Here is an update from the 2025 YQA Race Marshall, John Schandelmeier:
November finds most of us that have sled dogs out on them at any opportunity. Tour operators are getting their first customers and recreational mushers are getting fun runs in preparation for camping and longer trips. Those of us that are thinking of racing have been on ATV’s for a couple months, and maybe getting bigger teams out on the truck. Finally, with some snow on the ground many are able to do sled runs. Granted, there really isn’t adequate snow to hook down everywhere, but it it is okay if one picks your spots…
Enough ice to get on the rivers and creeks are the next step. The smaller creeks, for the most part, are good enough to cross safely. Most Interior lakes have 4-8” of ice. Along the Quest trail, the Yukon River is running pan ice from Eagle past Circle and beyond. An overflight of the Yukon from just above Circle to Beaver Creek, showed a few of the side channels ice covered. Yukon is now frozen over below Eagle, it looks smooth and solid! Low water on the river will make the freeze easier and there should be far less jumble on the Eagle to Circle section. While your truck may not like the cold temperatures needed for the river to freeze up nice, this is Alaska and the cold is coming.
The Quest Trail Crew for the 2025 Quest is very experienced. Mike Reitz has been heading the trail crew for 15 years and has his normal veteran group. Sonny Lindner is also on the trail and you won’t find a more dedicated or knowledgeable guy. Sonny probably has more snowmobile miles than dog miles.
The Park Service will be operating the Slavens Creek dog drop, 60-odd miles above Circle City. Trout Creek will be a hospitality stop 40 miles below Eagle. That breaks the 160 mile run from Circle to Eagle into 3 comfortable runs for those who wish.
American Summit, on the way to the finish will have the Chicken checkpoint at the midway point. It is only November, but YQA logistics already has the checkpoint in place. A group from Eagle is ready and waiting to establish that Taylor Highway section of the trail.
As the December temperatures come, I will be updating trail conditions as they are available. Here’s looking forward to a great 2025 Quest and more of them to come!