Last Trips of the Year

This summer was very poor weather for flying! We had fires with intense smoke for most of June and July, which closed off the entire Upper Yukon Valley including my old haunts of the Porcupine, the Hodzana and the Colleen, then starting in August, nothing but rain.

I made a memorable flight out to Manley Hot Springs and pictures follow, highlighting the fall colors. Alas, this was my last trip - my engine seized up and is now in Wasilla for a hoped for repair. Next flights will be in the spring if all goes well.

First Landing on the Ice on Wheels this year!

Sunday the 28th of April I flew out to Wien Lake via Dune and East Twin and landed on the ice on wheels. It was a beautiful day! The Alaska Range and Mt. Denali were visible in all their glory.

The remnants of the runway cleared earlier for Evert's Air to land was still visible and in perfect shape. Otherwise, the ice was still fast to the shore and accumulations of snow were still present in drifts on the lake.

Dune Lake did not appear to have safe Ice, but the Twins looked fine. I couldn't resist adding a candid selfie of the author.

A July 2018 Flight into the Upper Yukon Valley

After months of adverse weather, the rain clouds cleared on a perfect day and I took complete advantage and headed up to my favorite landing spots on the upper Yukon.

The sky was alive with beautiful clouds, the water was low and the gravel perfect for landing.

The first pictures are en route to the Yukon, with the craggy granite tors of the White Mountains. Next come the Twin Lakes where a friend had to abandon part of his camp as a large Grizzly Bear made its way towards him on the narrow isthmus, now covered with water. Then, setting up my landing on this bar parallel to the river.

The next sequence are the environs of the Yukon Bar just below the Village of Beaver, where I took pains to photograph my airplane with a reflection, and also some interesting drift wood.

Finally, the Hodzana River - my favorite! I explored a number of bars, then landed. Then back home.