Kalskag Truck Trail Marker #1 located at the mouth of the Tuluksak River
After several days of coordinated effort supported by the Aniak Traditional Council, City of Aniak, Upper Kalskag Traditional Council, City of Upper Kalskag, Lower Kalskag Traditional Council, Napaimute Traditional Council, Tuluksak Search & Rescue, the K300 Race Committee, and many other good people, crews were able to plow through the jam below Kalskag and establish a safe, marked ice road all the way to Aniak. All known open holes have been marked as well.
L-R: Andrew Kameroff, Jr. & Walter Morgan, Sr. work on marking open hole #3 of the 6 known holes along the Tuluksak – Kalskag Ice Road. All 6 holes have been marked as of January 14
TULUKSAK TO LOWER KALSKAG:
When heading upstream the first marker (see picture) on the route to Kalskag can be found right at the real mouth of the Tuluksak River. This is at the upper end of the long island-sandbar that separates the Tuluksak River from the main Kuskokwim. Drive like you are going into the village of Tuluksak and you will see the Kalskag markers on your left.
For the next 2 miles or so the road follows the east bank before swinging out into the main channel below Nelson Island. Near Nelson Island the road uses the east channel swinging back and forth a couple of times to avoid sandbars. This part of the ice road was originally marked as a logging road by Tuluksak to an area above Bogus Creek where their village corporation is cutting timber for their sawmill. Follow this road past Bogus until you see a SMALL SPRUCE TREE MARKER WITH A SIGN – THIS IS THE TURN OFF TO GO TO KALSKAG.
The River from Tuluksak to the jam at Coffee’s bend (about 10 miles below Kalskag) is mostly smooth – good going.
THROUGH THE JAM:
Slow going through the jam at Coffee’s but easily passable by truck – no little cars recommended – this picture was taken January 8 – before additional improvements were made
While it is still slowing going through the jam, additional work by the KLG/Napaimute crew has improved it significantly since the road was first established on January 8.
The entire truck route from Tuluksak to Kalskag is marked with poles and reflectors. Average travel time from Bethel to Kalskag is a little over 3 hours.
Red spots indicate the approximate location of the known open holes between Tuluksak & Kalskag
KALSKAG TO ANIAK:
Aniak Ice Road Crew L-R: Walter Morgan, Jr., Samuel Peterson, Leonard Morgan Jr. & Captain Allen Simeon (not pictured)
At Lower Kalskag the road climbs the bank and goes the 3 miles to Upper Kalskag by the main road where it slides back down to the River at the upper end of town.
The ice road to Aniak is well marked with poles & reflectors. The River is mostly smooth and the few short rough stretches have been plowed. All known open holes along this route have been marked. Average travel time between Kalskag and Aniak is one hour.
Final Note: All truck trail reflectors along the route from Tuluksak to Aniak are white. If you see an orange, yellow, or red reflector along with the white this means caution – there is open water in the vicinity or there is a sharp turn coming up.
A big thank you to everyone that contributed to the establishment of the ice road between Tuluksak, Kalskag, and Aniak.
Good luck to all the mushers and safe traveling from BSAR!
*Please note that this report is not an advisory that is safe to travel. It is for informational purposes only.
