YELLOWSTONE DECISION
The "Proposed Rule" on winter use in Yellowstone was released on May 16. The comment period will run until July 16 at midnight. Letters must be postmarked by that date.
The address is Yellowstone National Park, Winter Use Proposed Rule, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone Park, WY 82190.
The proposed rule will implement the final decision that will guide management of winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.
In Yellowstone, the recommendation is to allow a daily cap of 720 commercially guided, Best Available Technology snowmobiles into the park.
The preferred alternative continues to require that snowmobiles and snowcoaches travel only on existing park roads that are groomed. Trail and off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches would continue to be prohibited.
SNOWBIRD RACE
The second event of four in the 2007 XTERRA Utah Trail Run Series will take place on Saturday with the XTERRA 10K Snowbird Challenge.
Runners will have an elevation gain of 8,000-plus feet.
Because the events are formatted inside the XTERRA Trail Running Championship Series, the top 10 racers in each age group earn points to qualify for the XTERRA National Trail Running Championships in Lake Tahoe in September.
The race will begin at 2 p.m. and will start and finish at the Aerial Tram next to the Snowbird Center. Registration fee is $35 and event shirt, prize drawing, refreshments and aid stations.
For information call 801-728-9121.
MUSEUM CELEBRATION
The Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation will host a five-year anniversary celebration Saturday honoring the Alf Engen Ski Museum. The event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Utah Olympic Park.
Admission to the event is free. Half-price rides will be available on the Comet summer bobsled, Xtreme and Ultra Ziplines and Quicksilver Alpine Slide. There will also be free hot dogs and sodas to the first 500 attendees.
Additional activities will include a magician, face painting, bounce houses, giveaways, museum tours and ski history lectures. For more information call 435-658-4240 or visit www.engenmuseum.org.
RIVER TRIPS PLANNED
The Utah Rivers Council is offering a series of summer outings.
On Saturday, it will host a free daylong, nine-mile paddle trip on the Green River. Rafters will float from put-in to Gray Canyon to see ancient petroglyphs and Class I and II rapids.
There will be a "new members" evening canoe trip down the Jordan River on Wednesday. Cost is a $20 donation per seat, $10 for those ages 4 to 10. The money will be used to support river protection efforts.
There will be a float down the Weber River on Wednesday. It is not suitable for children under 14 or those with physical limitations.
Space on all the trips is limited, so RSVP to sarah@utahrivers.org or call 801-486-4776.