The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground closed until June

The construction is part of an ongoing project that has seen the campground sporadically closed in recent years.

 

Cars drive through the rain on the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge on Bridge Access Road over the swift Kenai River on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

State Parks describes Kenai Peninsula projects slated for this summer

There are 11 projects described in a press release from the State Department of Natural Resources.

 

Dave Atcheson demonstrates fly casting into the Kenai River to a crowd of middle schoolers during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Trout Unlimited chapter hosts winter speaker series

Dave Atcheson will talk where, how to fish in Kenai Peninsula lakes on Feb. 4.

Dave Atcheson demonstrates fly casting into the Kenai River to a crowd of middle schoolers during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter solstice skiing fundraiser delayed until January

StarLight StarBright raises funds for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Parts of refuge to open for snowmachining

The refuge advises that snowmachine users exercise caution

A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Clarion Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak harvests a newsroom Christmas tree from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Arc Lake outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Clarion Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak harvests a newsroom Christmas tree from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Arc Lake outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Families enjoyed exploring the sensory spider bin. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Nature is for everyone

Our Sensory Friendly program featured several modifications to make it more inclusive and enjoyable for visitors

Families enjoyed exploring the sensory spider bin. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: The Beast

Then it went all Darth Vader.

Nick Varney
Jenny Neyman, administrative coordinator of the Tsalteshi Trails Association, speaks during a winter kick-off and open house event to celebrate a new maintenance shed Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It should be here forever’

Tsalteshi Trails celebrates new maintenance facility

Jenny Neyman, administrative coordinator of the Tsalteshi Trails Association, speaks during a winter kick-off and open house event to celebrate a new maintenance shed Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Downed trees are seen in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in September 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge opens for firewood collection Tuesday

Only trees that are dead and down within designated areas may be cut

Downed trees are seen in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in September 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Rigby and Christine Cunningham patiently waiting in a duck blind, both watching a flock of teal high overhead. (Photo by Steve Meyer)

Refuge Notebook: If the goose honks high

Some mornings are darker than others, and then there are the mornings Steve calls “as black as the inside of a cow.” The first day… Continue reading

Rigby and Christine Cunningham patiently waiting in a duck blind, both watching a flock of teal high overhead. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)

Refuge notebook: Beauty doesn’t boast

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention, and I think that can be said about the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is not a theme… Continue reading

Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A peace crane sculpture stands at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails in Soldotna on Wednesday.

From mundane to spiritual

Peace Crane Garden expands with two new structures

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A peace crane sculpture stands at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails in Soldotna on Wednesday.
tease

Out of the Office: Bitter patience for sweet fruit

The last time I wrote for this column, I was digging raspberry plants out of my friend’s backyard. Weeks and weeks later, my plants are… Continue reading

tease
Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Mystery Creek Access Road reopens Friday

The road is often used for hunting access

Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground to close Aug. 15

The ongoing effort is for reconstruction of a section of Russian River Campground Road

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

North Peninsula Recreation Service Area celebrates 50 years

The service area was established in 1974, with the Nikiski Pool being built and opened in 1975

Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)