FTTN Rides are FCC group rides held most Tuesday evenings throughout the winter. Find out more about FTTNs HERE.
FTTN Report - 04-08-2025 Goldstream ??????
Is one ride enough to call it the start of a tradition? If so, what to name the tradition? If you're on Team David, it might be the Goldstream Get Lost ride, or maybe the Goldstream Getaway. If you're on Team Eric, it might be the Get Lost in Goldstream ride or maybe the Goldstream Gadabout.
The FTTN ride this week took us on new trails. Eric had planned a typical on-the-west-side-of-Ballaine loop starting at Ivory Jack's. But early in the ride, Ben suggested taking a trail Eric had never been on (and neither had several of the rest of the group (five total). Eric just assumed the trail dead-ended in a dog yard. Wrong! The trail took us on a diversion and brought us back to the main trail. Sure, it was still through black spruce forest and across frozen ponds, like a lot of trails in Goldstream Valley, but if it's a new trail to you, it's a totally NEW EXPERIENCE! So much fun!
The diversion wasn't long, but we had fun and Eric suggested that we keep taking new trails. Ben led us to another that were either new to members of the group or hadn't been done often (and a long time ago). We ran into a bit of wet overflow, but Eric was full of fire now and wouldn't be stopped by a little overflow. He forged ahead, showing how it could be crossed and walked around. There was a bit of reluctance, but the whole group followed. (Which was the first slip in a sliding slope!).
We kept passing other trails, but you can't take them all at the same time, so we continued on the one we were on. And it spit us out onto a fun trail that Ben had introduced us to earlier this winter. As far as we know, this trail is new this winter! The FTTN crew had been on it only once before, and it's a fun, winding trail, so that was a blast. Yes, this should definitely be a new tradition.
Then Eric suggested crossing the bridge, heading out the Tanana Valley RR Trail and heading up to the hay fields off Hay Way, which have groomed non-motorized trails. Ben asked which trail to take up to the hay fields. There's more than one?! Yippee! Ben's a good guy to have on a ride! Eric suggested we take one up and one down.
We headed up one to Mare's Tail road and then up Hafele Road to the hay fields, did a little loop up there, and then back on the other trail down to the TVRR trail. (The little loop we did on the hay fields was new to us, too!) Dave was having so much fun that he decided against biking back home from the fields (he biked to the ride start) and continue with us.
Back at the TVRR Trail, Eric suggested heading east and taking the first bikeable trail to the north. It was getting a bit late, but we were having fun and it was still light out. Spring fatbiking is a blast!
We found a narrow-but-bikeable trail and followed it to Goldstream Creek and an old log cabin. Fun find! That little trail did a loop on the north side of the creek and came back to the cabin. We could have just gone back to the TVRR Trail, but Eric suggested heading up Goldstream Creek. It had a bit of a trail, firm enough for riding, and we knew if we didn't find another trail first, we would eventually get to the Miller Hill-Miller Hill Extension creek crossing. (Cue ominous music.)
The creek ride was great. At first. Yeah, we had to go over and under a few big spruces that had fallen across the creek. And, yeah, we had to navigate around some wet spots (which Eric thought was almost as good as summer swamp). And, yeah, we weren't finding any other trails to take us off the creek. But it was great. (Just ignore that grumbling you hear as we crawl under yet another tree, or divert around another wet spot. No, that grumbling is not getting louder.) The Miller Hill crossing was coming up soon, right?
Then we came around a corner and, whoops, is that running water without a way around it? Yep. And does the trail we were following go right into it? Yep. And, after checking a mapping app, could we posthole to a nearby trail. Yep. If we wanted to change a stupid decision into stupider decision.
Sigh, just gotta turn around and head back -- past all those wet spots and over and under all those trees. If this is a new tradition, maybe we can leave out some parts.
Finally, we get back to the cabin and then to the TVRR Trail. Now it's late. Not dark, mind you, but later than we had planned to be out. Eric suggested heading back to the bridge, but Ben said we should ride to the Miller crossing. We all agreed -- even Erica, even Glenn (but Glenn was all turned around in his head), and even Dave (who could have just gone straight back home).
We got to the crossing and -- surprise! -- it was full of water, including running water. Now why would there be MORE running water UPSTREAM from where we had been when we turned around on the creek? That just doesn't make sense! Doh! But Eric didn't mind. That stupid mistake was on Ben! And on everyone else for agreeing to it.
Sigh, just gotta turn around and head back.
When we got to the Anne's Greenhouse RR crossing on Sheep Creek, Dave finally called it a night and headed back home. The rest of us took the bridge across the creek and headed back via standard trails. We had had enough exploring. Glenn was tired by this point, but he had momentum. When the rest of us stopped at one point to let him catch up, he blew right by us. He was smelling the barn!
We got back to Ivory Jack's at about 9pm and -- it was still light out! Spring fatbiking is a blast! (Have I said that already?) At the cars, chitchat was short. Erica had a burger waiting for her, after all! The 2-hour max ride had turned into 3. We were tired, but everyone was happy. Eric got some "swamp" and we all got to experience some new trails! Yes, indeed, this should be a new tradition!
FTTN Report - 03-25-2025 Rosie Creek area
Report by Eric
Nikki led us on a great ride in the Rosie Creek area. Several of us had been on some of these trails, but she took us on trails that were new to us. Even Tony, a Rosie Creek area resident and trails aficionado, got introduced a new trail!
We had wide, fairly straight trails and winding singletrack and a variety in between. We even had some overflow for those who like the challenge of riding on ice, but not too much for those who don't. The trails were hard-packed and zippy!
Great fun! And no need for lights!
Pics by Nikki, Ben, and Eric
FTTN Report - 03-18-2025 Skyline Ridge Park
Report by Dean
Five official riders showed up for the start of the ride at the top of Ski boot hill.
People have pretty much stopped bringing lights, because it's light so late. But because it was cloudy, the light was flat.
We did After Hours first. Some riders really like to bomb the trails, so they went first. I kept almost going off the trail, but I managed to stay alive! The singletrack is pretty single (narrow)! No bad falls from anyone on After Hours, but just saved it for later.
After that fun descent, we climbed back to the top to the start of Secret Trail. The trails are in great condition but the turns around the trees are a little tricky. We did Secret Trail but not all the way to Ski Boot Hill Road. We turned off and did Heart of Darkness instead. Again, the faster riders went ahead. I had a great time on this descent, but I finally ended up falling into a deep snow bank
After Heart of Darkness we climbed back to Ski Boot Hill and went backwards up Secret trail and ended up on Upper Secret trail and turned around and did Lower Secret trail back to the powerline. Three of the riders decided to go straight up to the cars on the powerline but Dave and I thought the trail back to Ski Boot hill Rd would be more fun so we did that and all met back at the cars.
We only did 8 miles or so, but that included lots of climbing.
The Skyline Ridge Park trails are in great shape. Fun ride!!
Pics by Dean and Nikki
FTTN Report - 03-11-2025 Ace Lake area trails plus
Report by Eric
The six official riders on this one had an absolute blast!
And we rode almost the entire ride without turning on our lights! Spring is here!
We left the parking pullout near Ann's Greenhouse on Sheep Creek Road and headed south on the Dredge Trail. Along the way Eric stopped and explained some of the offshoot trails, since some hadn't been on that trail before, including Laura, who just recently arrived from Anchorage. She's loving the snow we have up here!
We turned onto the Boat Trail, where Dave informed us that the boat for which the trail had been named has been moved! But it's still the Boat Trail!
We got to the power line and headed south. At the next trail intersection, Eric suggested immediately going on the trail some know as the Happy Creek Trail, but Dave vetoed that, insisting the trail was much more fun the other way. He was right!
So we headed down the power line to the Intertie, where we turned right and headed for Anchorage (well, in that direction at least). After Cloudberry Lane we found the trail we were looking for. Might be Happy Creek Trail, others might know it by another name. That's a fun narrow singletrack, but be careful when you get to the footpath that intersects the trail, that's a big bump!
Along the way we saw several interesting snowpeople. Definitely showing off the artsy side of Esterites.
We headed back across the Intertie and onto the southern part of the Dredge Trail, then we turned off that and took the winding trail that roughly parallels Gold Hill Road to the north. That's a fun, winding trail through the trees.
To the power line and then north, where we navigated some overflow, crossed Sheep Creek Road, and headed up Hay Way, where someone is grooming non-motorized trails on the hay fields. Fun to see those, and thanks to whoever is grooming them!
We bombed down a connector trail to the Tanana Valley Railroad Trail. My plan was to head back to the start from there, but Ben had another idea. He suggested we follow him to Miller Hill and across Goldstream Creek. We did and he showed us a new trail that forks off the trail that connects Miller Hill and Miller Hill Extension. That new trail connects to the trail that connects OBrien Road to Sheep Creek near the railroad crossing. (We really need some official names for these trails.) That new trail was an absolute hoot! It winds through the trees like it was made specifically for fatbike fun! Yeehaw!
Joel Buth at Goldstream Sports had talked about punching through a trail in that area. I checked with him. He didn't put it in, but he likes it, too.
Finally, we headed back to the start, fatbike satiated! And it was only at the railroad crossing on Sheep Creek that Garrett turned on his headlight. It wasn't absolutely necessary and the rest of the gang kept theirs off. So our Fat Tired Tuesday Night ride lacked true night! No complaints!
Pics by Eric, Dave, and Ben
FTTN Report - 02-25-2025 Dunbar Trail Plus
Report by Eric
We had two official riders on this ride. I led. It was supposed to be an easy ride, since I had just done a 50-kilometer ski race on Saturday. But the trails are in such good condition and it was so much fun to go fast!
We started at Ivory Jack's, rode out the Otter Slide trail from O'Brien Street (where we ran into a bit of overflow, though it wasn't bad) and past the Peat Ponds. We crossed Sheep Creek Road, ran into a bit more overflow, and then headed out the Dunbar, taking a side trail none of us had done before. We dumped out onto the gravel pit road and reconnected to the Dunbar and bombed down that -- no overflow there!
We did a little loop out the far end (but before the railroad crossing), then headed back. I kept telling myself to go slow, but it was so much fun to go fast!
We took a side trail around the Peat Ponds and on the west side took a side trail off the Otter Slide Trail that in the past has dead-ended in some small ponds. I figured it would be a short little out-and-back, but it connects with Goldstream Creek, which has a Long and Winding Road/Trail! We saw lots of spray paint arrows, probably from the recently run Ivory Quest.
The ride was lasting longer than I had intended, but Dean was game to keep exploring. I knew we'd have to come to the trail bridge between Ann's Greenhouse and O'Brien Street eventually, and we did, but it took longer than I expected. That creek is long and winding!
But finally we saw the bridge, climbed up to it, and headed back to Ivory Jack's.
What a blast of a ride, but I was sure spent after that!
Some of the trails we rode on cross land preserved by the Interior Alaska Land Trust. Thank you, IALT!
Many of the trails we rode on are on Trail Forks.
Pics by Eric
FTTN Report - 02/18/2025 Goldstream Valley
Report by Eric
Last night's ride was a good old-school romp across the Goldstream Valley floor. Three of us started at Ivory Jack's, then rode along the "Musher's Loop" at a brisk pace to Ballaine Road. Trails are firm and very fast lately. We rode back hugging the north side of the ponds by Ballaine, where Dan showed us a fun alternate route that takes you up and above the ponds, then back down again to the edge of Miller Hill Extension. Overall, we cranked a little under 10 miles / 17.8km in about 1 hour 10 minutes, so it was a fun and zippy evening ride.
Also, is there an established name for that 8-10 mile loop that starts & ends at Ivory Jack's and goes along the valley floor? We were talking about it, and no one could think of it. I've personally called it the Goldstream Classic or Musher's Trail.
FTTN Report - 02-11-2025 Goldstream Valley East
Report by Eric
We had nine riders on this ride. We headed east out the Tanana Valley Railroad Trail. The goal was to check out reports that work at the Goldstream Creek Mine had moved west from Fox, eating up part of the railroad trail.
The trail started off as bomber, but then some snowmachines had peeled off to the north leaving a softer trail. Still wasn't too bad, then that happened again a little farther on. The remaining trail hadn't been traversed much and had been used only by animals since the last snow. It was pretty squirrelly. Eventually we got to where the mine had eaten the rest of the trail. If you know that area, it's right where there's a mound of dirt/rock that some people call the pingo (though it's not likely a pingo).
That area is on mine property, so they have a right to mine it. Sad to see the trail go, though.
We headed back and took the more packed trail to the north, then hooked up to the trail that roughly parallels Goldstream Creek on the north side. That trail is bomber and we kept going, and going, and going. It was getting late for a Tuesday night, so we made the call to turn around and head back.
After we got back to the south side trail, we stopped at one intersection and discussed whether to take the railroad trail straight back or take the winding trail back. I wanted to take the winding trail back, as it had the greatest chance of us getting lost, but Nikki said she wanted to go straight back on a known trail.
Didn't take long for the group to coalesce behind Nikki. So, we headed back. Though, Dave peeled off. He had biked from home and decided that he wanted to take the northside trail back home. When we got to the intersection where the railroad trail crosses the old Willow Run/homestead road Peter, who had biked to the start, peeled off and headed up toward Red Fox/Moose Trail roads. Goldstream Valley sure has a lot of trails!
The rest of the group headed back to the cars. I had a little moment of panic when I did a count and thought someone was missing. Fortunately, others helped me see that I was just forgetting to count myself. Doh!
Great ride! Come join us for the next one!
Pics by Ben and Eric
FTTN Report - 02-04-2025 O'Connor Creek Trail
Had a total of seven on this ride. We hadn't done O'Connor Creek Trail this season. Two of our riders -- Joel and Caleb -- had never done the trail before, so it was fun to show them the trail on a night when it was rockin'! Had fun going up and even more fun going down.
We went all the way to the last intersection before the trail splits into the two last climbs -- one up to Old Murphy Dome Road and one up to the OMDR Powerline Trail.
Only the first creek had bad overflow and it was easy to walk around. Rideable, if you've got studs and are careful.
On the way back we checked out the short side trail to the Waldheim-Jones intersection. That short trail has been turned into a driveway. Figured it was going to happen at some point. No worries, though. Still accessible.
Photos by Jonathan and Eric
FTTN Report - 01-28-2025 Ester Dome Singletrack
Sadly, no one other than leader Dean showed for this ride. Some of the regulars are out of town, so that explains some of it. Despite the lack of companions, Dean had a great ride.
Report by Dean
My tires were maxed out with air and didn't punch through even once. The trails are firm and fast. Since I was solo I got to decided to do the Outer Loop the harder way which is counter clockwise. I always like to climb just for the sake of staying warm and once that started I was good for the rest of the night.
I made it up to the intersection where you have an option to stay on the Outer Loop or go to the pullout on Ester Dome Road. I continued on the loop, making that turn where I found the footprint postholes that were created from when it was warm. The climb is especially hard when your wheels are falling into the pits of postholes from an inconsiderate hiker. Thankfully it wasn't long before footprints turned around and then I once again had flawless trail conditions.
Great ride even if it was solo. I finished the ride by 7:30 and got in 8 miles.
Note: Remember that the ED Singletrack Trails don't groom themselves. Goldstream Sports does the grooming. Ask at the store about how you can donate to the effort.
FTTN Report - 01-21-2025 Rosie Creek Ruckus
Report by Dean
Ride was fast. Four of us showed up and I mentioned how much warmer it is this year compared to last year on Rosie Creek. 50 degree difference! 30-ish below last year and last night it must have been 20 above.
This ride was so fast that I was actually soaked from sweat by the end. The initial descent was a lot of fun. When we started climbing, we climbed for a while. Eventually the snow was pretty soft and everyone's bikes got squirrelly so we let out some air.
We started shortly after 6 and finished shortly after 8.
And Report by Garrett
Last week's Fat-Tired Tuesday Night Ride was a romp on the Rosie Creek Trail, and it was even warm! We started on the trailhead just above the Beaver Pond, and all four riders noted it was much warmer than expected. Snow was soft in parts and we all dropped tire pressure a few times during the ride to avoid making ruts and tearing up the snowpack too badly. One of the riders present had checked out the trails earlier on Tuesday on his snowmachine and he and another snowmachine rider had packed down the trail, which made for a fun ride.
Once we were dialed in, we went on a strong cruise out of the Beaver Pond, up Pagh Road to the junction near the hilltop, then down the hill to Rosie Creek Farm. Overall, it was a fun ride. With the current rain and warm temps, I suspect that once the temperatures drop it will harden into a really fast course to crank on.
FTTN Report - 01-14-2025 ADMA Trails
Report by Eric
Hard, Fast, and Fun!
Had a bomber ride on the ADMA trails! Seven of us just zipped along those hard-packed, nicely groomed trails.
And despite our speed, a skijorer caught up to us during rest break and skated on down the trail faster than we were going!
Temps were in the high teens. ADMA race season is underway, so the trails are getting some nice TLC.
Eric tried to get us lost, but if you start at Mushers Hall it's harder to do that. Lots of signs and arrows pointing the way. Eric didn't notice the arrows at first, but Glenn did. And Jonathan knows these trails well (even showed them to us on his Trail Forks app).
Eric found swamp, but was disappointed it was frozen. At the end of the ride we finally found a longish uphill toward the end of the ride, which made Kurt so happy he sped up!
If you use the ADMA trails remember to check the Alaska Dog Mushing website and/or Facebook page to find out if races are going to be happening. Please stay off active trails when races are happening (usually during the day on weekends). And always yield mushers and skijorers.
And remember to buy a day or season pass if you use the trails. Taking care of the trails costs money.
Photos by Eric and Jonathan
FTTN Report - 12-17-2024 Ester Dome Singletrack
Report by Eric
One, two, three, four. Pressure!
Having seen that Joel (but not Billy Joel) and Goldstream Sports had groomed the Ester Dome Singletrack after the big dump of snow, we decided to go check it out.
Three of us - Eric, Kurt, and Todd - met in the parking lot. Dave rode up the trails from his house and warned us that the trails were soft. We had been hoping they would have set up from Joel's grooming. We let out a bit of pressure.
We decided to do the Outer Loop counterclockwise and headed out on the trail. We hadn't gone very far when we decided we needed to let out more air pressure.
A runner or two had been on the trail before us, which was a mixed bag. The snow was more packed in the footprints, but footprint by their nature do not leave a smooth trail. And the packed parts are inconsistent. We had to stop a couple more times. Some to let out more pressure. But Todd had to put more back in. We were worried he had a leak, but he must just not have closed his valve properly.
Finally, we had things dialed in pretty well. Eric led the way, trying to use the footprints for traction on the climbs. It generally worked and we were able to ride up a lot of the climbs. Not so much on the short and steep pitches that are so much fun in summer. We tried, but on most of those we had to bail partway up the hill. Kurt racked up a few tumbles, but fortunately the snow is soft! Dave, riding caboose, sometimes just watched our fails and decided to not even try. Good decision!
When we got to the "Kiss" where the Inner and Outer meet, we decided we were ready to head back to the cars. We had already been out more than an hour. The runners (and a moose here and there) had continued on the Outer. The shortest way back was on the Inner. But the Inner was untracked. We weren't sure if it would be too soft, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well it held up on the flats and downhills. And it was so smooth!
But the climbs were another story. Just no traction. Again with letting out air pressure. And again. That helped. We still couldn't make it up all the climbs, but we knew we close to the highest point. We soon hit it and then had a wonderful coast back to where the Inner intersects the Outer. Ahhhh!
Back at the sign, Dave headed down the trail back home while the rest of us headed back to the cars. Dean's car was there, but he was out on the trails. He had been running way behind. He decided to do the Outer Loop in the opposite direction hoping to catch us. But we had already bailed out on the Inner Loop. Whoops! He had a tough ride but was glad he had gotten out for some exercise (lots of exercise!).
The rest of us were glad we had companions who are willing to have fun when the riding gets tough. We laughed a lot!
Pics by Eric (and Dave for one)
FTTN Report - 12-10-2024 Waterford Trail
Report by Dean
Six people were along on this ride. There was some concern about air pressure and leaving ruts due to the warm temperatures, but the group first checked out the trail and determined that it was nice and frozen like hardpack. Very fast trail!!!
We stopped a couple times before the big climb to the top. Dave mentioned how quick it goes and you get to the top before realizing it. So we got to the pipeline and rode all the way down to OMD only to turn around and climb the half mile or so that we just came down. That also goes pretty quick.
We looped around and took the second entrance back to the Waterford Trail. We stopped at the blue arrow on the tree before sending it down the fun part. Garrett, Jonathan and myself really came down the trail pretty fast. I was looking for any possible trail users coming up but it was just us. Near the top the trail was a little squirrely, but the closer we got to the fork, it was a freeway down.
We stopped at the fork to let the others catch up. The ride was fast and we were back to the cars by 7:40. (The group did a little trail clearing, too!)
Pics by Jonathan and Glenn
FTTN Report - 12-03-2024 O’Connor Creek East Ridge Trail (Spanky's)
Report by Eric
Just three of us -- Dave, Dean, and Eric -- made it on this ride. Others wanted to come but had other commitments.
This trail was dubbed Spanky's by the late, great Rocky Reifenstuhl because it is so bumpy and rooty in the summer. But in winter it is an entirely different beast. Snow fills in the spaces between the roots and if it's groomed, the trail is much smoother.
The trail was groomed for Tuesday's ride, but a snowmachine had traversed the trail just a little earlier. We didn't curse the machine -- not its fault and overall it packs the trail nicely -- but the standard track chewed up the upper layer of snow a bit. That and the warm temps -- upper teens F -- made this twisty, turny trail tricky. We struggled a bit in the beginning, slipping and sliding around. But eventually we let air out of our tires. Then we let out a bit more. And even a bit more. Each time, things got better.
We did the trail as a nice little out-and-back. The back portion got interesting as snow started falling. That hadn't been forecast! We appreciated the climbs. Going downhill on a bike when it's snowing can be hard on the eyes!
But we made it back to the start all in one piece and we enjoyed some delicious chocolate chip cookies made by Eric's wife, Corrine.
FTTN Report - 11/26/2024 Ester Dome Singletrack
Report by Eric
Had a great Fat Tired Tuesday Night ride - after we got things figured out.
Five of us started the ride at the Ester Dome Singletrack trails. We decided to do the trails counterclockwise. That meant climbing in the beginning (to get warm), and climbing at the end (so you aren't freezing when you get back to the start).
The packed snow base is excellent, thanks to volunteer groomers Joel and Chris from Goldstream Sports. A bit of new snow on top made it squirrelly, especially on those short, steep climbs. Kurt bailed out early. In addition to the squirrelly conditions, he didn't have his pogies and was trying to get by with large overmitts. It wasn't working for him.
The final four stopped a couple of times to let out air and discuss riding strategies in squirrelly conditions. That made things much better.
The trails are in great shape, but some brushing still needs to be done. It's all rideable, but you have to duck and dodge in some places. We took out some brush in one of the worst spots.
Myles had to get back home and Glenn's legs were fried, so they peeled off at the Outer-Inner Connector Trail to take the shorter way back to the start. Right then the early crew of the Goldstream Sports shop ride caught us. We thanked Joel for his work on the trails.
Dean and I finished the Outer Loop, having a blast.
Trail Tips:
--Let out air when conditions are squirrelly. Let out more, if needed
--Bring a saw and do a bit of brushing to help improve the trails
--If you use the ED Singletrack Trails, please donate to the trails fund at the Goldstream Sports shop
Pics by Eric and Myles
