Fairbanks Snow Travelers

The plan is to meet at Cantwell lodge Saturday morning at 8:30 AM for breakfast.

My initial thought is to take the Jack River route to Caribou Lakes, however, depending on who shows to help me lead we may try an alternative route, we'll decide over breakfast.

Should be a great ride.

Let me know if your coming so I can give the lodge a heads up.

How could this be worked into a day trip?

Although I prefer to stay in the area (Cantwell) lots of folks make it a day trip.

Drive down in the early AM, ride and drive back that afternoon/evening.

Figure 2.5 hours or so for the drive down, so you'd need to leave town around 5:30 or 6:00.

I believe Dean is doing a day trip for this run.

If you are for sure coming down, let me know and we'll wait a bit in case your late.

Well I plan to be there, though if more are going, we could consolidate vehicles/trailers to save a little on gas. If I can get my friend to go, he will want alot of "off-trail" time and I am not certain how you plan on running the show down there.

For consolidation, see who posts here you might be able to double up with.

I'm going down Thursday morning to get some cabin work done, so not able to offer a ride, plus my trailer is currently packed with no space available.

Off trail time hahahahahaha, were going to Cantwell, staying on a trail is the issue in Cantwell. So I think he'd get his wish if he come down.

Well Cantwell is where I first went snowmobiling a couple of months ago. Though the sled I was on wasn't usable after the "failed jump" so I sat in my truck while my 2 friends went to a place called Honolulu Pass, though I dont know where that is. Do you have a map that can show your "projected" route?

Just had to update...

Got Snow, this is for the Cantwell area

Today: Snow. Areas of blowing snow north of talkeetna with local visibilities of one half mile or less. Snow accumulation 4 to 8 inches. Highs in the upper teens to upper 20s.

Tonight: Snow. Snow accumulation 1 to 4 inches...highest amounts north of talkeetna. Lows zero to 10 above. Variable wind to 15 mph.

Tuesday: Snow likely in the morning then isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches...mainly north of talkeetna. Highs 10 to 20 above. Light winds.

Some folks from work are currently snowed in in Valdez, lucky, guess I should of gone to that conference

Here are maps showing two of the three legal access points, per BLM.
I'm working on getting the 3rd one that takes off from the Denali Hwy and follows the Jack River from that side.

I'm going on this one and just going to make it a day trip. I invited a freind, he hasn't gave me a yes or no yet. If he doesn't say yes by Thursday I will have a extra spot on the trailer.

Nick

The third BLM access map and a Topo that also shows Honolulu Pass near the bottom for reference in case your interested.

Just drove in from Anchorage, lousy driving conditions, Anchorage to Wasilla, Trapper Creek to Healy but lots, lots of snow. Weather looks good, ride should be good, deep stuff. Planning on a day ride deal but will be ready to overnight if I have to and drive Sunday AM,Easter dinner with the family you know. Possibly could haul a sled and rider.

Lots of wind in Broad pass yesterday, and don't forget your avalanche beacons.

From Paul R Jr. on Cantwell

Heard from a guy that has a cabin down there and just got back. He said there is 2 feet of fresh snow and everybody was getting stuck. Yes!

john wrote:From Paul R Jr. on Cantwell

Heard from a guy that has a cabin down there and just got back. He said there is 2 feet of fresh snow and everybody was getting stuck. Yes!

Not something I want to hear.... my sled seems to do "ok" in 3 feet or so. I've never had it anything past waist deep (my first ride didnt count as all I knew how to do then was get stuck ) I guess I will be able to email Camoplast and tell them how well the Cobra track really performs in the deep powder when it is all said and done.

I called today and reserved myself a room. I dont know how full up they are but they may have more available. I will be leaving friday after work (wont be on road probably until after 6pm) I dont plan on dragging my trailer down there so I will just load my sled in the back of my truck.

John: I let the guy who reserved my room to expect a party of 10+ to be there for breakfast, and he said no problem.

Thanks for passing along the note on breakfast.

I'll be there for breakfast unless I get stuck coming out of the cabin