I noticed some talk about Wrangell - St Elias a while back. I am thinking of flying out of Anchorage on straight skis mid march and landing at May creek or one of the other public use cabins. (because it is there) While there do some back country skiing. Anyone know how May creek landing strip looks that time of the year? Any seriuos issues outside the normal Alaska winters?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

May Creek is right across the Nizina River from me. The middle of March is a great time to be flying out there on skis -- plenty of snow. We have 31" inches of snow on the ground right now, however, before flying in there, you might want to contact Copper River Airmotive (907 822-4004) out of Glennallen to find out snow conditions on the runway. They fly in the mail to May Creek on Wednesday and Friday each week, but don't know if they sometimes plow the runway or just compact it. Are going to be on straight skis or wheel skis? McCarthy is a good jumping off place, but they plow the runway there a couple times a winter. I should have our airstrip hardpacked at that time of year and you are welcome to pop over for a visit. We should have at least a couple of Huskys there when you come and maybe a Cub or 185. Look for the red hangar and land to the west.

Are you flying a Cub? Don't know if you have seen the following link that discusses some of the airstrips and public use cabins out there: http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/b ... cabins.htm

You can also check the May Creek snow conditions at:

http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/data/snow/wxg ... site=SNCA2

You will enjoy your flying out there. March is the best month.



Nizina

Nizina,

Is Gulkana the only place to get fuel? Does anyone sell fuel in McCarthy? Thanks.

RD

Gulkana is really the only place to get fuel. It might be best to fuel up there and then bring a bunch of jugs out with you.

However, Keith Rowland at 554-4498 in McCarthy also sells fuel, but you need to call him way in advance to make arrangements for the fuel. His fuel is on the other side of the Kennicott River and he would need to bring it out to the McCarthy airstrip or you would need to land at John Adam's place which is about a mile from Keith's fuel depot.

Thanks for the info Nizina! I haven't been in that neck of the woods for several years and was thinking about a spring trip myself. Thanks again!

RD

Supercub wrote:Thanks for the info Nizina! I haven't been in that neck of the woods for several years and was thinking about a spring trip myself. Thanks again!

RD

It is a great time of the year to be out there. Let me know if you need more info.

Nizina,
What is the competition like for the cabins in the summer? I have been wanting to get back up there and spend time in the Park area for quite a while. I am hoping that this summer will be good for the trip. I need it! Now, if I can only convince my bank account.
Charles

MontanaPacer wrote:Nizina,
What is the competition like for the cabins in the summer? I have been wanting to get back up there and spend time in the Park area for quite a while. I am hoping that this summer will be good for the trip. I need it! Now, if I can only convince my bank account.
Charles

Hi Charles

If you are flying your own plane, most of the park cabins are on a first come first serve basis, and usually you will find them empty, but bring a tent and sleeping bag just in case. If you are looking to stay in the McCarthy area, the attached link gives a listing of most of the places where you can stay:

http://www.mccarthy-kennicott.com/vg/Mc ... nicott.htm

The Kennicott lodge is the largest and best in the area and I think that you can usually get accommodations if you call a few days in advance -- same for the McCarthy Lodge. The others are scattered about the area and I wouldn't know their availability, but you could give them a call and check them out. The McCarthy B&B has a 1,200 foot airstrip in the front yard. Most of these places are not quite as up-scale as what you might find in the Lower-48, but hey, what are you up here for any way. The scenery is breathtaking!

My place is about nine miles south of McCarthy and you can get there by flying or by a wagon trail if you have a bike or ATV.

Let me know if I can help further.

Nizina

Thanks for the replies. You talked me into it I am going!

I have been to the nps sites many times, My primary plan is to use the peavine cabin if I can land within a reasonable ski distance. I figure may creek would be a good last option. I did not realise how much that strip is used that time of year.

I'll be flying a souped up pacer on straight skis. I'll land at Gulkana and fuel up as well as carry extra. Should be lots of fun.

Do snowmoblilers use those areas that time of year? Or are they even permitted there?

I'll definatley have your place in mind when I head that way. Great weather link too. I had not seen that one before.

Thanks again

Back2Idaho wrote:Thanks for the replies. You talked me into it I am going!

I have been to the nps sites many times, My primary plan is to use the peavine cabin if I can land within a reasonable ski distance. I figure may creek would be a good last option. I did not realise how much that strip is used that time of year.

I'll be flying a souped up pacer on straight skis. I'll land at Gulkana and fuel up as well as carry extra. Should be lots of fun.

Do snowmoblilers use those areas that time of year? Or are they even permitted there?

I'll definatley have your place in mind when I head that way. Great weather link too. I had not seen that one before.

Thanks again

The Peavine is a pretty straight forward landing strip and is immediately accessible to all kinds of cross country skiing on the Chitastone and Nizina rivers. In fact it is a great trip from my place up to the Peavine on skis. Right around the corner from Peavine is Glacier Creek -- also easy to get into with a Pacer and great for skiing. Both airstrips should have about 24 to 30 inches of snow on them, so make sure you drag them first or at least have suitable snow-shovels with you. My Husky does just fine in this deep snow, and your Pacer should perform well as well.

Snowmachines are allowed anywhere in the park, and some even go up the Nizina and Chitastone, but you will probably not run into them. Actually it would be good if they have been up the rivers and laid down some tracks for skiing. At any rate, at that time of year, you will be skiing in heaven. I love to ski up those two rivers. We generally ski with Polks rather than packs. Oh, your going to love skiing up there -- just beautiful!!

Also, since you are going to be on skis, don't limit your landings to the airstrips. You can land most anywhere up there, especially father up the Nizina close to the Nizina Glacier. There are a couple of landing strips up there (Amphitheater and Doubtful), but you may have a hard time finding them with all the snow on the ground.

You will have an absolute ball up there especially if it is bright and sunny in the day, but cold at night -- enjoy.

Nizina

Nizina,
How is the snow looking out there this week? Thanks for the May Creek weather link. It looks like it is warming up there. I am going to head out that way in the next week or so if the weather breaks. Probably head over to Peavine. Thanks for the may creek weather link.

The snow is great out here right now -- still about 26 inches on the ground. The temperature gets down to below 0*F at night time and has been warming up the the mid 30s in the day time. Perfect for back country skiing. Hope you have a good time.

Drop in if you see my Husky in front of my red hangar (land uphill to the west is advised). Peavine will be great, but of course the snow will not be compacted there, however, there may be some wind compaction. The overall NOAA snow map for the area is at: http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/sd_pafc_sites.php