GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2022, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 3-4

GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2022, WILLOW PUBLIC USE CABIN, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 3-4

THE POSSE:

Wally Hufford

Elizabeth Hufford

Laura Hufford

Doug Armstrong

Posing with fat bikes at the entrance sign to Kenai Fjords National Park.  (photo credit:  Doug Armstrong)

LOGISTICS:

We drove from Nikiski to Seward, Alaska with our fat bikes where we met up with Laura and Doug at the gate across Exit Glacier Road (the road is closed to automobile traffic in the winter).  Once all our gear was loaded on our fat bikes we rode the ~7.5 miles out to the Willow Public Use Cabin which is near the Exit Glacier Visitor Center.  After spending the night at the cabin we rode back to our vehicles and drove home.

The Willow Public Use Cabin at Exit Glacier.

This trip had been in the planning stages for several years.  I knew of the Willow Public Use Cabin and had been thinking of renting it for a while.  In October I thought we should rent it for Global Fat Bike Day and make a big celebration out of it.  

The cabin is in a beautiful setting and a gem itself.  It has propane heat, refrigeration, and a cooking stove/oven.  The lights are powered by a battery that is solar charged.  We had the lights on most of the evening and the next morning without any loss of brightness.  That's pretty good for the middle of winter in Alaska if you ask me.

Elizabeth, Doug, and Laura pedal fat bikes toward the cabin.

On our way out the riding conditions couldn't have been more perfect for a fat bike.  The snow was packed down and frozen hard.  It was almost like riding frozen pavement all the way to the cabin.  Our tires had studs in case of ice, but they weren't really needed.  Along the way we passed a number of other users on the road including hikers, skiers, and mushers.  Everyone was happy and enjoying the superb winter day surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.  We made excellent time arriving at the cabin about two hours after we left the parking area.

This dog was named Wren  She was very energetic and had run about seven miles when this photo was taken.  Her owner is the skier in the photo.

This musher was training/conditioning his dogs by having them tow a four-wheeler down the road.

As we pedaled along we took our time stopping regularly for photos and to take in the exquisite scenery.  The low angle winter sun lit the mountains with vibrant color on one side while the other side remained in shadow.  The light was dramatic for sure and a benefit of living in northern latitudes in the winter.

Laura on a bridge with sunlit mountains behind her.

Once we arrived at the cabin we turned up the heat and actually marveled at the deluxe accommodations.  In the summer months the cabin is used to house seasonal hires for the National Park Service, so all the amenities are right there with the exception of running water.  Instead there are several containers filled with water for drinking and cooking.  There were also two bedrooms with two bunks each.  It was as close to fat bike glamping as I could ever imagine.  

Upon arrival at the cabin Laura warmed her toes on the heater.

We played a game of Hearts in the evening.  I got the most points.  That's not a good thing when you're playing Hearts.

The ride back to the vehicles was exquisite.  The road conditions were perfect, the weather superb, and it was downhill the entire way.  (photo credit:  Doug Armstrong)

After a restful night I woke up at 6:00 AM.  Of course, it was still dark outside when I opened the door and stepped onto the porch.  But, looking upward I couldn't believe my eyes.  From horizon to horizon a dazzling number of twinkling stars filled the sky.  It was so beautiful that I stood there staring up in total disbelief and appreciation.  There were many constellations that I recognized, even though I couldn't recall their names, and the utter silence of the wilderness setting added to the perfect stargazing station on that porch.  I stood there for a good long while before I got cold and went back inside for breakfast.

The others slowly roused as the morning moved at a leisurely pace.  We made oatmeal, drank coffee by the mugful, and talked about a number of topics pertinent to the day.  Nobody was in a hurry and the sun wouldn't come up until after 10:00 AM anyway, so we took our time.  

Once it was light enough we slowly packed our gear and loaded the fat bikes.  The ride out was sublime and we enjoyed watching the sunlight slowly illuminate the mountain peaks all around us.  It was just so beautiful.  I don't think any of us wanted to arrive back at the vehicles where we knew the trip would end.

Pulling into the parking area we took one last look around.  Mountains, sky, sunshine, and friends.  Everything was just right.  The trip had been a wonderful success and before long everything was packed up and ready to go.

In a post-trip celebration we drove the short few miles to Seward for hamburgers at the Mermaid Grotto restaurant.  After that it was a simple drive back to Nikiski where we sorted and cleaned gear.  Of course, we also began making plans for our next trip to the Willow Public Use Cabin, which we hope will be very soon.  Who knows, it might even become an annual Global Fat Bike Day tradition.  That would be something great.