Category: Fairbanks

The Dragon and The Eagle

Posted on by justrollingby

After over a dozen days spent wrenching on the Dragon, and a few short test rides to iron out the details, I feel the expenditure of new wheel skins is justified; once said tires are mounted and balanced, a more serious “test” drive is in order. A 200 mile voyage up to Eagle Summit via the Steese Highway in the glorious White Mountains seems fitting. One of my favorite places in all Alaska. Today’s jaunt allows the scoping of a potential backcountry ski carving fest on a moderately angled SE facing slope dotted with widely spaced spruce trees. Another bonus is to make note of put in and take out spots for a future top secret packrafting mission unbeknownst to anyone I know. The Dragon purrs along nicely and at Eagle Summit, a dense fog allows no further progress from the apex of The Eagle. An eerie sensation merges with luminous light conditions, allowing for uncompromised viewing at a mere 10 degrees fahrenheit, yet a near gale force breeze make for an unpleasant chill. On a short walk near the eastern end of the Pinnell Mountain trail, a flock of Rock Ptarmigans spook themselves into a distant snow embeded willow cluster. Later, on the mellow drive home, I pass by a firmy planted Alaska State Flag and a Coyote crosses the road not far off.

Wickersham Dome

Posted on by justrollingby

True form de-facto AT style backcountry skiing around my home of Fairbanks, Alaska is fairly non existent, but if you want to cut turns, two local ski area choices are available and are worthy in their own regard. However, if one wants to skin up for a day of adventuring, a drive south to the Eastern Alaska range is the best option. Another option is to head up the Steese Highway to 12 Mile Summit, where an endless landscape of above tree line skiing awaits. Both of these options require a fair bit of driving, with the Alaska Range being about 3 hours, and 12 Mile about half that. The third option within an hours drive is Wickersham Dome, located about 40 mile north of Fairbanks via the Elliott Highway. Located at the western apex of the White Mountains at Snowshoe Summit, two trail diverge from its parking area. The Summit Trail is a favorite; climbing gently from the highway and topping out at a rocky ridge adjacent to a radio tower further along the ridge. The climb through the boreal forest is a whimsical experience after a good snow dump with the stunted spruce trees resembling gargoyle like formations. After a short bit, a broad pass area is achieved and a short decent into another gargoyle forest ensues before the final climb up to the ridge. At ridge’s top are several small rock outcroppings at a place I call the Marmot Sanctuary. Further along the ridge another half mile is the aforementioned radio tower. The ski back is mellow, depending on the line picked, but i t’s worth mentioning that the wind can be ferocious up here and it usually leaves a thin layer of snow covering jagged rocks just under the surface. Angela warned of such a condition last week when I skied Murphy Dome. This time, I clipped a rock and gouged my ski pretty good and managed a short tumble as a result. This is not world class steep, but a mellow cruise through a gorgeous area with outstanding views of the entire Central Alaska Rang, Denali, the White Mountains, the Forty Mile range, and Sawtooth Mountain to the north.