State conditionally opens tundra travel

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has opened the eastern and western coastal areas of North Slope state land for winter tundra travel. But special conditions including the use of summer-approved vehicles may be imposed at two locations, one in each area, where the deep and dense snow pack has insulated the soil, keeping soil temperatures close to 0 C, well above the minus 5 C at a depth of 30 centimeters required for off-road travel using regular vehicles. Two other locations had temperatures slightly above the required level but were expected to cool sufficiently by the time that the tundra opening announcement was made, the department said.

Snow depths are high, averaging more than 11 inches, throughout the coastal areas, with a high snow density and with a snow structure optimal for off-road travel, the department said.

However, anyone wishing to conduct off-road travel in the areas that have been opened has to obtain an off-road travel permit from the department.

Tundra travel remains closed in the lower and upper foothills areas of state land. Although the snow cover remains thin at three monitoring stations, the foothill areas generally have achieved the required snow depth of nine inches. But soil temperatures in these areas are quite variable, depending on the snow depth, although they are beginning to drop below 0 C in the lower foothills, the department said.

—Alan Bailey