Seward Ranger District-November 29, 2018

And so the story goes that there won’t be a Winter Motorized opening this Saturday on Seward Ranger District. December 1 will quietly come and go as we don’t have any snow at our winter used trailheads, let alone at 2,500’ elevation. The attached photo is near Carter Lake today, elevation 1,500’. To view the Closure Order follow this link, it’s in red to the right under Alerts and warnings.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/chugach/home

Hopefully winter conditions will improve sooner than later this season as there is a lot of hope for things to improve, last season we didn’t open a few areas (Snug Harbor, Resurrection Pass and Johnson Pass trails) to winter motorized until January 31 and Carter Lake didn’t open until February 15.

We do have ice, the ground is beginning to freeze again, trails are icy requiring the aid of ice cleats on your shoes.

Tern Lake ice thickness yesterday was 5.5”.

Carter Lake ice thickness today was 2.5”, stay off!

Lower Russian ice thickness Tuesday was 2”, stay off! 

Here’s a link to a trap setter, which for most of us would be used as a releaser if your dog gets caught in a connibear style trap.

https://www.southernsnares.com/products/trapper-rons

Irene Lindquist 
Forest Technician

Forest Service

Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District

p: 907-288-7748 
irene.lindquist@usda.gov

33599 Ranger Station Spur
Seward, AK 99664
www.fs.fed.us 

Have you observed any new conditions on the trails or in the backcountry? Post a trail update and share your knowledge with other skiers!