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

Be Ready for any Season When You Visit Nabesna

First of all, let me appologize for the lack of updates. I've been experiencing some technical problems which I think I have worked out.

This morning for the third straight day, we woke up to snow. It's not unusual at this time of year but it can sure be a spirit breaker. Summer seems so close and the bushes and trees look they will have leaves any day, but Mother Nature reminds us that she's the one making the weather calls. It's days just like this that are the reason we tell our visiting friends and families to be ready for any season when you're here.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in fair condition. Thanks to the snow, Nabesna Road is very muddy and slick. The road is rough in places, especially beyond Mile 36. There is shallow water crossing the road in numerous places. Low clearance vehicles should use caution. Four wheel drive is not required but may be helpful when going up hills.

If you have four wheel drive use it. Help is a long way away.

Insider Tips:

There are a lot of moose around right now, mainly cows with yearling calves. Soon these calves will get the boot from dear old mom so that she can give birth to this year’s calf. At least half of the moose killed by cars in Alaska are calves. Remember when you see a cow moose cross the road, there may be a couple of calves following behind her.

Wildlife Sightings:

Caribou x8 (5/13)

Lynx x1 (5/13)

Moose x12 (5/13, 5/15)

Porcupine x1 (5/13)

Trumpeter Swans x4 (5/13, 5/15)

Harlequin Ducks x5 (5/12)

Hawk Owl (5/11)

Migrants that have arrived:

White Crown Sparrows

Yellow Crown Sparrows

Yellow Legs

Barrow’s Golden Eye

Yellow Shafted Flicker

Snipe

Getting Back to Normal

Things are getting back to normal on Nabesna Road. Steve DeWitt and his Slana DOT crew have done a great job repairing washouts and smoothing out channels in the stream crossings. We saw a pick-up camper and an out-of-state car with bikes on it so visitors are starting to arrive. Things are pretty wet on the trails and there's still a lot of ice on the lakes. But as you can see from this photo taken at the Slana River Bridge, Mile 1, Nabesna Road, the ice is out on the Slana.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in fair condition. The road is rough in places, especially beyond Mile 27. Shallow water is crossing the road in numerous locations. Use caution as muddy water limits visibility, making it difficult to see possible channels. Watch for erosion to the road bed. The road shoulders are extremely soft.
Trail Creek (Mile 29) There is a moderate of water across the road. The water is spread out so no channels. We recommend clearance beyond this point. Use caution if taking a low clearance vehicle across.
Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) Same as above except that there is a potential for a channel to develop. The water is spread out but not over a large area.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road. Intermittent Drainages beyond Jack Creek (Mile 35.3) have shallow water crossing the road.

Insider Tips: When crossing water on Nabesna Road it is important to maintain your momentum until you are clear of all water. You don’t need to hit the water with a lot of speed. And, if you have four wheel drive use it. Help is a long way away.

Wildlife Sightings:
Caribou (5/4)
Lynx (5/4)
Wilson’s Warbler (5/3)
Barrow’s Golden Eye (5/3, 5/4)
Varied Thrush (5/4)
Yellow Legs (sp?) (5/4)
Golden Eagle (5/4)

She's Out - Nabesna Road is Washed Out In At Least One Location

Well, we knew if was just a matter of time. With spring time snow depths of two to three feet and day time temperatures in the 50's to low 60's, high run-off was a certainty. Water levels will rise as the day warms up.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Monday, May 4, 2009. We will update the report sooner if conditions change or more information becomes available. Thanks to neighbors Tom and Berta for some of the information.

Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in fair to poor condition. The road is mostly dry but there are some muddy patches that are slick. Water is crossing the road in numerous locations. Use caution as muddy water limits visibility, making it difficult to see possible channels.

Mile 20 has water crossing the road in a greater volume than the culvert can handle. This is causing erosion of the road surface and may create channels across the road.

Rock Creek (Mile 20.5) has a larger volume of water than the culvert can handle and is running down the drainage ditch. Watch for erosion of the driving surface especially close to the ditches.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) Unknown – we were unable to reach that point in the road but suspect a moderate to high flow of water across the road with the possibility that channels have formed. Four wheel drive and medium to high clearance are recommended beyond this point.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) Same as above.

Chalk Creek (Mile 31.5) The road is washed out at this point. Water has overflowed a secondary culvert and trenched a channel close to 3 feet deep. Gravel around the was out is very soft.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road. Most of the ice is gone so the crossing is passable by any vehicle.

Intermittent Drainages beyond Jack Creek (Mile 35.3) have shallow water crossing the road.

Insider Tip:

Hey, how's this for a cool photo. Lee took this at about 8:00 this morning at just one of the many places where water is crossing the road.

55 Degrees and Melting Fast!

We knew it would happen. Spring run off has started. Night time temperatures are staying above freezing and day time highs have been above 50 for the last three days in a row. Pussy willows are out in force and the cottonwoods are showing signs of life. The caribou are still around and the snowshoe hares and ptarmigan are busy changing color.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Friday, May 1, 2009.

Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in good to fair condition. The road is mostly dry but there are some muddy patches that are slick.

Mile 20 has water crossing the road in a greater volume than the culvert can handle. This may cause erosion of the road surface.

Rock Creek (Mile 20.5) has a larger volume of water than the culvert can handle and is running down the drainage ditch. If the ice in the culvert melts, this could correct the problem. As it is now, watch for erosion of the driving surface especially close to the ditches.

Trail Creek (Mile 29) has shallow standing water.

Lost Creek (Mile 30.8) has a moderate flow of water across the road and has begun to form a channel. Low clearance vehicles should use caution.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road. Most of the ice is gone so the crossing is passable by any vehicle.

Intermittent Drainages beyond Jack Creek (Mile 35.3) have shallow water crossing the road.

Insider Tips:

This morning there was no water crossing the road at Mile 20 or at Lost Creek. In just 4 hours the water came up significantly. Use caution and remember that just because you made it across in the morning doesn’t mean you’ll get back across at the end of the day.

Wildlife Sightings:

Caribou x45 (4/27, 4/28, 4/29)

Moose (4/27, 4/29)

Arctic Ground Squirrel (4/27, 4/29)

Boreal Owl (4/27)

Junco (4/27)

Snow Bunting (4/27)

Ptarmigan (4/27)

American Robin (4/27, 4/29)

Sandhill Cranes (4/27)

Swans (sp?) (4/27, 4/28, 4/29)

Mallard Ducks (4/29)

Yellow Legs (sp?) (4/29)

Slopo Glopo

I don't know if those are words or not but they sure do describe Nabesna Road today. We got any where from four to six inches of heavy wet snow last night so gone is the mostly dry road we had been enjoying. This morning when I left the house it was still snowing lightly. Now at about 1:00 p.m. there is a light breeze and the partly cloudy. Things are melting so every thing you see in these photos will be much muddier now and probably all weekend.

The really wonderful thing about mornings like these is that mine are the first vehicle tracks on the road. I could see the tracks of all the animals that had crossed the road since the snow let up. There were lots and lots of caribou tracks but also Snow Shoe Hare, Red Squirrels, lynx and moose.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Monday, April 27, 2009.

Road Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in fair condition. The entire 42 miles of the road are wet and muddy. Snow pa

tches are slick especially around corners.

Trail Creek (Mile 29)

has shallow standing water.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) has shallow water flowing across the road. Most of the ice is gone so the crossing is passable by any vehicle.

Insider Tips:

Keep in mind that as this new snow and winter’s accumulation melts, conditions at the three water crossings can change rapidly. That includes Trail Creek, Lost Creek and Boyden Creek. In addition, intermittent drainages between Mile 35 and 42 can also carry high volumes of water across the road. Things will start melting faster now as night time lows hover at the freezing mark.

Wildlife Sightings:

Caribou x45 (4/23, 4/24)

Lynx x1 (4/22)

Moose x5 (4/22, 4/24)

Great Gray Owl (4/22)

Great Horned Owl (4/24)

Golden Eagle x3 (4/22, 4/24)

Northern Harrier x4 (4/22, 4/23, 4/24)

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Honestly I love Alaska and especially Nabesna all the time. However, if I had to pick a time to be away from the state, it would be mid-April through the first part of May. Things around Nabesna are pretty muddy and that can make the road just as slick as ice. But the willow catkins are coming out - that's pussy willows for us non-botanist types - and that is a sure sign of spring.

Note: The next Nabesna Road update will be on Friday, April 24, 2009.

Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in good condition. Most of the snow is gone from the road. There are some muddy areas. Be sure to carry a spare tire.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) is building up ice and has water crossing the road. Low clearance vehicles should use caution. Breaking through ice can be hard on vehicles and get you stuck (see 4/13/09 entry).

Insider Tips:
The ptarmigan and hare are starting their spring time molt. The white that hid them so well all winter makes them stick out like sore thumbs during this transition period. Ermine, or short tailed weasels, will also change from white to their summer brown. Arctic fox also change from white to black/brown but we don't have them in the Wrangell's.

Wildlife Sightings:
Lynx (4/20/09)
Moose x2 (4/20/09)
Caribou x15 (4/20/09)
Merlin x1 (4/19/09)
Northern Harrier x1 (4/20/09)

Caribou on the Move

If the caribou traffic was heavy on Monday, today it was the equivalent of stop and go traffic. Seeing these beautiful animals is just one of the perks of an April visit to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Most of the animals in these photos are cows and calves. They look like they came through the winter in good shape.


Road Conditions:
Nabesna Road is in good condition. Most of the snow is gone from the road. There are some muddy areas. Be sure to carry a spare tire.
Boyden Creek (Mile 34.3) is building up ice and has water crossing the road. Low clearance vehicles should use caution. Breaking through ice can be hard on vehicles and get you stuck (see 4/13/09 entry).

Insider Tips: Another bonus of caribou traffic - wolves follow these migrations. So if you've never seen a wolf in the wild, this migration might be a good opportunity. The bottom line is - get out there. You can't see it from the recliner.


Wildlife Sightings:
Caribou x200 (4/15/09) Northern Hawk Owl (4/14/09) Bald Eagle (4/14/09)