North Campus
![Skiing polar bear](/fs/images/northcampus/skier-bear_s.jpg)
The North Campus area of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a unique and valuable resource for the university. North Campus consists of approximately 1,100 acres of largely forested land on the north-to-northwest side of campus. The area provides valuable research, education, and recreation opportunities for UAF faculty, staff and students, visiting educators and scientists, and community members.
Farewell Jason Garron, Welcome Todor Yakimov
Hello, Campus Trails community. We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to an individual who has devoted the past 16 years to the development, growth, and
maintenance of our campus trails system: Jason Garron. Having spent more than a decade
caring for our North Campus Trails, Jason has decided that it’s time to embark on
a new chapter in life, and is ready to pass the maintenance torch to another committed
individual.
In October of 2007, Jason joined the Grounds Department, stepping into the newly established
position of Trails Maintenance Supervisor. Since then, he has tirelessly dedicated
countless hours to the care and enhancement of our trail system, ensuring their beauty
and functionality. Throughout the winter months, Jason consistently arrived in the
early hours to ensure trails were groomed and in optimal condition for users throughout
the day. Weekends were no different, with Jason often coming in on his days off to
ensure that courses were safe and prepared for events, always helping wherever necessary.
In the summer, Jason would be looking ahead to the upcoming winter trails usage, spending
his time making improvements such as resurfacing trails, cutting back trees and brush,
creating new walking trails, and installing signage. He would also ensure the very
popular disc golf course was maintained and ready for use. With Jason at the helm,
we always had full confidence that our trails received the highest level of care and
dedication. Though we are saddened by his departure, we are thrilled and excited for
the new adventure he's embarking on, knowing he will do amazing things in his new
role. Jason, we cannot express our thanks enough for everything you have done, happy
trails my friend!
With Jason's departure, we were tasked with finding someone who could match his level
of care and dedication to our trails. It is with great pleasure that we introduce
Todor Yakimov to our team. Todor brings with him a profound love for the outdoors
and a wealth of experience in outdoor recreation. Todor holds a degree from the National
Sports Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he specialized in mountaineering and guiding.
His education also encompasses alpinism, white water rafting, water rescue, and skiing,
just to name a few. Following graduation, Todor worked at a mountain resort, where
he cared for and maintained trails. Additionally, he spent a many years as a downhill
ski instructor, showcasing his expertise in the field. Todor's passion for skiing
remains strong, and he continues to enjoy recreational skiing, often venturing into
the mountains on snow machines for this purpose. We are excited about this new chapter
and feel fortunate to have Todor join our team. We are eagerly looking forward to
the progress and improvements he will bring to our trails system. Please join us in
giving him a warm welcome, and we kindly ask for your patience as he familiarizes
himself with our trails and settles into his new role.
User guidelines
Winter use of the North Campus area has designated ski, walking, and snowshoe and dog-friendly trails. During the summer, trails are multi-use. Users are encouraged to follow trail etiquette and respect everyone’s right to use the trails.
Things to remember when out and about in the North Campus area:
![North Campus Plan (Image)](/fs/images/northcampus/ncboundaries.jpg)
- Tread lightly
- Stay on designated trails
- Do not disturb research projects, plots, markers or equipment
- No camping
- No fires
- Respect the wildlife — enjoy watching, but don’t hassle them
- No hunting or trapping
- Only authorized vehicles allowed access, when conditions allow
- Carry in, carry out. Please respect the area — don’t litter
- No walking, snowshoeing, biking or taking dogs on designated ski trails
- Carry a trail map and be familiar with it
- Try not to skate ski over the classic tracks
- Let others know that you are approaching them from behind by calling out “track” or “on your left”
- Move off the trail as quickly as possible after a fall to avoid collisions
- Fill in any holes made after a fall
- Downhill skiers have the right of way
- Follow the direction of the trail; ski to the right on two-way trails
- Move off the trail to allow grooming equipment to pass
- Remember that you too were once a beginner
- Enjoy the trails!
- Summer trails are open to all non-motorized use
- Wet and muddy areas are more vulnerable to damage. When the trail is soft, avoid the area
- The animal shall be restrained at all times.
- The animal handler or owner shall be responsible for the immediate disposal of animal waste
- Animals may not be tethered to university buildings, structures, motor vehicles, trees, railings, light poles, benches, parking meters, posts, etc.
- The handler or owner shall assume all financial responsibility for damage to property or injury to individuals caused by the animal.
Trail information
Groomed Ski Trails | 14.7 miles/23.7 km |
Ungroomed Ski Trails | 2 miles/3.2 km |
Winter Walking Trails | 8 miles/12.9 km |
Non-Motorized Commuter Trails | 1.1 miles/1.8 km |
Total | 25.8 miles/41.6 km |
- Control Descriptions (PDF)
- UAF Course Map (PDF)
Trail conditions and grooming
Current conditions
Grooming
Spring 2024: Please see the North Campus Facebook Page for further Grooming Reports
Trails | Trail Type | Distance in KM | Groomed | Tracks Set |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lighted Trails | ||||
Stadium | Skate/Double Classic | .27 | 4/4 | 4/10 |
Potato Field | Skate/Single Classic | .69 | 4/4 | 4/10 |
Learning Area | Skate/Double Classic | 4/4 | ||
T-Field Road | Skate/Double Classic | 1.29 | 4/9 | 4/10 |
Lighted Loop | Skate/Classic | 4/4 | ||
Unlighted Trails | ||||
Midnight Express Loop | Skate/Single Classic | 1.77 | 4/9 | 1/17 |
T-Field | Skate/Single Classic | 1.35 | 4/9 | 4/10 |
T-Field Smith Lake Connector | Skate/Double Classic | .66 | 4/4 | 1/16 |
T-Field Smith Lake Connector | Classic Only | 1.05 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
Smith Lake Access Trail | Skate | 4/4 | ||
Smith Lake | Skate/ Classic | 1.13 | 4/9 | 4/10 |
Estle Connector | Skate/Single Classic | 1.16 | 4/9 | 4/10 |
Karl Reishus Trail | Skate/Single Classic | 1.05 | 4/9 | 4/9 |
Skarland Trail (N of Ballaine Lake) | Skate/Single Classic | 1.93 | 4/4 | 4/10 |
Skarland Trail (S of Ballaine Lake) | Skate/Single Classic | 1.29 | 4/9 | 4/9 |
Skarland Estle to LARS | Classic Only | 1.21 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
Viereck Nature Trail | Skate/Single Classic | .48 | 4/4 | 1/17 |
Beaver Slide Trail | Classic Only | .73 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
Baseline Trail | Classic Only | 1.29 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
Turn Around Trail | Classic Only | .48 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
T-Field to Beaver Slide | Classic Only | .19 | 1/18 | 1/18 |
Big Whizzy Loop | Skate/Single Classic | 2.57 | 4/4 | 1/17 |
SRC Trail | Commuter trail | 1.01 | 4/4 | |
Walking & Snowshoe | ||||
Tanana Loop to Farmers Loop | Walking & Snowshoe | .68 | 1/18 | |
Smith Lake | Walking & Snowshoe | .68 | 1/18 | |
Cutler Apt Loop | Walking & Snowshoe | 1/18 | ||
Commuter Trails | ||||
T-Field Road | Commuter | 1.29 | 1/18 | |
T-Field to LARS | Commuter | .71 | 1/18 | |
Sheep Creek Road | Commuter | 1/18 |