Lower Foothills tundra travel opens

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has opened the lower foothills area of state lands in northern Alaska for off-road winter tundra travel. The area has now met the tundra travel requirements of at least a nine-inch snow depth and soil temperatures below minus 5 C at a depth of 30 centimeters, DNR said Feb. 20. The upper foothills area remains closed.

DNR opened the western coastal area of the North Slope for winter tundra travel on Dec. 17 and the eastern coastal area on Dec. 23.

People can drive vehicles that are not certified for tundra operation in areas that are open for winter tundra travel. However, anyone wishing to do this must first obtain a state off-road travel permit. DNR also cautions that people should avoid areas with thin snow cover and make sure that they comply with state stipulations requiring adequate frost and snow cover when driving off road.

- Alan Bailey