Preliminary Trail Condition Assessment:
Caution: Rex Dome Fire burned over the Rex Trail
The Rex Dome Fire, a portion of the 2009 Fire Season Railbelt Complex burned over approximately 12-15 miles of the Rex Trail. Aerial inspections indicate portions of the area burned to mineral soil. Exercise extreme caution when traveling through these areas. Dangers may include, but are not limited to the following:
Ash Pits:
Difficult to detect, these pits remain in recently burned areas smoldering below the ground and may be from just under the surface to several feet deep. Most basic first-aid kits are not prepared to treat the large areas of 2nd or 3rd degree burns which may result.
Unstable or falling trees:
Often referred to as snags, these dead but standing trees have lost their root support and are no longer anchored. Although they may appear stable, the slightest wind or other stimulus may cause the tree to fall.
The Rex Trail
In 2007, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water (Division) received
many complaints from the public regarding trail conditions, the Division's management of the eastern
Rex Trail and the implementation of current regulations. The increased level of use, trail
conditions that negatively effect safety of travelers, and restricted traditional access has compelled
the Division to reevaluate its management options for the eastern Rex Trail.
The Rex Trail is an important access route which has been in use since the 1920's, and serves
as a vital transportation route for mining, hunting, private property access, recreation, and trapping.
Several placer mines currently operate in the vicinity of the Rex Trail and private landowners
have properties in settlement areas of Gold King, Southwind, and Wood River. Both miners
and residents rely heavily on the Rex Trail in the winter for hauling supplies. More recently,
the Rex Trail has become popular with moose hunters from around the state as a land-based access
route into Game Management Unit 20A.
General state lands are managed by the Division for multiple-use consistent with Alaska Statutes
and Regulations. The management responsibility - to manage land for the maximum benefit of all
Alaskans - is delegated to the Division through the legislature by virtue of the Alaska State Constitution.
The size and scope of this responsibility is vast, and the means for implementation (staffing and
operational funds) are limited. Implementation of the Generally Allowed Use regulations
(11 AAC 96.020) and associated policies encourage a wide scope of public use of state lands without
direct agency oversight through permitting. The Division's primary management responsibility
with respect to easements has been to identify, reserve, and defend the public's right to use access
easements consistent with the purposes for which they were established. On occasion, there is
a potential need for trail restrictions or closures, and the authority to accomplish this is found
in state statute and regulations.
Recent Management Action
On May 12, 2008, the Division issued a management decision for the Eastern Rex Trail restricting both the use of highway vehicles between 1500 lbs and 10,000 lbs (previously authorized under Generally Allowed Uses, 11 AAC 96.020) and implementing a decision to not issue permits for off-road vehicles (including both tracked and wheeled vehicles) over 1500 lbs between the dates of April 15 and October 31 annually. ORV's 1500 lbs and under were still allowed, provided the conditions in 11 AAC 96.020 were met.
On August 25, 2009, this decision was amended, allowing for issuance of permits to rubber tracked vehicles from 1500 lbs up to and including Nodwell RN110 or similar sized vehicles between the dates of August 29 and October 31, 2009 (August 25, 2009 Amendment). Any permits issued during that period will be effective until April 15, 2010. These permits will be made available over-the-counter at the Public Information Centers in both Fairbanks and Anchorage, as well as digitally and via fax. Please see the top of this page for the permit application. There is a $100 application fee that may be paid in person, via mail, or with a Credit/Debit card over the phone. Please note that permits cannot be approved until this fee is received. Permits may be issued subject to the following conditions (not a complete list):
- The applicant must describe and provide a picture of their vehicle, report the number of persons in their party, and a general location as to where the vehicle will be used (Parks Highway to Totatlanika River, Parks Hwy to Tatlanika River, Parks Hwy to Wood River, Parks Hwy to beyond the Wood River;
- Permit is valid for rubber tracked vehicles over 1500 lbs up to and including Nodwell RN110 sized vehicles. This would include Nodwells, Weasels, SUSV's such as the Hagglund BV206, or similar, may be articulated, and must utilize rubber type tracks (steel grouser bars and/or cleats are permitted);
- Travel under this permit is limited to the Rex Trail. No travel is authorized off the Rex Trail by vehicles over 1500 lbs, except as authorized below to vehicle parking areas;
- Vehicle operator must keep the signed and approved permit on site and available for inspection in the field at all times;
- No skid mounted or wheeled trailers are allowed;
- Vehicle parking sites may be established on state land within 100 yards of the Rex Trail and sited in naturally occurring or existing clearings;
- And, general vehicle operations shall be conducted in a manner which causes the least amount of impact to the vegetation and soil.
This amendment allowing for permit issuance to certain tracked vehicles is designed to allow the Department to monitor impacts of this additional use. To further this goal, the Department will establish 10 monitoring sites and will evaluate each site for trail condition, rutting occurrence and depth, and braiding. Measurements will be collected both before and after the fall moose season. In addition to the amended decision, permitting, and new monitoring actions, the Department established a ground temperature monitoring station in the fall of 2008 to help establish dates of freeze-up and thawing at both 20 and 30 cm.
The public has the right to appeal the Decision to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. To do so, a written appeal must be submitted to the Commissioner as outlined in the Appeal section of the Decision. An appeal may be submitted via mail, fax or email. Any appeal must be received no later than September 14, 2009.
Public Participation Requested
In addition to the decision, and in consideration of comments received from trail users, residents of the area, the
Department of Fish and Game, and user groups, the Division has formulated short-term and long-term management goals.
We recognize the importance of this issue to the public and need your input to guide the future short-term and
long-term management goals of the Rex Trail. The public is encouraged to comment on the management options for the Rex Trail through this website or by mail to the Division of Mining, Land & Water-Rex Trail, 3700 Airport Way,
Fairbanks, AK 99709.
Questions or information on this project or how you can get involved can be directed to Jeanne Proulx
at 451-2722, or email at jeanne.proulx@alaska.gov.
This site will be updated with news, information and opportunities for public involvement regarding
the Rex Trail.
