EDUCATIONAL

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The 2008 Serum Run will start in Nenana, Alaska
on Feb 17th with and estimated arrival time
in Nome of first week in March 2008

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THE 2007 SERUM RUN UPDATES
 
| AUDIO REPORTS | VIDEOS | PHOTOS |

LISTEN TO SOURDOUGH PETE AS HE TELLS THE TALE OF THE 1925 SERUM RUN

SAFETY ROADHOUSE

DAY 18 MAR 8
Note: Weather conditions may delay leaving White Mountain one extra day
WHITE MOUNTAIN TO SAFETY 55 MILES   
SOURDOUGH PETE 1925 SERUM RUN TO SAFETY

This can be one of the most dangerous stretches on the trail when the wind blows or a storm hits. It can make or break travelers. Mushers have nearly died within what would normally be a few hours' easy running to Nome. In reasonable weather, this is a pleasant five- to eight-hour run; in the worst conditions, it can be impassable.

The Serum Run uses the main snowmachine trail to Nome. It is well marked, but inevitably many markers are knocked over or blown down. Some parts have been permanently marked. Markers are absolutely critical for this leg because visibility can be near zero in storms and ground blizzards.

The trail leaves White Mountain on the Fish River for about three miles, and then leaves the river to cut overland to the southwest, crossing low, rolling tundra and several streams before reaching the Klokerblok River. It runs up the river and across some low ridges, and then crosses into the drainage of the Topkok River.

The trail then turns west and climbs over a series of barren ridges to a 400-foot saddle just northwest of Topkok Head, overlooking the coast. It then descends sharply to the beach, reaching the Nome Kennel Club shelter cabin at the foot of the hill, 30 miles from White Mountain.

For the next 12 miles the trail runs along or just behind the dune line and the "driftwood line" on the shore. This stretch is wide open and is subject to winds of more than 80 miles an hour from the north, as well as blinding whiteouts. The trail will join the Nome-to-Council road (not plowed in the winter) at the Bonanza Ferry bridge and then follow it for the last 12 miles to Safety.

Trail conditions on this leg can range from excellent to abysmal, and usually include glare ice, overflow, drifted snow, bare tundra, sand, and exposed gravel on the road. You MUST check the weather carefully before leaving White Mountain; you may want to wait it out, stop at a shelter cabin, or at least convoy with another musher (preferably someone who has run this stretch before).

One consideration is that the wind will most likely die down right after sunrise (if it's going to die down at all), but will probably come back up by noon and continue to blow through the afternoon and evening. In such situations, it is best to ask the locals at White Mountain or call Nome. All other things being equal, try to leave White Mountain about three hours before sunrise, so as to be heading up Topkok to catch any lull in the wind plus have daylight for the worst part of the run.

 

DAY 17 MAR 7:
ELIM TO GOLOVIN (26 Miles) to White Mountain (18 Miles)


ELIM TO GOLOVIN:
This is one of the more interesting legs on the race, with quite a variety of trail and terrain in a very short distance. Moreover, there is always a possibility of two extremely different routes for the first ten miles. Whichever route is taken, the race follows the main snowmachine "highway" from Elim to Golovin and it is usually well marked and packed.

The trail usually heads back out onto the sea ice from Elim and runs a mile or two offshore to a cabin at Walla Walla, on the coast eight miles south of Elim. In some years, when there is open water just offshore, the trail may stay hard up against the cliffbound shore on the fast ice (sea ice that is "fast" to the shore) or may even go overland on the old Elim Mail Trail.

WALLA WALLA CABIN

At Walla Walla, the trail turns inland and climbs over the Kwiktalik Mountains with a series of long, moderately hard grades. The final summit is 1,000 feet at Little McKinley, about eight miles past Walla Walla and ten miles from Golovin. This is considered the hardest climb on the last half of the race.

The trail then makes a fast descent to Golovnin Bay, running northwest along the bay ice for the last five miles to Golovin. (The bay was named for Captain Golovnin of the Imperial Russian Navy in the early 1800s. The bay and lagoon behind the town retain the original spelling; the town's name has been changed over the years.)

Plan on three to four hours for this leg. If the weather is bad, the trip over the mountain can be a long, hard one because it is almost all above timberline and exposed to the wind. The trail over Little McKinley can range from icy and windswept to soft and punchy

Ten miles later the trail crosses the mouth of the Kwik River, makes a three mile overland run along the dune line, and then jumps two miles across Kwiniuk Inlet to Moses Point. It then runs along a narrow spit and across some tidelands for about 11 miles to the old Moses Point FAA station, now abandoned. From there, the trail usually follows a nine-mile unplowed state highway up and over the heavily forested bluffs and down into Elim. An alternate route has been followed in the past along the sea ice for the last 25 miles from Moses Point to Elim (this was the 1999 race route).

The trail runs almost due north from Shaktoolik, overland across very low rolling terrain for about nine miles to Reindeer Cove, then across the ice for five miles to Island Point, then back onto the ice immediately for the last 30-plus miles to Koyuk. There are no hills.

The trail is also the main snowmachine trail to Koyuk and is well used. However, winds can wipe it smooth in hours. It is well marked with Iditarod trail stakes, spruce boughs, or both. The trail can range from a groomed speedway to rough ice to drifted snow to glare ice. The wind is usually blowing, and almost always right in your face. Days with breezes of less than 20 or 30 mph are uncommon.

The wind can blow at hurricane velocity out here and ground blizzards can reduce visibility to zero in minutes. You MUST check the weather carefully before heading out. If you get caught in a storm on the ice, you will be in very serious trouble. Although not a hard and fast rule, locals say the wind blows hardest in the late afternoon and at night, dying off in the mornings.

Another problem is that some dogs are put off by the white expanse or the wind and won't go or will try to turn back. Every year teams stall here; some drivers are able to get their teams going after a rest, and some can get their leaders to follow another team across. Some have to scratch. This is where a "coast leader" is invaluable; these are leaders used to running in this environment and who aren't fazed by winds or wide-open spaces. This is an excellent leg to convoy with as many teams as you can find, ideally behind someone who has a proven coast leader.

DAY 15 - TO SHAKTOOLIK
March 4, 2007
45 Miles
LISTEN TO SOURDOUGH PETE 1925 AT SHATOOLIK PART 1
THE EXCHANGE - PART 2


The actual distance on this leg is usually about 37 or 38 miles. (As with some other legs, the official distance sometimes reflects the longest possible routing, or old routings.) The trail follows the main snowmachine trail to Shaktoolik. It is normally well traveled and well marked. The first 25 miles cross a mix of woods, taiga, open areas, and exposed ridgetops; the last 12 miles are completely in the open on the barren coastline. This leg usually takes four to six hours, but can be much longer if the weather is bad.

The trail leaves Unalakleet northbound and runs just in from the beach, turning inland after five miles to pass behind rocky 850-foot-high Blueberry Point. It comes almost back to the shore at the fishing camp of Egavik before climbing up the Blueberry Hills, reaching the thousand-foot summit at the 18-mile point. At the top the trail turns west and makes a three-mile drop back to the beach, then follows a slough and the dune line northwestward for the last 12 miles out to Shaktoolik.

The primary concern on this leg is the weather. Shaktoolik is windy even in good weather, but under some conditions the winds can blow from the north at more than hurricane force, with temperatures well below zero and chill factors worse than minus one hundred. If the winds are howling, the trail from Unalakleet to the top of the Blueberry Hills will be relatively sheltered (except on the ridgetops), but the last 12 miles out to Shaktoolik can be extremely difficult with drifts and ground blizzards.

 

WINDS CAN BE TOUGH

DAY 14: OLD WOMAN TO UNALAKLEET:
March 3, 2007
45 Miles
SOURDOUGH PETE IN
UNALAKLEET 1925 SERUM RUN

As soon as you leave the new Old Woman cabin, the trail will run on the open tundra, staying a mile or two south of the greenbelt along the Unalakleet River. The new mile markers will steadily count up toward Unalakleet, which is Mile 700. You'll cut through some straggly treelines along creeks flowing in from the south, but mostly you're out in the open. This stretch of trail (all the way to Unalakleet) is notorious for wind and drifts and sudden snowstorms. There are also some patches of light overflow and glaciering. Watch carefully for the markings, which are fastened on wooden tripods every few hundred yards.

At night you should be able to pick out the flash of the Unalakleet airport beacon (green, then white), or at least its reflection. As long as you can see the beacon flash, you'll know it's not snowing between you and Unalakleet.

 

 

 

DAY 13: KALTAG TO TRIPOD CABIN TO OLD WOMAN 45 miles
MARCH 2, 2007
      
SOURDOUGH PETE 1925 SERUM RUN KALTAG
You'll leave Kaltag toward the airport (which lies a mile west of town) and then run along the right (north) side of the runway for a mile. The trail then works southwest up the valley of the Kaltag River through woods and occasional open areas, slowly climbing. After about ten miles the trail begins to climb more steeply in places, eventually angling up the south side of the valley to the summit of the portage, 800 feet above sea level and 15 miles from Kaltag. There may be some narrow stretches with some sidehill in the last few miles to the summit, along with a few moderate grades, but normally nothing too serious. This stretch of the trail has been hit increasingly hard by Iron Dog snowmachine racers. In 2000 much of the trail from Kaltag to the summit was badly mogulled and rutted.

KALTAG PORTAGE

Once past the summit you'll drift southwestward along the north side of the valley, slowly descending. The trail will pass through a mix of wooded areas, taiga, and open stretches, occasionally dropping down to cross small streams (all of which should be well frozen). At about the 20 mile point you'll head across a two-mile open area. This is the divide between the Yukon drainage and that of the Unalakleet River. Shortly afterwards you'll enter an area of pothole lakes and the trail will go over what appear to be sand dunes. At 25 miles you'll come out onto a long, gently sloping flat area; this is Tripod Flat.

At the far end of Tripod Flat will be a standard wooden BLM sign pointing to the Tripod Flats cabin, a hundred yards off the trail in the trees on the left. The access trail makes a loop for easy-off, easy-on. The cabin has a good stove and bunks and is open to all comers. If you stop there, just be sure to replenish the firewood before you pull out. (This is basic Bush etiquette--the next person to use the cabin may need fire RIGHT NOW!)

Immediately after the Tripod Flats sign, the trail will cross a bridge over a 12-foot-wide, 6-foot-deep gully with open water. There are no railings on the bridge, so try to stay in the middle. The bridge reportedly collapsed during the 2000 race, but will probably be repaired for 2001. After the bridge the trail runs up and over several ridges in generally open country. You'll notice the Unalakleet River flowing in from the right (north). It will swing southwest and will become the chief river in the portage valley you're following.

The trail will stay on the south side of the river, running across low hills and ridges and dipping down to cross some side creeks and rivers. About five miles after leaving Tripod Flat you'll dip sharply into the treeline of Ten Mile Creek for a quarter mile of tight, twisting trail. Be careful here--you can wreck badly.

A few miles after Ten Mile Creek the trail will run fairly straight along a low bluff close above the Unalakleet River. In this area you'll begin to see Old Woman Mountain, with its distinctive flat top. The trail will slowly work its way down toward the river, where it will swing around the base of a low ridge to the left. Watch for a hundred yards of overflow and glaciered ice up to a couple of feet thick. This can be a tricky area.

OLD WOMAN CABIN

The trail will then start back up over some gentle ridges directly toward Old Woman Mountain. After a few miles of short hills and generally open running, you'll drop onto a series of beaver ponds and looping sloughs of the Old Woman River. After about a mile, the trail will jump sharply left off a slough into the trees--don't miss this turn, because the slough joins Old Woman River just ahead and there is almost always open water at the junction.

Once in the trees, the trail winds tightly for a hundred yards and crosses in front of an old plywood shack. This is the original Old Woman cabin, 15 miles past Tripod Flat and 37 miles from Unalalkeet. It's still usable and has a good stove, although it's a bit the worse for wear and has been mildly trashed over the past few years. If you stop here, make sure you leave something (such as food) for the Old Woman when you leave. You don't want her ghost chasing you to Nome and throwing bad luck your way.

DAY 12:
Nulato To Kaltag

March 1, 2007 approx 36 miles
This is another run on the Yukon on a well-traveled snowmachine highway. Plan on three to five hours. The trail passes several well-defined islands and crosses the river a couple of times before finally reaching Kaltag. The Yukon runs south-southwest all the way to Kaltag with no major bends. The right bank of the river will be a series of thousand-foot ridges and hills, with a few gaps for streams to flow into the Yukon. The east bank will generally be low and wooded, opening onto a vast area of swamps to the east.

DAY 11: GALENA TO NULATO:
Feb 28th, 2007
approx 48 miles.

SOURDOUGH PETE 1925 SERUM RUN

This leg is all on the Yukon River and normally presents no real problems. It is a major snowmachine highway maintained by the locals and is well used all winter. Plan on four to six hours for this run. It can be cold, as can all river runs, and all the usual river hazards can be present, including overflow, rough ice, and open water. When the wind blows, the trail can become obscured very quickly, but it should be well marked. The trail can swing back and forth across the river several times on this leg to cut across bends.

Leaving Galena the river runs generally west. Fifteen miles from Galena the trail passes the fishing camp at Bishop Rock, a prominent landmark on the north bank of the river. Ten miles later it passes the mouth of the Koyukuk River, a major tributary, flowing in from the north, with the village of Koyukuk on the northwest bank. Five miles past Koyukuk the river swings south and the right bank becomes a low range of mountains rising to a thousand feet above the river. Nulato is eleven miles past the big bend to the south, on the right (west) bank.
(reprinted from Don Bowers notes)

Approaching Galena on the yukon River

Day 10: Rest Day in Galena
2 days in Galena. This is a much needed down time for the group. They can take showers, rest, do laundry, mingle with the folks in Galena, repair gear and tweak machines. Eat well and maybe even get a manicure. Tommrow the will be back on the trail to Nulato.

Audio updates from Galena by Margaret Black, Al Lundbeck & John Wilber coming soon!

Coffee Break

DAY 9: Ruby To Galena
The trail from Ruby to Galena is approx.
50 miles
Weather Forecast for Monday: Mostly cloudy. Highs 5 to 15 below. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Over hills gusts 25 mph with blowing snow. Monday Night
Decreasing clouds. Lows 25 to 35 below. Light winds.

This will be the 4th day of travel on the Yukon. Nearing Galena the trail may veer off the river to avoid overflow. It is not uncommon to encounter overflow approaching Galena. You have to cross roads and travel a short distances on roads. Watch for traffic! Snowmachiners should be available as road guards. The plan is to spend two nights in Galena. Meals should be available from the Culinary Arts School. Hot water is available in utility closet of center. Snowmachiners would be helpful in hauling water.

 

Trapper Cabin to Ruby

DAY 8: TRAIL - RUBY:
Sunday 25 Feb 2007 
Trapper Cabin To Ruby Approx. 35 miles. A short day on the trail!

Audio from Hannah Moderow on the trail at Trapper Cabin


Today's weather is predicted to be cloudy. Snow developing. Accumulations up to 1 inch. Highs 5 below to 10 above.Southwest winds to 15 mph.


RUBY TRAIL DESCRIPTION FROM 1925 SERUM RUN BY SOURDOUGH PETE:
CLICK HERE

WHAT TO EXPECT IN RUBY: . Ruby dog lot is an open lot across from Community Center. (Possibly school) In the Community Center you will have heat & floor space (Possibly school gym) Plan to cook your own meal or raid the local store. Laundry facility has showers. Water availability at Community Center. DROP BAGS ARE AT THIS CHECK POINT Third day of travel on the Yukon.

Bone Yard to Trapper Cabin Google Map - Click map to view larger

DAY 7: BONE YARD
TO TRAPPER CABIN:
Saturday 24, February 2007

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Today the group will travel from Bone Yard Cabin To Trapper Cabin which is approx 45 miles. The dog lot at Trapper Cabin will be located in the woods around the cabin. Approach to the cabin is through alders. This will be a small cabin and tent camping. Camp cooking. Water availability is by melting snow. Second day of travel on the Yukon River. The cabin is not visible from the river; it sits behind alders on the right bank. The slough downstream of the cabin access often generates overflow at its mouth which can migrate to in front of the cabin area.

TRAPPER CABIN AREA DESCRIPTION FROM 1925 BY SOURDOUGH PETE:
CLICK HERE (NINE MILE CABIN)

Bone Yard Cabin 2006

Day 6 - Friday Feb 23, 2007
Tanana to Bone Yard Cabin


Listen to Audio report from Kent (MP3)

Today mushers & snow machiners will be headed to Bone Yard Cabin which is approx. 42 miles. The cabin is located up a steep bank. This is an old cabin with limited floor space, so some will be tent camping. No cafeteria here, strictly camp cooking. Melt Snow for water. The is first full day of travel on the Yukon River.
LISTEN TO BONE YARD AREA DESCRIPTION
FROM 1925 BY SOURDOUGH PETE:
CLICK HERE

Dogs bedded down with coats & straw

Day 5 - Manley To Tanana
Thursday 22 Feb 2007 We are looking at travel to Tanana today via the river rather than overland, as local reports are that Hay Slough is glare ice in many places. Rather than risk injury to dogs, mushers, and even machines, we elected to travel the 64 mile river trail to Tanana, which is reported to be in great shape. We will be staying at the Senior Center in Tanana and will probably not have computer access until Galena or possibly even Nulato. So if you don't see internet postings or replies, don't worry. We will continue calling in reports via sat phone. Thanks for all the warm thoughts and well wishes!
Kent (Trail Boss)

Day 4 - In Manley
ON HOLD DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES
If temps are extreme cold (like less than -35) we may hold up in Manley or in Tanana rather than risk being caught in one of the remote cabin locations in -40 to -50 degree weather.


INTO MANLEY: Greetings All,
Tonight is the first chance I've had to check the forum. Figured I'd post an update on my impressions of the run so far.We had a good run out of Nenana to Old Minto where we enjoy a great dinner and visit with the residents. Many Thanks to Old Minto!! The resident were very honored to be the very first receipents of the 'Spirt of the Serum Run' award. We also gave them the quilts sent from the

Digging out a stuck machine

church group in Wisconsin and would like to thank them for the wonderful warm gifts they felt were made with much love.The trail from Old Minto to Beaver Point Lodge on Deadman lake was overland and rather difficult for machiners and mushers both. Most of the trail had only been traveled by moose leaving a V type trough which tossed trail breakers from side to side in tightly wooded trail. In many sections we had to saw brush and trees from the trail with hand saws every 20-100 yards which delayed progess forcing dog teams to wait on the trail. (Trying to hold a charged up dog team on the trail is difficult for mushers.) I was highly impressed with eveyone, nobody complained or got upset, and as tough as the day was, everyone was happy, laughing and smiling as we enjoyed great food and the warm hospitality at Beaver Point Lodge. (Thanks many times over to Greg, Patricia, and the crew that volunteered to come out and help them!!!)

We traveled from Beaver Point Lodge to Manley Hot Springs today, a 30 mile run. The was much better today, much of which was Charlie Boulding's trails where were like dog sled highways. This evening we were warmly welcomed into the Manley School. The community threw a Pot Latch in our honor, which included great food, lots of visiting, and even some native dancing. (Thanks You Manley and to the students and staff who orgainized everything!!!) Kent (Trail Boss)

MANLEY HOT SPRINGS

DAY THREE FEB 20 2007:
Manley Hot Springs a distance of 45 miles from Beaver Creek
Today the teams head for Manley. Manley Hot Springs is at the end of the Elliott Hwy., 152 miles from Fox. About 100 people live there, along with a handful of dog teams. The village has one hotel, laundromat with showers, a gas station, school (UAF rural adult education classes available), post office, a museum, well house, landfill, and a grocery store. There is also a public campground (several actually, one with boat ramp, covered picnic shelter and playground) near the bridge over Manley Slough, maintained by the Manley Hot Springs Park Association. There is also a maintained airstrip and hangar (a 45 minute flight from Fairbanks).

LISTEN TO SOURDOUGH PETE :
Trail description back in 1925

DAY TWO FEB 19 2007: Old Minto
Listen to audio
Rebbeca talked to us this morning from Old Minto. The temperatures are around 30 below everyone had a good trip from Nenana to Old Minto with the exception of a few tip overs from sleds & machines but team work made it a piece of cake. Today they head for Beaver Creek Lodge.

DAY ONE FEB 18 2007:
The start of the Serum Run 2007 was a a biting 33 below zero with clear skies. Just as in 1925, the train arrived at the depot in downtown Nenana at 10:12 am, the serum was transferred to Carolyn Vaughan, who then carried it to Dan Levno, the first musher to leave for Old Minto. The 2007 journey begins to Nome. Fourteen mushers and seventeen snow machiners will participate. Follow their story. We will be bringing you photos, videos and audio updates. Stay tuned!



This year the Serum Run is proud to honor Howard Lincoln, who has tireressly volunteered for us as our food drop coordinator in White Mountain, Alaska since the beginning of the Norman Vaughan Serum Run '25. Howard, we thank you.

 

2006 FINISH INTO NOME!!!

At Camp "Nuuk"	Misha crossing Safety Roadhouse	Teams arriving...
Wagon train of teams	Thank you sponsors & friends	Group shot
Arriving into Nome	Loading the dogs onto the Evert's Cargo plane Musher Kurt Jokela & the kids in Kaltag	SPECIAL THANKS TO AP&T/GLOBAL STAR