IditaProject Forum

Huslia to Koyukuk; distance of 86 miles. After leaving Huslia, you’ll follow the Koyukuk river downstream. At 8 miles you’ll climb the bank on the right. After lakes and flats you’ll climb to begin the Roundabout Mt portage. At 17.5 miles, you’ll get back to the Koyukuk river, Butch Yaska’s cabin is located here. The report is that wood is being hauled to this cabin as well. You’ll drop onto the river and go upstream for 2 miles and cross to begin the portage to “over the hill portage lake”. 1st leaving the river here is narrow, hopefully the trail crew will cut a few trees out of the way to make it safer. From there it’s about 13-14 miles across tundra, flats, lakes, and swamp to the lake. Leaving the lake at 34 mile, there’s a little climb. You’ll travel through some burnt country, then jack spruce country. At about 47 miles you’ll get to a fair sized lake, at 51 miles you’ll get to a really big lake (Coffee Can Lake). About 4 miles past CCL is Louie lake. This year the report is that there may be a wall tent put up next to the trail. If it’s windy out, usually it’s not as bad about midway between the lakes. At 58 miles you’ll cross a small creek, again at 61 miles but you’ll follow it for a little ways and cross. At 63 miles you’ll come to a lake with a shelter cabin on the far side. Leaving here, you’ll portage out to the Koyukuk river at 66 miles from Huslia. You’ll go downstream for almost 3 miles and climb the bank on the left. After a mile you should start following a trappers trail for about 4 miles, coming back to the river for the last time. It’s 10 miles to Koyukuk, all river running.

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.

Update: Just heard from Ed via Satellite phone in Husila and he said the dogs were happy, "jumping and barking" when they came through he Checkpoint this morning. Michelle is really happy with her race so far and is resting at the moment in the Church. She has dropped another dog so is racing with 14 strong and healthy dogs. She will be taking her 24 hour rest here. She really enjoyed racing with Jessie on the trail too. Ed wanted to ensure we shared just how kind the town of Husila is, and made mention how the entire town comes out to give a warm welcome to all of the mushers crossing the finish line making them feel like rockstars. He said he's met some great people and everyone opens their homes to the families of the mushers travelling alongside them. Ed also said that he has no cell service at the moment and wants to say hi to everyone back home: Keegan, MC, Niall, Jane, Judy & Josh.