newsminer.com

TRAILS

Fairbanks trails guru Eric Troyer will share some of his secrets tonight on some of Fairbanks’ lesser known hiking trails.

The 7 p.m. program at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center is free. Troyer is the editor of Interior Trails Quarterly, an Internet newsletter concerning trails and trail issues around the Interior. He has been exploring trails around the Fairbanks area for more than 15 years.

For more information, call the public lands information center at 456-0527.

HIKING

The Fairbanks Area Hiking Club will be leading a day hike from Angel Rocks to Chena Hot Springs Resort on Sunday.

Hikers should meet at the trailhead at Mile 48.9 Chena Hot Springs Road at 9 a.m. to shuttle cars to the resort.

The 8.3-mile hike takes about six hours and features a steep, initial climb in the first three miles before leveling off and following a ridge line to the hot springs. There is about 2,000 feet elevation gain and the trail has excellent views of the Alaska Range, Granite Tors and Chena Dome.

Bring a swimsuit, towel and some cash if you plan on taking a post-hike soak in the hot springs.

Call John at 488-6500 for details.

MEETING

The Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee will meet at 7 p.m. on May 13 at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge for its monthly meeting to discuss local fishing and hunting issues. The date is a change from its normal meeting schedule.

Items on this month’s agenda include an update on the Unit 20A intensive management moose planning process with Don Young and Roy Nowlin from the Department of Fish and Game and a visit by state sport fish director Charlie Swanton.

PADDLING

The Fairbanks Paddlers club is hosting its annual cleanup of the Chena River through town on Wednesday. This will also be the first of the clubs weekly Wednesday evening float trips for the summer.

Paddlers will launch from Graehl Landing (just upstream from the Wendell Street bridge) at 6:30 p.m. and collect trash along the riverbanks down to the Pioneer Park landing at the Peger Road bridge. Those wanting to leave a vehicle at Pioneer Park should meet there at 6:10 to shuttle them back to Graehl.

Trash bags will be provided. Participants should bring a life jacket, mud boots, gloves, warm clothes, extra clothes and mosquito repellent, as well as some kind of craft to paddle. Drinking water and something to snack on are also advised.

For more information, contact Alan Batten at alanbatten@acsalaska.net, or at 488-3205.

FISHING

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will hold its annual Kids’ Fish and Game Fun Day on May 17 at ADF&G headquarters on College Road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fishing pond will be stocked with hungry rainbow trout and kids under the age of 16 are invited to fish. Fishing rods, tackle and bait will be provided. Any angler who catches a tagged fish wins a rod and reel combo.

The department’s new virtual hunting/shooting range will also be on hand for children and adults to test their marksmanship skills.

Fish and game biologists will be on hand, along with many local outdoor organizations, to provide information and hands-on outdoor activities for kids.

Children can practice spin and fly casting, watch retriever and pointing dogs in action, learn outdoor survival techniques, discover what life would be like to be born a salmon, shoot a muzzleloader, learn about aquatic insects, make a fish print on paper (or bring your own T-shirt to customize), learn about firearms safety and test their archery skills.

For more information, call 459-7228.

WORKSHOP

Early registration for this summer’s “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” workshop is May 15.

This year’s workshop, sponsored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, is scheduled for June 20-22 at Lost Lake Boy Scout Camp at Mile 306 of the Richardson Highway near Fairbanks.

More than 40 hands-on classes will be offered for ladies at the weekend workshop. Classes include firearms safety, fur sewing, fly tying, boating, survival, archery, field dressing, fishing, rappelling, map and compass reading, hunting, chainsawing and more.

The fee if you register before May 15 is $200 if you bring your own tent or $225 if you want to stay in a cabin. Cost goes up to $225 and $250, respectively, after May 15. The fee includes meals, as well as instruction, program materials and use of demonstration equipment.

Registration is required. Check the Web at www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region3/programs/bow/. Click on the “schedule” link and then the “Summer BOW Weekend Workshop” to print registration materials.

Registrations cannot be accepted over the phone, e-mail or by fax.

For more information, contact BOW coordinator Nancy Sisinyak at 459-7346.