PackMule
New member
The road to the summer parking was still open and very drivable, we had no problems getting in or out with a Subaru.
Pulled into the parking lot with about 6 other cars already there. We left the lot around 8:00 and headed out to Calkins Brook. There was a very light dusting of snow down low but the trails were still very obvious and easy to follow. We started off bare boot and switched to micro spikes and stablicers after about 5 minutes of walking. The trail was basically frozen ground with section with a thin coating of solid ice in spots. The walk to the start of Calkins Brook was very uneventful with zero blowdown. The break up Calkins is very obvious and super easy to follow. The only spot of that called for much caution was the first crossing on the brook. The ice is pretty thin but there were plenty of rocks to aid in crossing the brook without getting wet. The blowdown on the far side was a little tricky to get over but nothing of real concern. Not much can be said about the trail up to the split other than EASY. There was some blowdown on the way but really nothing to even speak of. There were some tricky scramble sections that were pretty icy but no special equipment was needed to get by.
Got to the summit of Donaldson at a bit after noon, grabbed a quick bite and were on our way. The trek over to Emmons was also very easy to follow and well broken. There were a few icy drops on the way over that were easily passable with caution and some butt sliding. Got over to Emmons with no problems at all, the trip took just about an hour to the summit. We grabbed some more to eat then headed back over to the Calkins jct.
The trip back down Calkins Brook was slow going for the first mile or so with all the roots and rocks on the uneven ground the whole way. I think snow cover and snow shoes would have made the decent much faster. Once the grade eased a bit we were able to really pick up the pace. The main thing on our minds was getting across the brook before dark. Thankfully we got there well before the sun set and didn’t have much of an issue getting back across despite the warmer temps. Once back onto the truck trail we were able to really fly, the warm teps of the day melted some of the ice and thawed some decent size mud patches but nothing that really slowed us down too much.
Got back to the car at 5:40 though the day was long it was probably one of the easiest times I have had in the Sewards. I think if we needed all 3 it would have been just as easy to get over to Seward, there was a good amount of traffic on the range and everything appeared to be well traveled and very obvious.
If you need any of the Sewards now is the time. The road is open and the trails are super easy to follow.
Pulled into the parking lot with about 6 other cars already there. We left the lot around 8:00 and headed out to Calkins Brook. There was a very light dusting of snow down low but the trails were still very obvious and easy to follow. We started off bare boot and switched to micro spikes and stablicers after about 5 minutes of walking. The trail was basically frozen ground with section with a thin coating of solid ice in spots. The walk to the start of Calkins Brook was very uneventful with zero blowdown. The break up Calkins is very obvious and super easy to follow. The only spot of that called for much caution was the first crossing on the brook. The ice is pretty thin but there were plenty of rocks to aid in crossing the brook without getting wet. The blowdown on the far side was a little tricky to get over but nothing of real concern. Not much can be said about the trail up to the split other than EASY. There was some blowdown on the way but really nothing to even speak of. There were some tricky scramble sections that were pretty icy but no special equipment was needed to get by.
Got to the summit of Donaldson at a bit after noon, grabbed a quick bite and were on our way. The trek over to Emmons was also very easy to follow and well broken. There were a few icy drops on the way over that were easily passable with caution and some butt sliding. Got over to Emmons with no problems at all, the trip took just about an hour to the summit. We grabbed some more to eat then headed back over to the Calkins jct.
The trip back down Calkins Brook was slow going for the first mile or so with all the roots and rocks on the uneven ground the whole way. I think snow cover and snow shoes would have made the decent much faster. Once the grade eased a bit we were able to really pick up the pace. The main thing on our minds was getting across the brook before dark. Thankfully we got there well before the sun set and didn’t have much of an issue getting back across despite the warmer temps. Once back onto the truck trail we were able to really fly, the warm teps of the day melted some of the ice and thawed some decent size mud patches but nothing that really slowed us down too much.
Got back to the car at 5:40 though the day was long it was probably one of the easiest times I have had in the Sewards. I think if we needed all 3 it would have been just as easy to get over to Seward, there was a good amount of traffic on the range and everything appeared to be well traveled and very obvious.
If you need any of the Sewards now is the time. The road is open and the trails are super easy to follow.
