ANNUAL WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS WORK PARTY AT MAY CREEK, ALASKA

RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton reports that on the June 16-17 weekend, ten RAF and EAA volunteers in six aircraft based overnight at his Fireweed (0AK8) airstrip in preparation for the work party he organized at May Creek, (MYK), about 11nm southeast of Fireweed, (and McCarthy, PAMX.) “We enjoyed good food, beverages, live music and good fellowship,” he said. They worked four hours Saturday clearing brush at the south approach to the 2,700-ft May Creek turf airstrip. RAF’s newest Alaska Liaison, Stef Goza flew in to help, as well.

“While there, we were hosted by Dan Osborne, archeologist and local representative of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park,” Clayton added.

The RAF enjoys a positive working relationship with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Beginning in 2017 with removing brush at Jake’s Bar (AK0), Clayton has organized annual work parties that have drawn volunteers including those from the Anchorage EAA Chapter 42.

Clayton explains that like several of the region’s backcountry strips, May Creek was developed as part of Alaska Territory’s mining activities during the era from 1910 to 1940. Today, May Creek provides access to camping, biking, and rafting on the Nizina/Chitina watershed, and features two National Park Service cabins available on a first come, first served basis.

May Creek is listed in the Airfield Guide here.

Submitted on July 27, 2023.