Steese

Steese NCA https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/alaska/steese https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steese_National_Conservation_Area A half day's drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, the Steese National Conservation Area (NCA) offers stunning scenery, peaceful solitude, and outstanding opportunities for year-round recreation. The NCA was designated by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980 to protect the area’s special values, particularly Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River, and caribou habitat.

Alaska's Historic Steese and Elliott Highways Map Legend m Hiking Trail mCanoe Access In summer, wild rivers, hik ing trails, hot springs, and public recreation cabins offer a diversity of outdoor pursuits. View the midnight sun, experience the quiet beauty of alpine hi.I ls, and enjoy the friendline.ss ofonce-bustling gold rush towns. This brochure introduces you to the outdoor recreation oppornu1i1ies on public lands mauaged by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) along the Steese and Elliott highways. It also highlights sites of interest, including the visible remnants of gold rush days, to make your journey a memorable one. Bureau of Land Management Fairbanks District Office 1150 University Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3844 Local: 907-474-2200 Toll Free: 1-800-437-7021 www.blm .gov/ak Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BlMAlaska Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/BlMAlaska Birch Creek Bridge MP147.1 f3 Tent Camping follow the historic mining trails rhat once guided a torrent of prospectors into Alaska's heartland. Explore the vasr landscape of the Grear Interior, traditional homeland of the Athabascan people. Encounter 1.ocal people who still hum, trap, and mine in the same spirit as earlier Alaskans. In winter you may thrill to the sight of the aurora borealis crow11ing the night sky wbile traveling the spectacular White Mountains by dog team, skis, or snowmobile. Relive the courage and fortitude of Interior Alaska's early travelers by followi ng the Yukon Quest loternational Sled Dog Race as the trail weaves back and forth across the Steese Highway. Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge !! fl C1 Information l!HI Vault Toilet __,_...,_ f Yukon­ Charley Rivers National Preserve 1 Lower Birch Creek Wayside [;1 l!HI MP 140.4 m-e fJ Fishing Access Parking Steese Nationa l Conservation Area North Unit • Bikers climb thro11gh t11ntlr11 on the Pinn ell Mo1111t11i11 Nt1tio1111l Recreation Trttil. Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail ummit Wayside MP85.5 Eagle Summit Wayside MP 107.1 [D fl[;11!ID_ Yukon­ Charley Rivers National Preserve , · pper Birch Creek Wayside MP94 11!!1 !!fl~' Steese Highway Alaska Route 6 The Steese Highway begins in Fairbanks at the junction of the Richardson Highway and Airport Way. In the following list, SLM­ managed facilities are highlighted in blue. Cripple Creek Campgroiincl Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site MP 39 MP 60 t'!m me11m1 U.S. Creek Road/ Davidson Ditch fl [;1 lmJ MP 57.3 Trans-Alaska Pipeline Mile 8.4 (13.5 km) A pipeline viewing site sponsored by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company provides information displays and parking. P oker Flat Research Range MP 29.5 Gold Dredge #8 n·vel' ·k(l " ·~ ' -------, 111 C/ra Hl Gold Dredge #8 MP9.5 Mile 9.5 (15.3 km) Constructed in 1927, Gold Dredge #8 displaced millions oftous of gravel during 32 years of operation, creating symmetrical rows of gravel tailings that are still visible. Privately owned, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fox Mile 11 (17.7 km) Named for Fox Creek, this community was founded as a mining camp iu 1905. Turn right just before the Alaska Department of Transportation weigh station to continue up the Steese Highway. Felix Pedro Historic Monument Mile 16.5 (26.6 km) Jn 1902 Felix Pedro became the first prospector to discover gold in this area. He made his way to E.T. Barnette's Chena River camp for supplies, where word of his gold strike spread, and the ensuing gold rush led to the founding of Fairbanks. Well over 7 mil lion troy ounces of gold were eventually dredged from the Tanana Valley. Cleary Summit Mile 20.3 (32.7 km) From this high point at 2,233 feet (681 m), ihe White Mountains and Yukon-Tanana Uplands are visible to the north. The Circle- Fairbanks Historic Trai l starts 4 miles (6.4 km) east of here on Fairbanks Creek Road and ends approximately 58 miles (93 km) later at Twelvemile Summit on the Steese Highway. Gold Dredge #3 MP 28.6 McKay Creek Trailhead DJ fl MP42.5 Chatanika Gold Camp MP 27.9 } Chena Hot Sprin!:JS I Cleary Summit MP 20.3 Felix Pedro Monument MP16.5 Trans-Alaska Pipeline MP8.4 P oker Flat Research Range Mile 29.5 (47.5 km) Operated by the Geophysical lnstitute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this is the only university-owned rocket launching faci lity in the world. Research on the aurora borealis (northern lights) is the major focus. Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site Mile 39 (62.8 km) A picnic area, campground, and river access are available at th.is site owued by the State of Alaska. Boaters can put in for a 20-mile (32 km) class J- 11 float to mile ll (17.5 km) on the Elliott Highway. McKay Creek Trailhead Mile 42.5 (68 km) Access is provided to 200 miles of winter trails and public recreational use cabins in the I-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area. 0 This siphon pipe at U.S. Creek (Mile 57.3) was part af the historic I)a11i1lso11 Oitch. 1

T R E A D Tread Lightly Welcome ravel and recreate with minimum impact. Welcome to the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Alaska. The BLM manages more than 70 million acres of public land in Alaska. These lands are yours to enjoy and use for a variety of recreational opportunities. Your visit to BLM-managed public lands in Alaska will offer you a once in a lifetime experience. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, exploring the treeless tundra, or fishing in a freshwater stream, you’ll experience the open landscapes of BLM-managed public lands. Unless otherwise posted, all public lands are available for recreation use. However, please remember that BLM manages public lands for other uses, such as energy and mineral development, wildlife habitat, and conserving natural, cultural, and historic resources. This publication will give you a general idea of where recreation opportunities exist on public lands in Alaska. Please note the location of the BLM offices throughout the state. BLM staff are happy to assist you while you are enjoying Alaska’s public lands. espect the environment and the rights of others. ducate yourself, plan and prepare before you go. llow for future use of the outdoors by leaving it better than you found it. iscover the rewards of responsible recreation. https://treadlightly.org/ Leave No Trace We encourage visitors to adhere to the seven Leave No Trace principles on all BLM-managed public lands. • Plan Ahead and Prepare • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find • Minimize Campfire Impacts • Respect Wildlife • Be Considerate of Other Visitors Trail Etiquette Map Campground Name # of Sites # Season of Use Vault Toilet Water Fee 13 Arctic Circle 22 June - Sept. Y N Y* 32 Brushkana Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 25 Cripple Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 47 Eagle 16 June - Sept. Y N Y 16 Five Mile 8 June - Sept. Y Y Y** 4 Galbraith Lake 18 June - Sept. Y N Y** 8 Marion Creek 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 24 Mount Prindle 13 June - Sept. Y Y Y 22 Ophir Creek 19 June - Sept. Y Y Y 38 Paxson 50 June - Sept. Y Y Y 52 Salmon Lake 6 June - Sept. Y N N 39 Sourdough Creek 42 June - Sept. Y Y Y 36 Tangle Lakes 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 45 Walker Fork 20 June - Sept. Y Y Y 42 West Fork 25 June - Sept. Y N Y Y = service available N = service not available * Beginning summer 2022 Windy Arch, near Windy Gap in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Safety Public Access BLM Alaska’s lands are vast and rugged. Remember to plan your trip accordingly by ensuring you have first aid supplies, emergency vehicle supplies, and adequate provisions before heading out. When planning a backcountry trip, always file a trip plan with a friend or family member and let them know when you plan to return. BLM Alaska managed public lands are intermingled with private, state, Tribal, and a variety of other jurisdictions. A visitor may legally access public lands via: • A public trail, road, or highway; • A navigable water; • From adjacent public or state lands that are from landowner; or via a valid 17b public easement. Information on 17b easements and maps can be found at https://www.blm.gov/ alaska/17b-easements; Trail Etiquette invasive species. • Slow down for curves and hills, when visibility is limited and when other users are present. • Keep noise and dust down. • Keep pets under control. Some trails require dogs to be leashed. Whether travelling far off the beaten path or along the road, thorough preparation is imperative for a successful trip. Alaska is bear country. Store your food and other scent attractants in an enclosed vehicle or bearproof food storage container, and never store your food in an occupied tent. When travelling in bear country, remember to make noise, travel in groups, carry bear spray, and keep your dog on a leash. • Be familiar with local rules. • Leave gates in the condition you found them. Rights of Way BLM visitors are responsible for knowing their location and applicable regulations. Appropriate public land users remain on legal routes, obey all signs, respect private property, and avoid resource damage. The best way to ensure a successful outing is to check with the nearest BLM office for up-to-date access information in your area. Your local BLM office can also supply you with recreation permits and information on specific recreation opportunities, such as camping, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, off-highway vehicle travel and snowmobiling. For more information, go to www.blm.gov/media/public-room/alaska. Also, be sure to check the State Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway Safety page https://dot.alaska.gov/highwaysafety before travelling. • Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind or traveling uphill. • Motorized vehicles yield to mountain bikes, runners, hikers