Aishihik River

Yup.  That time of year again.  Break out the pack rafts.
Not much is open right now, but the Aishihik from the Yukon Energy tail race is.
Right where the tail race from the hydro site and the West Ahishihik join, its open water all the way to the Alaska highway.
Anthony, Paul B and Dylan were keen to get wet, so Saturday we headed to Canyon, stashed the bikes for the shuttle, and headed up to the put in.  The East Ashihik is still ice bound, which is fines as its probably not pack raft friendly, at least at high water.
We had to drag for about 1 Km until we hit open water.  Lots of shore ice, some debris in the water here and there.  No rapids, but we got to get in the water.
Nice bike back to the put in.  Saw a great big old wolf.  Cool.

Friday Creek

Yet another great loop of moderate length.
Dylan was up for an exploratory ride this Saturday, and I had "heard" this loop was in.  It was.
It was cloudy and snow squalls obscured the hills and mountains, but clearing was promised.  We parked at the Watson river trail head and made our way into the alpine towards Alligator lake.

Friday Creek

Turned up Friday creek on good dog sled trail, following it up the valley and on to Coal lake.
We both fell victim to a big chunk of ice which toppled us.  I had enough time to wonder how Dylan was handling the crash when his Nate made contact with my head.  Not as bad as his pedal in my shoulder.
It must have looked great from afar.

The occasional steep hill gets you up on some nice eskers

Pedaling down Coal lake was fantastic.  Sheep watched us from the hills.

Coal lake in the distance

On Coal lake

Once you leave the lake, you follow a great trail through the woods until you pick up the trail the dog sledders use from Fish lake.  Follow it to a high pass where you cross the Coal lake road, the follow a super fun valley down out of the alpine to Fish lake.  Follow the lake back to the parking lot.
Really great 50 Km ride.
Go do it.

Topping out on the Coal lake road, just about to begin the long descent.  Yee-Haw!