Anchorage Daily News

BIKING

Bike to Serenity Falls

WHEN: Today and Monday

WHERE: Eklutna Lake Trail

DETAILS: Take a 12-mile ride on the dirt and gravel road along Eklutna Lake and then onto the cabin at Serenity Falls near Eklutna Glacier. Bunks for 15 are available along with a wood stove. Personal gear will be transported by van so you can travel light.

COST: $15, plus splitting cost of gear transport among the riders

CONTACT: Judy at jgolson1@yahoo.com for instructions on where and when to drop off gear.

Hope-Seward-Hope relay

WHEN: Saturday and Sept. 7

WHERE: Begin at Hope School

DETAILS: Fully supported ride of about 150 miles that's a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis Society. Riders must raise at least $250 in pledges.

CONTACT: Check the MS150 ride at www.nationalmssociety.org/aka. Or e-mail Ben McCulloch at ben.mcculloch@nmss.org

DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Discuss park vehicle plan

WHEN: 6 p.m Wednesday-Thursday

WHERE: Loussac Library Wednesday; Talkeetna Ranger Station Thursday

DETAILS: Scoping meetings to discuss Denali Park Road vehicle management plan. The transportation system in place since 1972 has never been comprehensively evaluated, and park officials say there is a growing demand for a park road experience. By evaluating the park road capacity, the Park Service hopes to better handle any growth.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Miriam Valentine at 1-907-733-9102 or Miriam_Valentine@nps.gov. Park service Web site is www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/roadvehmgteis.htm

Discuss park overflights

WHEN: 10 a.m. Sept. 8

WHERE: Murie Science and Learning Center Dining Hall, Mile 1.3 of Denali Park Road

DETAILS: While completing the Denali National Park and Preserve's 2006 backcountry management plan, aircraft overflights and landings were called a critical issue by some citizens. Aircraft are an important means of access to remote areas of the Denali backcountry, but overflights and landings -- generally unrestricted by past management plans -- have resulted in substantial changes in the natural sound environment and generated new conflicts with park users on the ground. This is the third meeting of the Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Committee considering limits on overflights. Public testimony will be heard. Mail written comments to Miriam Valentine, Talkeetna Ranger Station, P.O. Box 588, Talkeetna, AK 99676.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Call or e-mail Valentine at 1-907-733-9102, miriam_valentine@nps.gov. Web site is www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/currentprojects.htm.

Denali Park Road rehabilitation

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sept. 10

WHERE: Murie Science and Learning Center, Mile 1.3 of the Denali Park Road.

DETAILS: The Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration are considering safety improvements to the western end of the 92-mile long Denali Park Road, built in the 1930s. Improvements will be focused on strengthening outside road edges to reduce risk of collapse, working on pullouts and adding new ones to increase passing vehicles' safety, and reconditioning the road surface to make it easier to maintain. Scoping meeting will discuss alternatives. Copies of the park's road design guidelines, drawings of typical improvements and pictures of areas that may be affected will be available.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Steve Carwile at 1-907-644-3612), or by email at steve_carwile@nps.gov

FISHING

Whittier Silver Salmon Derby

WHEN: Through Sept. 14

WHERE: Derby tickets are sold at various Whittier businesses including Quigglys Ice Cream Parlor, Bread N Butter Charters, Sea Mist Charters, the Harbor Store, Shoreside Petroleum, Fee's Custom Seafoods and onboard most charter boats.

DETAILS: All entries must be weighed at the weigh-in station, located at Fee's Custom Seafoods on the Whittier Harbor Triangle, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. There are also prizes for the three heaviest fish caught each week.

COST: One-day ticket $5; one-week ticket $25

CONTACT: 1-907- 677-WHIT; www.whittieralaskachamber.org

FLORA AND FAUNA

Salmon execution

WHEN: 2 p.m. today and Sept. 7

WHERE: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage

DETAILS: Salmon will be hung just out of the reach of hungry brown bears expected to leap for a meal. The event will last until the salmon is gone. Event expected to demonstrate how high brown bears can jump -- good to know if you're ever up a tree.

CONTACT: Kelly Miller at 783-2025

Make your own tea

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Naturalist Ute Olsson will lead a one-mile walk to teach participants how to make great teas from natural ingredients. Identify and taste plants like rosehips, raspberry leaves, pineapple weed, yarrow.

COST: Free; parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday

WHERE: Goose Lake Park on Monday, Turnagain Arm Potter trailhead on Thursday

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday hike is easier, aimed at families. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org

Alyeska Climbathon

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Alyeska Resort

DETAILS: Race up the North Face Trail and take the tram down as many times as possible in nine hours.

COST: $30 race day

CONTACT: www.alaskamountainrunners.org

KENAI RIVER

Volunteer river cleanup

WHEN: Friday-Saturday

WHERE: Cooper Landing, Russian River Ferry parking lot

DETAILS: Alaska Fly Fishers 16th Kenai River Cleanup includes a complimentary light breakfast, lunch and barbecue dinner. A large tent donated by ConocoPhillips is headquarters for the effort. A raffle for volunteers follows dinner on Saturday. Participants must provide their own accommodations; tent camping is permitted only in the parking lot at Sportsman's Landing. Sunday set aside for fishing.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Dave Goodman at 346-4090 or 350-4403; or Bill Stockwell at 598-1540

KIDS

Bears' fall binge

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: A staff naturalist will explain why bears fatten up for the winter and how they use Alaska's wild harvest to stay healthy. A walk to the pond to watch salmon will follow. Identify edible berries along the way. Best for youngsters grades K-6.

COST: Free; parking $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

ORIENTEERING

Bill's GPS orienteering meet

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Stork Park off Rabbit Creek Road

DETAILS: Garmin GPS required; instruction provided

COST: $5 members, $6 nonmembers

CONTACT: Bill Spencer 644-2087 or 346-3582

RUNNING

Tuesday Night race series begins

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; signups start 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kincaid Outdoor Center

DETAILS: First of nine-week series of cross-country races at various locations across town. Three divisions: Munchkin for kids, 1-3 kilometers; Farm League, 3-8 kilometers and Lightning, 4-10 kilometers. Pre-registration available at various recreation centers or at the Web site www.active.com

COST: Kids $2, adults $5, families $10, adult season pass $30, family season pass $60

SKIING

APU master's ski training

WHEN: 12:15 p.m. or 6 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: APU's Moseley Sports Center

DETAILS: Kickoff of a month-long dry-land training session three days per week to train for the upcoming cross-country ski season. Includes weight lifting, running and roller skiing.

COST: $90 for month of September

CONTACT: 564-8906; hbrooks@alaskapacific.edu

SKIJORING

Run Rover Run

WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21; registration begins 11 a.m.

WHERE: Campbell Lake at entrance to Kincaid Park

DETAILS: First event of Anchorage Skijor Club's 2008-09 season for one dog only on a hilly trail. Women, men and junior class races. Dogs must be on leash at all times.

COST: $5 single-day membership or season membership

CONTACT: Rebecca Voris, 243-5234

WINTER SPORTS

Get prepared for winter

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Loussac Library

DETAILS: The "Anchorage Emergency Preparedness Fair -- Extreme Winter Fun" is designed to share information about cold-weather strategies for preventing and preparing for disasters and emergencies. Interactive activities, speakers, films and demonstrations are for anyone who skis, snowboards, snowmachines, snowshoes or drives in mountainous Alaska areas. Anchorage Office of Emergency Management and North America Outdoor Institute are co-sponsors.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-2975 or www.anchoragelibrary.org

WRITING

Keeping a nature journal

WHEN: 1 p.m. Sept. 7

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Giselle Bergeron will help participants learn how to write a nature journal. She will share tips on recording your observations in ways that will encourage regular use. Bring along a blank journal, writing utensils and a snack. Must be at least 16 years old; registration required .

COST: $20

CONTACT: 694-2108

Nature writing class

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 25

WHERE: Sierra Club office downtown

WHAT: Anchorage nature writer and author Bill Sherwonit will teach a 12-week workshop-style nature writing class with emphasis on personal essays. Further information about the teacher is also available at www.billsherwonit.alaskawriters.com.

COST: $200

CONTACT: 245-0283 or akgriz@hotmail.com

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Compiled by Daily News outdoors reporter 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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Site of the week

www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=duckhunt.requirements:

With waterfowl hunting beginning on Monday, brush up on the rules and regulations here.

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