Iditarod 40: The Trail. Shaktoolik to Koyuk 50 Miles
The trail from Shaktoolik bears north, crossing the peninsula. It runs on land for eight to nine miles then starts across Norton Bay at the mouth of Reindeer Cove. The terrain to this point is mostly gentle swells of the ground with no true grades. There is no vegetation. Approximately five miles onto the ice is Island Point and Little Mountain. It appears to be a large rock rising from the sea ice, but is in fact the head of a small peninsula. The trail passes a shelter cabin on the south side of Little Mountain. From here a compass bearing of 340 degrees leads into Koyuk. Marking on this segment of the trail usually consists of laths with reflective tape alternating with spruce boughs. Every mile will be marked. The ice is often rough.
Koyuk (Koy-uk) — (KOY) Lat 64.56 Long 161.10 — Population 347 — Once this checkpoint is reached, the mushers can breathe a sigh of relief as almost all of the rest of the trail is at least over land. The checkpoint is the City Rec Center.
