The 2010 race is expected to follow the same course as last year—

  • Both races: leave Willow Community Center and use the main trail across several large lakes to Correl Hill trail that leads to the Big Su river. Up the Su a couple miles to an overland trail to the Deshka River; up the Deshka a few miles to the trail to Shulin Lake. About 50 miles out. Then 20 miles down a wide groomed winter haul road to Morgan’s Cabin check point on Oil Well Road (limited road access). This leg is approximately 70 miles.
  • From Morgan’s the “106″ trail goes east toward the Parks Highway to a junction with Rabideaux Creek and turns south down the creek for several miles eventually ducking under the Big Su bridge. Just east of the bridge the trail leaves the river onto a powerline right of way for several miles. Finally through a mile of woods trail and a series of long open swamps to May’s Cabin (road access) and an 8 hour layover. This leg is approximately 34 miles.
  • 200 Race: Return along the same course to the Willow Community Center
  • 300 Race: Return along the same course as far as the Susitna River, then follow the markers to the Eaglequest Lodge checkpoint and a six hour layover. Then return to May’s for the 300 mile finish.

A reminder: Please make sure you have rabies certificates at the Mushers Meeting. Dog food/straw is your responsibility for both the 200 and 300 mile races since all layover checkpoints are on the road system.

A second reminder: You are required to carry cable drop lines for dropped dogs; for some reason this requirement has been overlooked in past years (by some mushers).

A third reminder: Those that smoke the 200 may return to Willow while the Earl Norris sprint race is still in progress. Their trail does not usually share ours, but their may be other dog teams on Willow lake. Their race starts at 1:00pm on Saturday and Sunday and typically covers a 12–18 mile course to Willow Creek campground and back.

And finally, a representation of the trail planned for the 2010 race (also available as a PDF in the downloads section)—