Fairbanks Snow Travelers

Going to ride the road to the boat landing on the Chatanika and try to find the Dunbar trail and head north on it. To gain knowledge for a future club ride to the hot springs. I plan on having breakfast at Sam's Sourdough 7:30. Who is planing on going?

Tentatively I'll be there. Why run down the Chat from the road, isn't it closer going Murphy Dome down to the Chat to the Dunbar ?

If you mean off the north side of Murphy dome I don't think so. but we can come back that way and compare it is all about the trip.

The road off Murphy Dome to the boat launch is quickest to the Dunbar - it was improved with the fire two summers ago. The road takes you directly to the Dunbar. Also, sometimes there can be nasty overflow on the Chatanika. A nice loop is:
- Take the road from the parking lot to the Chatanika where the cabins and boat ramp are
- Ride the Dunbar up and back, as far as you heart desires - I've been about halfway to Tolovana Hot Springs
- Ride the Chatanika river upstream to the trail John's talking about that goes to the North Side of Murphy Dome
- Ride the trail back to the parking lot

On the Dunbar it doesn't get much use, except by a trapper, and usually I'm with a kid or 2 and when I start breaking trail I'm afraid of running into trouble and being the only adult.

The guy and his wife that road with us on the McKay Creek ride has a cabin down there and knows the area pretty well. The wife rode a Tundra 300F.

Assuming the weather holds (temperature) I plan to be there. I live on Murphy Dome so I don't plan to drive in town for breakfast.

James

See you there James.

Is this a family ride for the big and heavy ventures?

I will be on a 570 bearcat with a back seater. This won't be summit lake riding.

And I think Ivory Jacks will be the spot for after ride debriefing!

Tim,

If not at Sourdoughs for breakfast @ 7:30, what time are you thinking of leaving the boat landing off Murphy Dome Road ?

And, directions or map to the boat landing for those of us that don't go there often or are new to the area.

You can't drive to the boat launch in the winter - except on a snowmachine. We have to unload at the Murphy Dome Parking lot and Tim can lead the way from there.

Opie wrote:You can't drive to the boat launch in the winter - except on a snowmachine. We have to unload at the Murphy Dome Parking lot and Tim can lead the way from there.

John: This is what I was planning about 0900 up at the top leave by 0930ish. I'm flying to the lake in the morning will over fly the area.

Should be 2 or 3 coming with me
will be at bakery

are we meeting at Sourdo sams @730 on Sat?

I spent a bit of time riding on the Dunbar Trail 20 years ago and again 15 years ago to take a scout to the Tolovana Hot Springs. Once you get in a way it can get confusing if there are side trails, which there are in years where there is a lot of use, but perhaps not so much this year. I would love to go this year, but my 1991 MX-XTC may not be ready to roll yet. A couple of years ago I went with this group down to the Chatanika and back and I imagine some of the same folks will be on this ride.

Sam's 7:30 Murphy Dome 9:00 And these times are tentative as it will take at least 30 min to drive to the top. We will shoot for a departure from the top at no later than 10 If I'm not there go with out me I do not want to be in traveling in the Dark any more than we have to so we will play the return by ear as we go; bring some snacks and water with you.