Dec 27th Ride, Murphy Dome Road to Chatanika

[john]

The starting point will be at the Gravel Pit (approximately 3 miles on the right after turning onto Murphey Dome Road) starting at 10:00 AM.

How to get there

Go past UAF to Sheep Creek road, a few miles down and on the left is Murphey Dome road, turn left, the Gravel Pit is on the right.

How long of a ride, ask Shane

Should be under 40 miles one way, assuming we don't get lost...

Anyone want to clarify my directions, please feel free to do so.

[AK Wanderer]

Same directions...just a little tighter--

Travel south on the Parks Hwy. approximately 1 mile past Geist Rd.
Turn Right onto Sheep Creek Rd.
Follow Sheep Creek Rd. for 5.3 miles.
Turn Left on Murphy Dome Rd.
Follow Murphy Dome Rd. for 1.7 miles.
Parking for ride is at gravel pit on Right side of road. (Jennifer Dr.)

p.s. Thanks to John and Paul for the GPS Treasure Hunt. We had fun!

Tom and Anne

[john]

Thanks for the help on directions.

Of course if the weather predictions are correct, see quote below, then I'll be sitting here in my nice warm home having some nice hot coffee

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Temperatures falling to 10 below to 20 below. Light winds...except over higher summits north winds to 30 mph with locally poor visibility in blowing snow and wind chill to 40 below.

[aurora_hunter]

John

Thanks for the weather update.

Yes, I've been concerned about the first cold spell of this season that the weather people
are talking about.

I hope it doesn't get too windy tomorrow. If the ride does get cancelled, would it be posted here?

Stay warm!

Naoki

[john]

I hope it doesn't get too windy tomorrow. If the ride does get cancelled, would it be posted here? i

Yes. Club Policy is if it's -20 below one hour before ride time the ride is canceled.

Call 458-3745 and hit 1, 3 times I think it is.

Because of wind considerations, I may cancel if its -15 below or colder to be on the safe side this week.

[Summit800]

I thought that it was -10 for the cutoff temp.

[john]

It was until the end of last season, the board decided to lower it to -20 below.

The weather report has changed to -5 to -30, warmer in the hills.

So were riding, maybe. I'll be there to see who shows up and what everyone thinks.

[Summit800]

Well we ( REVITUP and I) went on the trail from Goldstream road, up the hill, and down the pipeline expecting to catch up to you guys. We ran the Pipeline to Olnes, and across the valley to the Chatinika Lodge. We were there till about 1:30, so I assume that the ride was cancelled. Too bad for you guys, It was about zero on the pipeline trail, a little cool in the valley, The trail from Olness to the Lodge was the best I have ever seen it. Good job Ronnie!! We stayed for a cup of coffee and Iced tea, Stuffed some coin in the "Groomer Can" and took the trail up to Cleary summit, Across to Silver Fox Road, Up Old Murphy Dome Road to the Pipeline, and rode right back to the house. Was way warmer on the return ride, Shirley said it was -27 at the lodge, I would guess -10 to 0 on top at Cleary. Was a BEAUTIFUL day for a ride. Perfect for breaking in my new engine.
Summit800

[john]

Haa, Tyler, Blars and I made it just fine

We didn't go down the pipeline though, knew it'd be cold down in the flats at and past Olnes Pond, so we took the Pedro Dome road to Fairbanks Creek and had lunch at Fairbanks Creek Lodge.

Was a nice -12 below when we left the gravel pit, got warmer on top and dropped down to -14 below by time we left the Lodge and headed back.

Sorry we missed ya..