Hey guys,
Scolopax and I are headed up to AK in our aicraft in a few weeks. Leaving Oregon July 19th in the evening and hoping to clear customs early Friday morning and make our way north. Depending on weather, we will be up to the Anchorage area Sunday July 22 and staying through the next weekend the 29th.

My family is flying up to Anchorage to join me on the "BIG Jet Jet" as my 2 year old says, and should arrive Sunday the 22nd.

We are looking for a cabin or lodge that we can base out of and do day trips from in the airplane.

I have a Room reserved at Majestic Valley Lodge which is on the Sheep Mountainthe airstrip where Matt of Blue Ice Aviation is based. We want to at least drop in and meet Matt and his family, but Matt says that he would recommend going to the Knik to play, and that it is about 60 miles from where he is based at Sheep Mountain. This is a little farther than we want to fly each day to go play/hike/fish etc.

We are hoping to find a place to base from that is within a 200 mile radius of ANC and in a matter of a few minutes flying, we can be out in a good place to explore. We are both on bushwheels so off airport areas are fine. Also would like to do some fishing.

I am also looking for a place to leave my Pacer for about a month up there. Looks like I may have a tie down spot at ANC figured out, but looking at all options.

Anyway, thought I would start this thread to get some advice and make some connections with some of you locals.

Best,
Brent

Well I can't help you in your planning Brent but that sound like a great trip and I'm sure you guys will have an awesome time!

Brent,

You might check out the Birchwood, Alaska vicinity. Birchwood is about 30 minutes by road north of Anchorage up the only road that goes north. Birchwood Airport (PABV) is a friendly place for small planes, easy to get in and out of, and has a handful of B&Bs nearby (google Birchwood Alaska B&B). Birchwood is close to sea level so is "flyable" when the ceiling is down. Birchwood winds are also less severe than Palmer area airports when there is a big pressure difference between Upper Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. Palmer, AK is located another 15 to 20 minutes driving beyond Birchwood toward Sheep Mountain.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/PABV/

Brent:

There are exactly TWO transient tiedown spots at Lake Hood strip and you can have them for a maximum of 72 hours!! However... lots of folks with tiedowns on the dirt strip switch to floats for the season. I spent a summer in AK. Sister in law lived practically within walking distance of the Lake Hood strip. I found and talked to the Lady-In-Charge of tiedowns for the airport and was able to negotiate the use of an "unused" dress circle tiedown right on the side of the strip for a couple of months. The cost was very reasonable and gave me front and center access to the strip. Even when I wasn't flying, I'd take a cooler of cold ones out to the spot and just sit and watch the activity. Nothing can beat Lake Hood on a late summer evening for plane spotting.

Wish I could remember her name. Give it a try. Also, go to the Alaska Airmen's little cabin on Lake Hood and explain your situation. I'm sure they know who "she" is. Get ready for intense traffic flow and airspace complexity that reminds you of Luke Skywalker attacking the Death Star. Hope you get at least ONE day of fair weather during your week.

YB

The woman at Lake Hood passed away. Her name was Susan Watson and she was incredibly helpful and talented. She was sometimes referred to as the queen of Lake Hood. Most who had an opportunity to work with her were impressed: https://www.alaskadispatch.com/m/node/172401

Brent,

The Knik is certainly an aviation playground of sorts. You might also consider the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. There are a number of recognized strips and cabins that are certainly back country --first come first served. There are even more remote landing opportunities. Rob has recently hinted at a few spots in the park. See the "where did you fly today" posts, if you have missed them.

You could also stay in Palmer, which has a kind of small town charm that Birchwood lacks. You could easily ride a bike from the airport to a cup of coffee or bight to eat, possibly even walk. Birchwood does not provide that. Palmer is practically at the Knik. Another option is Girdwood. Their again you have some amenities and charm, but marginal Wx could keep you from getting to Knik.

Chet

Oh man...that's the lady all right. Bummer.

She knew what tiedown spots were available, when the renewal letters were going out, how long I could use any particular spot, etc. She was amazing. And friendly too.

Lake Hood won't be quite the same without her.

Talkeetna has accommodations and fishing, and I've never had a problem there with transient parking.

Thanks for the help guys and please keep the suggestions coming.

I have some friends that know some people that have a few tie down spots that I can use lined up so I think I have that covered for when I leave the airplane up there in August.

I am going to be traveling this weekend without Internet, so will check back in next week. Hopefully Jake will chime in also with some Questions.

Brent

Brent-

I have done a few heli ski trips out of Majestic Valley lodge. Its pretty damn beautiful there! The view alone will blow your mind.

Not really the best IMO to base however. As mentioned above, not a lot of places to fly without going the distance.

I would consider Birchwood as well or Palmer. It will give you a lot more options and its just down the hill from Sheep Mtn.

Better weather etc. Sheep Mtn can have a Venturi effect with the topography there. Winds can blow big time.

I have a place you can keep your plane at Hood if you desire. Its next to the air museum. My relatives have the entire corner next to it. You can't miss it. It say Branham Hanger on it. Here is a photo for reference.



Shoot me a PM if you need. I can help you out. If you end up near Cordova I can help you there as well. Weather on PWS can make one go crazy however.

Just some ideas.

Kevin
AKT

Kevin,
Thanks for the report on Majestic Valley. We will spend atleast one night there.

Also, thank you for the help with parking. I may get in touch with you in the next week or so if my other parking options fall through.

Really appreciate everyones help!

Brent

Have Guest Cabin here on strip, need to call ahead and see if any ones around first but your welcome to come by and use it.

Up Knik River at Hunter Creek (AK 66)

Take Care

You would probably enjoy Homer if you make it that far south. I've seen an ad for a pilot cabin that sounds interesting. I stay with friends in Anchor Point so haven't experienced the cabin first hand. Check it out with this link:

http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/17_Renta ... Cabin.html

There are quite a few places to base out of that are not too far from ANC. As stated by others, PABV (Birchwood) is OK and about 15 miles from PAMR (Merrill Field) in ANC but no ready access to lodging, resturants, etc.. PAAQ (Palmer) is better and a short bike ride to town. PATK (Talkeetna) is good and a short walk into the town proper. There are quite a few places you can explore from each. As for the McCarthy and the Kennicott Mine area, the Tonsina Lodge on the Lower Tonsina River has a nice grass/gravel strip if it has been maintained since new owners took it over in the last 10 years. Tonsina is located about 30 miles south of Glenallan AK at mile 79 of the Richardson highway. The lodge has all the amenities you could want and a 1400 x 70 strip if still maintained and not grown over. You can google the lodge and call them to find out. .

Brent, you have a place to stay if you end up spending the night in Whitehorse...hell we'll go flying in some nice spots if you have time as well. If you have any troubles in Canada, gimme a shout... PM me for my contacts and all.

Cheers, J-M

Backcountry Tundra wrote:Brent, you have a place to stay if you end up spending the night in Whitehorse...hell we'll go flying in some nice spots if you have time as well. If you have any troubles in Canada, gimme a shout... PM me for my contacts and all.

Cheers, J-M

Thanks, and PM sent!

If you think you might make it up to Denali, pls shoot me a PM.

Pm sent

Thank you for the feedback everyone! I look forward to meeting some of you in the coming weeks.

I had not been able to find Canadian VFR sectionals online to view. http://skyvector.com/ is great and has some great planning tools, but no Canadian sections.

Jake found http://vfrmap.com/ Western Canadian sectionals (as well as U.S.) that you can view online. Not as friendly as skyvector, but it does the trick for basic planning.

I also use skyvector, but for Canada try fltplan.com, 'charts & maps' tab. I don't think they have CA sectionals but do have Victor charts, helps with planning some.

Sound like fun! Good luck with your trip