Fairbanks Snow Travelers

I just got back from riding from up here on Cleary Summit to Chatanika. The little bit of snow we had since the last time I rode it has helped it quite a bit so I am going to hold the ride. This is not to say the trails are super; but they are doable. We'll meet at the Chatanika Lodge for breakfast at 9 rather than 10 as the schedule says. We'll ride from the lodge to the Circle Trail and on up here to Cleary Summit and check out a trail or two up here that most of you have probably never ridden. We'll make a stop with a good view of the Fort Knox Mine if anyone is interested. This should be about a 50 or 60 mile loop by the time we get back to Chatanika. The first few miles out of Chatanika is kind of rough with some dirt showing in places, also I wouldn't recommend any sled with a paddle track as all of the trail is hard packed.
See you at the lodge at 9,

Chuck

Thanks for letting us know, Chuck. We talked about it at the meeting, this low snow is really putting a beating on our rides.

REVITUP wrote:Thanks for letting us know, Chuck. We talked about it at the meeting, this low snow is really putting a beating on our rides.

I just got back from riding from up here on Cleary Summit to Chatanika. The little bit of snow we had since the last time I rode it has helped it quite a bit so I am going to hold the ride. This is not to say the trails are super; but they are doable. We'll meet at the Chatanika Lodge for breakfast at 9 rather than 10 as the schedule says. We'll ride from the lodge to the Circle Trail and on up here to Cleary Summit and check out a trail or two up here that most of you have probably never ridden. We'll make a stop with a good view of the Fort Knox Mine if anyone is interested. This should be about a 50 or 60 mile loop by the time we get back to Chatanika. The first few miles out of Chatanika is kind of rough with some dirt showing in places, also I wouldn't recommend any sled with a paddle track as all of the trail is hard packed.
See you at the lodge at 9,

Chuck


Last edited by cleary on Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

We got an inch of new snow up here last night, at least it makes it look better. For anyone wanting to check the weather up here on Cleary Summit before the ride tomorrow you can check it here:

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/iways/roadwe ... &siteId=29

Chuck

Altogether there was 4 of us. Ronnie fixed us a good breakfast at the lodge and we hit the trail around 10. It was 18 below at the lodge as we headed up the Red Trail to the Circle Trail. The Red Trail was somewhat rough with some dirt showing in places. By the time we were on top and on the Circle Trail it was 10 above and all the trails on top were good. We put on 65 miles riding around the Ft. Knox Mine, Gilmore Dome, Last Chance Creek and the Alpha Trail to Fish Creek. The Fish Creek Crossing is glaciered enough to cross now. We had a great day and arrived back at the lodge at 4. The manifold cooked little smokies and cocoa that James and Andrew brought were a perfect touch.

Chuck



James and Andrew with the Ft. Knox Mine and Mill in the background



The Alpha C Site Trail heading for Fish Creek



The trail heading into Last Chance Creek



The trail at the head of Gilmore Creek and around Gilmore Dome

Good times were had by all. Thanks so much Chuck.

James & Andrew