Anchorage Daily News

CYCLING

Mooseberry Sampede bike race

WHEN: Aug. 9; registration 8:30 a.m., race 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Crevasse-Moraine trail head, south of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway on Loma Pieta Drive.

DETAILS: Inaugural 11-mile race over the rolling hills of the Crevasse-Moraine Trail, onto Mooseberry Mesa singletrack, followed by Kepler-Bradley singletrack and finally past Matanuska Lake and Long Lake returning north via the Long Lake Connector Trail. Difficulty ranges from easy to difficult. The race route will showcase the Mooseberry Mesa Trail, a singletrack completed last year by volunteers. Limit of 60 racers.

COST: $20

CONTACT: Dot at dot.h@att.net. Or call 1-907-745-7714; Register at tinyurl.com/MooseberryStampede

Dirt Divas ride Hillside trails

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Hillside trail head in Far North Bicentennial Park

DETAILS: Join Alaska Dirt Divas for a challenging climb to the top of Spencer Loop, along with some other trails. Helmets required.

COST: Free, but membership is encouraged.

CONTACT: www.alaskadirtdivas.blogspot.com

Jon's Coastal Trail ride

WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug. 7

WHERE: Westchester Lagoon to Kincaid Park and back

DETAILS: An easy, slower-paced ride on the busy Tony Knowles Coastal Trail; ideal for tandems, commuter bikes, etc. Helmets required.

COST: Free, but membership is encouraged.

CONTACT: www.arcticbike.org, 566-0177, press 3

Tour Palmer roads

WHEN: Today

WHERE: Palmer Business Park near Noisy Goose Restaurant

DETAILS: About 30 scenic miles including flat sections, hills, busy paved main highway, quiet paved roads and some gravel roads. Interested riders meet afterwards at Vagabond Blues coffee shop in downtown Palmer. Helmets required.

COST: Free, membership encouraged

CONTACT: 566-0177 #3

DENALI ROAD LOTTERY

Apply for permit in July

WHEN: Apply in July; those selected drive Sept. 12-15

WHERE: Denali National Park

DETAILS: Mail entries accepted through Thursday for up to 400 vehicles a day permitted to drive 92-mile Denali Park Road. Include a nonrefundable $10 check or money order payable to National Park Service. Winners will be posted on the park Web site. On application envelope, entrants must include a return address including a first and last name; and choice of dates in order of preference written on the back of the envelope. One entry per person, addressed to: Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 588; Talkeetna, AK 99676. Applicants will be notified by mail on the status of their entry. Those selected will receive a confirmation letter.

CONTACT: www.nps.gov/dena/whatsnew.htm or 1-907-683-2294

FISHING

Silver tourney at Homer Spit

WHEN: Aug. 9-17

WHERE: Homer Spit

DETAILS: Silver Salmon Spitacular fishing tournament Aug. 9-17. Tournament will take place in the Spit Fishing Hole as well as the salt waters of Kachemak Bay. Two divisions -- fishing from land and from a boat. Cash and merchandise prizes awarded, including prizes for the biggest fish in kids and senior divisions. Some 5 percent of the proceeds will go to the Fishing Hole Silver Salmon Enhancement program. Tickets available at the fishing hole, halibut derby headquarters, Homer Senior Center, charter offices and the Sport Shed.

COST: $10 daily; a tournament-long ticket cost $60.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Mushroom hunting

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 6

WHERE: Goose Lake

DETAILS: Can you eat that fungus lurking in your local woodland? Diane Pleninger will help you figure it out. This is a walking tour, but it might get wet. Must be at least 12 years old.

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

View salmon in Eagle River

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 3

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Welcome back salmon at the Eagle River Nature Center with this all-ages program that will focus on the life cycle of Alaska salmon, followed by a walk to the viewing deck on the beaver pond.

COST: Free, but parking is $5 for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

Alaska insects explored

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

WHAT: Naturalist Giselle Bergeron describes Alaska's insects, first with an indoor presentation followed by a short walk on the Rodak Trail to observe them in the field.

COST: Free. Parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Berry hunters head afield

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 17

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Learn about edible wild berries from Alaska wildflower expert Verna Pratt, who will explore the Iditarod and Albert Loop trails.

COST: Free; $5 parking for non-members

CONTACT: 694-2108

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Hike and hot dogs

WHEN: 11 a.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

WHAT: A guided 11-mile round trip hike to Heritage Falls, which includes a hot dog roast at the falls. Food for the event will be provided. The terrain is fairly level with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. Hikers should be in good shape. Bring a daypack with snacks, water and rain gear. Well behaved dogs welcome.

COST: Parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Doing Dew Mountain

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 16

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Liza Sanden will lead a leisurely 3-mile hike on the Dew Mount-Mountain Meadows trails. Bring water and snacks. Limited to the first 16 participants.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Wildflower jaunt

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 10

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Learn about wildflowers with Andy Anderson-Smith of the Alaska Native Plant Society. He will focus on families of native plants, spores, pollen and flowers.

COST: Free; parking is $5 for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

12-mile Icicle Creek hike

WHEN: 11 a.m. Aug. 9

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Bob and Ann Fisher will lead a guided 12-mile hike to Icicle Creek. Terrain is fairly level with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. Hikers should be in good shape and have completed a hike of similar length. Bring a daypack with snacks/lunch and water. Limited to the first 12 people at least 18 years old who register. Well-behaved dogs welcome.

CONTACT: 694-2108

Mat-Su hike series

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 16

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: Join Spring Creek Outdoor Adventures for guided Mat-Su hikes during the summer. Successive hikes will increase in length and difficulty.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Mid-week nordic walking

WHEN: 6:15-7 p.m. Tuesday; 6:15-8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Various parks

DETAILS: Low-impact approach to increasing health outdoors. Concentrate on quality workouts over moderate and longer courses. Pair up with others of similar speed and intensity to practice technique and increase mileage. Ages 12 and up.

COST: $5/day or pre-paid with pass or punch card.

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260 or randallr@muni.org

JOURNALING

Denali field journaling

WHEN: Monday and Tuesday

WHERE: Denali National Park and Preserve

DETAILS: Murie Science and Learning Center course will be taught by author Tom Walker. Participants make detailed observations, capturing scenes of the wild while they happen. Course will be based out of a field camp along the Teklanika River.

COST: $330

CONTACT: courses@murieslc.org, www.murieslc.org, 1-888-688-1269

KIDS

Kids explore insect homes

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Junior naturalists will learn about such insect homes as galls, mines and galleries. They'll do an insect gallery rubbing and take a walk to find insect galls and leaf mines.

COST: Free, but parking is $5 for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

Family safari at Russian Jack

WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 12

WHERE: Russian Jack Springs chalet

DETAILS: Explore Anchorage's municipal parks using a mix of treasure hunting and navigation called "letterboxing." Families will meet at designated parks with maps and clues to letterboxes that hold interesting facts, a stamp to mark your park map and more clues to the next letterbox. For families of all ages.

COST: $19 per family

CONTACT: Anchorage Parks And Recreation. 343-6992, www.muni.org/parks

Parent and Me walks

WHEN: 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays through Aug. 12

WHERE: Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Moms, dads and children are invited to learn the trail systems in Anchorage with Parks and Recreation staff. Trail strollers and backpacks are welcome.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-4217, www.muni.org/parks

Kincaid adventure camps begin

WHEN: 9-11:45 a.m. weekly through Aug. 8

WHERE: Kincaid Park chalet

DETAILS: Enjoy the summer exploring Kincaid Park with weekly themes, including pathfinding, discovery, water week, summer smorgasbord, up, up and away and wilderness skills.

COST: $75 per week

CONTACT: 343-4217, www.muni.org/parks

Outside play program in Palmer

WHEN: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 20

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: "Come Outside and Play" is Spring Creek Outdoor Adventures-sponsored program for kids of all ages. Outdoor games featured each week; snacks included.

COST: $2 per child, no registration necessary

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Nature Walk and Talk for kids

WHEN: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 19

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: Nature walk around Spring Creek Farm. Then sit back with a snack while listening to a storybook. For ages 5 up; children must be accompanied by adult. Bring your own snacks.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Learn GPS navigation

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday , Aug. 5

WHERE: Hilltop Chalet

DETAILS: Learn the techniques and equipment needed to explore by GPS or enjoy urban geo-caching. Local routes and safety practices discussed. Participants need their own GPS and transportation. Must be 16.

COST: $55

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

ORIENTEERING

Karen's Spell-O orienteering meet

WHEN: Wednesday Mass start at 6pm

WHERE: Goose Lake, just east of Paddleboat Cafe.

DETAILS: Score O format

COST: $5 members, $6 nonmembers

CONTACT: www.oalaska.org

ROLLERSKI

Potter Valley hillclimb

WHEN: Saturday

WHERE: Potter Valley Road and Old Seward Highway

DETAILS: Uphill rollerskiing race, co-sponsored by Alaska Pacific University Ski Team and Anchorage Parks and Rec. Beautiful views of Potter Marsh and Turnagain Arm.

COST: $20 per racer

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

RUNNING

Love uphill? Try this

WHEN: 10 a.m. today

WHERE: Alpenglow Ski Area

DETAILS: The 9-kilometer elite race gains 2,700 feet and hands out cash for the top 10 men and top five women finishers. There's also a 6-K that gains 1,500 feet, a 3-K for juniors. A 1-K timed run for munchkins follows. Register 8:30-9:30 a.m.

COST: $5 for youth, $15 for juniors

CONTACT: www.signmeup.com; 264-7427

SHOOTING SPORTS

Alaska State Sporting Clays Championship

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3

WHERE: Grouse Ridge Shooting Park, 6967 East Tex-Al Drive, Wasilla

DETAILS: The 2008 state championships will consist of two days of shooting.

COST: $10-$185, depending on the events entered

CONTACT: www.grouseridge.com, 1-907-376-2473

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Compiled by Daily News outdoors editor Mike Campbell. Deadline for submission is 9 a.m. Monday. E-mail items to outdoors@adn.com, fax to 258-2157 or mail to Anchorage Daily News, P.O. Box 149001, Anchorage 99514-9001.

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Check on fundraising efforts to build an Anchorage singletrack network.

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