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 10, 2023.
“In early August, we open up Mystery Creek Road,” said Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Deputy Manager, Steve Miller. “Mainly [it’s open] for hunting access, and some folks use it for mushrooming and other edibles that they collect back there, but it’s open for passenger vehicles only. No all-terrain vehicle access back there.
In a press release sent out on Tuesday, the KNWR explained the location of the intersection of the Mystery Creek Access Road and the Sterling Highway has changed from previous years. The new entrance is at Milepost 63, approximately 1⁄2 mile east of the former entrance.
The Refuge reminds users that the road and pipeline corridor may be closed at any time to prevent surface damage should weather and road conditions dictate, or in the case of fire in the area. Road and pipeline corridor conditions require use of four-wheel drive vehicles, and users may encounter muddy conditions and areas of deep standing water. Travel on the road and pipeline corridor is at the user’s own risk.
Miller also added a cautionary note concerning the road’s current conditions;
“This year the special warning, for sure, for most folks is we’ve had a wet summer. It’s normally tough terrain getting back there, especially once you turn off the road, and go onto the pipeline. And this year it’s a little bit wetter than normal. So be prepared. It’s very expensive, or almost impossible, to get a tow from back that way – it’s so far out. So, if you have a buddy, and you can both go back there, that would be the safest way, I think, to do it.”
Users are also reminded to limit vehicle travel to the established road/right-of-way. And, as Miller stated, All-terrain vehicles are not authorized on Mystery Creek Road or any area of the Refuge. Motorized access is prohibited beyond the eastern bank of the east fork of the Moose River.
For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.