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

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)

Winter Hasn't Let Go Yet!

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We woke up this morning to a chilly house. Granted, we hadn't stoked the fire too much last night because it has been staying right around zero. This morning we had -20F! Certainly a reminder that in Alaska, winter, or at least winter-like conditions, last through April. High overcast has moved in this morning and the forecast is for snow showers.






Road Conditions:

• Nabesna Road is in good condition
• Watch for ice at Skookum Creek (Mile 40.5)
• The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) is working on the road at Skookum Creek.

Insider Tips:
As the days warm up into the 20's and low 30's the snow develops an icy crust. So while the snow isn't as deep, it gets more difficult to get around on. Even though we are still below 32 degrees, on a sunny day moisture is evaporating. Still, there's a little time left to enjoy the snow and long days before it gets too crunchy.


Wildlife Sightings:
We are seeing quite a few moose right now. They are beginning to move from winter feeding areas to calving areas. The caribou seem to have moved on toward their calving grounds on the slopes of Mt. Sanford and Mt. Drum.

Moose (4/2, 4/3)
Snow Buntings (daily)
Snowshoe Hare (daily)

Welcome to the Nabesna Road blog.

Here it is - the debut posting on the Nabesna Road blog. The purpose of this blog is to share an up-to-date road condition report and share tips for things to see and do on your visit to the northern district of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. I plan to share wildlife sightings including birds but you have to get out there yourself to see them. I'm not going to tell you where they are. Part of the magic of living here and visiting this amazing place is making discoveries on your own. I want to provide insider information that will help your visit be safe and as rewarding as possible. Nothing puts a damper on a visit like having your heart set on hiking the Skookum Volcano Trail only to find that the road is washed out at Boyden Creek just two miles short of the trail head. The National Park Service has a road guide available at visitor centers and on-line.

Current Road Conditions as of March 25, 2009

• Nabesna Road is in good condition.
• There is ice on the road at Rock Lake, Mile 21.8, and also near the Skookum Volcano Trail head at Mile 36.2.
• Icy patches are developing as temperatures warm up during the day but drop down to zero or below at night.
• Watch for caribou on the road.

Insider Information
We have an approximate snow base of 36" along the road depending on where the wind has shifted it around. Beautiful blue ice falls are visible from Mile 36 on in both the Mentasta Mountains to the north and the Skookum Volcano Formation to the south. With longer and warmer days, this is a great time of year to access backcountry locations. Both Tanada Lake and Copper Lake are popular snowmachine in spots for ice fishing for Lake Trout and Burbot.

Wildlife Sightings

Caribou daily
Lynx (3/24)