Dreams do come true...
Always the last to join in on the fad, but Fat Tire bikes are a passport to adventure. It takes a bit of sleuthing the social media feed for the best conditions. We waiting until there was only one river crossing, and the sun shining. We were blessed with NO wind and perfect conditions with the snow packed and not slushy (temps below 34 degrees).
Where to start?
Knik Glacier Tours with my dear friend Tom who graciously allows a swarm of cars/trucks using his property. There is a portapotty that is in high demand. If you can't wait, you can borrow Pioneer Ridge Trail outhouse on the right before you get to the turnoff to Tom's place.
The trail is super clear at the far end of the road and it is a short mile before the first adventure of the river crossing.
River Crossing
We realized that we left the keys in the truck, so I was able to watch a few different attempts to cross the Hunter Creek. If you do not have studs (or even if you do) be careful entering and exiting the creek. Bike slow across the river to prevent splashing. I saw people using garbage bags, but they would walk across instead of biking and some had trouble and the bags drooped and filled with water. I have KEEN boots that are waterproof and Showers pass socks incase they "leak" (which they didn't). I enjoyed the short ride across.
Getting to the Knik Glacier
We took a different route to the Glacier as the way back. Their was a main trail to the glacier, but we did choose one track that went a bit center to the main sand dune like area. It ended up taking us to a little ledge that was a great overlook, but we had to walk down the bikes (a bit tricky). You can just follow the river which is a bit flatter and more direct. Only one place was the biking a bit slick because of not having studs that we walked the bikes about 30 feet.
Iceberg Paradise at the Face of the Glacier
There was just so much to explore and bike around when you got to the face of the glacier. The creaking noise remind you that you are walking on a river that is moving. The deep blues and a variety of surfaces takes your heart to a new level of joy!
It was a dream to come here in the winter, as with Alaska Adventures Unlimited I have only seen this in the summer. It is my favorite winter adventure so far!
Where to start?
Knik Glacier Tours with my dear friend Tom who graciously allows a swarm of cars/trucks using his property. There is a portapotty that is in high demand. If you can't wait, you can borrow Pioneer Ridge Trail outhouse on the right before you get to the turnoff to Tom's place.
The trail is super clear at the far end of the road and it is a short mile before the first adventure of the river crossing.
River Crossing
We realized that we left the keys in the truck, so I was able to watch a few different attempts to cross the Hunter Creek. If you do not have studs (or even if you do) be careful entering and exiting the creek. Bike slow across the river to prevent splashing. I saw people using garbage bags, but they would walk across instead of biking and some had trouble and the bags drooped and filled with water. I have KEEN boots that are waterproof and Showers pass socks incase they "leak" (which they didn't). I enjoyed the short ride across.
Getting to the Knik Glacier
We took a different route to the Glacier as the way back. Their was a main trail to the glacier, but we did choose one track that went a bit center to the main sand dune like area. It ended up taking us to a little ledge that was a great overlook, but we had to walk down the bikes (a bit tricky). You can just follow the river which is a bit flatter and more direct. Only one place was the biking a bit slick because of not having studs that we walked the bikes about 30 feet.
Iceberg Paradise at the Face of the Glacier
There was just so much to explore and bike around when you got to the face of the glacier. The creaking noise remind you that you are walking on a river that is moving. The deep blues and a variety of surfaces takes your heart to a new level of joy!
It was a dream to come here in the winter, as with Alaska Adventures Unlimited I have only seen this in the summer. It is my favorite winter adventure so far!
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