Alternatives to Damaging Soft/Muddy Trails

ENJOY OUR PAVED TRAILS

We’ve got a bunch in the area, including ones along Farmer’s Loop, Parks Highway, Chena Pump, and Badger Road. Here are some other popular ones:

• Chena River Walk: www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/alaska/chena-riverwalk
• Chena Lake Recreation Area: https://fairbanksak.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=14703
• UAF-area paved and gravel trails, including along Farmer’s Loop, West Tanana Drive, and Sheep Creek and Miller Hill roads.

You can also find paved trails and bike-friendly roads on the Bikeways Map.

• Copies available at local bike stores, from FAST Planning (907/205-4276) or on the Internet: https://fastplanning.us/about/maps/

ENJOY OUR GRAVEL PATHS:

• Tanana River dike or levee, aka Tria and Saddle roads on Google Maps. There are several access points. A good one is to park at Tanana Lakes Rec Area swim beach, then head north on Cinch Street: https://goo.gl/maps/kA4uermWGEgJKwbq9
• Tanana Lakes also has gravel roads that encircle the Cushman Lake and a dike that runs between the river and Tanana Lake: https://fairbanksak.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=14702
• The Chena River flood control dike next to the Chena Lake Rec Area (runs along Laurance Road). It connects to the Tanana River dike.
• Sheep Creek gravel path: This one usually takes a while to dry out, but it is dry before many of the area trails: www.trailforks.com/trails/sheep-creek-commuter-trail/

EXPLORE SUBDIVISION ROADS:

• It’s pretty impressive how far you can go just by exploring subdivision roads. And it’s kind of interesting to see all the different houses and things people have done in their yards. But remember to be respectful Don’t race up and down roads at high speeds. Be friendly and civil. Some people who might not appreciate the increased traffic, so keep that in mind.
• Ester Dome and Moose Mountain roads are popular climbs for people wanting a workout. All our public roads are open to a variety of uses, including non-motorized and legal OHV use. However, make sure to follow all state and local laws regarding road use. More importantly, use common sense for safety and BE POLITE. People live on those roads and use them daily.

CONSIDER JOINING ONE OF THE LOCAL OUTINGS:

• The Fairbanks Cycle Club and Running Club North both have started summer events, such as road runs and rides.
  • FCC: www.fairbankscycleclub.org/
  • RCN: www.runningclubnorth.org/

GO BIRDWATCHING

Spring is a great time to go birdwatching. We’ve got some great areas for it, such as Creamer’s Field and Tanana Lakes Recreation Area. The Arctic Audubon Society and Alaska Songbird Institute have some great resources (see their Birding Fairbanks menus). If you want to raise money for a good cause while birding, consider joining the ASI’s “Fairbanks Birding Challenge.”

GO TO THE DENALI AREA:

• Denali National Park Road: For a time each spring it is open to the Teklanika rest stop and the road is open for foot and bike traffic beyond that. Check the park Alerts or give them a call: www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
• Denali Highway: DOT crews start clearing the road in April or early May. Traffic is light, especially before they have cleared it all the way through.  
• Head up the Ferry Road, north of Healy, toward the GVEA Eva Creek Wind Farm.

CHASE SNOW TO HIGHER ELEVATIONS:

• Some snow sports can still be had in places that still have snow, such as the Alaska Range (down the Parks and Richardson highways).

GO BOATING:

• The Delta Clearwater River is a popular early season favorite. Other rivers open up at different rates. Be cautious. Rivers can run high and fast in the spring. Get information from others. Find out more about local paddling from Fairbanks Paddlers: www.fairbankspaddlers.org/

TAKE A CLASS:

• The Fairbanks Folk School and University of Alaska Fairbanks Summer Sessions often offer outdoor-related classes.
  • Fairbanks Folk School: https://folk.school/
  • UAF Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning: https://uaf.edu/summer/

IF YOU JUST HAVE TO…

If you just have to get out on the trails, please consider these bits of advice:

• Try to be patient. If you are unsure if a trail is ready to be used, check it out with the commitment to turn back if you are doing too much damage.
• Choose low impact. If you use the trails in several different ways, choose the method of travel that will cause the least amount of damage if you do run into some muddy sections.
• Pick your trails carefully. Use well-drained trails with lots of southern exposure. They typically dry out the quickest. If you just have to get muddy, please limit your activities to trails that are already thrashed. A little more damage probably won’t make a big difference, but a trail in nice shape can be damaged for a season in a hurry.