Kuskokwim River

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Elim to Golovin

March 11, 2012 by robertforto Leave a Comment

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Elim to Golovin 28 Miles

The trail leaves Elim, following the ice along the coast for 10-11 miles to a cabin just north-northeast of the limestone cliffs, and here it turns right (inland) and crosses the Kwiktalik Mountains. This range is a low series of hills (1,000 to 1,500 ft.) with moderate grades. Vegetation ranges from small spruce to barren ground. Some of the grades are long (1 mile) but none are excessively steep. The barren sections are often windblown and icy. The last descent to Golovin Bay is long and sometimes runs side hill. At the Shelter Cabin on the coast, the trail turns sharply right and crosses the ice to Golovin. The village is located on a spit and is easily seen. (Counting the cabin below Elim where the trail leaves the ice, there are three shelter cabins on the trail, one of them being nine miles from the coast where the trail intersects McKinley Creek.)

Golovin (GULL-uh-vin) — (GOL) Lat 64.32 Long 163.50 — Population 171 – Not an official checkpoint, but a community with a large welcome. Golovin has one store. From here the trail heads across Golovin Bay, then overland to the next checkpoint.

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Kaltag to Unalakleet

March 9, 2012 by robertforto Leave a Comment

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Kaltag to Unalakleet 85 Miles

From Kaltag, the trail exits from the northwest end of the runway. The next 15 miles run through spruce forest and open areas along the Kaltag River, climbing gently to the summit of the Portage. Continuing through similar terrain, it starts down the Unalakleet drainage to Old Woman Cabin at the base of Old Woman Mountain. This mountain is an excellent landmark. The trail continues past the mountain and runs along the left side of the Unalakleet drainage. The terrain is gentle rolling hills. Little or no vegetation can be seen along the trail until near Unalakleet. Approximately five miles out of town the trail hits the river. With the exception of a few short portages across horseshoe bends, the trail follows the river into Unalakleet. The last 32 miles (from Old Woman Mountain) is often windy and the snow is usually wind packed and crusty. In fact, the entire coast is often very windy.

Unalakleet (YOU-na-la-kleet) — (UNK) Lat 63.53 Long 160.42 — Population 692 — Situated on the coast of Norton Sound, just north of the Unalakleet River, this village is the largest community on the Iditarod Trail between Willow and Nome. Two well-stocked stores as well as two restaurants can be found here along with limited lodging by advance booking. The trail is now entering the gateway to the Bering Sea and from here on the mushers can expect sudden storms and an ample supply of wind. The checkpoint is in front of the A.C. store.

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Ophir to Cripple

March 8, 2012 by robertforto Leave a Comment

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Ophir to Cripple 73 Miles

Out of the Ophir checkpoint the trail follows a cat trail along the Innoko River into the old village site about a mile further along. It crosses the river again six miles out of the checkpoint. From the crossing, the trail heads northeast. The terrain is flat with sparse scrub spruce with a few rolling hills as it approaches Cripple.

Cripple (krip-uhl) — Lat. 63.41 N Long 156.20W – Population 0 — Part of the famous Iditarod Mining District, which saw $35 million in gold taken out of the area between 1908 and 1925. Not bad when you figure that gold was only worth $20 an ounce in those days. This checkpoint marks the “official” halfway point in the race on the northern route.