Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

[N-43121]

Alaska Tribe,

Anyone planning a winter ski flyin to Vogel Lake this year? I haven't made one of those, but heard great things about it from Jim Brewer and Dick Smith. Looking for destinations on skis ...

Rod

[n6346m]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Rod,
The last time I talked to Jim Brewer (AKBREW), he told me that it's the second weekend in March, which is next weekend. I will verify that by calling him sometime in the next few days. We're currently having another dumping of snow down here on the Kenai Peninsula. I hope I can get out of my hangar.

[N-43121]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Sounds great Bob, please post info when you know for sure. Hopefully the weather will be like it was today here in the Susitna Valley. It was fantastic flying today! Went out to some friends' cabins today and flew the Iditarod trail on the way back watching the dog teams make their way up river. Lots of people out enjoying the day ... by air, dog, skis, and snow machine.

The sun actually had some heat to it today!

Rod

[n6346m]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

I confirmed with AKBREW that Vogel Lake Fly-in is on for this weekend, weather cooperating of course. The cabin has been reserved for Friday and Saturday night.

[AKbrew]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Hello Rod and any other ski-equipped T-Craft flyer in South Central AK...Vogel Lake is ON for this weekend. We have the cabin Friday and Saturday night and will have plenty of food and libations. There are 5 bunks, and so far 4 confirmed but there is plenty of floor space and a nice toasty wood-stove to keep you warm. Just bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. We had great weather this afternoon and I was able to make a scouting run. There is about 2+ft of powder on the lake. I didn't see any overflow in the tracks I made, but there probably is some out there. I will lay down tracks on Friday...try to stay in them. Bring snow shoes if you have them plus any other recreational pursuits (cigars, etc.-probably should leave the little lady at home...) There will be at least two dogs...so canines are welcome too. The weather forecast is pretty good so c'mon out to Vogel Lake for some fun winter camping in a great rustic cabin!

[N-43121]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Bob & Jim, thanks for the info ... glad to hear that it's happening. I plan to fly down and spend the day on Saturday, but will not be overnighting. I have a separate trip that I've committed to on Sunday.

Lay down some good wide tracks Jim ... 2 feet of powder can be a challenge!

Blue skies,

Rod

[Dick Smith]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Alaska Tribe,
You guys are killling me! I'm in Nampa, Idaho...flew down on Wed., accompanying my 90 year old mother, who was in Alaska to attend a wedding reception for our youngest son and his new bride.
My dear mother is feeding me like I was back on the farm at harvest time!

Moved the plane off the lake Sunday afternoon, after having one of our sons and a friend pack down a take-off zone with snowmachines. There was some overflow starting to show. Got off ok and then landed in snow nearly 4 feet deep. Full power kept things moving while making a big circle in the deep snow, circled back and took off in my tracks...came back and landed in the tracks, still took full power to get back to the best place to "quit moving". Let the engine cool for a while, shut down and stepped off into snow up to my bellybutton.
Used snow shoes to put wingcovers and engine cover on. Tied one wing down to a floatplane trailer that was completely buried, guide pipes and all...the other wing to whatever I could find under the snow.
More than enough of the white stuff!

I know you guys will have a great time at Vogel...that is a unique spot for being that close to ANC..
I plan to be back up in time for the Airmen's Show and Valdez. I hope to meet some of the Tribe down here. This is where I located my Taylorcraft back in about 1975. Plan to visit the MAF headquarters here in Nampa and maybe the airport at Caldwell, ID, which is a hotbed of aviation activity...also plan to be in the Apache Junction area. Enjoy the snow! Dick

[AKbrew]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Thanks for the nice post, Dick.

Good news is: only about 6" of powder at Vogel Lake. Bad news is: 6"-12" of overflow under a 6" crust under the powder. My light plane on wide skis didn't break through, but my feet sure did! I'm making another run out there between 12 and 1 tomorrow...if we have to cancel I'll update this post. I'm kind of hoping the tracks I put in will set-up overnight or I can find some spots with no overflow and we will be able to have our weekend adventure. Updates to come...

[AKbrew]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

Hey Gang,

We were able to conquer the overflow and had a fantastic time together winter camping at the Vogel Lake cabin. Thanks to Bob, Rod, Scott (our newest Taylorcraft owner as of this week) and Bill for coming out and making it such a great weekend getting away from the rat race. Plan on the 2nd weekend in March next year! (Some of you snow birds-Steve, Dick-need to come home early!)

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Alaska - Vogel Lake 2012

I am glad you guy's had a good time. I would of loved to have made it but the planes in for her annual. Cabin looks good and cozy. Hope to make it next year..