Ideas for a last spring ride

[billy6384]

Was thinking about doing some exploring west of Paxon/Denali Hwy. Summit was really windblown and hard last weekend. I've rode out to MacLaren a few times last year on the highway. But would rather do back country west of Fielding lake. Or maybe take the highway part way and then go up Landmark gap lake or Sevenmile lake the up to Eureka glacier. I've been to Sevenmile lake last year from MacLaren. Anyone been back that way this spring or know if its also windblown and concrete? Maybe if we can get the temps to warm up a bit the snow will soften! From what Darrell said the highway is still only plowed in 5 miles. If they get it plowed in further this week I might go that route. Any ideas, or anyone want to join?

[Darrell]

Just seen a FB post from Alpine lodge on Tuesday.

"Well it might look and feel like winter still on the Denali Highway with adverage highs being 25 degrees and lows being 7 degrees for the month of April, but the plow trucks are making their way slowly down the highway!! They were last seen around mile 95 a couple days ago."

They are to post again close to weekend,
No news on the Paxson side might be worth a call to Maclaren lodge, high valley and seven mile lake are good riding if you don't have ride the road to get there. Weather looks like a crap shoot.

Remember your not pushin the edge till you have sit a few hours waiting for it to cool down so the snow will set up again..

[Darrell]

Just got the word, Denali open to 17 from Paxson end just about Tangles Lake.

[billy6384]

Yeah I called Alan and Susie and they were on vacation. Last they knew it was only plowed to 11 mile from Paxson. But thats good news if they're at 17 now, less road to run. Weather does not look too promising though, guess I'll play it by ear.

[billy6384]

Well Paxson and Denali hwy is a bust! Just got home, it was a full on blizzard there! Couldn't see a thing! Thought we would at least be able to follow the hwy...wrong! And if they were plowed to 17 mile, there are now pushed back to 3mile. 3 to 5 foot drifts after that. Maybe a better chance next weekend. Road conditions from Paxson to about 20 miles south of Delta are pretty slick, snow and drifts built up some.

[TheBearAk]

The thing about the Denali Highway out of Paxson, the first 20 miles are the heavy wind area, specially from about 6 mile to Rock creek bridge.

After crossing rock creek bridge it is like someone will just turn off the huge fan creating all the wind and it is dead calm from there and past MacLaren.

It's that 14 miles that is a pain though. Lots of drifts, places on the road that are buried under 8' of snow, and other spots that the road is completely bare.

[dragonman]

Put the Sleds away but could have used them today 6-8 of ther fresh stuff
was fun any way

[billy6384]

Even if we could've got past the windy area the snow was coming down heavy and getting worse. It was even hard to see at the lodge, and Isabel pass was a white twilight zone! But I will give it one more shot next weekend. Maybe Cantwell side, I hear they are plowed 40 miles in on that side. See how it looks by later this week. Supposed to be pretty warm in the interior by the weekend, 55 to 60!

[Darrell]

Tried the Denali about midnight Sat. couldn't get pass 7 mile. Back to Summit till noon on Sun when wind died off and Sun came out rode west toward hill 4790 then back to Fielding and summit. Sloops where unloading. That was some wind.

[Summit800]

We went on a short ride yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, unloaded at the Circle trail head and rode into Chatanika lodge for an early dinner. The trail to the ditch will hold for another week, but the hill to the ditch is bare, or is by now. snow is waist deep along the trail, but is SOFT....

[billy6384]

Going to give it one last try this Saturday. Called Alpine Creek Lodge and the plows made it all the way out to them at Mp 67 from the Cantwell side. Think I'm going to drive out that way. Hope they weather is decent! Going to be warmer than the 21 degrees in Paxson last weekend thats for sure!