Sat 03 May 14, Knik Glacier Run

[HCL]

Ok, I am headed to Knik Glacier Sat Morning if any one is interested.
Launch 1000 at Knick/Glen Hwy bridge.
Eat chow at Glacier and return trip. (I am bringing small grill)
Everyone is welcome..

Water is low, should be fun trip. I have capstan winch, sand anchor and 400ft of rope.

Mike

 

[arctic_import]

Oh Man I wish I could go unfortunately I'll be out of State this weekend.

 

[bkmail]

Mike,
We ran to the glacier yesterday. Water all the way, level was decent, except for the rubble field in the last 1/2 mile. Only touched once but it cut through the poly on the bottom. Otherwise the river is easy to read and/or run.
BK

 

[HCL]

BK,
Thanks, will keep my eyes open throught that last rocky stretch. I know there is one big can opener right at the begining of that area and most of the time in low water is it just hidding under the surface and hard to see.
I think it will be a fun run! Hope the WX holds out, last year our first run up it was dang snowing.
Mike

 

[ramhemi]

HCL could you post a picture of how you winch is mounted? Or explain?

 

[HCL]

I dont have a picture but in the bow and stearn i have a 2" reciver hole and a aluminum mount that i slide in and pin in place, then the winch mounts on the top of a swivel so you can winch upto 90 deg off the bow or stearn.
I have used it more times than I can count and it is worth its weight in gold. The winch is a simpson winch with little tiny 4 stroke honda motor (18lbs), the mount is about 5lbs i am guessing. You are only limited to the amount of rope you carry. I also carry a sand anchor (originaly designed for 4x4 jeeps and such) in case there are no trees, drift wood or anything to anchor off to. Winch and all the accessories fit in small action packer and I put it in the front storage compartment.
That thing has saved my bacon alot in the last few summers, bad thing is that it makes me bold so I end up in those little shallow sloughs and creeks that I probally should have not been gone into. Or when you are not paying attention and find a sandbar in the middle of the Yentna river, that one is a long story.
Hope that helps.
Mike

 

[HCL]

Took a look this morning at the Old Glen bridge area of the river and the Knik is lowest i have ever seen it, should be fun trip!
Channel should be pretty well defined, will be good time to mark trip in GPS for later summer trips when water is up.

 

[HMS Erne]

Ok, I am headed to Knik Glacier Sat Morning if any one is interested.
Launch 1000 at Knick/Glen Hwy bridge.
Eat chow at Glacier and return trip. (I am bringing small grill)
Everyone is welcome..

Water is low, should be fun trip. I have capstan winch, sand anchor and 400ft of rope.

Mike

I'll be at the launch ready to go, can't chicken out two years in a row.

 

[HMS Erne]

HCL could you post a picture of how you winch is mounted? Or explain?

Here's what the winch looks like, as for a mount location HCL has nice mount on his boat, but the winch can be connected to just about anything.

 

[HCL]

HMS Erne is correct, I forgot to mention the winch comes with a cable that can be attached from the winch to the boat, as an winch anchor point, and it does work as we have found out! They are amazing little winches, pricey, but worth thier weight in gold when you are stuck somewhere without a bunch of buddies to help out.
This weekend i will try to remember to take some picture of the set up.
Mike

 

[matsuhotprops]

I'll be there ready to roll at 10. I've never made it all the way to the glacier so I appreciate the guided tour.

 

[HMS Erne]

HMS Erne is correct, I forgot to mention the winch comes with a cable that can be attached from the winch to the boat, as an winch anchor point, and it does work as we have found out! They are amazing little winches, pricey, but worth thier weight in gold when you are stuck somewhere without a bunch of buddies to help out.
This weekend i will try to remember to take some picture of the set up.
Mike

Hopefully without being stuck, but they do made good show and tells

 

[fishslayer]

I'd like to join you guys and learn the channel. I had some bad experiences late season on the Knik when I was just learning to Jet boat 9 years ago and haven't been on it since. Hopefully I can keep up and learn the channels.

 

[HCL]

You will be able to keep up, we run at the speed of the slowest boat, and if someone gets stuck we stop and help.
This is intened to be a good-fun run for anyone that wants to come, take pictures, hang out with other boaters and have fun. I'm sure the channel has changed some since last year, but if you mark on gps now you should be good for this summer.
Mike

 

[ocnfish]

Flew up the Knik yesterday in the C180 skywagon just to run her .... there is only one channel and even though there is some glacial color there is not much volume and there are places where a 4 wheeler could easily cross ... been hot and dry for the slow gentle break up .... you guys might just get stuck, looked like an airboat stream to me ...... just sayin

 

[tjm]

..you guys might just get stuck, looked like an airboat stream to me ...... just sayin

Bah. If it's running it's runnable

 

[HCL]

Thanks to everyone that came out, we had a good run to the Glacier-- met some new folks, hung out, ate chow, and could not have asked for a prettier day!
Oh and the water level was not bad at all, really good trip to mark the main (only) channel on gps. I think we need to do that again some time soon!
T-- I agree-- If it is running, it is runnable! :topjob: Or at least I will give it a good try, I got a winch!
I will try and post some pictures today after supper.
Mike

 

[HCL]

a few pictures
The one with the plane flying over us and all the boats in a line was pretty cool, hope if shows up here.
Other one is "landing with no reverse bucket-- long story.. roud:

 

[HCL]

few more pics..
Was a great trip! Again Thank You to everyone that came out!

 

[HCL]

A few more pics