Willow Trail Conditions 2015/2016

[akriverunner]

Figured I would start a willow trail conditions thread. Was out Saturday on wheelers, only about 2-3" of snow. Not sure what they received last night and this morning. Anyone up there thy can update would be great.


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[Mr. Grayling]

Alaska NOAA said they got 7-9 inches.

 

[keh]

We got a total of about 12"....trail system is still wet and soft............Hopefully a good freeze will help consolidate the ruts...

 

[skybust]

A buddy of mine has a cabin on the Yetna stated they got 23 inches in the last two days but it compacted to about 18

 

[bkmail]

How far up the Yetna?

And....Awsome, Can't wait till freeze up!

Bk

 

[akriverunner]

Keeping fingers crossed El Niño stays away this winter so I can at least get a chance to try out the new groomer


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[fishhook57]

Heard of 20 inches approximately around the big bend, not confirmed, but was told by my pilot buddy who overflew my airstrip. It needs to freeze! He said my outhouse is leaning like an italian building!

 

[otternorth]

Anyone have a Chase/Clear Creek Trail report?
NOAA says 12 inches and, rumors say 'snowmachines are in use' around Talkeetna.

 

[mudbuddy]

Anyone launching out of the Susitna Landing ?
Crossing the Su?

 

[fishhook57]

The su is no where near ready for getting across, it hasnt even froze the secondary channels much yet. Still airboat time.

 

[mudbuddy]

Thought maybe could cross link to the Cruz trail to the Yetna
Next month hopefully.

Need to find the Cruz trial on the W side of the river, never used it yet.
Buddy has a cabin by the Big Bend on the Yetna.
Have been told it's a real good shortcut ? + Less time over water
Last year there was a lot of open water

 

[Big Bend]

The Cruz trail starts close to the Willow Creek camp ground area. There is usually a trail from Deshka Landing most of the time it will turn right just pass the dike and head north.

 

[mudbuddy]

Thanks
We're in no big rush , just BSing & starting to prep the machines.
This, now starting, cold spell should help, snow is a big key too. The report of 20" already sounds good, if true.
Be nice to find it in the daylight & get thru.

 

[ak_cowboy]

Couple FB posts show guys with decent riding out of Petersville already.

 

[Dinglishna]

mudBuddy - Regarding the Cruz Trail: When (if) we get snow this year and when (if) the rivers freeze up ... seems like the easiest way to get to the Cruz Trail, and take it to the Yentna, is to take the Deshka X-Over Trail to the Deshka River, and then go up the Deshka until you pass the first group of cabins on the left. Then you should see the Cruz trail coming across the river. Take a left and follow it to the west. If it's your first time on the trail, you can get off-track and do some dead-ending (happened to me first time, and to the folks whose tracks I was following). There are a couple of creek crossings. So plenty of snow, wind and cold is a good thing before taking this route to the Yentna. Once you hit the Yentna you head south to Big Bend. It's about 35 miles from Deshka to Yentna Station Lodge via the Cruz Trail. Same distance to YS and a lot faster by the rivers.

 

[mudbuddy]

mudBuddy - Regarding the Cruz Trail: When (if) we get snow this year and when (if) the rivers freeze up ... seems like the easiest way to get to the Cruz Trail, and take it to the Yentna, is to take the Deshka X-Over Trail to the Deshka River, and then go up the Deshka until you pass the first group of cabins on the left. Then you should see the Cruz trail coming across the river. Take a left and follow it to the west. If it's your first time on the trail, you can get off-track and do some dead-ending (happened to me first time, and to the folks whose tracks I was following). There are a couple of creek crossings. So plenty of snow, wind and cold is a good thing before taking this route to the Yentna. Once you hit the Yentna you head south to Big Bend. It's about 35 miles from Deshka to Yentna Station Lodge via the Cruz Trail. Same distance to YS and a lot faster by the rivers.

THANKS
Great info
I was wondering if the River route was faster
Makes sense, more level.
Distance is deceiving, looks a lot shorter.
River probably less bumpy riding too

 

[fishhook57]

We ran the cruz trail a few times hoping it would be faster/ easier. Never could keep up with the rivers speed advantage. I like the river more, more sights to see, tons of traffic if you break down or have trouble, gets lightly groomed a little. Also the cruz trail get really bumpy quick. And tons of dead ends, until the trail gets well developed. The cruz trail isn't as such a straight shot most people make it out to be. Some of those creeks are tough to cross without snow(early last year). Also that one creek due north of lockwood likes to open up way before the rivers trail is bad. Its a pretty warm creek. Having to cross the Big su, then deshka, then the 10+ creeks, then back onto the yetna, is a little more prone to the late and early year overflow and thin ice issues. Versus the main river route.

 

[keh]

-18 this morning at the lodge. Big Bend noted that the Yentna is jamming up with ice...we are getting closer....Several folks stopped in on the way to Petersville to go out riding. Still a lot of water in the creeks and near the trails...the snow just covers it up enough to make it sporty....Patience is key...unless of course you have stock in repair parts outlets.....

 

[akriverunner]

Andy George made it to skwentna today


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[marbs]

A group of us going out on Saturday from the landing to go up the yentna. My buddy just flew out from our cabins today and it has been -10 to -20 for the last 5 days or so and said that there was around 16 to 20 inches of snow.