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WASILLA — Snowmachine riders, rejoice: Hatcher Pass is open and ready for business.
The Alaska State Parks Division of Outdoor Recreation opened the east side of the pass Saturday morning to snowmachine riding in the popular Archangel Valley and Gold Mint trail areas, which riders can use to access the west side of the pass.
However, park ranger Dan Amyot cautioned riders that snowpack in the area is still thin in some spots, and riders should take care when hitting the slopes.
“It’s not a uniform blanket of snow,” Amyot said Monday.
Recent snows in the pass were heavy, but consisted of light, fluffy snow. That means exposed rocks hiding under the light snow are still a concern.
“There’s stuff hiding under that snow,” Amyot said.
Trails in the area are well marked, and riders should check to make sure where they plan to ride is open. Amyot said there are maps and information posted at trailheads for riders to check before they start their day.
“It’s very well marked, and there are maps on the bulletin boards,” he said.
A big concern right now is avalanche danger. Because of the nature of the snowpack, Amyot said the slopes are prime for slides throughout the pass.
“Avalanche conditions are still considered pretty high,” he said.
Riders should make sure they’re properly equipped for that danger before heading out.
“Definitely bring probes, shovels and beacons,” he
said.
Riders should avoid unfamiliar terrain, as well as look for signs of impending avalanche danger before starting up.
“The most important tool people can bring with them is essentially their brain and their knowledge of what contributes to avalanche potential,” he said.
That means watching for unstable snowpack, as well as avoiding steep slopes that can more easily break free.
Amyot said trails have been groomed in Archangel Valley, as well as along the trail to Fishhook heading toward the west side of the pass.
For more information
on snow conditions, visitwww.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/asp/hpsnowreport.pdf
Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@
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