Winter of 1989 at Redoubt Creek started out with the usual drop off at a small lake 1 1/2 miles from my small trapping cabin. Two trips with a Cessna 206 on floats to are needed to haul me in with my 6 dogs plus supplies. We always cut it close to make it in at the last minute. In mid October thin ice forms and prevents air travel until full winter sets in.

The three weeks before the season begins are busy ones. Supplies have to be freighted to the cabin, trails brushed out and the area scouted for signs of fur. It is a quiet and exiting time. Brown bear sows with cubs are out scouring the lake shores for that last spawned salmon. Feisty bull moose are winding down from their rutting season battles. The last of the migratory birds are heading south.

outlet creek

home sweet home

just dropped off

fresh bear track

on the trail

Once the trapping season starts, things settles down to a routine. Get up early to feed the dogs and prepare for a day on the trail. I usually have my morning coffee and meal while listening to the radio news and weather. Then we're off at daylight to check traps and perhaps explore a new area.

Back at the cabin near dark and it's time to feed the dogs again. Heat water and chop beaver meat to mix with their dog food for a warm evening meal.

As soon as dogs are snug and snoozing in their straw filled houses it's time to go to work skinning the days catch.

waiting out a storm
view from cabin door

breaking trail

first view of Redoubt

The third morning dawns bright and clear. I get my first view and pictures of the Mountain. The dogs and I begin to shuttle gear five miles over to the bluff near the beach. I plan to retrieve it in the spring by boat. We finally find a draw near Redoubt Point that is not too badly choked by alders and offers beach access.

wind change - here comes more ash

OK, you guys can come in the house

water run on the worst ash day

The fourth morning we are not so lucky. The wind has shifted and Redoubt's continuous eruption envelopes us in a dusty cloud of ash. It makes a slight hissing noise as it falls on the metal roof of the cabin. I can hear a popping noise again as the mountain erupts. I make a water run and continue to pack gear as the ash falls. Sometime after noon I decide to bring the 6 dogs into the cabin to escape the ash.

The west side of Cook Inlet is only separated from the populated east side by about 30 miles of water but I felt pretty darn isolated sitting on that beach hearing the sound of that chopper fading into the distance.

Two days later the eruption subsides and the helicopter is able to return for me and the dogs. The pilot is not thrilled with the prospect of hauling my 6 dogs but we pile in and make the flight to Homer in about 30 minutes.

I've not been back to Redoubt Creek other than for brief visits since the volcano chased me out that winter. My five seasons spent over there with the dog team were some of the best times of my life. Perhaps some day I can take a break from my busy life and venture back for another round with that volcano....

Bob Toll
May 2001

wild ride down the bluff