January 29 Ride McKay Creek to Windy Gap

[ObiJuanAk]

Haven't had the chance to pre-ride the trail. Any input on condition is appreciated.



How many members are planning on going?



Juan

[john]

From BLM

McKay Creek Trail – A BLM crew groomed this trail to Cache Mountain Cabin on Jan. 21. Expect good riding conditions.

[ObiJuanAk]

Thank you John.

[COS]

Expect lots of overflow in fossil creek to Windy Gap.

[ObiJuanAk]

Expect lots of overflow in fossil creek to Windy Gap.

Crap. That's what I was afraid of.... hopefully it will be solid. Will make sure I'll bring the short track with studs.

Thanks!

[ObiJuanAk]

Bad new folks,

I was greasing the suspension on my sled when I found a broken coupler.

No wonder the darn thing was so hard to steer.

So I won't be able to lead the ride tomorrow. Sorry!

I might still join you for breakfast.

Juan

[ObiJuanAk]

I just got a call from Chuck. He suggested I give Ron in Chatanika Lodge a call.

Ron's wife is out of town on a family matter and Ron will be by himself tomorrow.

Please be patient at breakfast.

See you there.

Juan

[john]

How was the ride ?

Who all went and who lead ?

Great ride in the Flats today, decent snow on the river and warm temps.

[aurora_hunter]

Hi John this is Naoki.

Tom, Don, and myself went today. I just came home and it was a fun ride.

I was late for b-fast but I joined them at Chatanika lodge.
There was another group of riders from North Pole and they happened to be heading to the
same direction so we all went together.

We left Mile 42 around 10:30am. Tom partly led the ride.
The trails we took were all in decent shape with a couple of deep creek crossings but
they weren't terribly bad.

The fossil creek only had a few short sections of bare ice but otherwise it was in good shape with
some snow on the ice to get you enough traction.

I wasn't keeping track of time that well, but I guess we got to the Windy Gap cabin around 3pm maybe?
and came back to Mile 42 a little after 6pm I guess.

Don and another guy from North Pole needed to turn around a few miles before the cabin because of the
gas, but the rest of us all made it fine and safe with no major issues.

The weather was nice and warm. (10 above at Windy Gap cabin)

So we had a lots of fun. It was definitely a long ride with almost 90 miles of that beaten up White Mtn trails
so I got some sore muscles now.

That's all. I will try to post some pics if I can later.

Tom, Don, do you guys got anything to add?

Naoki

[Bsweum]

On behalf of the Northern Lights Snowmobile Club (NLSC) riders that were on the ride today; "Thank you, it was a fantasitic ride."
I don't believe the weather could have cooperated anymore and it was great ride. As far as the trails go: Stay on the trail unless you're prepared to sink to your crotch in the snow... we had to do the multi-person pull/push a couple times today to get sleds out.
I'm sure I speak for the rest of the NLSC there today when I say "we look forward to the clubs riding together again... soon!

Naoki; did you drop your sled key? We found an Arctic Cat key in the vicinity of where you were parked. Let me know and I'll make sure it gets back to you.

Bsweum

[REVITUP]

Welcome NLSC Members! Some of the Northern Lights Club will be joining us on more of our rides this season due to their "fearless leader" having some other issues keeping them from leading rides. Glad to hear the ride went well and the folks from NLSC had a good time. We had planned to go but then had one of those "other responsibilities" come up. Later in the day we did get a chance to make a ride out to Chatanika Lodge. It was a nice day for a ride, a little chilly out thru the flats but otherwise a good ride.