The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will open the Mystery Creek Access Road and a portion of the Alaska Pipeline Company’s right-of-way corridor by 11:59 p.m. on August 9.
“We do this annually before the hunting season starts,” said Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Deputy Manager Steve Miller.
Coinciding with the beginning of grouse hunting season, the road opens to provide hunters better access to popular hunting spots. That being said, Miller cautions anyone who decides to travel the road to be aware of precarious road conditions.
“This is not a well-maintained gravel road. [The road] is not too bad for the first seven miles, but then once you get beyond that, there’s a lot of, you know, deep puddles, and we definitely recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle.”
According to a press release from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, “the road and pipeline corridor may be closed at any time to prevent surface damage should weather and road conditions dictate.”
The release says travel on the road and pipeline corridor is at the user’s own risk. Users are also reminded to limit vehicle travel to the established road/right-of-way.
Use of all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, side by sides, all-purpose vehicles, non-street legal motorcycles, and all other tracked or wheeled off-road vehicles is prohibited on the Mystery Creek Road/APC pipeline right-of-way and all areas of the Refuge.
Motorized access is prohibited beyond the eastern bank of the East Fork of the Moose River. In 2024, users may encounter construction activities within the pipeline right-of-way and are advised to use caution around equipment.
The Mystery Creek Access Road will remain open throughout the fall and close at an indefinite date once colder conditions begin to set in. “It depends on when we get ice,” Miller said. “What happens is some of these deeper puddles of water will start to freeze and it damages your vehicle once you go to start going through. So, once we reach that point, we’ll lock the gate back again.”
For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.
