ALASKA CRUISES
Carnival Cruises
Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruises
ALASKA CITIES
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Juneau
Ketchikan
Nome
Seward
Sitka
NATIONAL PARKS
Aniakchak Preserve
Bering Preserve
Denali Park
Glacier Bay Park
Katmai Park
Kenai Fjords
Kobuk Valley
Lake Clark
Wrangell-Saint Elias
|
Bering Land Bridge
The preserve contains craters and lava flows. Sea mammals, such as
whales, seals, and walruses, live in the preserve as well as reindeer,
bears, wolves, and musk ox. The region also supports about 400 species
of plants and more than 150 species of birds. It is administered by the
National Park Service.
The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is one of the most remote
national park areas, located on the Seward Peninsula in northwest
Alaska. The Preserve is a remnant of the land bridge that connected Asia
with North America more than 15,000 years ago. The majority of this land
bridge, once thousands of miles wide, now lies beneath the waters of the
Chukchi and Bering Seas.
During the glacial epoch this was part of a migration route for people,
animals, and plants whenever ocean levels fell enough to expose the land
bridge. Archeologists agree that it was across this Bering Land Bridge,
also called Beringia, that humans first passed from Asia to populate the
Americas. The Preserve's western boundary lies 42 miles from the Bering
Strait and the fishing boundary between the United States and Russia.
Called Beringia, the “bridge” was a large plain that was 1,000 miles
wide in parts about 13,000 years ago. This land bridge was exposed when
earth’s water froze into glacial masses, causing the sea level to fall.
When glaciers melted about 10,000 years ago, the sea level rose and
covered up the land bridge. The two continents are presently separated
by 51 miles of the Bering Strait.
Travel Information for the Park Includes:
Operating Hours and Facilities:
The park is open year-round. Highest visitation is in June and July;
lowest in December, January and February.
Getting There:
PLANE - The Preserve is vast and access is limited. There are no roads
that lead directly into it, and summer access is usually by bush planes
and small boats. Winter access is mostly by small planes on skis, by
snow-machine, or by dog sleds.
Weather & Climate:
Summer temperatures on the coast are usually in the low 50's ° F, with
mid 60's to 70's and an occasional 80's or 90's in the interior. Average
January lows are -15 ° F on the coast and -50 ° F in the interior. Winds
average 8 to 12 mph, but 50 to 70 mph winds commonly accompany storms
and produce extremely low and dangerous chill factors. Averages are
meaningless; summer can see snow, near freezing temperatures, and long
periods of clouds, wind, and rain. Summer days are long, almost without
darkness; winter days are short, with only a few hours of light.
Exposure and hypothermia are real threats.
Getting Around:
Very often you are absolutely on your own in the Preserve, with few if
any links to the outside world. Hiking can be difficult and strenuous,
especially across tussock tundra. You must be prepared for varied and
changing weather conditions. Use only durable tested equipment and be
experienced in its use before you set out.
Camping Options:
Cottonwood Shelter Cabin
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use
Ear Mountain Shelter Cabin
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Goodhope
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Grayling Creek
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Kividlo Shelter Cabin
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Nuluk
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Serpentine Hot Springs
Open All Year
A bunkhouse-style cabin at Serpentine Hot Springs sleeps 15 to 20 people
in two sections. A wooden tub for bathing is enclosed in a small
bathhouse which is fed by the waters of the hot spring. All cabins are
unreserved and bush etiquette may require sharing space with strangers.
Camping is relatively unrestricted, with no formal campsites and no
developed water, power, or sanitation facilities. Serpentine Hot Springs
is remote and potential dangers exist. The area is subject to abrupt and
sometimes severe weather changes. Sudden storms can change the pastoral
scene into a rugged and hostile environment. The temperature of the
water can range from 140 - 170 ° F. Winter ice builds up around the
bathhouse, making footing treacherous. Alcohol increases the danger of
slipping on ice. It can impair the body's ability to respond
appropriately to heat or cold, increasing the possibility of scalding or
hypothermia. Remember, medical attention can be days, or even weeks
away. Serpentine Hot Springs has always had a casual, relaxed, and
sharing atmosphere. Each person shared responsibility of caring for the
facilities and left the area in a condition which contributed to the
next person's enjoyment. The National Park Service encourages newcomers
to respect this tradition. The reward will be a truly unique and
memorable experience.
Alaska National Parks
To experience the beauty
of Alaska, we have included a few of the Alaska National Parks
which you may wish to visit.
|
|