After a busy winter with only enough time for nearby track skiing, I've been itching for a change of pace recently. But no crust skiing this weekend, so I needed another idea. So I did what any Alaskan skier should do when they are looking for something

After looking at some of Tim's recent photos, I decided to check out the trails in Willow. On my way, I picked up a map at a gas station (this is not the map I picked up - this is from my Topo software after the ski) and then parked at Crystal Lake and h

I was amazed how well marked and groomed these trails were. After checking out this map at the Willow Swamp intersection (which was more detailed than the map I had), I decided to ski up the Susitna River, back down the Deshka River and then take a more

I took the Corral Hill Trail to the Susitna River Superhighway. Skiing in short-sleeves, I love spring in Alaska! The snow was wet and slow, but its hard to complain in a place like this, on a day like this.

I was so spoiled by the great trail markings on the Willow trails, that I wasn't paying attention closely enough when I got to the wide-open Susitna (which wasn't as well marked). I missed my turn upstream and ended up at the Deshka River. So I skied th

Some poor sap got back to the trailhead and said "Wait a second - where'd my machine go?" Umm, buddy - its at the confluence of the Deshka and Susitna. Bummer.

One of the amazing things about Alaska is if you look at a map, most of the state looks empty. But its not empty - its full of remote cabins and wilderness lodges accesible by plane, snowmachine, or boat. There are a lot of people out there. This is th

Sure is nice of them to put these things way out there for skiers who have spent 3 hours on the trail and really need to go! Actually, it was bolted shut - I checked. This was at a campground on the Deshka River.

A landing strip on the Deshka River.

I came off the Susitna onto the Rolly Creek trail.

I could tell when I was back on the Willo trails - lots of markers!

This was one of the few spots that was getting sloppy. Spring is here and the snow won't last long!

Mt. Susitna covered in clouds. Photo taken from the interection of the Willow Swamp Trail and the Old Hunters Trail

The Old Hunters Trail was great. perfectly groomed and picturesque.

This guy skied with me all day. I put the wood to him near the end though - I could see his legs were getting a little wobbly during that last hour. He was just fighting to hang on.

Look at all those trails! I'll be back to ski them at some point.