I'm expecting to have some free time in AK the latter half of May and, even though I've been in and out of Alaska for 30 years, I've never been to Nome. So.... If I see a three or four day weather window, I think I'm going to make the trip. While there I would like to visit Serpentine Hot Springs if I can.

Can anyone relay any info on visiting the Hot Springs in late May? Worth a visit? Any issues?

I'm assuming the snow will be melted and the airstrip dry enough for use but I expect I can get info regarding the strip from the Park Service in Nome before I go.

Thanks!
Keith

It should be good.

Several years since i lived up there, but yes, definitely worth the visit. Strip is usually in good shape, though depending on the winter snow load and how far the region is along in the breakup process, it can be really soft. If you decide to head out that way, i would give the Nome FSS (907-443-2291) a call, they usually have the current conditions.

Chris

Thanks Chris! Good suggestion to call FSS... they may have some pireps.

I'm sure you have already look it up, but there is a nice cabin attached to the hot springs bathhouse. the cabin has 2 seperate sides and is available for overnight stays.

Here is a link to some pictures https://www.google.com/search?q=serpent ... -Kihw6k-UM:

If you have never been and the weather is good, the flight out to the coast is spectacular. 100 LL Fuel in McGrath almost always, Maybe Galina, Almost always in Unalakleet, nothing else till you get to Nome. It will be expensive, and i would definitely call first to confirm fuel availability and hours, the call out fees can be spectacular

They got a, pardon my expression, crap ton of snow up there this year. I've got a buddy up there if you want to message me when you get closer I'll get the low down from him.

akaviator wrote:They got a, pardon my expression, crap ton of snow up there this year. I've got a buddy up there if you want to message me when you get closer I'll get the low down from him.

Thanks! I'll do that. Yeah, I was wondering if late May might be right in the worst part of breakup. We'll see...

slowhawk wrote:
If you have never been and the weather is good, the flight out to the coast is spectacular. 100 LL Fuel in McGrath almost always, Maybe Galina, Almost always in Unalakleet, nothing else till you get to Nome. It will be expensive, and i would definitely call first to confirm fuel availability and hours, the call out fees can be spectacular

Foreflight ssys fuel in Unalakleet is $11 a gallon. Yeah, that's pretty spectacular. I have long range tanks on the 180 so I could non-stop it if the weather is good. (from Kenai or Denali Park, depending on where I am when I decide to go) Regarding fuel prices, nothing to do but hold my nose, pay it, and be glad it's available.

kg wrote:

akaviator wrote:They got a, pardon my expression, crap ton of snow up there this year. I've got a buddy up there if you want to message me when you get closer I'll get the low down from him.

Thanks! I'll do that. Yeah, I was wondering if late May might be right in the worst part of breakup. We'll see...

Late May in Nome you could see all four seasons in a day LOL. It's Alaska, usually know how it's going to be about the day before.

I believe "crap ton of snow" is a correct meteorological term to express what we experienced this year, and for that matter, last year too. We also would have accepted "boat load of snow, metric $h1t ton of snow, hammered with snow, over their arse in snow, it snowed lynx and wolves all winter, snopocalypse, etc."

Serpentine would be awesome in May, if the runway is dry enough. The runway is obviously doable, but it's not what I'd consider real good. It's an uphill downhill and can be rutted from runoff- defitely worth looking at before you plop in there. I wouldn't recommend going in there if it's soft. Kind of a remote spot to have a bad day.

You never can tell; break-up, snow melt, dry out, are a weird thing, sometimes it's quick, even with a lot of snow, and sometimes it takes awhile because old man winter just won't die.

Someone local will feel frisky in early May and check it out. You should be able to get a good pirep if you check back on this site, or as previously mentioned, Nome FSS.

Foreflight ssys fuel in Unalakleet is $11 a gallon. Yeah, that's pretty spectacular. I have long range tanks on the 180 so I could non-stop it if the weather is good. (from Kenai or Denali Park, depending on where I am when I decide to go) Regarding fuel prices, nothing to do but hold my nose, pay it, and be glad it's available.

Well yeah, you get over the sticker shock fairly quickly, though it is a bit disconcerting at first the locals can pick out the tourists because they are the ones taking pictures of the food prices at the grocery store. I was more wanting to make the point that it's a really good idea to make sure they actually have some of that fuel and that you will be able to get some when you need it. A trip in to Anchorage from the coast i confirmed that there was fuel at Crowley in McGrath, but failed to get the specific hours of operation (thay had had a card reader in the past). Arrived late Saturday afternoon to fuel up, no card reader and "closed" till Monday. a call revealed i could get fuel for a 350.00 call out fee or wait till Monday. Thankfully, i always carry 10 extra gallons onboard, so i schlepped my cans up for a refuel and went on, lesson learned.

And, I've been to McGrath (and Galena) when there was NO fuel....waiting on the next barge. So, as the man says, call ahead to verify. Waiting for a barge anyplace won't help your vacation plans.

MTV

mtv wrote:And, I've been to McGrath (and Galena) when there was NO fuel....waiting on the next barge. So, as the man says, call ahead to verify. Waiting for a barge anyplace won't help your vacation plans.

MTV

Which brings up a good point...... I assume that they probably haven't gotten a barge since last summer or fall, meaning May might be the leanest time of the year. I'll call ahead.