Trail Reports
Updated on 02/03/12
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been out riding and would like to share the snow conditions you
encountered?
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with others
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North Central
Area
Fairbanks,
Cantwell, Talkeetna, South Denali, Eureka, Paxson
Fairbanks
1/25/2012
reported by
DNR
AREA
STATUS
NEW SNOW
AVG.
DEPTH
COMMENTS
Angel Creek
Open
6-8"
28-36"
Open
28-36"
Open
28-36"
Open
28-36"
Open
12-18"
Open
28-36"
Open
28-36"
1/29/2012
reported by
Alpine Creek Lodge
Claude
12/8/2011
reported by
NPS
The Superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve has determined that there is adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in areas of the 1980 park additions that are south of the crest of the Alaska Range. All areas of the 1980 park additions north of the crest of the Alaska Range remain closed to snowmobile use for traditional activities due to inadequate snow cover.
For more information on the rules and regulations of Snow machine use in Denali National Park and Preserve please look at http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/snowmobiling.htm
2/2/2012
reported by
Trapper Creek Inn
Grooming Report
2/2/2012
reported by
CRR
The 100+ miles of groomed trails in Trapper Creek, Petersville and Denali State Park remain in great shape this week. We received 12"-14" of new snow so far with more in the forecast and this is on a 4'-5' base. The temps have warmed up nicely and the snow on and off trail just doesn't get any better.
The North Loop in the Park, Tokositna, Safari Lake, Kroto Link, Deep Creek, North P-ville Rd., and West half of the E/W Express were all groomed on Thursday. The South P-ville Rd., Black Creek, East half of the E/W Express and Chulitna Bluff Trail will all be groomed Friday. Only the Rabiduex Trail will not be groomed this week but is also in great shape.
Get out, enjoy and be safe.
Randy
2/3/2012
reported by
DNR
AREA
NEW
SNOW
AVG.
DEPTH
COMMENTS
Open*
8"
50"
Open*
8"
50"
Open*
8"
50"
Open*
8"
50"
Open*
8"
50"
Open*
40+"
Open*
40+"
*Operating an Unregistered snowmobile, Failure to Display Snowmobile Numbered Registration Decal and Failure to Carry Snowmobile Certificate of Registration or Provide Identifying Information on all state lands are Citable Offenses in the State of Alaska
Average snow depth is recorded uncompressed.
Snowmobile openings are based
on many variables including packed snow base and vegetation
coverage
If you have any information on recreation, snow conditions, park
issues, or
would like to be added to the mail out list for updates please contact
Ranger Jason Nielsen at
jason.nielsen@alaska.gov
reported by
NRCS
Tokositna Valley Snotel Site
Click Here for Current
Snow Depth
1/3/2012
reported by
MSB
WEATHER: Temperature is 10F
LAST SNOWFALL: 0"
YEARLY SNOW TOTAL: 58"
SNOW TRAIL BASE: 6"
1/26/2012
reported by
Kenny Creek Lodge
Snow base is 5 feet current temp is 5 below. Weekend forecast calls snow flurries off and on through the weekend. High temps should range from 5 below to 15 above
1/30/2012
reported by
Gate Creek Cabins
NOAA had predicted about an inch of snow last night and a little more today! Well here I am 7:45pm with 9” of fresh powder out there and it’s looking great … 6 degrees. The trail system should be groomed by the weekend and there’s fresh powder everywhere
If You’re looking for lodging for this weekend … please try Northland Inn. It’s a very cute place, you won’t be disappointed 733.7377 … they’re place is similar to ours … very clean cabins. Trapper Creek Inn, also has availability … 733.2302
You know me … short on words Have a Great Super Bowl
Craig & Susie
reported by
NRCS
Talkeetna Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
1/13/2012
reported by
DHTC
Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. We had a nice quite
Christmas and a great New Years with plenty of fireworks, bonfire and lots
of good friends. The groomer has been up and running since late Nov, and is
running like a charm. which is a good thing since we have had our work cut
out for us this year. We are getting more snow out here on the Denali Hwy,
then I’ve seen in 11 years. I am loving it. However with the great snow year
that we’re having, we are also getting a lot of wind. Which makes it pretty
difficult to keep up with the trails.80 miles of the Denali Hwy have been
groomed at least once, and some of it has been groomed twice to three times.
We have not gone past the Su bridge at 80 mile because the construction crew
that is cleaning up the F-22 crash site will be coming in to the Su on the
16th of Jan. As soon as they are done, I will be heading that way
to groom that section as well. Maclaren River Road Trail is in, as well as
Seven Mile Lake Trail. We have received a lot of fresh snow and wind since
these two trails were groomed so they will have some drifting on them. The
Maclaren River Trail has some water crossings that you should be looking for
but these will all be marked this week. Seven Mile Trail also has a small
water crossing that will be marked as well. If you are coming in from the
Paxson side of the Denali Hwy, we now have a shelter building on top of 13
mile hill. Everyone is welcome to use it to get out of the wind or just warm
up for a minute. There is NO heat in this building, just a place to get out
of the wind.
For those of you that want to keep up with what’s going on with the Denali
Hwy Trail Club, look us up and like us on Face book. We are adding more
pictures and info all the time on there. Also the Denali Hwy Trail Club is
looking for a volunteer to keep up with all of the membership dues each
year. I know some of you have asked and we really need a better system for
keeping track of this. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Alan at
denalihwytrailclub@starband.net or 907-822-5444
If you own a snowmachine, you really need to make an effort to get out this
year and play. The snow really is FANTASTIC!!!!
Remember, please be careful and look out for each other.
Alan Echols
Denali Hwy Trail Club
Glacier
reported by
NOAA
Worthington Glacier Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
1/17/2012
reported by
Wolf Pack
SNOW: 2 inches of new snow total snow level 32
inches with greater depths reported on the trails in the trees protected
from the winds, more snow is forecast.
TEMPERATURE/WEATHER: Weather available on line, Click
Here for current
weather .
TRAIL CONDITIONS/GROOMING: The first eight miles of the Tolsona
Trail, Big rock Trail, and the Crosswind Trail has been groomed. 2” of new
snow after grooming, making for fantastic riding. Extreme cold
weather has put grooming on hold. Grooming will resume as soon as possible
LAKE TRAILS: Trail to Cameron cove is marked. Winter Lake Susitna
Loop is marked ever 10th mile.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Lots of overflow, right up to groomed and marked
trails
GENERAL: Use extreme CAUTION wind broken ice ridges at the channels
and along the shore, some as high as 3 feet.
2/2/2012
reported by
Eureka Lodge
22 degrees, two inches of fresh snow, and increasingly more daylight equals a taste of spring in February. Spend this weekend with us for $75 per night at the hotel. (You have to mention the $75 web-special when you make your reservation.) Enjoy the warmer conditions and our Super Bowl shin-dig on Sunday. There will be free appetizers and the bar will be open for drinks. Have a great rest of your week and we hope to see this weekend!
2/2/2012
reported by
Sheep Mountain Lodge
reported by
NOAA
Sheep Mountain Snotel Site
Click here for
Current Snow Depth
Central Area
Anchorage, Big
Lake, Nancy Lake, Willow, Bentalit, Skwentna
1/5/2012
reported by
Alpine General Service
We hope your Holidays were good and safe. Now it’s time to play, so come check out the Big Lake trails and enjoy a great day of riding.
Light snow was falling over night and this morning for about 1 ½ ’’ of new snow and is currently coming down again. The temperatures have been cold with negative double digits all week currently 5 degrees, so the water crossings and overflow areas are not a problem. Grooming started Tuesday for us and finished today with 326.5 total groomed miles. Trails are in good shape to access the rivers, Big Su and the Yentna from Big Lake. From trails 6 or 11 the Big Su is marked very well from the guys on the river. There are a few new alder and brush ducking free zones but with that said and new snow falling there will be more, so ride safe. If you have a minute to cut a few, every bit helps … I thank you and the next guy will too.
Remember to support the local shops and restaurants for your needs before and after riding.
Ride safe and look out for
others.
Pat Daniels
Alpine General Services, Inc.
patdinalaska@yahoo.com
2/2/2012
reported by
Big Lake Trails
Big Lake area trails are in great shape. Two - Three inches of new snow throughout the trail system. Temperatures currently are ranging from 28 - 33 degrees.
Due to heavy usage of the Iron Dog Trail over the last week, we will be dressing that trail up again over the next two days for our weekend users. The Houston Loop will also be dressed up to clear windblown drifts from yesterday's wind event.
Trails 8, 10 and 2 have been brushed and groomed on a volunteer basis. The connector trail between Nancy Lake Road and Trail 10 have also been groomed on a volunteer basis to increase your access opportunities to the Park and the wonderful Big Lake Trail system.
Enjoy the wide open spaces and work off your stress. Just have fun.
Don't
forget, The Big Lake Winter Fest 2012 is coming up February 18th followed by
the the World Renowned Iron Dog Race on the
19th. It is guaranteed, you will have an outstanding
time. Big Lake Trails is a proud sponsor of each event and we hope to see
you all there so that you can experience the things that are truly unique
about Alaska. If your plans have you going somewhere else that weekend,
change them. You will NOT want to miss this. Have a great
weekend, have a great ride and be safe on the trails.
Dan Mayfield
1/3/2012
reported by
Mid Valley Trail
Happy New Year Everyone. This weekend temps were as low as -30 degrees. There was not much moving around. No update or status on trail grooming, except the Su Landing to Trapper Lake trail is in good condition
Check our website mvtrailclub.org for maps of the trails.
2/2/2012
reported by
Willow Trail Comm.
The 2nd weekend of the Willow State Winter Carnival with Family Fun Ride and the Vintage machines doing ovals and drags. and too many things to name going on this weekend. Check waco.org/carnival for more info.
If you need a place to stay we have some room this weekend.
Maps are available at Townsite in Willow, Eagle River Polaris Arctic Cat and Alaska House of Yamaha in Big Lake.
reported by
NOAA
Willow Snotel Site
Click
Here for Current Snow Depth
2/2/2012
reported by
Luce's Lodge
As of 11
AM Thursday morning we have about one to two inches of powder added to the
trails. The trail from The Luce’s Lodge to the mouth of the Yentna has
been well groomed and is in good shape. The cold weather has made a really
good base on the trail and some pretty good loads of freight have been going
up river. Plenty of powder at the sides and off the main trail for lots of
fun. The temps should be fairly mild this week-end which reduces the
frostbite hazard and increases the fun. Stop in for a free cup of coffee if
you have time!! See you here!!
Dave Luce
Big Susitna
1/30/2012
reported by
DLOA
Temperatures have warmed up considerably and have been in the single digits at mid day. Let's hope this holds since January was one of the coldest on record
Directions to Deshka
Landing:
Physical
Address: 29691 West Deshka Landing Road, Willow 99688 907-495-3374
*Please be aware that there are several "S" turns and about a dozen
moose that can make the last 6 miles of driving a challenge at
times. We want everyone to arrive safely.
1.
Take the Glenn Highway North to the Parks Highway to Willow.
2. Continue North on the Parks Highway to 70.8 mile. Just past
the airport you see a brown sign for Willow Creek State
Recreation Area followed by a green sign announcing the Deshka
Landing turn.
3. Turn West (left) off the Parks Highway onto Willow Creek
Parkway.
4. Continue on Willow Creek Parkway (about 1.9 miles) to the first
asphalt road (Crystal Lake Road).
5. Turn left onto Crystal Lake Road and continue (about 2.3
miles) to Mishap Road.
6. Turn right on Mishap Road (Follow the State DOT sign) to Deshka
Landing (about 2.7 miles).
7. Continue straight to the end of the road where you will drive
into Deshka Landing.
There is a special rate of $7 parking per day for club members on club rides. Please follow the gate procedure instructions to take advantage of the special rate.
Gate Procedure:
Take ticket at ticket machine and proceed through gate. Pull over
near office and take ticket into office. The ticket will be paid for
and validated inside the office. We accept Visa/MasterCard, checks,
and cash.
Upon exiting simply feed the ticket into the machine and the gate will open. If you do not validate the ticket in the office you will automatically be charged the full rate when you exit.
The office/store has drinks and snacks available for purchasing.
Indoor restrooms are located around the back of the building off the back porch.
Parking Area:
Follow the clearly marked signs to the dedicated area for the club.
This area is away from the main parking lot and it gives the group a
large staging area. Please adhere to the posted speed limits in
your car and on your snow machines.
reported by
NOAA
Skwentna Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
reported by
NOAA
Bentalit Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
1/23/2012
reported by
MSB
NEW SNOWFALL: 1" 1/11/12
SNOW TOTAL: 25"
TRAIL BASE: 3"
PARKING LOT: Parking lot is open for winter season
Parking Fee: $3
Season parking passes are available at the MSB Building in Palmer for $30
reported by
NRCS
Pt Mackensie Snotel Site
Click Here
for Current Snow Depth
1/31/2012
reported by
DNR
AREA
STATUS
NEW
SNOW
AVG.
DEPTH
COMMENTS
Open
1"
35"
Lake ice is >20".
Beware overflow.
Alaska State Parks makes no statements as to ice safety.
Open
1"
35"
Open
1"
35"
Open
1"
35"
Open
1"
35"
Red Shirt Lake Trail
Open
1"
35"
Open
1"
35"
Motorized corridor
Open
1"
35"
Trail is open to snowmachines; please protect upland and wetland vegetation
Today has warmed to near +10 after temperatures as low as -30 during the last week. Nancy Lake Parkway beyond mile 2.2 is closed to highway vehicles.
Average snow depth is recorded uncompressed.
Snowmobile
openings are based on many variables including packed snow
base and vegetation coverage
Day use fees are $5/calendar
day.
You may self register at the trailhead or
purchase
a 2012 day use pass for $40 from any state park office,
ranger, or
online at
www.alaskastateparks.org.
reported by
NOAA
Hatcher Pass Snotel Site
Click
Here for Current Snow Depth
1/30/2012
reported by
DNR
AREA
STATUS
NEW
SNOW
AVG.
DEPTH
COMMENTS
Open
0"
46"
Open
0"
46"
Open
0"
46-49""
Open
0"
44-47"
Open
0"
2-60+"
Wind-packed and drifted snow, Moose along trails toward Willow area
Average snow depth is recorded uncompressed.
Snowmobile
openings are based on many variables including packed snow
base and vegetation coverage
Day use fees are $5/calendar
day.
You may self register at the trailhead or
purchase
a 2012 day use pass for $40 from any state park office,
ranger, or
online at
www.alaskastateparks.org.
State Park
2/2/2012
reported by
DNR
AREA
STATUS
NEW
SNOW
AVG.
DEPTH
COMMENTS
Open
4"
24"
Snowmachines allowed in designated areas of the south fork of Campbell Creek accessed via the corridor from Upper Huffman Trailhead
Open
0"
30"
MP 7.4
Open
3"
22"
Ride cautiously
Open
4"
26"
Early season ice; expect thin areas as well as open water. Be prepared to test ice thickness yourselves
Open
3"
16"
Ptarmigan
Closed
3"
10"
Average snow depth is recorded uncompressed.
Snowmobile
openings are based on many variables including packed snow
base and vegetation coverage
Day use fees are $5/calendar
day.
You may self register at the trailhead or
purchase
a 2012 day use pass for $40 from any state park office,
ranger, or
online at
www.alaskastateparks.org.
reported by
NRCS
Anchorage Hillside Snotel Site
(Click here for Current Snow Depth)
South
Central Area
Turnagain Pass, Kenai Peninsula,
Weather Forecast for Turnagain
Western Prince William Sound...
Including...Whittier...Seward...Girdwood...Moose Pass
FEB 2 2012
TODAY...SNOW AND RAIN. AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW
WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A MILE AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP
TO 4 INCHES. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S TO LOWER 40S. SOUTH AND EAST WIND 10 TO
20 MPH EXCEPT SOUTHEAST 45 TO 55 MPH THROUGH PORTAGE VALLEY AND TURNAGAIN
ARM. NEAR SEWARD...SOUTH WIND 20 TO 35 MPH DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH IN THE
AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT...AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW IN THE EVENING. SNOW
IN THE EVENING...THEN SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW
ACCUMULATION UP TO 2 INCHES. LOWS IN THE MID TEENS TO UPPER 20S... COOLEST
INLAND. VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH. THROUGH PORTAGE VALLEY AND TURNAGAIN
ARM...SOUTHEAST WIND 30 TO 45 MPH BECOMING EAST 10 TO 20 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
FRIDAY...CLOUDY. ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S TO
LOWER 30S. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH EXCEPT NORTH 10 TO 20 MPH NEAR
SEWARD.
FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 20 ABOVE.
NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH EXCEPT WEST 15 TO 30 MPH NEAR WHITTIER.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS IN
THE MORNING. HIGHS IN THE 20S. VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH. THROUGH PORTAGE VALLEY
AND TURNAGAIN ARM...VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH INCREASING TO EAST 25 TO 40 MPH IN
THE AFTERNOON.
SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS ZERO TO 10
ABOVE.
SUNDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 25 TO 35.
2/2/2012
reported by
CNF
AREA
COMMENTS
Turnagain Pass West is open to motorized use. Check out the 4 NEW Snowmachine bridges between Turnagain Pass and Johnson Pass North trailhead!
DEEP!
20 Mile drainage is open to motorized use! Park at the Portage rail depot and cross the RR tracks at the designated spot ONLY! Please follow bamboo poles from the parking area
An especially important piece of equipment to carry if you will be traveling on Johnson Pass, is a chainsaw travel in some areas hampered due to additional snow on those already bent over trees.
reported by
NOAA
Turnagain Pass Snotel Site
Click
Here for Current Snow Depth
reported by
NRCS
Grandview Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
District
2/2/2012
reported by
CNF
AREA
COMMENTS
1/24/2012 32" at parking lot.
1/24/2012 52" of snow in the trees start of trail
1/24/2012 46" of snow at parking area
1/24/2012 26" of snow at Res south (West Juneau Rd)
1/24/2012 60" of snow at parking area
Snow River
1/24/12 54" of snow at start of trail.
1/24/2012 48" of snow at summit Lake.
reported by
NOAA
Summit Lake Snotel Site
Click here for
Current Snow Depth
reported by
NOAA
Caribou Hills Snotel Site
Click Here for
Current Snow Depth
2/1/2012
reported by
CHCH
New Snow: 0"
Accumulated Snow ~26″
Oil Well Road Plowed: 1/13/12
Gravel Pit Parking Plowed: 1/13/12
3rd Pad Plowed: 1/13/12
Trails Groomed