JKX Alaska – Day Two: Baldy Trail to Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

The Adventure began bright and early as we met Mel in the parking lot to have our daily drivers meeting, he let us know we had some highway miles and then we would be airing down just outside Wasilla at the head of the Baldy Mountain trail. As he went over the logistics Revolution Gear passed out a great lunch and you could see the excitement in everyone’s eyes as the Adventure was about to begin. We turned out on the Highway with all the Alaska in front of us and the 2016 Nitto JK Experience was under way. Once we hit Wasilla and got everyone aired down to the proper level we started up the mountain as the rain really began to fall.

The terrain was not unlike that of WindRock park from the 2015 East Coast JKX and in fact as UROCK Champ Chris Durham went up the first Hill climb the rain began to fall even harder and the guests quickly understood the day was going to be about wheel speed and if not you would be winching.

There were several large water crossing and then a hill climb right behind them while winding through the trees, as we got higher and higher the weather became more and more socked in and everyone knew this was going to be a long day but it didn’t matter we were finally wheeling.

As the rain started to fall harder Mel turned the group toward the highway again and we were off to the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) where we were treated to hot coffee and a look into Alaska’s past. MATI was established in 1967 to give a home to the transportation and industrial remnants and to tell the stories of the people and the machines that opened Alaska to exploration and growth.

Once everyone was aired up we pointed the JK’s toward Talkeetna to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for a hot shower and a great meal. Set on a ridge above the small community of Talkeetna on the south side of Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), their lodge offers unforgettable views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Day 2 of the JKX was in the books. It was filled with amazing views, great history and lots of mud. We can’t wait to see what day 3 has to offer!