ANCHORAGE — Denali National Park officials are planning a “soft opening” next week of areas that had been closed because of a problem grizzly bear.
The bear near Savage River last month charged vehicles along the park road and on June 22 obtained food from a daypack that a visitor threw to district it.
Park officials closed the area to private vehicles, bicycles and hikers for five days.
After the area reopened, the bear on July 1 bit and scratched a hiker along the Savage Alpine Trail. During a second closure park staff tried to find and kill the bear but it has not been seen.
Park officials will begin loosening restrictions Monday.
Closed portions of Denali Park Road, some trails and a picnic area will reopen on a limited basis.
