Notes from the Trail

Mar 31, 2010

The CRR BBQ will be held this Saturday April 3rd at Lunch Box Hill. Free hotdog and drinks come out and show your support for the club and join the club. Door prizes will be drawn for members See the Ride Schedule for more information or call the club's hotline

Mar 31, 2010

This was the last week of grooming the trails in Trapper Creek, 
Petersville and Denali State Park for the 2010 season. The Safari 
Lake, Petersville Road from Kroto Parking to the Deep Creek Loop Turn, 
East West Express, Deep Creek, Kroto Link, Tokositna, North Loop and 
Chulitna Bluff Trail from 121.5 north to the Park, were all groomed. 
These trails remain in very good shape although there are several thin 
spots on the CBT on south facing slopes. Only the Rail Road Creek 
Bridge on the CBT shows signs of deterioration although conditions are 
changing daily.

The weather has been very nice this week and as has happened through 
out the winter, is the exact opposite of the forecasts. Great riding 
still is possible in the far back mountains although it is more 
difficult to get there this year. Get out and enjoy what is left while 
it lasts.

Many thanks to all the hard workers from the Curry Ridge Riders and 
Anchorage Snowmobile Club who built and maintain these trails. Thanks 
also to those who made donations to the clubs or Alaska Snow Cat 
directly as well as to those who register your snowmobiles. Last, but 
not least, a big thanks to The Mat Su Borough and Alaska State Parks 
for supporting the ongoing efforts of the public trail system we all 
enjoy.

See you next year.

Randy Crosby

Mar 9, 2010

This is a midweek grooming report as the trails are getting extra 
grooming this week due to spring break. Monday the E/W Express was 
groomed from the 121.5 trailhead to the P-ville Rd. Also the P-ville 
Rd. was groomed from Martin Creek south of Petersville to the Kroto 
Parking Lot. The road and E/W are in very good shape however there 
were high winds Monday so expect some drifting when traveling east or 
west.

A new route from near Martin Creek on the P-ville Rd to Lunch Box Hill 
and then down the Deep Creek Trail to the E/W Express was groomed for 
the first time ever Monday! This improves a popular route for folks 
heading up and over the Petersville Hills and also provides a scenic 
loop from the E/W to the P-ville Rd and back. This has been a long 
anticipated project and the snow and funding finally cooperated this 
year. Many thanks to the Curry Ridge Riders whose memberships and 
donations are paying for this service. A special thanks to Joe Gauna 
for dedicating yet another Saturday to route finding and mapping with 
his GPS. Wands should be installed by this weekend.

Tuesday the Safari Lake Trail, Tokositna Trail, Kroto Link, North Loop 
and the north part of the Chulitna Bluff were groomed. 2-6 inches of 
fresh had fallen Monday night and the conditions are the best it has 
been all year. If you plan on riding this week then north of the Big 
Su Bridge is the place to be. One caution I'll give is to watch out 
for hidden holes covered up by the recent winds. Everywhere looks very 
flat but I know the are many ditches and dips that were visible last 
week and have a thin cover over them this week. More grooming will 
continue throughout the week so keep a careful eye out for the groomer.

One last word is a big thank you to all the volunteers who spent time 
brushing the trails this winter. Without these few hardy soles we 
would not have the trail system we all enjoy. Glenn Swan, John 
Scudder, Ron Lurk and of course Joe Gauna have put in more time 
cutting, signing and staking than anybody else, and if you see them on 
the trail stop and say thanks.

Randy Crosby

Mar 5, 2010

This week the Rabiduex and south half of the Chulitna Bluff Trail were 
groomed Tuesday night after the temperature cooled . The snow bridge 
on Saw Mill Creek had settled some and was refilled with snow. The 
snow bridge on Rail Road Creek is solid but one lane only, and is 
wanded accordingly. These trails are in great shape and if you like to 
trail ride, then ride these now as they will deteriorate first in the 
spring.

Thursday the north half of the CBT, the North Loop, the Tokositna 
Trail, the west half of the E/W Express and all of the Petersville 
Road were groomed. They are all in very good shape. Some overflow 
remains on the Tokositna river but all the snow bridges are in good 
shape. Use extreme caution at the west crossing of the Tokasitna River 
as the bank downstream of the trail markers is open and will mess up 
your day if you hit it. I recommend you stay on the trail in this area 
and follow the wands.

Friday the Safari Lake Trail, the Kroto Link and the east half of the 
E/W Express were groomed. They are in good shape, however high winds 
are causing drifts to form and also reducing visibility. Ride with care.

I will again remind riders to stay to the right and use the entire 12' 
wide trail instead of staying in the middle and cutting the corners as 
this accelerates the making of moguls. Also the temps were very warm 
this week so be cautious of water hazards and week ice. Good snow can 
still be found and reports are the swamps south of the Petersville 
Road are very good.

Randy Crosby

Feb 26, 2010

Woke up this morning and there is 3-4" of new snow in the Trapper Creek area
and it is Still Snowing Yippee!!!

2 for 2 March Special- Stay 2 nights at Trapper Creek Inn and receive 
2 Ride Petersville Tees for FREE ($37 value) at check-in.
Reserve your Room Today  907.733.2302 or book online at
www.trappercrkinn.com
 

Jennifer Munro

Feb 25, 2010

The groomed trails in Trapper Creek, Petersville and Denali State Park 
have been repaired and groomed after last weeks warm and wet weather. 
The Moose Creek crossing was repaired Monday with what little snow was 
available. The water was still over flowing the ice and a small 
channel on the west bank was left unfilled to allow the water a path 
to flow. Water was still overflowing late Wednesday night but the 
crossing is in very good shape. Please go slow and easy in this area 
to prevent further damage to the trail. The E/W trail from Moose Creek 
to the Parks Hwy., and the CBT from 122-129, was groomed Monday night 
as temps cooled and is flat and hard.

The CBT north of 129, the North Loop, the Tokasitna Trail, the E/W 
west of the Reflector Tree, the Petersville Rd. south of Deep Creek 
and the Safari Lake Trail were all groomed Tuesday and are in very 
good shape. The inner slough of the Tokasitna River was repaired due 
to the overflow and caution should be used as overflow remains on both 
sides of the trail. The wooded section of the North Loop east of the 
Tokasitna River has many stumps and snags and the trail remains bumpy 
in this section. Watch for divots and voids in the corners as there 
was occasionally insufficient snow to fill them in.

Wednesday the Petersville Rd north of Deep Creek, The Kroto Triangle 
and the remainder of the E/W Express was groomed.

4-5 inches of fresh snow has fallen Thursday morning and it continues 
to snow. Be very cautious off of the trails as the snow is crusty, 
hard and unforgiving. There are many trenches and holes from traffic 
during last weeks warm weather that can be very hazardous.
 

Feb 11, 2010

This week the trails were in decent shape prior to grooming and had 
5"-9" of fresh snow falling Saturday through Monday.
The CBT north of mile 121.5, the E/W Express and the P-ville Road were 
groomed Tuesday. The Safari/Tokositna Trail, the Kroto Link and the 
North Loop were groomed Wednesday.
The temps were from +10-+20 and has softened up the base which had 
become hard and windblown. While the snow depth is still less than 
normal, good riding can be found in most swamps. Mountain riding is 
better further back in the Alaska Range as the front range remains thin.
Trail riding is about as good as it gets. Riders should stay to the 
right hand side of the trail and go easy in corners and on hills to 
minimize moguls and ruts. Ice scratchers are not necessary with the 
current conditions and accelerate poor trail conditions.

Thanks for the support and donations and have a great weekend.
Randy Crosby

Feb 10, 2010

The 14^th Annual President’s Day President’s Ride will take place on Saturday, February 13^th.  This ride, put on by the current and past presidents of the CRR, the ASC and ASSA, will depart from the parking area at Sheep Creek Lodge on the Parks Highway at 9 am sharp, hope to be back by 7:00.  Parking is limited so be there early. There is also parking at MP89, just past Sheep Creek Lodge, on the left.   Bring gas, non-alcoholic drinks, a lunch and plan on about 120 miles, with lots of swamps along the way. Gas will be available by credit card only at Trapper Creek Inn.   This ride is for all levels of riders and may involve some night riding. If you can handle the distance and want to see some new country, come on out.  Glenn Swan, our ride leader will keep a brisk, steady pace but there’ll be time to play in the swamps. 

Jan 14, 2010

We had a very small crew come to help open up the North Loop and despite a very long day we didn’t quite finish it.   If it’s going to be opened up for grooming we’ll need just a bit more effort.  Our ride this weekend is a trail clearing party on Saturday, January 16th, to finish the clearing that’s needed so the groomer can get through.  The new snow is settling and more alders are popping up.  We’ll be meeting at 1030 in the parking lot at MP 131 of the Parks Highway.  That’s MP 131, on the left side of the road as your heading north.  If you get there late, just follow the trail north and you’ll find us.  Bring cutters, hand or chain saws and a lunch and we’ll make short work of the brush.  Those of you who couldn’t make it last weekend but said you could this weekend, you’re in luck.  We’ll see you Saturday.

If you want to leave from Trapper Creek Inn or the 121.5 parking lot, just head north on the Chulitna Bluff Trail and you’ll find us.

Jan 7, 2010

Our ride this weekend is a trail clearing party on Saturday, January 9th, to open up the North Loop so that the groomer can get through.  There are a few patches of alders that need cutting and we’ll be meeting at 1030 at the parking lot at MP 131 of the Parks Highway.  That’s MP 131, on the left side of the road as your heading north.  If you get there late, just follow the trail north and you’ll find us.  Bring cutters, hand or chain saws and a lunch and we’ll make short work of the brush
 

Jan 3, 2010

Conditions in the South Denali are fair to good, with the best conditions to the west.  The swamps have some good snow, although it isn’t as deep as usual. The East West Express trail has been groomed the full length from the Parks Highway but with the thin snow there are still stumps and rocks poking out.  The Chulitna Bluff Trail is groomed from MP 121.5 north to the state park boundary and has been packed and widened south to Trapper Creek.    The P-ville Rd has also been groomed, from Kroto Creek to the Jin-Mar trail near the Peters Hills.  The Safari/Tokositna Trail was groomed from MP 11 of the P-ville Rd to near Bunco Creek.  The North Loop is nearly impassable due to alders and brush.  We need another 2 feet of snow accumulation before we can groom, although you can get through if you’re careful.  Please bring a hand saw and cut a few as you pass through.   Water crossings are also in good condition but go slow and be cautious.  We expect to groom this week

Dec 26, 2009

Conditions in the South Denali area are good, with the best conditions west of the reflector tree.  The EWE trail has been groomed the full length from the parks highway but with the thin snow there are still stumps and rocks poking out.  Water crossings are also in good condition.  Go slow and be cautious.  The CBT is groomed from MP 121.5 north to the state park boundary and has been packed and widened south to Trapper Creek.    The P-ville Rd has also been groomed, from Kroto Creek to the Jin-Mar trail near the Peters Hills.  Today the Safari/Tokositna Trail will be groomed from MP 11 of the P-ville Rd to Bunco Creek.  The North Loop is nearly impassable due to alders and brush.  We need another 2 feet of snow accumulation before we can groom.

Dec 19, 2009

The CRR hit the trail today, cutting low hanging branches and setting signs on the Chulitna Bluff Trail, between MP 129 and Trapper Creek.  You can now get to the Trapper Creek Inn from mp 121.5.  The trail hasn’t been groomed yet but it’s in very good condition.  The new alignment on the bluff is beautiful, with great views of the river.  The East West Express in ridable and in fair condition.  A bit more snow and we’ll be able to groom it.  The water crossings are still not fully hardened so be cautious when crossing creeks and ponds.  Overall, snow conditions are good, improving as you move west toward the Peters Hills. 

Dec 12, 2009

Conditions in the South Denali area are good and Denali State Park is open to snowmobiles.  Grooming of the trails in the area is not expected to commence until late December.  We need a bit more snow.  The East West Express has been ridden from the Parks Highway to the Reflector Tree but the water crossings are still wet and will need some shoveling to cross.  The cold temperatures this past week should help to improve them.  The Chulitna Bluff Trail south from MP 121.5 to Trapper Creek has also been ridden and is in good condition, although just north of East Petersville Road there’s a beaver pond that drained and is difficult to cross.  The new alignment of the CBT north is ridable but water crossings are still iffy.  There are a few downed trees near the north end of the CBT where it crosses the Parks Highway near MP 130 but it’s possible to get around them.  Please cut them up when you get to them.   We’ve had no reports of conditions on the Rabideux Trail south of Trapper Creek.  Be safe and enjoy the snow—we’ll be grooming as soon as it’s safely possible. 

Dec 12, 2009

Conditions in the South Denali area are good and Denali State Park is open to snowmobiles.  Grooming of the trails in the area is not expected to commence until late December.  We need a bit more snow.  The East West Express has been ridden from the Parks Highway to the Reflector Tree but the water crossings are still wet and will need some shoveling to cross.  The cold temperatures this past week should help to improve them.  The Chulitna Bluff Trail south from MP 121.5 to Trapper Creek has also been ridden and is in good condition, although just north of East Petersville Road there’s a beaver pond that drained and is difficult to cross.  The new alignment of the CBT north is ridable but water crossings are still iffy.  There are a few downed trees near the north end of the CBT where it crosses the Parks Highway near MP 130 but it’s possible to get around them.  Please cut them up when you get to them.   We’ve had no reports of conditions on the Rabideux Trail south of Trapper Creek.  Be safe and enjoy the snow—we’ll be grooming as soon as it’s safely possible. 

Dec 1, 2009
We will be doing a recon of the trails for downed trees and logs and will be trimming hanging branches this Saturday, starting at MP 121.5 parking lot at 10:30. Almost a foot of new snow has fallen today and it appears there’ll be more coming in the next few days. 

Oct 25, 2009

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR), has initiated a planning process to create Denali State Park’s first Trail Management Plan.

At these open houses, state park staff will be available to answer questions, discuss issues and listen to your thoughts and ideas. There will be no formal presentation; you may attend the open house anytime between 7PM and 9PM.

Oct 22, 2009

SnowTRAC wants to get registration fees on the ground in the places that people throughout the state use.  They have developed the following survey to help determine what people want their registration fees to go to, what areas they like to ride at, and how much they are willing to pay for the service.  Help them gather the information they need to improve the program and put the money where the riders are.

Survey Link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=97MeUtxw5IHrBmYRaJjQWA_3d_3d

Oct 19, 2009

We are planning on holding a trail work party with the Anchorage Snowmobile Club on Oct 24 at 10 AM to clear the trail leaving the parking lot at  MP 105, Parks Hwy, Bring loppers, gloves and a sense of adventure.