OCT 12th Alaska fly in/campout No 2

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:39 am

So, was anyone able to hook up?

Mauleguywanab · Post by **Mauleguywanab** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:10 pm

crbnunit wrote:So, was anyone able to hook up?

Yes, YellowMaule, Cumuli, AKloon a cub buddy and I met up at Knik and visited for a while. I got a couple pics but can't figure out how to upload them. Amazing time up the valley with no wind. I love that place when the wind is somewhere else. Towards the evening, half went around the corner to lake George to play and I headed west with my cub buddy being that he needed 45 minutes to get home and dark was coming;-) Fun meeting new Maule drivers and I wish there was some summer left to keep it up. As Yellowmaule pointed out when we met, I may need to update my ID

Mauleguywanabnomore gets a little wordy;-)

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:55 pm

Sounds like a good time!

So, should we plan something more formal for next year sometime? A plan with a few alternate dates/locations? More than one? Maybe with enough advance notice we could get a big group together???

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:22 pm

I'd be game for something next summer or spring. Anything midpoint between ANC and FAI with water for floats and a runway? I'll have to take a look at sectional, maybe something around Chulitna / Cantwell? Maybe some fishing / camping / storytelling over a weekend? Up here we're probably 50/50 floats/wheels, maybe a couple more floatplanes then wheelplanes in the warmer part of year.

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:58 pm

I'm game but I can't think of a single place that would fit the bill. Wheels? Yes. Floats? Yes. Wheels AND floats? Not so much. The Denali strip would be cool but they might frown on a bunch of us flying in and I don't think you can camp there. The Stampede strip might be a cool back country location but there is nowhere for floats. Beluga is good for both but it is nowhere near central for you guys in Fairbanks. I kind of though about McCarthy and St. Elias NP. We could hit something like May Creek, a nice back country strip with a cabin in beautiful country but again, not exactly central for either of us.

maules.com · Post by **maules.com** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:58 pm

Paxson. How far from lake to strip?

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:26 pm

Looks to be abotu 6 miles or so from Paxon Lake.

I was thinking Lake Louise, Z55, but it appears that it is "closed indefinitely".

YELLOWMAULE · Post by **YELLOWMAULE** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 2:05 pm

Even the dogs got their time.

Dave and his bird. Litterally and figuratively

Joe's "new on wheels" Maule

At first, it seemed it would be the Peril with Joe & Christine.

A first rate landing for a float guy!

Despite the looks on all the faces, it was not an Ah S**t moment, just our token Cub friend.

And a perfect evening to be out playing at the foot of the glaciers.
Photos courtesy of Christine.

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:42 pm

Looks like a good time!

Has anyone been out to the strip at Lake Minchumina? It is about 130 miles west of Healy and would fit the bill for wheels/floats and is about 1/2 way between Fairbanks and Anchorage. I don't know anything about it other than that.

Barnstormer · Post by **Barnstormer** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:51 pm

It's been quite a few years since I flew into Lake Minchumina, but what I can tell you is it's well maintained by the BLM, has room for camping and adjacet to the lake, therefore easy access for floats as well. Unfortunately, I'm no longer in Alaska, else I'd join you on the next trip! I'll live it through all your stories and pictures!

Mauleguywanab · Post by **Mauleguywanab** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:41 am

That sounds like a great spot!!! Maybe a few of us can fly out there and check it out this spring to make sure it fits. Wonder if there is any fishing to do there? Looks like a big strip so my cub buddy could probably tag along again;-) HA HA HA.

Barnstormer · Post by **Barnstormer** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:54 pm

Actually the fishing is great... if you like Northern Pike. Too many "Y" bones to fuss with for me.

Mauleguywanab · Post by **Mauleguywanab** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:12 pm

I do like pike and even better, they are usually easy to catch so the boys have a blast. This sounds like a perfect spot to spend a day or two. I'm sure there is some local off airport fun we could have if anyone is inclined to go play. I vote yes on this one!!

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:49 pm

That would be a good spot, good fishing, camping, nice strip, and the Green's now run a lodge as well. Not sure of rates, but will contact him for more info. Probably a little more then halfway for the ANC people, but suspect we could get pretty good crowd out of FAI area? Probably be good to do late spring / early summer in case of fires / smoke / viz issues, but lots of that area has burned in past few years so probably not much of an issue anyway?

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:56 pm

Where is the nearest fuel?

OCT 12th Alaska fly in/campout No 2

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