Susitna 100 Course

All distances are approximate. Some are rounded up, some are rounded down. The total distance is very close to 100 miles.

General Description

the course photo The current 100-mile course has evolved through changes in availability of checkpoint locations. Attached to this document is a link to a map that depicts the Susitna 100 course. The rivers and lakes that are named in this description can be oriented to the U.S. Geological Survey's Tyonek Quadrangle, should the truly curious want a clearer picture of what the course looks like in, say, mid-July. In February, however, this country is reduced to two colors, white and green, and is typically framed by a blue sky. Thanks to drifting snow, the region's shallow topography is barely distinguishable. This classic rendering of winter in simple colors and contours is marred only the intrusion of four-foot wide snow machine trails that run for miles across lakes and rivers and through breaks in the tree line. You are grateful for these trails, because they provide the foundation that makes human-powered travel faster than would otherwise be possible.

See Su 100 Maps

START

The Susitna 100 starts at 9:00AM Saturday.

All Susitna 100 racers are required to check in at least 15 minutes before the start and declare a division. If some of your equipment did not pass inspection at the pre-race meeting, it will be checked after the 9:00AM start.

The race starts (and finishes) at Happy Trails Kennels mile 4.5 West Lakes Blvd, Big Lake Alaska. Allow two hours driving time from Anchorage.

Driving directions from Anchorage –

North on Hwy 1 (Glenn Highway), Hwy 1 turns into Hwy 3 (Parks Highway), go through Wasilla, turn left on Big Lake road at mile 52. Drive 3 ¼ miles on Big Lake Road, turn right on Beaver Lake Road, go 1 mile, turn left onto West Lakes Boulevard (long name, short sign "W.Lks.Blvd"). Approximately 4 ½ miles turn right at sign for Happy Trails Kennels.

HAPPY TRAILS KENNELS (HTK) TO AYRSHIRE RD

After leaving the start at HTK and passing the lower parking lot, you will go through a set of trees and then turn right. The trail follows a series of swamps crossing Big Lake Trails #3 and 4. Approximately 5 miles in, you will cross the Little Su River continuing on up the Cliff trail. Take the first left onto the 'Bud Smith' trail heading south. This section crosses the Little Su again undulating over the next 5-6 miles to the four corners intersection.

Heading straight ahead through this intersection the trail continues a couple more miles turning left for a short section then right again leading to the Little Su boat Launch. Across the Little Su and follow the boat launch road to the intersection with Ayrshire Road.

Follow along Ayrshire Rd staying on the left shoulder to the parking lot approximately 100 yards from the intersection.

Do not travel on the road! We do not have permits or insurance that allows travel on the road. You will be disqualified if you run, ride, or ski on the road!

If you race isn't going as planned at this point, this would be a good place to consider your options as this is the last road access point for many more miles!

AYRSHIRE RD TO FLATHORN LAKE

After leaving The Ayrshire Rd parking lot you will cross the Boat Launch road heading straight ahead, the trail more or less becomes a continuation of Ayrshire Road, for about 5 miles, the trail then bears right onto seismic line headed west.

Approximately 5 more miles the trail enters the woods just prior to Flathorn Lake. A steep decent followed by a right hand turn leads you to the lake where the trail will take you to the far bank. Take care to stay off of the marked runways in this area. About ¼ mile up the shoreline you will find the Flat Horn Lake checkpoint in the red cabin beyond the silver house. This property is home of long-time race supporter Kirk Garoutte. Please respect their property and relieve yourself only in the outhouse.

FLAT HORN LAKE TO FIVE STAR CHECKPOINT

Leaving the checkpoint, the course takes a left at the bottom of the hill. Follow the lake around to the left along the large horn of Flathorn lake. After a couple of miles the trail leaves the lake to the right up a steep embankment following the historic Iditarod trail. The course takes you to the left at Barbie Doll corner, past the Nome sign. After crossing Big Lake trail 11 and traik 6 you will follow the Alfred Creek trail eventually crossing Fish Creek. After the creek crossing you will come out of the woods into an open swamp and the comfort of 5-Star checkpoint within the next mile or two.

5-STAR TENT TO WILLOW COMMUNITY CENTER (WCC)

After 5-6 more miles of swamp travel, the trail will turn right onto the Old Hunter Trail. This trail will bring you to the Willow Swamp trail where you will turn right and after a few miles right agin towarsds Vera Lake. You will follow the main trail across Vera Lake and Crystal Lake. Beware, there are road crossings at the end of each of these lakes. Continue along Long and Willow Lakes before reaching the Willow Community Center. As always, pay close attention to the trail markers.

WILLOW COMMUNITY CENTER (WCC) TO COW LAKE

After leaving the comfort of the Willow Community Center, you will retrace your steps for aproximately 8 miles back to thwe Willow Swamp. Take a left onto a trail leading to North Rolly Lake (Look for sign at this intersection, you do not want to continue back to Five Star by mistake!!). After crossing North Rolly lake you will cross the Nancy Lake Parkway rd (closed in the winter), and travel through the S. Rolly Lake Campground before dropping onto South Rolly Lake.The trail continues on to Redshirt lake. You will travel the length of Redshirt lake and across the 1 mile portage to Cow Lake. Once on Cow lake, the trail takes a hard right turn to the Cow lake Checkpoint 100 yards down the shore.

COW LAKE TO HTK/FINISH

At the far end of Cow Lake the trail goes over a small hill to Little Cow Lake. Bearing left at the end of the lake you'll take the Cow trail #10 towards Butterfly Lake and Gunmetal Lake eventually turning right onto Trail #4.

At this intersection you will find the last checkpoint 7.5 miles from the finish. Follow Big Lake Trail #4 back to Gnome corner turning left towards HTK. Following more swamps and small lake eventually leading to Happy Trails Kennel and the finish!