The Trail

Fairbanks 440 feet [134 meters] Start
Chena Hot Springs 1550 feet [472 meters] 72 miles [116 km]
Rosebud Summit 3640 feet [1109 meters]
Mile 101 Steese Highway 2250 feet [686 meters] 42 miles [68 km]
Eagle Summit 3685 feet [1123 meters]
Central 435 feet [133 meters] 33 miles [53 km]
Circle City 597 feet [182 meters] 74 miles [119 km]
Eagle 880 feet [268 meters] 159 miles [256 km]
Dawson City 1050 feet [320 meters] 100 miles [161 km]
King Solomon’s Dome 4002 feet [1220 meters]
Pelly Crossing 1558 feet [475 meters] 202 miles [325 km]
Carmacks 1722 feet [525 meters] 73 miles [117 km]
Braeburn 2326 feet [709 meters] 77 miles [124 km]
Takhini Hot Springs 2089 feet [637 meters] 70 miles [112 km] Finish

The total distance is approximately 900 miles [1450 kilometers]

Teams have the option of taking their first mandatory 4-hour stop at either Mile 101 or Central, where the starting time differential is equalized, i.e. only the last team to start can leave at exactly 4 hours, the other teams have additional time tacked on based on their starting position. Then there is a second 4-hour stop at Eagle. The long stop is for 36 hours at Dawson and the final mandatory stop is at Braeburn for 8 hours.

It has been seasonally warm along the trail lately, which could cause thin ice problems. This year the moon is not cooperating, with the new moon occurring yesterday, so it will be a while for moonlight to help out.

The burning question on the trail is the snow depth. Packed snow is the best surface for the dogs and the sleds. If there is a lack of snow, the dogs can injure their feet, and the sled is harder to pull. Trail conditions can change dramatically with a single front, so all you can do is hope and move forward. The temperature has dropped, and there has been some snow along the trail, but nothing is certain.