Looking to sled from Big Lake to Skwentna with someone.....

[LisaGonzales]

I contacted Dan Mayfield from Big Lake Trails regarding conditions in and around the lake. Here's the response if you don't have Facebook:
Just got back in from running the trails today. We packed snow with the snowmachine groomers on the southern portion of trail 1, trail 5, all the switchback trails off of Flat Lake, out to the Little Su on trail 6 and then all of trail 4 to the power line.
We did not go past the Little Su as our groomers could not get over the bank. We plan to build a snow bridge tomorrow or Sunday.

The trails are a little rough as there is not enough snow to cut the tops off the dips yet but there is good snow cover for riding.

The recommended ride this week is the Houston Loop, AKA Trail 1, Trail 4, Power line to Trail 3 and back on Trail 1. The power line is very rough from this summers 4 wheeler action and there is a small open water stream on Trail 1. Be aware and be safe.

Go to: biglaketrails.org and look at the maps. Once you get off the lake it's a bit easier to find the trails. I don't know how familiar you are with Big Lake so I'll try to explain. If you are at the Big Lake South Recreation Site and follow the ice road all the way across the lake to the west end of the lake, you will see a narrow channel usually marked THIN ICE! Stay away from that and follow where the vehicles cross from Big Lake to Flat Lake. It will be obvious...to the left of the channel. NEVER go through that channel. Then once you have gone over that road (about 200 yards or so) you will end up on a small lake. Continue forward to the end of that lake, and you will cross another road onto Flat Lake. At this point you should see where the snowmachiners are leaving the lake on the groomed trails.

I'm going to try and go to the lake today. Yesterday, I started prepping my snowmachine for the season..fresh gas, etc. I usually stay on or close to the lake the first time out getting a feel for my snowmachine...making sure everything is running well. I figure if I'm in trouble, there are enough people passing by to help me out.

I'm usually looking for other people to go out with. I don't like to go alone on trails I'm not familiar with. If you want to meet up sometime, private message me.

[msta999]

Thanks for all the info and links, now that I'm getting better, I hope to get out there soon.