Crater Creek with Keith, Hugh, Kenny, Larry and Ramon
Saturday, March 5, 2011
For many years the group has wanted to explore Crater Creek. Geographically,
this is a volcanic bowl and amphiteater in the Kuglaik (Sawtooth) mountain range
north of Nome. To get there we travelled to about mile 42 on the Kougarok Road.
This took us past Salmon lake to the Crater Creek bridge; we then went up Crater
into the mountains and retraced the route on exit.
Map showing Salmon Lake, Crater Creek and the Rock Pile. This is aproximately
30 miles north of Nome. Joni's cabin is at milepost 37.
The Usual Suspects
Kenny, Hugh, Larry peeking behind Hugh and Ramon stand by the crane about halfway to Salmon Lake. Keith took the picture.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Cruising Along
Ramon cruises by on the way to Salmon Lake.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Old Railroad Loco
On the way to Salmon Lake we came across this old, narrow gauge railway locomotive. Inside is an automotive motor and controls. Formerly ran the Seward Peninsula Railway. Its wheels and trucks under the snow, it slowly becomes a future archaelogical find.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
At Joni Earp's cabin
At Joni's cabin we met with dogmushing Janet Balice and her support group. She also mushed into Crater Creek; Joni went mountain climbing, and Ryan (foreground fudzing with a fuel container) went ptarmigan hunting.Ryan stated "No wildlife was harmed during the course of this trip!" Better shooting next time, Ryan!
Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Crater Hazards
There were quite a few of these sinkholes with water awaiting daydreaming snowmachiners. This view is looking up the Crater Creek valley.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
A Side Valley
We went up this side valley and explored it.
Starting to get Steep!
Translation: You gotta Have Balls in order to go up!This is Keith and Larry nosed up to the rockpile (next picture). The rest of us came up independently.
Picture Copyright © 2011 Ramon Gandia
Rockpile
Beyond this rockpile is another lake at about a 2,000 ft elevation. Keith and Larry went into that lake, Ramon, Hugh and Kenny stopped at the rockpile.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Steep, Holmes!
Looking back the way we came tells us that, indeed, it was steep.Picture Copyright © 2011 Ramon Gandia
This is the Chute
We saw this intimidating chute.Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
That Damned Kenny!
And there goes that craaaazy Kenny trying it.He didn't get too far ... but he sure got farther than the rest of us did!
Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Crater Bridge
On the way back, Ramon in his Tundra LT stops at the Crater Creek highway bridge.
Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Joni's Cabin
Kenny and Ramon lie back and relax while lesser beings are outside gassing up and futzing around.
Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
Lonesome Trail
There is something magical about sunset and twilight. The trail is lonesome, but quiet. The hustle and bustle of the day is over. Nature relaxes and gives over to night. Riding this time of the day feels like another dimension.
Picture Copyright © 2011 Keith Andrews
All pictures on this page Copyright © 2011, Keith Andrews.