Overview:
This 2-day field trip provides an in-depth view of the
landscapes, water resources and development along one of
the most scenic highways and railroads in North America.
The trip starts in Anchorage, via van where we will drive
north through the Susitna Basin and up to the south flanks
of the Alaska Range. The group will tour the eastern portion
of Denali Park and then head to Fairbanks and Chena Hot
Springs. Chena Hot Springs will highlight the themes of
the conference through its low-temperature geothermal power
sources, which power innovative chillers that maintain a
year-round ice palace and hydroponics greenhouse operation.
Don't forget about the hot springs! On the second day, we
will return to Fairbanks to catch the Alaska Railroad train
back to Anchorage. The train will parallel the Parks Highway
at times but provide a unique tour through the interior
region of Alaska, cross the Alaska Range and then head through
the Talkeetna Mountains to the Susitna River; studied multiple
times for potential hydropower use and its amazing ecosystems,
including all five species of salmon. The field trip will
end back to Anchorage in time to start the exciting technical
conference programs. The major themes of the tour include
water resource and ecosystem variation along the Alaska
Range, Talkeetna Mountains, Coastal Range, variations in
energy sources, history of the area, etc.
Schedule:
Day 1, April 23rd (Saturday)
Meet at 8:00am at the Hotel lobby
Themes:
- Parks Highway: Hydrology, Development, Power.
- Overview of the terrain, glacial geology, climate, permafrost
conditions, and ecology from Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Chena Hot Spring Resort: Low Temperature Geothermal
Plant, Year-round ice palace, geothermal powered hydroponic
greenhouses
Stops:
- Anchorage - starting point, brief history, overview
of water, energy sources
- Susitna River Bridge on Parks Highway, Overview of Susitna
Basin
- Broad Pass, Denali Overlook
- Denali National Park - Energy and Water Use overview,
short drive into Park
- Fairbanks - Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Stop
- Stay at Chena Hot Springs, dinner and tour
Day 2, April 24th (Sunday)
Themes:
Fairbanks to Anchorage by Train: Glacial history, ecology,
permafrost conditions, Usibelli Coal mine, Susitna River
Points of Interest:
- Early drive to Fairbanks to catch the train south
- Route through the Interior Alaska in the Tanana Basin
- Crossing the Alaska Range and Denali National Park
- Crossing into the Talkeetna Mountains to the Susitna
River, Hydropower Evaluation History
- Evening return to Anchorage (at approximately 8:00pm)
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