Trail

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. Shaktoolik to Koyuk

March 10, 2012 by robertforto Leave a Comment

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.

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. Cripple to Ruby

March 8, 2012 by robertforto Leave a Comment

Iditarod 40: The Trail. Cripple to Ruby 70 Miles

Leaving Cripple, the country stays the same for 15 to 20 miles. Then the trees get larger and thicker, with larger rolling hills. At Bear Creek, the trail enters a cat trail that should be easy to follow. At Sulatna Crossing (steel bridge), most of the mushers stop to rest and feed their dogs. (Sulatna Crossing is not a checkpoint.) There is a small lake on the left. Immediately after the bridge, the trailbreakers will punch out 15 to 20 parking spots for dog teams. The trail follows this road all the way to Ruby Hills. There are many long grades and much side hill to travel.

Ruby (ROO-bee) — Lat. 64.44 N Long 155.29W — Population 173 — The first checkpoint on the famous Yukon River, the longest river in Alaska, stretching 1,875 miles from its headwaters in the Yukon Territory of Canada to the Bering Sea. Gold was discovered here in 1907, but no town was established until 1911 when additional gold deposits were discovered on Long Creek, causing a rush of prospectors to the area. This is the home of 1975 Iditarod champion Emmitt Peters. Ruby was home for many of the mushers who carried mail for the Northern Commercial Company from Tanana to Ruby. The trip took four days and paid $5 a day. Dog team mail ended here in 1931. The checkpoint is in the community hall.

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.