The race start will be behind the Eureka Roadhouse, Mile 128 on the Glenn Hwy.  The trail will head west on the power line along the Glenn Highway for roughly five miles before crossing Startup Road.  After crossing a small pond, the route will cut behind Gunsight Mountain Lodge and connect back onto the powerline about a half mile to the west. After following the powerline for roughly one mile, there will be a 90-degree turn to the right (north) into a small drainage valley. The trail will wind through this valley for about two miles and bring you into the larger valley of Squaw Creek. Great views of Gunsight Mountain and the Talkeetna range will be to the west.  After crossing some large ponds, the trail will climb slightly and meet with the Caribou Creek trail. At this point, the route takes a sharp turn to the right (east).

   The race follows the Caribou Creek trail heading east for three miles before intersecting with Startup Road.  There is overflow ice covering the road in this area.  The trail will cross a parking lot and continue east to a series of three Lakes (Startup Lakes).  After crossing the third lake, the route takes a left turn (north) on a well-groomed trail.  The next five miles will be generally uphill and lead to the route's highest elevation. After cresting the top and moving slightly downhill, there will be a signpost where the trail takes a right and continues downhill for 1 mile, then makes a hard left to the north at another signpost.  

    After going over some rolling hills and along the ridge above Cottonwood Creek, the trail will arc east, then south, passing the Little Nelchina River.  In 4 miles, the trail enters a large lake and rides the east side, continuing south.  Six miles past the lake, on small rolling hills, is Old Man Creek Hill. It’s  a long, curvy, steep grade with a creek crossing at the bottom.  On the other side of the creek valley, the trail climbs a shorter, less steep hill and continues two miles out to the Glenn Highway.  At this point, the trail will turn right and head roughly three miles along the highway to end on the lake behind Eureka Roadhouse.

Updated March 14, 2026