Updated on 05/12/13

The grooming of the Trapper Creek/Petersville trails is complete for this week as well as for this winter, however winter shows no sign of leaving anytime soon.  Only 4" or so of new snow fell in this last storm but the temps remain well below average for this time of year and it was -18 at my house this morning. The snow pack remains very stable and I can assure you there is plenty of snow left and if you put in a little effort there is still great snow with a soft surface to be found in the hills and mountains.

The snow Bridges remain in great shape and show no sign of settling but that will change as the temps warm up so stay alert. The only overflow I have seen is near the Tokositna river crossing as you you come out of the woods about 5 miles west of the 131 trailhead. This is a glaciated ice lens that has been there all winter and was frozen solid when I groomed across it last night but is softer and wetter off of the trail in that area so be aware.

If you enjoy the groomed trails and want to see them groomed again in the future then your participation is desperately needed and it only takes a quick email to provide a lot of benefit. Last year the new Director of Alaska State Parks, Ben Ellis, and the newly hired State Trails Coordinator, Darcy Harris, attempted to stop funding the grooming program and divert the funds elsewhere. Please take the time to email both of these State Employees and tell them how you want your snowmobile registration dollars spent. Just a short positive message on how the grooming benefits you and your desire to have the grooming program continue is all that is needed. No funding, no grooming, it is that simple. here are their email addresses.

darcy.harris@alaska.gov

ben.ellis@alaska.gov

Randy Crosby

In the Broad Pass, Cantwell Creek, and Dunkle Mine areas of Denali National Park snow has been soft and beautiful in the trees, in the river bottoms sheltered from the wind, and low hills around Dunkle Mine.  The large mountain faces and areas closer to the former Mountain McKinley National Park (which is closed to snow machine use) are wind blown and generally poor for riding.

Make sure you know where you are riding.  For maps, GPS locations, information, rules and regulations check out:

This will most likely be our last snow report of the season. This past weekend's riders had fun, especially up in the Peters Hills. (We still had riders out on Tuesday.) However, with temps in the upper 40's this week, we are in full meltdown mode. The 36-inches of remaining snow goes from crusty to mushy daily. Some of the creeks are flowing heavy. God must be laughing, because as I was writing this it started snowing.

We want to express a sincere, great BIG THANK YOU to all of you who stayed with us this 2012-2013 Winter Season. You have collectively made us feel welcome in Alaska, and have all been very encouraging. We have truly experienced Alaska Awesome!

Duane & Sandy Ryks, Proprietors

Gate Creek Cabins
907.733.1393
gatecreek@att.net
www.gatecreekcabins.com

NOTICE:
Maclaren Lodge will be closed from
Oct 15th through Feb. 1st 2013

Spring riding is still good at Big Lake. This may be your last opportunity this season for you to communicate with your sled and the great outdoors. 

No new snow this week but a good base still exists. The temperatures have been in the 40's during the day and 20's during the night. The Lake and water crossings are melting so be cautious when crossing rivers and streams. The Lakes Trail is still in good shape for travel by sled. Vehicular access to Big Lake will likely be hampered by approximately 7" of water on ICE 5. Please be careful. Several residents are pulling their cars off the ice for the season.

Big Lake Trails has regrettably called an end to the grooming season due to the conditions mentioned above. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your experience on the trails this year. Likewise, we hope to see again as soon as the snow flies in November or December. Personally and on behalf of the Board of Big Lake Trails, Inc. I would like to genuinely express our thanks for all of the support you have given us throughout the year.

We still have tons of snow with cool temps at night and temps around 40 in the afternoon. Trails are solid and no water anywhere yet. And forecast is for a little snow and cool temps. So riding should still be good for a while around here. Don't forget scratchers for morning riding!!!

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.

Chugach Electric is re-building a 15 mile section of transmission line in the Turn-again Pass area.  The line section under construction starts at Ingram Creek (at the base of Turn-again Pass) on the north, continuing over the pass to end near Silver tip Creek.  The project involves remedial clearing along the Right of Way, removal of the existing structures, conductor and miscellaneous hardware, and installation of new structures, conductor and miscellaneous hardware.  Construction activities associated with the project have been underway for approximately three weeks and will continue throughout the year.  Materials will be staged at various points along the road in areas near or adjacent to the project.

Snowmachiners and outdoor recreationalists should be aware of heavy equipment working along the R.O.W.; additionally, snowmachiners should be aware of wood poles and other construction materials that may be present in storage areas and along the Right-of-Way.  These materials may become covered with snow, presenting a hazard.  If you have any further questions, please contact me via e-mail or either of the numbers listed below.

Weather for Turnagain
5/12/2013

TODAY...CLOUDY WITH PERIODS RAIN. PATCHY FOG. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S TO MID 50S. LIGHT WINDS. NEAR SEWARD...NORTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH IN THE MORNING BECOMING LIGHT.
TONIGHT...RAIN LIKELY. LOWS IN THE 30S. LIGHT WINDS.
MONDAY...RAIN LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S TO MID 50S. LIGHT WINDS.
MONDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE 30S. LIGHT WINDS.
TUESDAY...CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE MORNING... THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S TO LOWER 50S. VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH.
TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE 30S.
WEDNESDAY...DECREASING CLOUDS. HIGHS IN THE 40S.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...INCREASING CLOUDS WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE 30S.
THURSDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE 40S.
THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE 30S.
FRIDAY...CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN. HIGHS IN THE 40S.
FRIDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN THE 30S.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN. HIGHS 45 TO 55.

Snow Level ~36+"