McLaren Update

[john]

Hello all,

The weather is finally beginning to cooperate. Very mild temperatures, the upper 30’s most days. Wow, what a change!!!! And beautiful days on top of all that. This past weekend we did have a lot of “flat” light, however it cleared, but not until it dumped a good 6” on the area. Today it is a bit cloudy, who knows; maybe we will get more snow!

Attached is a letter concerning the Lake Louise Trail. We just wanted to keep everyone up to date on the progress and happenings of this trail.

Paxson to the Maclaren Valley.
The trail is in incredible shape, with the fresh snow from last week, the trail was groomed and then more snow on that. We did get a bit of wind so the trail at the Maclaren Summit has a drift, but not clear across.

Maclaren Valley to Cantwell
This section of the Trail is in good shape, lots of mushers out for their last minute go before the Iditarod. There are some drifts around 50 – 60 mile so be aware of this, but that area should be groomed by this weekend.

7 Mile Trail
This trail will be in fantastic shape after grooming tomorrow all the way in and through the Glacier Gap at mile 30 on the Denali Trail. Beautiful and awesome riding, this has become a favorite of the novice to intermediate riders. The 7 Mile Lake is a bit wind blown.

Maclaren Glacier Trial
Will be groomed this weekend as well. Right now it is hard packed and no open holes in the Maclaren.

There is some overflow where the smaller tributaries come into the Maclaren. All the groups going out have found lots and lots of powder is this area.

The Mac-Su Loop
No one has been on this trail for quit a while now. This is a rugged trail, not to be attempted by novice riders. The section through the canyon is getting really narrow so you might have to go around that spot. There is some overflow, not bad, but enough where you will need to be cautious. The Susitna is beginning to get large patches of overflow on it in places. Use EXTREME caution if using this trail.

The Lake Louise/Maclaren Trial
Part of the North side of this trail has been investigated, due to lack of snow it is a very difficult trail. It is opened but don’t expect a very nice trail at this point as there is not much snow.

Take Care and we look forward to seeing you on the trail!!!!

CAUTION: There are lots of caribou and moose in the area, please drive with care.

Alan Echols

Vice President – Denali Highway Trail Club

Thank you so much to all of you that have signed up for the trail club. As we didn’t get the state grant that we applied for this year we will have to rely on these membership funds to help with the expense of grooming.

Membership is $5.00 per person or $10 for a family membership
For those of you mailing checks in for the membership dues, here is the address:
Please make your checks out to the ‘Denali Hwy Trail Club’ and you can mail them too
Denali Hwy Trail Club
HC 02 Box 7282
Gakona, AK 99586


LAKE LOUISE TRAIL REPORT

Big Foot had too much adventure yesterday. It found a mud volcano while grooming the Moore Lake Trail. It was going around some beaver dams when the Boys smelled hydrogen sulfide. "Was that you?" they asked each other. Nope. It was a mud hole. Then in the late hours before midnight, Little Foot, the groomer, started losing parts. The Boys are out looking for them today. Moral of the story: it's a continual challenge to keep these trails in condition.

Moore Lake Trail details for you to know about:

Where the trail is good, it's really good. Where it's bad, it's really bad. Ride with caution. Be on the lookout for natural hazards. On the lower portions of the Trail, there's lots of brush showing because of lack of snow. Water (yes, water!) and ice at glaciated streams. On the small lake at Mile 13, there are beaver dams in quantities not seen before. The Boys built a detour around the side of the lake but after 24 hours, it was flooded and another detour was necessary. The new detour is staked and flagged and comes out at the same spot on top. While the trail is groomed to the Tyone T (where the Moore Lake Trail meets Eureka Trail East) DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT follow the groomer trail on Eureka Trail East. Simply put, Big Foot got lost. In the daylight you should follow the markers. Just remember, the view from the top of the Moore Lake Trail makes this all worthwhile.

With John Lake and Moore Lake Trails ready, Eureka is once again a great destination.

Events that will be coming up:

APR 1, 2, 3, 4 - TIAIGA SLED DOG RACE – from Lake Louise to Maclaren Valley

MESSAGE BOARD:

If you have any messages, please email them to us and we will gladly put them on our message board ---------

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This is prime Avalanche time; we have already lost some riders to avalanches in the southern part of the state. And yes we did know at least one of them, very experienced rider. Please, pay attention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For information on Avalanche awareness, check out B.A.A.R.T. (Backcountry Avalanche Awareness and Response Team) www.baart.us

For those of you who have been trying to contact Maclaren River Lodge by phone, the phone is working again. We are sorry for any inconvience this has caused.