroying the soil’s of the Canadian border, the
organic matter, so fires that do not threaten populated areas are visitors’ center presents a
allowed to burn. After the fire, vegetation returns in a well-defined wealth of natural history,
succession. As the forest matures, leaf litter collects on the forest floor, wildlife, and cultural exhibits,
until a lightning strike restarts the cycle. as well as a spectacular view
from its elevated deck.

194-195_EW_Alaska.indd 195 02/05/17 2:31 pm