Access in November Unit 26

[Versydus]

So got super lucky and drew with my best friend from the corps one of the NRes Unit 26 controlled tags for Nov 1-18. We are looking at driving into the unit vs air drop and humping to some spots we have scouted via onx, Google Earth and fatmaps. That's all fantastic if the roads will be passible Oct31- Nov7 ish. Plan would be to make the trip either from Warren via Rd 340 or from the south west thru Yellow pine up Big Creek Rd. 1st choice would be to go up 340 as we can use the Jeep to cheat on the elevation. Just hoping someone has had some experience in those areas that could drop a pm to me. Thanks in advance!

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[sneaky]

Alright Devil, listen. Do you like your Jeep? Because driving in that country, in November, is a bad idea. It's not a day or two you could be stuck, you could end up leaving your Jeep all winter. Flights in and out of that country aren't that expensive... and if you can split them with someone else, do it. I have a tag for that same time frame in 27, I live right outside that unit. I'm not even considering trying to drive in to an access point. This winter was pretty mild, that means this winter could be payback. You can roll the dice...

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[Versydus]

Lucky it's his Jeep. Thanks for the advice, that is definitely the risk factor we are weighing. Stupid reality

Is the first pass doable @7000' vs elk summit @ 8600'?

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[sneaky]

It's like not shaving for 3 days and walking up to SgtMaj and asking a question. Bad idea.

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[sneaky]

Just look at the elevations you are thinking about driving over. It snowed at those same elevations in that area THIS WEEK. If you get lucky it could be done. You guys gotta weigh that yourselves.

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[Versydus]

I would it say it was more the 1stSgt. We probably would have had our hands in our pockets and no hair cut when we asked said question

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[sneaky]

Well, in Iraq it was always the SgtMajors. It's like they freaking multiplied lol. 1stSgts were scarce compared to them.

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[sneaky]

@idahohikker will probably echo my sentiments when it comes to driving in to where you're thinking

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[Versydus]

We got lucky, small unit out west of everything. Rutbah 06-07

Staging in Kuwait was a different story though

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[idahohikker]

@idahohikker will probably echo my sentiments when it comes to driving in to where you're thinking

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Hahaha yes.

Sneaky and I are very familiar with the terrible roads of the Frank and anything after mid October (and it can be earlier) is very dicey to drive over the passes. November on and you’re fairly likely to be one of the guys that has their vehicle stay there all winter.

 

[Gear-Reviewer]

Last season there was a foot of snow in places driving through there oct 15-20th and it was dumping snow as we left. I would NOT take anything in there in November. There’s some sketchy spots that you will not make it out of if there’s much snow. I don’t care if you have chains and 40in tires. Lol

 

[Ewaragnar]

You’ll leave the Jeep in there, if you make it eight times out of ten.

 

[sneaky]

We got lucky, small unit out west of everything. Rutbah 06-07

Staging in Kuwait was a different story though

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Lol. I was in Rutbah in 08. That place sucked, but you're right, it was away from everything and everybody for the most part.

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[Versydus]

Small world! Well, I think we will have to look for flights into the area. I'm gonna be down that way the middle of July so hopefully get some eyes on and reassess our plan.

Thanks guys!

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[GregB]

A couple years ago or so I was chained up to get over the pass and down into big creek. I left the hunt early because of a big snowstorm that was coming in and I didn’t want have to walk out and leave my truck. This was in late September early October. I’ve also slid off the road and damn near off the mountain, and slept in my truck because it took me a day to dig it out. All in the same general time of year. But it might be a mild or late winter with little snow you never know.

 

[idahohikker]

A couple years ago or so I was chained up to get over the pass and down into big creek. I left the hunt early because of a big snowstorm that was coming in and I didn’t want have to walk out and leave my truck. This was in late September early October. I’ve also slid off the road and damn near off the mountain, and slept in my truck because it took me a day to dig it out. All in the same general time of year. But it might be a mild or late winter with little snow you never know.

Sliding towards the bad side sticks with you, huh? Glad you were okay. People think flying in small planes is dangerous but I think they’re much safer than driving Frank roads.

One time I met a caretaker for a mine back there. He was saying how they used to take horses in during November driving in from the Stanley area and it was good hunting where they went. I asked him if he still did and he said no, I decided I wanted to live a little longer.

 

[GregB]

Sliding towards the bad side sticks with you, huh? Glad you were okay. People think flying in small planes is dangerous but I think they’re much safer than driving Frank roads.

One time I met a caretaker for a mine back there. He was saying how they used to take horses in during November driving in from the Stanley area and it was good hunting where they went. I asked him if he still did and he said no, I decided I wanted to live a little longer.

Last time I ever said I don’t need to stop and put chains on I’ll be fine.

 

[Customweld]

Big Creek via Elk Summit (Warren route) is not advisable in that time frame. Coming from McCall, you have 3 summits that you need to beat. Each one is worse than the other. Secesh, Warren and Elk Summit. Coming in from the Yellowpine side, you have 3 summits. Big Creek , Landmark and Profile. I've said it on here before. My family had a lodge in Big Creek . There were quite a few times, being woke up in the middle of the night with "pack up, we need to get out now"

 

[Versydus]

Thanks for the advice fellas, that was exactly what I was looking to find. It definitely sounds like I'm calling McCall Aviation this morning to do some flight planning.

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[sneaky]

Did you get your buddy on board with the flight idea?

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