Little Su 50K Course
Course Description

The Little Su 50K Course now begins at the Point Mackenzie General Store as described in the following section "Getting to the Starting Line".

The Susitna 100 and the Little Su 50K follow basically the same route from the start to Flat Horn Lake with only a short deviation.  To make the 50K the correct distance, the course does not go by the Nome sign.  

At Flat Horn Lake the two routes separate and the Susitna 100 heads on to the Dismal Swamp and the Susitna River beyond.  Little Su racers will head back to the warmth of the Start at the Point Mackenzie General Store over a different trail to complete a "lollipop".
Detailed map of course.

1. Getting to the Starting Line

The race starts at the Point Mackenzie General Store at Mile 7 of the Point Mackenzie Road.  Allow two hours driving time from Anchorage.  From Anchorage, drive North on the Glenn and Parks Highways to Wasilla.  In the center of Wasilla, turn left on the Knik Goose Bay (KGB) Road.  At mile 17.2 of the KGB Road, turn right on to Point Mackenzie Road.  The general store is at mile 7.

 

When you are training in this area, please stop and patronize our friends at the Point Mackenzie General Store.  They have convenience store items and serve hot meals in their restaurant.
Little Su 50K starts at 11:00 a.m.  You need to check-in by 10:45.

 

2. Point Mackenzie General Store to Flathorn Lake (16 miles)

All of the roads, trails and seismic lines described below are clearly shown on the Big Lake and Pt. MacKenzie Road & Recreation Map published by Todd Communications.  This map is available anywhere sporting goods are sold in Anchorage.

 

The race leaves the back of the general store parking lot and immediately joins the powerline right of way heading due West.  In less than a mile, the race crosses the Ayrshire/Point Mackenzie intersection and runs parallel to Ayrshire Road for three miles on the South side.  The race course is off the road, but in the road right of way.  Do not travel on the road!  We do not have permits or insurance that allow travel on the road.  You will be disqualified if you run, ski or ride on the road.  No amount of charm or pity will reverse this.  Do not travel on the road.  This also applies to the return.

 

After two miles of paralleling Ayrshire Road, the course crosses Guernsey Road.  You will know this when you smell the odor of natural gas.  Continue paralleling Ayrshire Road on the South side for one more mile where the course crosses the snowmobile trail that is the extension of Ayrshire Road.  You are now on the Little Su Access Road.  This road is not used by cars and trucks in the winter, so you may now use the road.  Or, you may follow race lath on a parallel track that will be more suitable for skiers.

 

At approximate mile 6, the course meets the Little Susitna River at the boat launch site.  Cross the frozen river to a trail directly across from the boat launch.  This trail goes in a North Northeasterly direction for about one mile and then joins a seismic line heading West Northwest.  One mile further, just after entering a large swamp, the 100 mile course diverges to another seismic line heading North Northwest.  Keep straight on at this point travelling West Northwest and intersect the 100 mile course in 3 1/2 miles.

 

Keep straight on for another 4 miles and then drop sharply onto an arm of Flat Horn Lake.  Take a left and follow this arm for about 1 mile to the main body of Flat Horn Lake.  On a clear day, don't miss the spectacular view across the lake of Mt Susitna, Alaska's Sleeping Lady.  At this point, go due south (left) to the exit from Flathorn Lake. Return from Flat Horn Lake as shown on the map.