by M. J. Joachim

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

The Wild Iditarod Trail

Ah, the excitement is building! Can't you just feel the energy as thousands of athletes and spectators prepare to brave Alaska's weather in early March. Mushers and their dog teams have been preparing all year for this event. They've practiced on training trails, and entered other contests to see their competitors. It is time to test their skills in the last great race on earth, the Iditarod.

Crowds gather at Fourth and D streets in Anchorage, Alaska anxiously hoping to see their favorite mushers start the race. All contestants have their numbers, and all dogs have been marked by veterinarians. It is time to hit the trail, and head out of the city to Eagle River before meeting up in Wasilla.

In Wasilla, the teams gather their equipment that has been flown in by plane. From here on out, they are on their own. They will be required to stop at checkpoints throughout their journey. This is to ensure the safety of the team, and allows injured animals to be flown home. The next checkpoint is 14 miles away in the little town of Knik.

The Iditarod Air Force keeps watch over the trail, flying volunteers into the various check points along the way. Iron dogs are employed to keep the trail clear from debris and hazards. The sled teams are ready to push forth into the Alaskan Range.

From Knik, racers mush past Rabbit and Finger Lakes, about 115 miles north of Anchorage. There are wild animals out here. Moose have been known to attack Iditarod contenders. In the 1985 Iditarod Race, Susan Butcher had to drop out of the race due to a moose attack. The team got badly hurt, which caused a new mandatory rule to be written for future races. All mushers must now carry a weapon for protection.

When teams reach Skwentna, they have been on the trail for about 151 miles. The river is usually frozen. Teams often rest here before making the 45 mile climb into the Alaskan Range. Villagers are eager to see them and wish them well.

At the top of the Alaskan Range is a cabin where mushers sign in and out. From here they prepare the ascent to Rainy Pass. The climb gets steeper as teams journey through the Happy River Valley and up the Happy River Gorge, located between the lower peaks of the Alaskan Range.

The sleds are heavy, around 400 pounds each with gear and driver. When they reach the Rainy Pass area at around 3,200 feet, they are able to see Alaska. This is the highest point on the Iditarod Trail. Mushers can view the Interior region, which is where they are headed.

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