Alaska News

Outdoor hotline

Alaska Railroad offering discounts

As our daylight hours begin to wane, it's time to ask yourself if you've made the most of your Alaska summer. Well, have you? And don't let a little rain stand in your way. There's plenty to do that will allow you to enjoy the outdoor beauty of the state and stay dry too. The Alaska Railroad has coastal sightseeing tours that include side trips to the Seward Sealife Center and trips to Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. Plus they have day trips to Portage, Whittier, Spencer Glacier and Grandview Glacier. Alaska residents receive 20 percent off retail rail rates, Get all the details at www.alaskarailroad.com.

TUESDAY

Flattop Mountain Shuttle, 1-4:30 p.m. daily, Downtown Bicycle Rental, 333 W. Fourth Ave. A 312-hour afternoon excursion for tourists without rental cars who want to hike Flattop or locals with bikes needing a one-way shuttle into the mountains. $22 round-trip. $15 one way with your bike on back of the van. $35 Hike-Bike Combo with rental bike. (279-3334, www.hike-anchorage-alaska.com)

Dog Mushing 101, 2 p.m., Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center, 605 W. Fourth Ave. Meet an Alaska husky, stand on the runners of a dog sled, meet a musher and more. Join Erin McLarnon and her sled dog for this demonstration at the visitors center. Free. (644-3661, www.alaskacenters.gov/dog-mushing-101.cfm)

Youth Shotgun League Coaches needed, 6 p.m., Rabbit Creek Shooting Park, 15222 Seward Highway. Do you like to shoot shotguns? Would you like to help introduce youth to the shotgun sports? The fall and spring Youth Shotgun League needs coaches for both boys and girls ages 10-16. (748-3358, www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntered.rcyouth)

wednesday

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TREErific tree planting, 6-7:30 p.m., Juneau Street Trail Head. Help plant spruce and a few birch to enhance the forest canopy in this area. Bring gloves, work boots, a water bottle and dress for the weather. (269-8466, sites.google.com/site/treerificanchorage)

THURSDAY

Team In Training info meeting, 6 p.m., REI Anchorage, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Come and learn how you can train to complete a marathon or half marathon while helping fund a cure for cancer.

Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Glen Alps Trailhead, Glen Alps Road. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Meeting location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

FRIDAY

Dick Griffith/Kaylene Johnson Book Signing, 1-3:30 p.m., Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mile 79 Seward Highway. Dick and Kaylene will be on site to sign and discuss the new book, "Canyons & Ice, The Wilderness Travels of Dick Griffith." Regular admission rates apply. (783-2025, www.alaskawildlife.org)

SATURDAY

Beaver Watching Program, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Junior naturalists will watch busy beavers get ready for winter, learn about their unique adaptations for surviving in an aquatic habitat, and how beavers change the landscape. Free program, $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

SUNDAY

Ask the Naturalist, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Chat with a naturalist stationed at the large viewing deck to get answers to questions about Alaska animals, plants, and more. Telescope and binoculars available. Free; $5 parking for nonmembers. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

MONDAY

Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Hilltop Ski Area Parking lot, 7015 Abbott Road. Monday outings are for beginners and families. Meeting location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

- Joy Guest

To submit an event, go to events.adn.com and click on "add to our listings." To view a full listing of all available events, go to events.adn.com.

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