Springtime ride & trail report Big Lake Rd

I just got back from riding my ATV up to the store and back. The trails look fairly good, few very deep puddles, particularly up just before Big Lake where the trail splits off to head up the hill behind Big Lake and goes on ahead toward Fisher's Y.

I did not try the lake in the trail at that point, I did do some exploratory creeping into the water but then decided it was just too deep to risk when I knew it got deeper over where the trails all converge and I was only halfway there at the point I backed out of the water.

Since I was backing up anyway, I went back to the gravel pit across from the post office and dug out the camera, videotaping the trail about halfway back to the Parks Highway, stopping when I hit a section where trucks had torn up the trail at some deep puddles and I needed to put the camera away so I could use both hands on the handlebars. I will try to get that video uploaded to YouTube when I get the time and share it over at AlaskaATV.info I'll post a link here when I get that done.

Cold ride, trail report, and early morning discoveries

Yes, that was me on the Wyvern that you saw out cruising down the trails around nine in the morning yesterday. I had to meet up with someone, so took my ATV out for a run. it was very nice to be able to get out and ride, but I will be making sure that the next time I do that I have better leggings on. My legs got really cold since all I have to wear is a pair of jeans and a thin cotton long-john type PJs deal.

Still, I can't complain too much about getting out to ride some. Was a really good ride even with the cold. I also found that the bike path is getting to be fairly clear. There is still some snow in places, and there was one point where there was a really deep puddle, but won't be long before the bicycles can be broke out and taken for rides. I think I'd wait a bit longer on the roller blades, since there is still a lot of gravel all over the paved trails.

I also found something along the bike trail that goes along the Parks Hwy - if anyone can identify what it was I found then I'll take that as proof they were the ones that lost it and will get it back to you. I will say that it's not worth a lot, not a diamond ring or a suitcase full of money - drat it.

Can't go riding today

As much as I want to get out and ride today, and oh is it a lovely day for riding the ATV, I'm afraid that I am going to need to stay home. I don't want to send my dad down to my sister's place, since he got too tired out being down there last night (until after 1 in the morning), and after a night of sleeping good he's spent all day asleep so far as well. He's sleeping good, but definitely too tired out to be going back down to the garage and hanging out again today. Might not make me popular, but I'm going to keep him home today and I am going to work rather than go riding on the ATV.

Finally got the ATV out and about this year

I got my ATV out on the trail today. It was good to get out and ride after all winter trapped indoors. I strongly suggest that if you have a machine you stop reading this and get out and ride! I took a few pictures, but won't get them loaded onto the computer until later, so I'll share them later on tonight. For now I'll just say that the trails are lovely and clear from the bit of riding I did earlier and it is time to get out there and enjoy the ATV weather while we have it.

Search resumed for missing snowmachiner

Alaska State Troopers resumed their search for the body of a snowmachiner who went missing last Saturday when he was trapped in an avalanche near the confluences of Divide and Center creeks east of the Johnson Pass Trail.

Troopers advise that the search would potentially continue through today and request that people please avoid the area while the search is underway. Sufficient searchers are already on hand, the Troopers report no need for additional volunteers.

A statement issued by the Troopers stresses: "It is imperative that no one is in or near the area during the recovery efforts. The area is still exhibiting a high avalanche potential, especially in the aftermath of additional snow and higher temperatures added to the steep terrain."

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the missing snowmachiner.