Hutlinana Hot Springs, Alaska

First hike of the calendar year and the only "winter" camp of the year. Winter is in quotes, because it wasn't very cold and we are starting to melt.

So to start with the trail head was supposed to be at mile 103 of the Elliot Hwy and while I didn't expect exactness, it was actually mile 128... The road from my place to where the Haul road breaks off was in excellent shape, but was 35-40 mph after that. Found the trail head, parking wasn't plowed out yet (I'd passed a plow), however there was a plowed in area very close to the trail head that had a truck with a snowmachine trailer, so I parked there and hoped no one would chain me in.

I putzed around and played with my snow shoes... Found me and my backpack were too heavy for the type of snowshoes / type of snow. So I packed the snowshoes on the unweighed but heavy backpack. I have done day hikes with emergency gear, but never a full blown winter pack.

Hiked out to the trail and found it well packed. Since the trail is a use trail, not a well marked / maintained trail I had my GPS with some estimate of where the trail was and a definite marker for where the hot springs were located.

The hike was kinda boring. I should have bought a sled and pulled my pack since it was so flat. There was a bunch of burned out area as well. BLAH. I got blisters because I wore my bunny boots - I could have totally done this in my tennis shoes had I known there would be so little overflow and that the whole trail would be packed down - but you don't know ahead of time on this type of trail.

The hot springs were HOT! There was another couple there that was using the area as a base camp for snowmachining - which I think might be the way to go with winter camping (snowmaching all the heavy / warm equimpment in )

I used everything I brought except my snowshoes. I slept really warm and comfortable - did wake up once coldish and ate some cheese and drank more water which warmed me right back up again. I didn't see a lot of wildlife, though I did see a lot of moose sign.

The two best parts of the trip were that the hot springs were HOT and the absolutely gorgeous drive. Not a cloud in the sky, intense blue sky, the snow covered hills, the snow covered mountains - just gorgeous.

Hot Springs are beyond the big green tent (not mine) and to the right.

Trail through burn.

One of three spots of overflow.

Heather- does the fact that you are out hiking mean that your house is built? I recall you were big into building.

No. The shell is done and we are moving in after we get access (read snow melts) and put in the windows and insulation in the roof. I did order a composting toilet today, which is exciting for me (YMMV though.)

Actually, husband was out of state on a trip and I took the opportunity to head out - the weather was just perfect, though a little cold at night (40F during the day and in single digits at night.)

Suhweeet!

nice. that a big burn the trail goes through?

I'd say half to a bit more than half of the about 8 mile trail goes through burn

Nice trip report Heather. Glad to hear you're getting out, and that the house is coming along.

Love the photos too. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks for that report, though I'm glad to see winter opportunities dwindling fast for us in the NE. The first winter of sled trips for us, on flattish ground it was the bomb. I'm a builder that works all winter. so I can sort of empathize with your house construction. Glad you got out and shared this.

Nice, Heather. So, how are these hot springs? DId you test them out?

Glad to hear the house is coming along too. THe composting toilet sounds pretty cool to me. You'll have to let us know how it works out.

Chris

The hot springs were VERY hot - I couldn't stay in very long. Bad thing is the weight of the swimwear that froze afterwards! (Yeah I'm a prude! )

I'm really excited about the toilet (way more than I should be) - it separates liquids from solids, has a heater (to help compost the solids) and a fan if you need them. Looks easy to clean too. I'll post photos when we get it installed in the house

See, this is why I hike with guys - I can keep the weight down

However, the problem I seem to have is that I can be in the middle of nowhere, I can have seen nobody else for *DAYS* and as soon as I just strip everything off an jump in the water women show up.. it's almost uncanny. Last year It happened
here:



That's height of the rockies in B.C. It's routefinding to get to that lake, no trail. I've been there for two days, and we've seen nobody. I strip naked and get in the lake, and two young women and a guy show up..

Now, see this one



That's right below Cataract Pass, (which is the saddle on the left of the photo). no official trail at all.. routefinding...

I get naked and am pouring water with my pot over myself from that (which is coming straigh off the glacier) along with three other companions, and not a word of a lie, something like seven women come over the pass - on a group hike.. and are confronted by four naked old(er) men in the middle of nowhere....

Why is this? I think as an ugly fat computer guy I could just ditch my PLB entirely, carry a 24 strand piece of direct buriable fibre optics in my pack. If I'm in trouble bury the fibre and take of my clothing and I'm certain dozens of women would show up driving a backhoe to dig up the fibre optics and embarass me..

That's just hilarious phat!