Post by Philip on Feb 8, 2009 15:00:07 GMT -9
Great conditions on Salonie Creek. We parked at the gate along the Chiniak Highway and skied in the road to the KISA shooting range. One or two vehicles had driven in, but skiing on the shoulder was fine. After the rifle range we took the 4-wheeler trail through the cottonwood forest. The snow was a bit crusty in the woods, but coverage was good. Once we got to the first tributary creek along the trail (about 2 miles from the rifle range) we took our skis off, crossed the creek, and climbed through the alders onto the main riverbed.
The snow coverage was very good with a nice crust over about 8 inches of snow, and then a nice fresh 2 inches of soft stuff on top of that. Perfect.
We skied up the riverbed to where the canyon behind Kashevarof begins and water always flows. This is about 7 miles in from where we parked.
(What we assume were) river otters had run and slid along on their bellies:
Despite wind in other areas, most of the Salonie Valley floor was calm and sunny. It was pleasantly warm and excellent skiing, especially on the way back to the car since we had established a nice track.
Highly recommended as long as the conditions hold. If you have keys to the KISA gate and have a decent clearance 4WD, you could drive in to the rifle range. The road will probably get icy and rutted in short order and skiing in may not be pleasant for long.
The snow coverage was very good with a nice crust over about 8 inches of snow, and then a nice fresh 2 inches of soft stuff on top of that. Perfect.
We skied up the riverbed to where the canyon behind Kashevarof begins and water always flows. This is about 7 miles in from where we parked.
(What we assume were) river otters had run and slid along on their bellies:
Despite wind in other areas, most of the Salonie Valley floor was calm and sunny. It was pleasantly warm and excellent skiing, especially on the way back to the car since we had established a nice track.
Highly recommended as long as the conditions hold. If you have keys to the KISA gate and have a decent clearance 4WD, you could drive in to the rifle range. The road will probably get icy and rutted in short order and skiing in may not be pleasant for long.