The Johnston's of North Pole

Last Local Ride for 2012

Still lots of snow on the ground, the temps are staying above zero and no club ride planned, so it was posted on the FST site that we should do a ride in the Whites. Well ask and you shall receive, 4 of us meet at Hilltop at 8:00 AM and had a good breakfast, then drove to 57 Mile Elliott and the Colorado Creek Trail.

We left from the turn out on Nordale Road, just north of the Chena River for a 10:00 AM departure to Chatanika Lodge. The plan was to run the Winter Trail to the Connector Trail at 10 Mile CHSR and then head up Adventure Road to Iowa Dome, down Hillbilly Hwy to the Alpha C trail to Cleary Summit and then on the Margaret’s Trail to Chatanika Lodge.

Tony, our leader for the day, arrived on time. I have to point this out as it is an exception to the rule :< ) So we actually left at 10:00 AM as planned. The first part of the ride was a bit rough going through the trees and along the power line to the Winter Trail, which in itself was pretty smooth and fast.

Saturday morning and the temps are suppose to get above zero, time to ride and explore. Dean and family were at their cabin on Harding Lake and invited me out to do some trail riding. So Jake and I decided to go and visit them, I hadn’t been to their cabin on the lake and was looking forward to it.

When we arrived around 9:00 AM it was -15 below and I was in no hurry to get on my sled and freeze, so we hung around the cabin a few hours and had coffee and breakfast that Marquese made for everyone.

Beautiful day but a short trip for Tyler and I. Started out at 9:30 AM having breakfast at the lodge and we were joined by Nick, his wife, Bret and Dave. The day started out good, a bit on the chilly side when we arrived. I showed -15 below in my truck before we went in for breakfast and about zero once we hit the trails.

I was trying to find the turn off trail Chuck took to Moose Creek Cabin, but the new snow was so deep all I could find was the turn off at 4-Corners off the Orange trail. So after some exploring we decided to follow the Orange trail, sort of.

Clear Creek Buttes has a new loop ride.

The fires this past summer did some major damage to the Bonnifield Trail through the northern base of Clear Creek Buttes. I took a crew of six out on Feb 4th and we did get it partially opened, just not all the way along the base, but up to the Buttes anyway.
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A crazy week setting and staking the last leg of the Iron Dog Trail to the finish line and staffing the North Pole Fuel Depot.

Steve Nolan deserves a big pat on the back for making sure the trail was staked from Nenana to the mouth of the Chena. And to Steve E for helping on the Tanana from the mouth of the Chena to the Dike, and Brian for helping get the Chena done.

Click on Continue Reading below to see 4 short videos from the North Pole fuel depot and 1 on at the finish line. I’m the guy with bright green Arctic Cat coat.

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