FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Explore the natural wonders of Alaska without breaking the budget. The Outdoor Recreation Center is offering some great trips, tours and things to do this summer at reduced rates.
Start off the summer May 30 with a boat trip from Fairbanks onto the Tanana River with the crew from ORC, and back to a Fairbanks restaurant on the Chena. The brochure promises that "this trip is going to be awesome; there is no better way to start your Alaskan summer." The cost is $25 per person and all ages are welcome as long as children are accompanied by an adult.
ORC offers multiple options for hikers. Join the ORC staff for a three-and-a-half-mile loop on the Angel Rocks Trail in the Chena River State Recreation Area June 19. Afterwards, hikers age 18 or older can head up the road for a relaxing soak at Chena Hot Springs outdoor rock lake.
ORC offers the opportunity to enjoy Interior Alaska's summer on Table Top Mountain Trail July 3.
If hiking glaciers appeals, ORC offers multiple trips for that purpose. There is an overnight camping trip to College Glacier July 1 to 2 and you can hike to the Gulkana Glacier July 31.
Costs, minimum age and other requirements vary for each trip. Check with ORC for details.
Denali National Park is the destination for the ORC trip May 26. The trip is for ages 12 and older and anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is only $5. Bring a lunch and a camera.
The Outdoor Recreation Center will offer two Arctic Circle tours this summer, June 3 and July 4. After a ride 115 miles up the Dalton Highway (also known as "Haul Road") to the Arctic Circle wayside and sign. At Latitude 66 degrees, participants will get a certificate showing that they have journeyed above the Arctic Circle. The cost for adults is $25 and for youth 12 and younger the cost is $15. Lunch is included.
Alaska is known for its fishing and ORC has several fishing events planned for the summer. The first is May 27 to 29 with a camping trip and the chance to catch halibut off a charter boat and view wildlife in the Gulf of Alaska.
Next is the Chena River King Quest, several days in July, right here in Fairbanks.
The chance to enjoy a fishing trip to the Dall River drainage, a remote tributary of the Yukon River, where the tenacious Northern pike lurks in its murky water is Aug. 12 to 14.
In Sept. the Clearwater Silvers will be the catch of the day on the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th. Trip requirements vary depending on destination and fishing licenses with appropriate stamps are also required. Equipment can be rented from the ORC.
If you want some family friendly fun without leaving the local area, ORC has frisbee golf July 25, summer evening boat rides June 9, July 14 and Aug. 25 and an evening bike ride May 20.
If you will be exploring the great outdoors and don't want to buy all that expensive equipment, much of what you need can be rented at ORC. Boats, sporting equipment, camping gear and bikes are just some what is available. Safety classes may be required before renting some equipment. Information can be found at www.ftwainwrightfmwr.com/outdoorrec/flyers/2011_2012_Rental_Program_list.pdf
For information on tours and trips call 361-6349 or check out the Outdoor Recreation Center page on the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website at www.ftwainwrightfmwr.com/outdoorrec.html
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