Nabesna Road Conditions

The Nabesna area finally got some much needed rain over the past few days. It has brought the water up in the creeks and made Jack Creek murky but it is worth it to reduce the fire danger. The rain has brought out the flowers (and mosquitoes!) and made things look lush and green. At times like this it’s easy to forget that we live in a semi-arid region.

Nabesna Road Conditions as of 10:00 a.m. June 17, 2009:
Nabesna Road is in good to fair condition.

Mile 15 – Mile 17.5: The road is rough in this area with numerous pot holes.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) has shallow water crossing the road.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) has a moderate flow of water across the road and has a channel. The bottom is still firm so four wheel drive is not required. Medium and high clearance vehicles are recommended. Low clearance vehicles should use caution.

Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has 6 to 8 inches of water flowing across the road and has formed a channel. The crossing is rough and medium to high clearance is required.

Techniques for stream crossings:

1. Evaluate the stream before crossing. If the water is too murky to see the bottom, find a long stick to probe for depth.
2. Check to determine if the bottom is firm. If your feet sink into the gravel very much this could mean that the bottom is soft. In the case of a soft creek bottom, you may need four wheel drive.
3. If you decide to make the crossing, stay committed. Don’t let off the gas once you start across and maintain momentum until you are clear of all water.
4. Speed should be enough to maintain momentum – you don’t need to “floor it”.
5. When crossing a channel it is often best to cross at an angle. Look for sloping banks rather than sharp edges.
6. In the end, only you know your driving ability and your vehicle. Just remember that your cell phone may not work and help is a long way away – maybe even days.

Insider Tips:

Each year around Father’s Day, the Trumpeter Swan pair that nests on an island in Little Twin Lake hatches their cygnets. This year’s batch emerged either late yesterday or this morning. The adults have moved the cygnets over to Big Twin Lake. This requires a cross country hike of about 50 yards! We joke that in addition to web feet, these cygnets are hatched with sneakers. In a few days, they will take another hike of about a quarter mile over to Jack Creek. We don’t know why they do this because it makes the family vulnerable to predators but I think it has something to do with available food for the cygnets.

Wildlife Sightings:

Moose

Red fox

Porcupine

Trumpeter Swans

They're Biting

The leaves are finally out and it has been hot. If you are looking at this from somewhere in the Lower 48 you may not think 75 degrees Fahrenheit sounds like a big deal. But after a winter of three months or more of below zero weather, it’s plenty warm. The mosquitoes are out as well though out here in Nabesna, knock on wood, they haven’t been too bad. The good news about mosquitoes is that the Arctic Grayling are biting!

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Monday, June 8, 2009

Nabesna Road Conditions as of 10:00 a.m. June 5, 2009:
Nabesna Road is in good to fair condition.

Mile 15 – Mile 17.5: The road is rough in this area with numerous pot holes.

Rock Creek – The Slana DOT crew did a great job on repairing the damage from flooding earlier in the spring – Thanks Steve.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) is dry.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) has a moderate flow of water across the road. Low clearance vehicles should use caution.

Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road.

Mile 36 – Mile 42: Conditions deteriorate and are rough but still passable by any vehicle.

Insider Tips:

Arctic Grayling are beautiful fish. Their distinctive dorsal fin and blue highlights give them a unique appearance. Grayling are fun fish to catch either on a small spinner or fly. Even a beginning fly fisherman can catch grayling on flies and they aren’t particular either. I once caught grayling after grayling on a funny pink fly that didn’t look like anything I had ever seen in nature. Usually, any mosquito looking dry fly will work well. Grayling flesh is white and very mild. It is best when taken directly to the pan from the creek.

Wildlife Sightings:

Moose x2 (6/1)

Lupine Are Up!

Things are looking pretty green around here – finally. Slana looks like summer but here at the end of the road we are still more spring like. The wild flowers are starting to show up with lupine, and some dwarf fireweed the most obvious from the road. The Memorial Day weekend was busy. Of course that’s relative. There were probably around 10 campsites in use over the course of the entire road!

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Road Conditions As Of Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:00 pm:
Nabesna Road is a gravel and dirt surface and is in good to fair condition.

Mile 15 – Mile 17.5: The road is rough in this area with numerous pot holes.

Rock Creek is still very rough with one lane traffic only. DOT is moving fill in so watch for heavy trucks and other equipment in the area.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) is dry.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) has shallow water flowing across the road.

Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road.

Mile 36 – Mile 42: Conditions deteriorate and are rough but still passable by any vehicle.

Insider Tips:

It’s always a struggle to describe Nabesna Road conditions. Lee and I drive the entire road round trip at least six times per week. We drive full size four wheel drive pickups. We try to describe conditions so that you realistically know what to expect without discouraging you from driving the road. In the end, you are the only one who knows your vehicle, driving ability and comfort level on gravel roads. We see everything from small sedans to large Class C motor homes that go all the way to the end of the road. We have also pulled four wheel drive vehicles out of numerous creek crossings. Write us a comment if you would like to see more details or additional information. We want your visit to be safe.

Wildlife Sightings:

Moose x2 (5/27)

Snow Shoe Hare (Daily)

Arctic Ground Squirrels (Daily)

Trumpeter Swans (Daily)

Goshawk (5/27)

Yellowlegs (5/27)

Barrow’s Golden Eye (5/27)

Moose Independence

I am still having major problems posting to my blogs. Please be patient as I try to work this out - Thanks, Vicki

We are seeing a lot of moose, mainly yearling calves. Moose calves stay with mom for a full year, greatly increasing their chances for survival. But each spring mom and calf go their separate ways before she gives birth to a new calf. This leaves these yearlings looking dazed and confused about this unexpected and maybe not welcome independence. This pair of calves had a good mom. It is unusual for both twins to survive their first year but they aren't getting any special treatment now. Standing out in the open like this is very un-moose like behavior. Moose are solitary animals and rely on stealthy behavior to avoid predators. Before long, these two will start acting more like mom taught them and start spending most of these long days filling up on the rapidly greening willows. These twins may stay together all summer.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Monday, June 1, 2009.

Road Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in good to fair condition.

Mile 15 – Mile 17.5: The road is rough in this area with numerous pot holes.

Rock Creek is still very rough with one lane traffic only.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) has shallow water flowing across the road.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) has shallow water flowing across the road.

Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road

Mile 36 – Mile 42: Conditions deteriorate and are rough but still passable by any vehicle.

Insider Tips:

If you decide to take advantage of this beautiful weather for a little hiking, keep in mind the north facing areas and canyons will still have a lot of ice. Night time temperatures are still below freezing.

Wildlife Sightings:

Moose x4 (5/20)

Trumpeter Swans (Daily)

Boreal Owl (5/20)

Connection Interrupted