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

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)