Denali Park Road open to mile 15

More of Denali National Park’s road has opened.  This year marked the first in a test program to begin plowing the first twelve miles of the road earlier in the winter.  Denali National Park spokeswoman Kris Fister says that the road is now open to Savage River at Mile 15.

While the mild weather has likely made it easier to clear the Park Road, Kris Fister says that it does have an impact on winter activities.  She says that snow cover for mushing, skiing, and snowshoeing is variable.

There is still ice and snow on parts of the road, especially in the shade, and freezing temperatures at night means it will be sticking around at least a little while longer.  Plowing crews have made it as far as mile 35 of the Park Road, near an area that was temporarily covered by a landslide last November.  The Park Service is sharing photos of the road clearing progress on Denali National Park’s Facebook page.

Kris Fister also says that the road could close again should the weather change.