Lake+Clark+National+Park

By: Haley L.

Lake Clark National Park is a stunning beauty to its visitors. Lake Clark is where steamy volcanoes rest, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains shimmer in the turquoise lakes. The local people and culture still depend to this day on the land and water of their homes. Lake Clark is a place where you can find solitude on every bend in the river and shoulder of a mountain. Its also a place where you can become part of the wilderness while you venture the park.

Location, Size, and Distance
Lake Clark is located in the city of Nondalton, in the state of Alaska. Lake Clark is approximately 2.6 million acres. From Oskaloosa, Iowa it is about 3467.42 miles away. Lake Clark is a adventure waiting to be explored, with its huge, beautiful scenery. Theres a lot to do!

Park Hours
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve usually opens at 8:00 am and usually closes at 5:00 pm, from Monday-Friday. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve's visitors center opens at 8:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm, June through August, Monday-Saturday, and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, September through May, Monday-Saturday.

Climate
Lake Clark has two districts: the coast and the interior.The coast is often foggy and wet, with an average rainfall of 40 to 80 inches of rain. The interior averages only 17 to 26 inches. They usually have milder winters; the interior often suffers temperatures as low as -40 degrees F. Weather conditions there change rapidly with fierce storms. Gusts in the 30-50 mph range are not uncommon. Frost and snow can occur any time, but are usually from September to early June. Lake Clark usually begins freezing in November and melts in April. In general visitors, should be aware of weather conditions.

History
Lake Clark became a National Park in 1980. And was first settled by the Native People.

// Russian Encounters //
The first written down documents about Alaska date to 1741.Russian fur hunters plundered several villages in 1792. The first Russian Orthodox missionaries arrived in 1794. By the 1830s, traveling priests were conducting services and baptisms regularly in the region. This religion is still used to day.

// The Early American Years //
In 1867 Russia sold Alaska to the United States for the price of 3 cents per acre. In 1903, the first permanent white resident arrived in Lake Clark. When many explorers, trappers, and miners entering the Lake Clark area brought diseases, which made the residents there week. That is about the same time the flu epidemic started in 1902.

Facts

 * Commercial fisherman on Lake Clark and Lake Iliamna in the early part of the 20th century used "double-ender" sailboats until engines were permitted in the 1950s.
 * The nest and eggs of the surfbird were a mystery until 1926. And in winter is founded from Alaska.
 * Berries are an important traditional food for the Dena'ina Athabascan people of the Lake Clark region.
 * There are seven different kinds of berries that are available in the summer and fall, including blueberries, cranberries, and salmonberries.
 * Lake Clark is 1056 feet deep and covers 128 square miles.
 * Thousands of years ago, the lake may have been open to salt water before being closed off by glacil outwash deposits.

Things to See
You can see many different attractions at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. But the one that they are most famous for are the active volcanoes, including Mt. Augustine, which last erupted in 2006. There are many volcanoes that belong to "The Ring of Fire", that still active in the area. Another attraction is the beautiful Turquoise Lake. Another amazing attraction is the most hiked trail in Lake Clark, Tanalian Falls. There is also the Kontrashibuna Lake which is like a mini Lake Clark itself. But must be careful when the waters are ruff. There is a few more attractions like the Turquoise Valley (An are at the head of Turquoise Lake),

Mulchatna River (This river flows westward from Turquoise Lake), and last but not least Chilikadrotna River (River which flows from Twin Lakes)

Things to Do [[image:22brownbear3.jpg align="right" caption="Brown Bear"]]
There are many different things to do at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. There you can go birdwatching, wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and many other water activities. You can go on many hiking trails, which gives you a great workout while relaxing. You can go swimming, fishing, and climb the volcanoes and mountains. Or take a long stroll across the lake for a romantic evening. The are many outdoor and indoor activities.

Resources
[|**http://www.nps.gov/index.htm**] [|**http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/lake-clark-national-park-ga.htm**] [|**http://lake.clark.national-park.com/**]
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