Haul Road radio tower access road

[CarnivoraCounter]

So I have been studying the topo maps trying to look for the next spot I'll try hiking the 5 miles in for caribou off the haul road, and I notice that there are many access roads shooting off of the highway. Some just go the the pipeline, some to gravel pits, some to field stations etc. I have utilized a couple of them to give myself a mile or so of easier walking before really hitting the tundra, but does anyone know the story with an access road on the map that crosses the sag and heads east from happy valley and looks to lead to a radio tower? It looks to run 3 or 4 miles ESE. I imagine if it really is a developed road it gets used pretty heavily by guys looking to get further off the road?

 

[mossyhorn]

I've never seen this road but I see what you're talking about. I've been by here many times and I've never seen this road. The other side of the river slopes uphill and you should be able to see it. Looks like a possibility...if the caribou are there. Seems hit or miss and I've only seen a good number of bou on that side of the river I think once.

 

[CarnivoraCounter]

Good to know, thanks for the input. Do you mean you have only seen a good number of bou once on the east or west side of the river?

 

[mossyhorn]

On one trip up there were tons of caribou on the east side of the river with it being sparse on the west. The rest of the trips up I've only seen handfuls on the other side. Doesn't mean it can't happen but all I'm saying is don't hedge your bets on one spot.

 

[oakman]

Somewhere I have a map of that area. I'll see if I can find it. A few things from my memory of working in that area, no bridge, access to the other side is difficult, when I was working out there, almost all of the activities in that area were in the winter when we could cross the river ice easily. The other thought is that you might catch some flack from the Alyeska security people. There is a good chance that radio tower is part of their communication system. They might not like anyone driving on that road if you were able to get a vehicle over there. Hiking probably wouldn't piss 'em off too much though.

If I can find that map, I'll try to scan a page and get it uploaded. Very detailed for that area.