Warm spring weather has allowed officials to open Denali Park Road as far as the Teklanika Rest Area at Mile 30. The opening is earlier than any year since 2010, when private vehicles were allowed starting April 3.
Weather permitting, the road will remain open to Teklanika until May 20, when the park's shuttle buses begin running for the summer. Spring weather can be variable, though. On Thursday, it reached 46 degrees F, but about a quarter-inch of snow fell overnight.
According to Kathleen Kelly, volunteer program manager at Denali National Park and Preserve, road crews working to clear the park road have spotted moose, caribou, Dall sheep, ptarmigan and golden eagles — but no bears yet.
"This is a really fun time of year because it's when our neighbors come to visit," Kelley said. "People who live in McKinley Village, Healy, even up to Fairbanks. You get to do your own thing, which is really Alaskan."
Vault toilets are available for visitor use at Teklanika, the parking area on the east side of the Savage River and the Mountain Vista Trailhead east of the Savage River Campground. Other park facilities west of headquarters, including campgrounds, remain closed until late May.
Snow, ice and mud remain on portions of the road, particularly in shaded areas. Motorists are advised to watch for heavy equipment.
Updates are available on the park website: www.nps.gov/dena/blogs/spring-road-opening.htm