Denali National Park and PreserveAnnual Report 2006

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Map of Denali National Park and Preserve

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Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses more than six million acres on the north and south sides of theAlaska Range. Within this vast park is a single, primitive, 92-mile road. The park draws over 400,000 visitorsannually, and is the most accessible of Alaska's national parks.

Most visitors come by train, bus or private vehicle during the months of June, July and August, but the park is open year-round. Access on the park road beyond the Savage River at Mile 15 is mainly by bus. Visitors are encouraged to makeadvance reservations for buses and campground during the summer. Wilderness permits are required for overnight travelin the backcountry, and they can be obtained in person up to the day before the trip.

Table of Contents

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Map of Denali National Park and Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Message from the Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Purpose and Significance of Denali National Park and Preserve . . . . . . . 5-6

Performance and Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Preserve Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11

Public Enjoyment and Public Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15

Organizational Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17

FY2006 Financial Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Park Organization Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Cover Photos: Mt. McKinley with caribou - ©Tom Walker, Opening session of 2006 Alaska Park Science Symposium - NPS photo,Ranger and visitors in front of Denali Visitor Center - Chris Arend, Back Cover: Denali Visitor Center front desk - Chris ArendPhotography. Photos are courtesy of the National Park Service unless otherwise noted. All other photos are being used withthe permission of the photographer. Any other use without authorization is a violation of the copyright.

Kar

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Tom Walker

2006 was the 100th anniversary of the first visit to theregion by wealthy, East Coast hunter-naturalist CharlesSheldon. He arrived in the summer of 1906 to hunt Dallsheep, and was so enthralled with the area and its wildlifethat he decided to return the following year and spend thewinter. Sheldon and future first park superintendent HarryKarstens built a rough cabin on the Toklat River, and it wasfrom here that he based his explorations. Sheldon learned agreat deal about this land and its wildlife, and he becamealarmed about the large-scale hunting taking place tosupply meat to miners, railroad camps and towns. He usedhis influence to gain support for the creation of the firstnational park in Alaska to protect the wildlife populations.Sheldon's vision came into being when the legislation toestablish Mount McKinley National Park was signed onFebruary 26, 1917.

Much has changed in the park since Sheldon's time here.Visitation and other types of park uses continue to increase,and we are working with a variety of organizations, stateand federal agencies, private businesses, and members ofthe public to plan for and provide appropriate facilities andopportunities while continuing to protect park resources.The new Denali Visitor Center and its associated facilitieswere all open for the entire summer visitor season, and ourvisitors gave them, and us, high praise for these expandedservices. Construction on the new Eielson Visitor Centerbegan in earnest this summer. We plan to open that facilityin 2008. We finalized the Backcountry Management Planand the South Denali Implementation Plan, both of whichwere years in the making and the result of partnerships.These long-range planning documents provide direction forthe expansion of appropriate recreational opportunitiesand the development of new visitor facilities in the 1980park additions.

Research in the park continues to play an increasinglysignificant role in providing valuable information for parkmanagement decisions, and to the rest of the world onglobal issues such as climate change. We were honored tohost the 2006 Alaska Park Science Symposium, whichprovided a forum for scientists and researchers from manydisciplines to share the results of their work with eachother, educators, and members of the public. We alsocompleted the first full season of field work on the series ofstudies that are examining the impacts of traffic volume andpatterns on the Denali Park Road. The studies addresscurrent and potential impacts to vegetation, wildlife,physical resources and the visitor experience. Data fromthis summer and from next year will be analyzed and usedto inform the public on any changes that might be proposedto the current park road capacity and how it is used.

We are celebrating the 90th anniversary of the park'sfounding with a series of special events and activities in2007. As we reflect upon the history of this incredible place,we are inspired by the visionaries of the past. I marvel athow far we have come, and I am excited about thepossibilities for the future!

Thank you for your interest in Denali National Park andPreserve. Only by working together can we ensure that thisspecial place is preserved intact, for our children and ourgrandchildren to use and enjoy.

Sincerely,

Paul R. Anderson

Message From the Superintendent

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Superintendent Paul Anderson pauses for a break during a March 2006 ski tripfrom Wonder Lake to park headquarters. The weather was clear during thistrip, providing many outstanding views of “the mountain”.

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Park Purpose

The purpose of Denali NationalPark and Preserve has evolvedfrom the time Congress

established the original MountMcKinley National Park to the presentand has increased in complexitybecause of the different mandates thatapply to the Old Park (the originalMount McKinley National Park), thenational park additions (added byANILCA), the national preserve (alsoadded by ANILCA), and thedesignated wilderness (covering mostof the Old Park).

Mount McKinley National Park (Old Park)In 1917 Congress established MountMcKinley National Park as a “gamerefuge” to “set apart as a public park forthe benefit and enjoyment of the people ...for recreation purposes by the public andfor the preservation of animals, birds,and fish and for the preservation of thenatural curiosities and scenic beautiesthereof ...” (39 Stat. 938).

Denali National Park and PreserveIn 1980 Congress passed the AlaskaNational Interest Lands ConservationAct (ANILCA, 16 USC §§ 3101-3233,Pub. L. 96-487), which enlarged andrenamed the park Denali NationalPark and Preserve. Section 101 ofANILCA describes the broad purposesof the new conservation system unitsthroughout Alaska, including enlargednational parks and preserves such asDenali. These are the following:

• Preserve lands and waters for the benefit, use, education, and inspiration of present and future generations.

• Preserve unrivaled scenic andgeological values associated withnatural landscapes.

• Maintain sound populations of, andhabitat for, wildlife species.

• Preserve extensive, unalteredecosystems in their natural state.

• Protect resources related tosubsistence needs.

• Protect historic and archeological sites.

• Preserve wilderness resource valuesand related recreationalopportunities such as hiking,canoeing, fishing, and sport hunting.

• Maintain opportunities for scientificresearch in undisturbed ecosystems.

• Provide the opportunity for ruralresidents engaged in a subsistenceway of life to continue to do so.

Section 202 stated that the DenaliNational Park and Preserve additionsare to be managed for the followingadditional specific purposes:

• To protect and interpret the entiremountain massif and the additionalscenic mountain peaks andformations.

• To protect habitat for, andpopulations of fish and wildlife,including, but not limited to,brown/grizzly bears, moose,caribou, Dall sheep, wolves,swans, and other waterfowl.

• To provide continued opportunities,including reasonable access, formountain climbing, mountaineering,and other wilderness recreationalactivities.

Denali WildernessSection 701 of ANILCA designated the“Denali Wilderness of approximatelyone million nine hundred thousandacres” under the Wilderness Act asdepicted on a map referenced inSection 202 of ANILCA and including99% of the former Mt. McKinleyNational Park. According to theWilderness Act, these lands are to be“administered for the use andenjoyment of the American people insuch manner as will leave themunimpaired for future use andenjoyment as wilderness, and so as toprovide for the protection of theseareas, the preservation of theirwilderness character, and for thegathering and dissemination ofinformation regarding their use andenjoyment as wilderness.”

Denali National PreserveSection 1313 of ANILCA addresses thepurpose of national preserves createdby the act.

A National Preserve in Alaska shall beadministered and managed as a unit ofthe National Park System in the samemanner as a national park except asotherwise provided in this Act andexcept that the taking of fish and wildlifefor sport purposes and subsistence uses,and trapping shall be allowed in anational preserve under applicable Stateand Federal law and regulation.

The park is home to over 700 flowering plant species,including the purple mountain saxifrage.

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Large Protected Area. DenaliNational Park and Preserveencompasses a vast six million acrearea, about the size of the state of NewHampshire. Most of the two millionacres of the original park has been inprotected status since 1917. This largesize enables a spectacular array of floraand fauna to live together in a healthynatural ecosystem and providesexcellent opportunities to studysubarctic ecosystems in settings largelyundisturbed by humans. Because ofthese values, the United Nations Manand the Biosphere Program designatedthe park and preserve to be anInternational Biosphere Reserve.

Mountains and Glaciers. The parkcontains a major portion of the AlaskaRange, one of the great mountain upliftsin North America. The Alaska Range isdominated by North America's highestpeak, Mount McKinley, with its summitat 20,320 feet above sea level. Towering18,000 feet above the adjacent lowlands,the mountain's dramatic vertical reliefrivals any other mountain in the world,exceeding the vertical relief of MountEverest measured from base to summit. A number of large glaciers originate inthe park's high mountains, includingsome of the largest in North America.

Wildlife and Habitat. The park wasoriginally established in 1917 as a refugefor large mammals. Backcountry visitorsand visitors traveling along the park roadoften observe Dall sheep, caribou, wolf,grizzly bear, moose, and fox. Whilepopulations fluctuate, nowhere else inAmerica can such concentrations ofthese large species of wildlife be observedin as accessible a natural setting. The parkis also significant for its diverse avianhabitat that attracts birds from all overthe world. The park's rich and varied

vegetation includes alpine tundra, shrub-scrub tundra, mixed spruce-birch andspruce-tamarack woodlands, taiga,wetlands, and extensive riparian andlowland forest areas. Denali has morethan 10,000 mapped lakes. More than 753species of flowering plants inhabit theslopes and valleys of the park.

Scenic Resources and Air Quality.Outstanding views of natural features,including mountains, glaciers, faults,and rivers dominate the parklandscape. On a clear day, MountMcKinley can be seen fromAnchorage, more than 130 air miles tothe south. The exceptional air qualityin Alaska and the lack of city lightsnear the park provide the conditionsfor outstanding daytime views year-round and excellent night sky visibilityin fall, winter, and spring. DenaliNational Park and Preserve is adesignated Class I airshed under theClean Air Act Amendments.

Cultural Resources. There are 257 knowncultural resource sites within Denali'sboundaries, including both prehistoricand historic sites. Because culturalresource inventories have been limited todate, this number likely represents a smallfraction of the park's total sites. Knownresources include archeological andhistoric sites associated with AthabascanIndian groups, early explorers, mininghistory, and the early days of the park.Major prehistoric sites in the park includethe Teklanika Archeological District, aproperty listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places. Many historic structuresare in the park headquarters area, which islisted on the National Register of HistoricPlaces as a district, and on the boundariesof the Denali Wilderness (along theoriginal park boundary). These are mainlypatrol cabins and other structures dating

back to early years of park management.Historic mining activity dates back to theearly 1900s in the Kantishna Hills (whichincludes the national register-eligibleKantishna Historic District), the Stampedearea, and the Dunkle Hills near Cantwell.

Mountaineering. Because it is thehighest peak in North America, has ahigh northern latitude location, and isrelatively accessible, Mount McKinleyis considered one of the world'spremier mountaineering destinations,drawing climbers from manycountries. It is touted as one of the“seven summits of the world.” Manyother peaks in the park, includingMount Foraker, also offer outstandingexpeditionary climbing opportunities.

Wilderness Recreation. Denali offerssuperlative opportunities for primitivewilderness recreation. Outstandingcross country hiking, backcountrycamping, and winter touringpossibilities are available for thosewilling to approach the area in itsnatural condition. This huge parkcontains large areas with almost notrails and where evidence of humanuse is minimal to nonexistent. Theseconditions are in contrast to mostwilderness areas in the contiguous 48states where maintained trails,designated campsites, footbridges, andsigns are standard. These conditionsalso contrast with much of Alaska,where similar opportunities abound,but are very difficult to reach. A largeportion of Denali's backcountry isreadily accessible to visitors who canreach the park by either highway orrailroad from either Anchorage orFairbanks - Alaska's two largest citiesand major connection points for out-of-state visitors.

Significance of Denali National Park and Preserve

PRESERVE PARK RESOURCES

Natural and cultural resources

and associated values at

Denali National Park and

Preserve are protected,

restored, and maintained in

good condition and managed

within their broader ecosystem

and cultural context.

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Preserve Park Resources

Surface Water Quality

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 100% of thepark's 12,130 lakes and ponds (68,663acres) meet State (EPA approved)water quality standards.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 100% of 12,130lakes and ponds (68,663 acres) meetState (EPA approved) water qualitystandards. Data are derived fromUnited States Geological Survey(USGS) hydrography data. STATUS: GOAL ACHIEVED

The USGS began a three-year study ofthe limnology and water quality ofWonder Lake in order to betterunderstand lake processes andecosystem function. A complementarysurvey of the lakes in the northwesternportion of the park was initiatedthrough the Inventory & Monitoringprogram to get baseline information.The Western Airborne ContaminantsAssessment Project found trace

amounts of mercury, dieldrin (a poison originally used as aninsecticide), and polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs) have been found nearWonder Lake as a result of global-scaleatmospheric transportation.

PCBs were utilized in hundreds ofindustrial and commercialapplications, such as electricalequipment, surgical implants, paints,and pigments due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, highboiling point and electrical insulatingproperties.They were banned in thelate 1970's due to their toxicity andpersistence in the environment. Theforthcoming final analysis will provideimplications specific to Denali. Aformal Water Resources StewardshipStrategy to guide the park towardeffective, science-based water resourcesmanagement was completed. This planwill be part of the forthcomingResource Stewardship Strategy.

Wonder Lake, with Mount McKinley toweringover it in the background, is a favoritedestination for many park visitors. Visitors cometo admire its beauty, try their luck at fishing forlake trout and grayling, or search for birds suchas the common loon and arctic tern that nestalong its edges during the summer.

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Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, eight (14%) of58 native Species of ManagementConcern (wolves, moose, goldeneagles, caribou, trumpeter swans,grizzly bears, Dall sheep, peregrinefalcons) will have improvedinformation regarding theiroccurrence, distribution, andabundance in the park, subject to theavailability of funding. Monitoringplans for additional species will bewritten, and two (3%) of the 58 species(wolves and grizzly bears) will bemanaged according to approvedmanagement plans.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, improvedinformation on six of the Species ofManagement concern will be available. STATUS: GOAL ACHIEVED

In FY 2006, the park obtainedimproved information about thedistribution and abundance ofwolves, caribou, moose, grizzlybears, peregrine falcons, and goldeneagles from ongoing, long-termstudies. Between February - April2006 twenty-two wolves from twelvepacks were captured and radio-collared to maintain the monitoringof the packs on the north side of theAlaska Range. The radio-collaredwolves were documented at over500 locations during the year fromthe air. Daily locations wereobtained via satellite upload fromnine wolves that wore collars withGPS (global positioning system)units. In April 2006 the density ofwolves on the north side of the parkwas estimated at 6.7 wolves per 1000square kilometers, a 50% increasefrom the previous year.

The monitoring of the caribou herdcontinued, with a late Septemberpopulation estimate of 2,050animals. In recent years the herd hasremained relatively stable atapproximately 2,000 animals.Moose surveys were conducted inNovember 2005 in the Cantwell andupper Yentna River areas in thesouthern part of the park. In theCantwell area, 257 moose were

observed, for a density of 0.65moose per square mile (0.25 mooseper square kilometer). The numberof moose counted in the Yentna areawas 41, for a density of 0.06 mooseper square mile (0.02 moose/squarekilometer). These locations areutilized for subsistence mooseharvest by local residents.

Wildlife Monitoring

NPS biologists have used radio-collars tomonitor Denali wolf packs since the mid-1980's.

Tom

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In May 2006 four female grizzlybears were captured to changeradio collars and four new femalebears were captured and collared as part of the long-term monitoringof grizzly bears on the north side of the Alaska Range. The bearswere located via the collarsapproximately twice per monthbetween May and September todetermine locations and cubproductivity and survival. Cubmortality remains high at 65%, and mortality for yearlings is 40%.Adult females have an averagemortality rate of 4% per year.

This was the 19th consecutive yearfor conducting standardized aerialsurveys to monitor reproductivesuccess of golden eagles andgyrfalcons in the park. Seventy-fivegolden eagle nesting territorieswere monitored this year, and ofthese 85% were occupied by pairs.94% of the pairs producedclutches, making the 2006production one of the highest ever.It was a different story for thegyrfalcons, whose nesting successwas only mediocre. Seven nestingterritories were occupied, but onlythree pairs produced chicks for atotal of nine fledglings. Two new

peregrine falcon territories weredocumented in 2006, bringing thetotal number to seven.Reproduction was successful at sixof the sites, fledging a total of eightyoung birds.

Standardized counts for passerine,i.e. perching, birds were conductedat 211 sampling points in June 2006.Preliminary analysis of the surveydata suggests that the abundance of most species is similar to the lastfour years. Two new species ofbirds, the ruddy duck and themourning dove, were added to theDenali bird checklist this year.

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Gyrfalcons are the largest falcon species in the world.They breed throughout the northern latitudes,including in Denali. Here they often utilize nestsoriginally built by golden eagles or ravens.

Wildlife technician looking and listening for birds onPolychrome Mountain during June breeding bird survey

An estimated 300-350 grizzly bears roam within thepark on the north side of the Alaska Range. Theanimals are mostly solitary, except for familygroups such as a sow with cubs. Cubs remain withtheir mothers for two-three full years before theyare chased away to begin life on their own.

Long-Term Goal:By September 30, 2008, 53 of 143(37%) of Denali National Park andPreserve historic structures on thecurrent List of Classified Structuresare in good condition.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 48 of 131(37%) of Denali National Park andPreserve historic structures on thecurrent list of Classified Structuresare in good condition. STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The Special Projects crew did acomplete rehabilitation of the interiorand exterior of “The Overthere”, builtby park rangers and completed in 1928.It was used as a warehouse for overfifty years and in 1982 was refurbishedas offices for the Division ofInterpretation. The rehabilitation workincluded restoring windows and doorsto the original configuration and acomplete gutting of the building'sinterior. The existing first floorstructural system was retained andreinforced. All new interior walls anda new second floor with interiorpartition walls was installed. Thebuilding also received a new heatingand cooling system, along with firedetection and sprinkler systems. Withthe exception of the restroom, thebuilding is Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) compliant. For improvedenergy efficiency, this building is nolonger on the central steam heatingsystem during the winter.

The historic Lower East Fork rangerpatrol cabin, built by rangers in 1930,was rehabilitated using locally-cutlogs that had been felled the previousyear and peeled at the site. Work

included raising the cabin so that itsrotted sill logs could be replaced. Thework crew constructed a newfoundation and floor system andinstalled a new insulated roof. The sitewas then graded to enhance drainageand minimize future problems.

Rehabilitation work on two otherhistoric buildings at parkheadquarters is currently in progress.Repair and rehabilitation of theRanger Cache, completed in 1931 as agarage, has included lifting thebuilding to construct a new concretefoundation and floor, and replacingrotted sill logs and log column ends.The interior is being updated withrestroom facilities (the building hadpreviously lacked these!) and newoffice space. The project will becompleted in 2007. A completeinterior rehabilitation of a residenceconstructed in the early 1950's is also in progress.

Historic Structures

The “Overthere” rehabilitation was completed in June2006. The building has offices and working space forfive permanent staff.

The Lower East Fork Cabin, before and afterrestoration.

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Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, thirteen (9%) ofthe 150 Denali National Park andPreserve archeological sites listed on thecurrent archeological Sites ManagementSystem (ASMIS) with conditionassessments, are in good condition.

By September 30, 2006, one of the 150 archeological sites listed on thecurrent Archeological SitesManagement Information System(ASMIS) with condition assessments,are in good condition.STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The two sites that make up theTeklanika Archeological District werebrought into good condition through astabilization project completed thisyear, exceeding the goal of getting oneadditional site into good condition.During the three year project the siteswere evaluated. From the evaluationrecommendations were made on howto stabilize the sites to prevent anyfurther erosion. The stabilizationincluded backfilling the evacuatedareas with native materials and thenrevegetating the site. The evaluatorsalso recommended that moreinterpretation be done of the sites.

A total of 64 sites are now in goodcondition.

Paleontological Sites

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 30% of the 284 listed paleontological localitiesknown as of FY2004 in DenaliNational Park and Preserve aredocumented and condition assessmentsestablished. As of 2004, none of thesesites have been inventoried by theNational Park Service.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, twenty-fourpaleontological localities in DenaliNational Park and Preserve aredocumented and conditionassessments established. STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The search for dinosaur material in thepark continued with great success inthe 2006 field season. Trace fossil siteswere located in the Igloo Canyon andDouble Mountain vicinities of thepark. Over seventy new paleontologicalsites, or sites with fossil remains of

plants and animals, were documented.The new discoveries included twenty-four footprints of theropods, meat-eating dinosaurs that walked on theirhind legs, and seven hadrosaurfootprints. Hadrosaurs are commonlyreferred to as duck-billed dinosaurs. Inaddition, numerous bird tracks, onepossible bird feather imprint, severalsuspected small mammal trackways,possible claw prints, numerous plantfossil impressions and other biologicalor trace fossil features weredocumented. Over 1,000 feet of rocklayers of different types was measured,described and documented and severalmolds were made of the footprints.

Most of the summer's discoveries weremade by trained geologists andgraduate students, but some of thenew finds took place duringworkshops for teachers and field tripsfor students in the local school district.

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Archeological Sites

The original evaluation and documentation of theTeklanika River archeological site took place in 1961.This site was used by Native Americans approximately5000-8000 years ago.

Dr. Tony Fiorillo, of the Dallas Museum of Natural History, studies casts of theropod and hadrosaur dinosaurtracks on a rock outcropping above the Igloo Canyon.

PRESERVE PARK RESOURCES

The National Park Service

contributes to knowledge

about natural and cultural

resources and associated

values; management

decisions about visitors and

resources are based on

adequate scholarly and

scientific information.

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Long-Term Goal:By September 30, 2008, 100% of theidentified natural resource datasetsidentified in the ResourceManagement Plan for Denali NationalPark and Preserve will be completed.

Annual Goal:By September 30, 2006, fifty of fiftyidentified natural resource datasetsidentified in the ResourceManagement Plan will be completed. STATUS: GOAL ACHIEVED

Some of major projects taking place in2006 included research on thepredator-prey dynamics betweencaribou and their predators and thedynamics of wolves and their prey,both done cooperatively with theUSGS. The park's maintenancedivision staff continued monitoring thedust palliative application on the parkroad under the direction of the park'splant ecologist. The palliative is spreadon approximately forty miles of themore heavily traveled portions of thepark road. The dust reduces visibilityand creates a safety hazard, and canbe a health concern during periodswithout rain.

A second year of the extensive effortto document resource impacts fromoff-road vehicle (ORV) use in the newpark additions near Cantwell wascompleted. Data from this study isbeing utilized to prepare thealternatives for an environmentalassessment that is scheduled to bereleased for public comment in 2007.

This was the first year ofimplementing a landscape-scalevegetation monitoring program in thepark. During the summer 165

permanent vegetation plots wereinstalled and surveyed, from thelowlands west of Kantishna to thealpine ridges around Mount Healy.This field work likely represents the largest single-season effort invegetation sampling in the park's history.

Surveillance sampling of arcticwarblers for the H5N1 avianinfluenza took place in 2006 aspart of a nationwide effort tomonitor specific bird populationsfor the presence of the virus.

Global Positioning System or GPShas become a valuable tool forpark managers in all disciplines.As receivers have become smaller,cheaper, and more precise, thenumber of units in use in the parkhas grown dramatically. Aninformal survey of GPS use withinthe park indicates that there areseventy-eight units in use by the

Resource Monitoring

A recently banded arctic warbler.

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A series of studies to examine theimpacts of traffic volume andpatterns on the Denali Park Road tovegetation, wildlife, physicalresources and the visitor experiencewas begun in 2006. The goal of thismulti-disciplinary project is tomaintain the quality of the visitorexperience and protect parkresources in the face of increaseddemand for the park roadexperience. Since 1972 traffic on thepark road beyond Mile 15 has beencontrolled and limited to primarilybuses. An annual limit of 10,512vehicles during the main visitorseason was implemented with thecompletion of the park's GeneralManagement Plan in 1986.

A study of grizzly bears and Dallsheep utilizing GPS telemetry isintended to detect impacts of trafficon animal movements near the road.A social survey will study theexpectations and experiences of parkvisitors and of experienced roadusers. A study of logistical andphysical constraints on traffic willexamine traffic congestion,

maintenance and construction needs,dust and noise levels, and otherfactors that constrain traffic. Acomprehensive model of park roadtraffic will be developed to predictthe effects of changes in trafficvolume and timing. If researchfindings suggest that changes to thevehicle numbers and volume arefeasible, alternatives would bedeveloped and go through a publicreview process.

In order to have a full range ofroad traffic patterns for evaluatingthe movements of wildlife inrelationship to the road, the NPSimplemented a “Quiet Night”policy to have one night of minimaltraffic on the park road betweenthe Savage River and Wonder Lakethroughout the summer. All roadpermit holders were asked to limittravel to only urgent or emergencytraffic from 10:00 p.m. Sunday until6:00 a.m. Monday. This “QuietNight” policy will be continued inthe summer of 2007.

Park Road Study

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Visitor Protection, ResourceManagement, and Maintenancedivisions. The park glaciologistuses survey-grade GPS to measuremovements of glaciers within 0.1meter. Biologists use GPS todocument sample site andobservation locations within 1-5meters. The backcountry staff usesmall, recreation-grade, GPS unitsto document patrol routes,campsite locations, and for searchand rescue. The MaintenanceDivision uses GPS to documentinfrastructure such as culvertlocations and for laying outconstruction projects.

Backcountry ranger Nate Porter uses a handheld GPSunit during a patrol.

Maintaining a high quality experience for thegreatest number of park visitors while preservingpark resources remains a primary challenge for parkmanagers. What limit will ensure road traffic has nonegative impacts on wildlife and on high qualityvisitor experiences?

In spring 2006 researchers placed GPS collars ontwenty grizzly bears that were located within theroad corridor area. The collars were programmed tocalculate the position of the bear once every hour andto automatically fall off on September 20, 2006.Nineteen of the collars were retrieved and the data isbeing analyzed.

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More than 150 scientists, parkmanagers, community members,students, and educators gathered atthe Denali Visitor Center and theMurie Science and Learning Center(MSLC) for the 2006 Alaska ParkScience Symposium that took placeSeptember 12-14. The Symposium is abi-annual event, hosted by a differentpark each time. The theme of thisyear's Symposium, “Park Science inCentral Alaska: Crossing Boundaries ina Changing Environment” focused onpresentations given by scientists from avariety of disciplines who conductedresearch in Denali, Wrangell-St. EliasNational Park, Yukon-Charley RiversNational Preserve and the adjacentlands and waters of Central Alaska andthe Western Yukon.

Denali park staff played a key role,along with other Central AlaskaNetwork parks and the Regional

Science Advisor, in organizing theSymposium, park logistics, andaudiovisual needs (videotaping forlater educational purposes, livestreaming to the web).

The schedule included fiftypresentations and thirty-five posterson topics including geology,monitoring a changing environment,landscape ecology, vertebrateecology, profiles in history,educational strategies, evaluating thevisitor experience and subsistencemanagement. Symposium highlightsincluded two plenary talks, “AlaskanNational Parks in a WarmingClimate” by Terry Chapin and “TheYukon Ice Patch Research Project”by Greg Hare. There was also adiscussion by five panelists about“Landscape Change in CentralAlaska”, and a synthesis talk entitled“What Do We Know and Where DoWe Go From Here?” The conferencewas broadcast live over the Internet,allowing people from all over thecountry to view sessions in real time.A published Symposium Proceedingsis planned in the coming year.

The symposium was the startingpoint for Denali's ResourceStewardship Strategy planning process.Denali will be the Alaska Region'sprototype park for developing theseplans.The strategy will ensure thatimportant park values are maintained,including intact biological systems,wildlife, glaciers, historic sites, visitorexperience and many other importantresources and values. The resultingdocument will guide research andresource management activities in thepark for the next 15-20 years.

Alaska Park Science Symposium

The poster session also featured a spectacularquilt made by the Denali Quilters. The thirty-some members of the guild worked for fouryears to design and sew the quilt, which wascompleted in 2006. Each piece of colored fabricrepresents a pixel of one of the twenty-threelandcover types described for the park. Thecentral quilt is surrounded by a border of blocksmade up of close-up artistic representations ofthe landcover types.

Symposium participants had the opportunity tomeet researchers and view posters on a varietyof projects taking place in the park and in otherareas of Alaska.

PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visitors safely enjoy and are

satisfied with the availability,

accessibility, diversity, and the

quality of park facilities,

services, and appropriate

recreational opportunities.

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 6 15

Provide for the Public Enjoyment and Visitor Experience

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 88% of visitorsto Denali National Park are satisfiedwith appropriate park facilities,services, and recreationalopportunities.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 85% of parkvisitors are satisfied with appropriatepark facilities, services, andrecreational opportunities.STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The first full season of operations forthe facilities in the Denali VisitorCenter complex proved to be a verymuch appreciated improvement to thevisitor's park experience. Visitorsatisfaction increased from 95% in2005 to 98% in 2006. The DenaliVisitor Center, coupled with the MurieScience and Learning Center, providesvisitors with the opportunity for selfdiscovery and deeper learning.

National Park Service and parkpartner staff, including the AlaskaNatural History Institutes,Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture,Denali Borough School District, andthe Denali Education Center , allactively encouraged visitors to engagein ranger programs and educational

opportunities such as walks, talks,hikes, and demonstrations thatenhanced the visitor experience. Thecompletion of new trails, ranging indifficulty from easy to strenuous, in thevicinity of the new facilities increasedopportunities for visitors to explorethe park at their comfort level. DenaliVisitor Center staff regularly receivedpositive comments about theavailability of food and drink withinwalking distance of the center. Visitorsatisfaction with combined parkfacilities increased 3% over 2005 andsatisfaction with the combinedservices increased 5%.

The climbing season in 2006 wastypical, with 1,151 climbers registeredfor Mt. McKinley and an additionaltwenty-eight registered for Mt.Foraker. The majority of the visitationcame from the United States (62% ofall climbers). Other key nationscontributing to this season'smountaineering totals includedCanada, Japan, the United Kingdom,and Spain. Approximately 50% of theclimbers who attempted Mt.McKinley, a total of 582, reached its20,320 foot summit. No summits wererecorded on Mt. Foraker.

Visitor Facilities and Services

Children from the local communities participatein “Denali Discovery Camp”, a week-longoutdoor learning experience in the parksponsored by the Denali Education Center inpartnership with the National Park Service.

Park visitors can enjoy outdoor dining at theMorino Grill, conveniently located near theDenali Visitor Center and Alaska Railroad Depot.

Commercial Services

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 71% of parkvisitors are satisfied with commercialservices in the park (as measured bythe Visitor Comment Survey card).

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 79% of parkvisitors are satisfied with commercialservices in the park (as measured bythe Visitor Comment Survey card).STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The results from a random survey ofpark visitors indicated that 87% of themwere satisfied with the commercialservices in the park, most of which areprovided by the park's mainconcessioner, Doyon/ARAMARK JointVenture (JV). These services include theMorino Grill, a food service facility inthe Denali Visitor Center campus, theRiley Creek Mercantile camperconvenience store at the entrance to theRiley Creek Campground, and theWilderness Access Center (WAC), wherevisitors obtain campground and busreservations. JV remodeled the interiorof the WAC, adding new interpretivepanels and a centrally locatedinformation desk to provide betterservice to visitors utilizing the facility.

Transportation services into the parkwere provided to approximately 287,000visitors. This included 74,537 passengerson the Visitor Transportation System(VTS); 120,032 on the Tundra WildernessTour (TWT) and 76,256 on the DenaliNatural History Tour (DNHT). TheTWT experience was enhanced by theaddition of twenty-two new busesequipped with video technology thatallowed the driver/guide to use a videocamera to focus on and zoom in onwildlife. This assisted visitors in locating

animals and enhanced distant wildlifesightings. Buses used for the VTS werereconfigured with bucket seats,increasing capacity by four additionalseats per bus. VTS use has declinedabout 9% since 2005, but the TWT andDNHT grew by 1% and 17% respectively.

New ten- year contracts were awardedto four glacier landing services, andprospectuses were released for guidedsport hunting and guided interpretiveservices hiking. As part of theimplementation of the BackcountryManagement Plan, new limits andguidelines, primarily for air taxis, hikingand hunting guides, were integrated intothe concession contracts and commercialuse authorizations.

Major Planning Efforts Completed

The Record of Decision was signed inFebruary 2006 for the completed FinalBackcountry Management Plan andEnvironmental Impact Statement. Thisdocument is the culmination of nearlyseven years of planning for the back-country of the park, which makes upapproximately 99% of the total area.The plan amends and updates the 1986General Management Plan and guidesmanagers for the next 15-20 years ontopics such as airplane landings, snow-machine use, and commercial activities.It will provide for growth in visitor useand additional visitor opportunities inthe backcountry of the park.

The final South Denali ImplementationPlan and Environmental ImpactStatement was released in April 2006,representing the culmination of morethan thirteen years of cooperativeplanning by the National Park Service,State of Alaska and Matanuska-SusitnaBorough. The Curry Ridge in DenaliState Park was chosen for the site of anew visitor center, which will providea focal point for a variety of activitiesin the state park and Denali NationalPark. The plan also provides for newrecreational opportunities in the SouthDenali region as a whole, includingareas along the Parks Highway southof Denali State Park and the PetersvilleRoad near Trapper Creek. The Recordof Decision was signed in June 2006.

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 616

Tour and shuttle buses stop at the Polychrome RestArea for a short break. Visitors can enjoy stunningviews of the Plains of Murie and the Alaska Range,and walk a short trail located above the rest area.

The Curry Ridge site for the new visitor center inDenali State Park has a spectacular view of MountMcKinley on clear days.

NPS wildlife biologist Pat Owen does anactivity on wildlife monitoring with studentsparticipating in Denali Discovery Camp, one ofthe many educational programs offeredthrough the Murie Science and LearningCenter.

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Winter kennels volunteer Trish Rodriguez relaxing inthe Wonder Lake Ranger Station after a hard day outon the trail. She, another volunteer and the assistantkennels manager mushed three teams of the park'ssled dogs from headquarters to Wonder Lake andback during the annual winter patrol of the centralpart of the park.

Visitor Understanding

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 80% of DenaliNational Park visitors understand andappreciate the significance of the park.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 80% of DenaliNational Park visitors understand andappreciate the significance of the park.STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

The responses provided by 92% of thevisitors to a survey showed that theyunderstood why Denali is significant as apark. The new Denali Visitor Centerfacilities provide numerous opportunitiesfor visitors to learn more the park'ssignificance, through self-discovery orthe numerous ranger-led activities. Alongwith the traditional complement ofwalks, talks, hikes, campgroundprograms and demonstrations, several

new informal and formal programs(topographic model discussions, exhibitroves, the Meadow View hike) weregiven with good success. Manyeducational programs were offeredthrough the Murie Science and LearningCenter (MSLC), and a new EducationSpecialist rejuvenated the program insouthside communities.

Several enhancements in the park'sinformation technology structureenhanced visitor educationopportunities. These improvementsincluded: expansion of the MSLC guestnetwork into the Denali Visitor Center,significantly increasing the number ofcomputer ports in the MSLC, installationof kiosk machines providing informationto visitors at the DVC and MSLC on theCentral Alaska Network Inventory andMonitoring program, and technicalsupport for the monitoring cameralocated near Wonder Lake that providesinformation on air quality and mountainvisibility for the park's website.

Volunteers in the ParkThe park's core functions, those mostrelevant to the park mission, continueto benefit from the use of volunteers.A total of 39,253 hours were donatedby 324 volunteers in 2006, an increaseover the 35,757 hours contributed in2005. The number of volunteers wasdown slightly from the 357 in 2005. In2006 there was also an increase in thediversity of the activities in whichvolunteers participated.

The traditional operations such as winterkennels, campground hosts, visitorcontact stations, and mountaineeringpatrols maintained their use ofvolunteers. The rescue and resourcemanagement aspects of themountaineering operation wereenhanced by the efforts of thirty-eightmountaineering volunteers, who

contributed a total of 7,300 hours to thepatrols. Over 5,300 hours werecontributed at the kennels, including thetwo winter volunteers, one summerintern, and approximately sixty summerdog walkers.

The Administrative Division and thepark's safety office utilized volunteers toaugment their respective programs. TheDenali School Borough and the StudentConservation Association provided sixty-six volunteers who ultimately contributedover a third of the park's total volunteerhours. Accomplishments for the 2006season include the construction of twoseasonal quarters and a greenhouse forthe seasonal housing area; constructionof several trails in the park's entrancearea, removal of 1,000 pounds of non-native plants and involvement in anextensive visitor survey.

ENSURE ORGANIZATIONALEFFECTIVENESS

The National Park Service

uses current management

practices, systems, and

technologies to accomplish

its mission.

Ensure Organizational Effectiveness

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 618

Upgrades of Trails and Other Assets

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 85% of 273other non-historic facility assets are infair to good condition as measured bythe Facility Condition Index (FCI)

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 223 (82%) of273 other non-historic facility assetsare in fair to good condition asmeasured by the Facility ConditionIndex (FCI)STATUS: GOAL ACHIEVED

Substantial trail work was completedon the Gorge Creek, Triple Lakes andSavage Alpine trails. The Gorge CreekTrail near the Eielson Visitor Centerand the Savage Alpine Trail above theSavage River Rest stop are essentiallynew trails, although they follow roughsocial trails that developed due torepeated hiker use. The Triple LakesTrail was constructed during thesummers of 1941 to 1944, but haddeteriorated over the years due to lack of regular maintenance. Otherimprovements included thereplacement of the benches in theSavage River Campgroundamphitheater.

Mats of tundra vegetation wereremoved from the area around theEielson Visitor Center prior tobeginning construction this summer.They are being stored to rehabilitatethe landscape vegetation around theEielson Visitor Center when thebuilding is completed. Without theintervening rehabilitation, the nativealpine vegetation may not be able tore-establish itself due to the shortgrowing season at that elevation (3,733feet) and the high impacts of visitationat the site.

Employee Housing Upgrades

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, 38% of the 99employee housing units are in fair to goodcondition, as measured by the FCI at Denali.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, 31% of 99employee housing units are in good tofair condition as measured by the FCI.STATUS: GOAL ACHIEVED

The National Park Service (NPS) andthe Denali Borough School Districtwork together in a School-to-Workprogram that supports Tri-Valleystudents in Healy participating in abuilding trades class. During the 2005-2006 school year high school studentsconstructed two eighteen by twenty-fourfoot cabins using materials and supervisionprovided by the NPS. They areconstructed of materials for high energyefficiency, including triple-pane glassin the windows, insulated doors andenergy efficient lights and appliances.These cabins replaced poorlyconstructed, very energy-inefficientcabins that were twenty years old.

Two two-story structures originallybuilt by the Civilian ConservationCorps in the late 1930s werecompletely rehabilitated. The interiorin both buildings was completelyreplaced, and new plumbing, wiring,arctic entries, steps, and decks wereinstalled. Each contains two one-bedroom apartments that are used forhousing permanent employees.

Trail crew members remove small trees andother vegetation during the Triple Lakes Trail re-construction.

The interiors of Buildings 12 and 13 were completelyrehabbed, including new windows, appliances, andlight fixtures.

ENSURE ORGANIZATIONALEFFECTIVENESS

The National Park Service

increases its managerial

resources through initiatives

and support from other

agencies, organizations

and individuals.

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 6

Denali Partnerships

19

Long-Term Goal: By September 30, 2008, Denali willinitiate one additional communitypartnership designed to enhance itsability to manage recreational and/oreducational activities seamlessly.

Annual Goal: By September 30, 2006, Denali willinitiate one additional communitypartnership designed to enhance itsability to manage recreational and/oreducation activities seamlessly. STATUS: GOAL EXCEEDED

Two new interpretive partnershipswere formalized with Holland AmericaTours and Princess Hotels, Inc. TheNational Park Service provides aninterpretive program, once a day, sevendays a week, for both partners fromearly June through Labor Dayweekend. Programs may be a walkalong the nature path of the hotel,informal discussions, or formalpresentations and are up to an hour inlength. Attendance at the programsaveraged sixteen guests.

National Park Service interpreter Jo AnneBlankenship presents a program on bears forguests at the McKinley Chalet Resorts.

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$3,196,100 - Resource Protectionand ManagementStaff completed a comprehensivedocument describing the results of theoff-road vehicle (ORV) inventoryproject for which the field work wascompleted in 2005. Park staff alsowrote and prepared the vegetation andwetlands sections for the CantwellTraditional Use ORV EnvironmentalAssessment document, which isexpected to be released for publiccomment in spring 2007.

Soundscape monitoring data wascollected from sound stations locatedon Healy Ridge, Muldrow Glacier,Caribou Creek, the toe of the RuthGlacier, West Fork of the Yentna River,and at Foggy Pass.This was the firstyear of a regionally funded project todevelop an effective sample design formonitoring soundscapes in largeAlaskan parks.

The Western Area Fire ManagementProgram continued theimplementation of the frontcountryhazard fuels treatment program byremoving trees, shrubs and othervegetation that was in close proximityto buildings at the Toklat Road Camp,a seasonal housing area located 53miles into the park. An additional 1.5acres of fuels were treated adjacent tobackcountry cabin sites.

$4,335,100 - Visitor ServicesWork continues on the construction andplanning the exhibits for the new EielsonVisitor Center, which is scheduled toopen in 2008.

2006 was the fifth year of the Artist-in-Residence program at Denali. Four artists

using very different mediums wereselected from over fifty applicants for theprogram. They included a wildlife artistwho works with oil paints, a fabric artistknown internationally for her spectacularquilts, a wood sculptor, and a printmakerwho creates prints using foam platesindented with pens, pointed tools ortextured objects.

A total of 6,885 road lottery applicationswere received this year, the highestnumber since an application fee wasimplemented in 2004. Good weatherconditions prevailed, and the road wasopen for its entire length for the weekend,allowing visitors in 1,347 vehicles to travelthrough and enjoy the park.

With the operation of the Murie Scienceand Learning Center as a winter visitorcenter, over one hundred visitorsparticipated in the weekend snowshoewalks that were offered on a regular basisduring the winter.

$9,543,200 - Facility Operations and MaintenanceMaintenance staff secured funding for,planned and implemented a budgetcontaining thirty-five separateaccounts, in addition to the baseONPS funds. The park recycled 129,158pounds (64.5 tons) of material, whichincluded 65,000 pounds of metal(scrap, aluminum, copper and brass);48,000 pounds of paper (cardboardand office paper); 1,000 pounds ofplastic; 2,364 pounds of electronics(computers, printers, fax machines;196 pounds of used toner cartridgesand batteries, oil and fluorescenttubes. The auto shop recovered andreused 990 gallons of used engine oil

as heating fuel for the fleet maintenanceshops. The park continued testing ofthe bio-based fish oil in partnershipwith the University of AlaskaFairbanks and the Alaska Departmentof Environmental Conservation.

The draft road design standards arenow under review, a project that has been underway for several years.When complete, the document willprovide guidance on the futuremaintenance and design of the park road.

$3,633,900 - Management andAdministrationThe park embarked on the CoreOperations Analysis (CORE) processto create an awareness of newoperating realities being faced bymanagement due to the erosion andshortfalls in the park's budget.Supervisors and employees wereintegrated into the process to analyzetasks and activities, determining thosethat are core to the park's andNational Park Service missions. Staffidentified operational efficiencies,determined attrition rates andprograms to be discontinued, andidentified potential revenue streamenhancements. The Budget CostProjection (BCP) contains theorganizational and operationalefficiencies that could be implementedimmediately. The BCP identifies thebudget shortfall that the park would befaced with if any of the efficiencies ornew revenue streams identified in theCORE process are not implemented.

FY 2006 Financial Summary

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Expenditure Highlights from All Funding Sources

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All ONPSFunding Sources Funding Only

Resource Protection ManagementNatural resource management 2,704,400 1,041,600Cultural resources & subsistence 491,700 303,000

$3,196,100 $1,344,600

Visitor ServicesInterpretation 1,414,900 719,700Rangers 2,553,700 2,071,300Concessions 366,600 238,600

$4,335,200 $3,029,600

Facility OperationsMaintenance 10,291,800 3,287,000

$10,291,800 $3,287,000

Management & AdministrationSuperintendent’s Office 861,500 795,100Planning 507,200 364,500Administration 1,517,100 1,490,100

$2,885,800 $2,649,700

TOTAL $20,708,900 $10,310,900

FY 2006 Financial Summary

All Funding Sources

50 %

21 %

15 %14 %

Management and Administration Resource Protection

Management

Facility Operations

Visitor Services

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 622

First Lady Laura Bush and two childhood friends visited the park in late July, continuing the First Lady’s annual tradition of visiting national parks with some or all ofa group of women who have known each other since grade school. The First Lady and her party were guests at Camp Denali for five days. The National Park Serviceand its partners hosted a luncheon for the First Lady and her friends at the end of her visit.

Park ranger-interpreter Mark Motsko and his Discovery Hikeparticipants on Polychrome Mountain.

The Special Projects crew consisting of Eric Newton, Jean Balay,Chip Barker, and Seth Clark worked for three weeks on theLower East Fork Cabin rehabilitation.

D E N A L I N A T I O N A L P A R K A N D P R E S E R V E 2 0 0 6 23

Denali National Park and Preserve Organization Chart

Superintendent

AssistantSuperintendent

Operations

AssistantSuperintendent

Resources, Science, &Learning

Public Affairs Specialist Planning Division

MaintenanceDivision

Ranger Division

Administration Division

Safety Officer

InterpretationDivision

Subsistence/CulturalResources Branch

Murie Science andLearning Center

Natural ResourcesBranch

Concessions Division

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior