So I've been wanting to do this little trip from Idaho to the Yakutat area for a couple of years now. Now that I've got another local shred buddy (Matt) that takes his shredding a little more serious than most it looks as though this may come to fruition before too long. He wants to go further in the end but I want to focus on this little area for a while on the way.
I've done some research and found most of the F.S. strips in that area. Specifically looking at the Italio river, Akwe river, Alsek river, Dry bay area. Luckily the guy that owns Alsek Air is from Idaho and his Dad lives in Jerome near me so he was really helpful in some guidance of suggestions.
I am really interested in doing a lot of beach landings along the Gulf. Who's been up there and whatsthe story on the strips, beach conditions, tides, etc. Probably planning a September 1 to September 15 or so program.
What up Mike V.?

Hey lowflyin'G3,

I live not too far from where you're talkin', and have spent quite a bit of time on that stretch of the Gulf. It is spectacular. We're going with the cub and the 180 this year in July for a few days.

Sept. is typically a really wet, nasty time of year to be kicking around out there. I've seen the Italio and the Akwe look like part of the Gulf because there is so much water. The cabin at Dry Bay operated by the National Park Service is nice, and I've spend some time there. Most have fair oil stoves, just make sure you bring some stove oil with you. Tanis Mesa is another good one, just make sure you tie your airplane down 'cause that downslope can really get with the program. It's been my experience that the strips don't get much maintenance, but are generally useable. Also lots of brown bears and a few moose.

The beaches are plentiful, just make sure you look them over several times before you commit. They can get really "scalloped", and the tide can make one that was perfect today totally unusable tomorrow in one cycle. Bushwheels, Gar-Aero's, or the like are a must as it's usually pretty soft when you get upland from the water very far. From Dry Bay to Cordova it's pretty much a big landing strip, within reason of course.

In closing, plan several extra days for weather, especially in Sept. If there is any way, come sometime between May - early July. A guy I know who flies the Blackhawk for the Guard spent a week in Rupert one year, waiting for a break. He was flying a Beaver on floats at the time, not the Govmt. whirly bird.

Stop in at PAGS on your way by. We've got plenty of overnight room, and they sell that expensive 100LL here.

gb

George,
This is such a perfect discussion to help me make up my mind about my purchase - not that innocent you would've planned it that way, eh?
Thanks, GB, for the input on both posts.

gb,
You the man! I kind of figured that on the weather that time of year. Unfortunately that is the downside of being an ag pilot, April 1 to August 20th is when it's time to pay the bills. The good side is that I can be fairly stress free to leave some extra days for wx in the fall.
What do you know about either Dolly or Steelhead that time of year, or even late salmon?
Is there anywhere to land at the south end near the bay that had a tidal surge take out the trees a fair way up the hills? Sorry I can't remember the name. I'll try to find it for you if you don't know what I'm talking about. I'd like to check that out.
I'm running the new 10" wheel 29" BW's with the babyBW tailwheel. Barring rediculously soft I think they'll handle most conditions.
How is the slope on most of those beaches?
Thanks for the invite.

Yeah, after I posted that I remembered that you're a crop duster and I was talking about the height of spray season. Anyways, come as early as you can.

There should be plenty of coho's out there in Sept. around the east Alsek. Tsiu is good too, they say. The Situk up closer to Yakutat offers a fall steelhead run, but I think that's mostly in October-November, but I'm not for certain on that.

Sounds like you're referring to Lituya Bay. That area is pretty rocky and brushy. There might be a workable beach or two in there, but I've never had the occasion. I would recommend a good look from the air, and then keep going. That place will creep you out when you look at the 1700 ft. mark up the hillside where the water stopped!!!

Your tires will work great, at least from what I have experienced.

Generally, the slopes are fairly gentle on the beaches, again just look it over real good before you commit.

Put in a call to Les up at Alsek Air. He'd be a good resource to draw from and he learned from one of the best out there.

Oh yeah, if you don't have a sat phone, get one. Lot's of nothing out there.

Have fun, hope to meet you.

gb

Lituya Bay, that's it! Good Memory. I remember seeing a story about it on Discovery or TLC or something like that. They interviewed a guy that rode through it as a kid on a boat. Fairly freaky deal to come out of nowhere in the dark!
Les was the guy I talked to a couple of years back. His dad lives about 20 miles from me here in ID. Super nice guy.
Do you work your 180 up there?

I don't know Les personally, but I did know Curt Gloyer who flew for Gulf Air. Curt was legendary in Yakutat, and a good guy who met with a freak, tragic end. Paul at http://www.flyglacierbay.com and Drake at http://www.flydrake.com are also extremely knowledgeable of the Gulf Coast and both are real good guys. Email or call 'em.

We never worked that area, the Forest Service permits were pretty hard to come by. Plus, just a little too far for day trips. We worked mostly northern Chichagof.

I've bear hunted at Dry Bay in the Preserve, and have fished there on personal time. I'm by no means a total authority on the area, but those mentioned above are.

gb

Here's a picture of my plane and its former owner on a Yakutat area beach.

gb thanks for the links. it looks as though those guys have fun at the office!
oafaf thanks for the pic! i can only hope that we'd have at least one day that beautiful in september! probably wishful thinking though but it looks like a great spot.

The cabin at lower dangerous river is pretty good, the strip is grass and way plenty big enough for most anything.

I second the vote that Les is a good guy, so are Drake and Paul here in Haines.

The real problem points are getting around the corner from Juneau, once you get out on the coast the wind seems to keep the skies a little more clear.

You would be welcome to drop into Haines and spend some time here, I would be glad to take you fishing. One of the better routes to Yak is right over the glacier from here.

I too am an old Idaho boy, born in Salmon, raised in Challis and Orofino.

Have fun.

Shane

Situk is a nice place in August. Salmon in the creek but still some skeeters in the air. The cabins are nice. Be aware for bears.

Sounds as though I'm gonna need that 45-70 of jm's.
dl, you headed that way from NV at any time?
Have you ever seen the Brownies get aggressive in the fall towards people?

I spent 4 days at Situk last August and did'nt see any bears or have any problems. The runway is partly wild strawberries with lots of other berries adjacent, coupled with salmon in the creek adjacent it was kind of a bear buffet. Lot's of tracks and scat (large). We played by the rules and had no trouble, just be aware. Had a great time there, the forest service cabins were nice. You are supposed to let the FS know you're going to use the cabins but we did'nt know that and just showed up and were the only ones there. Fishing was good. Enjoy.