Susitna 100
Course + Checkpoints

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The Course

All distances are approximate. Some are rounded up, some down, but the total comes out very close to 100 miles. The course runs from Happy Trails Kennels out through the Susitna Valley and back, on snowmachine and dog sled trails.

Total time allowed: 48 hours. These cutoff times were carefully constructed over the years to ensure the probability of your success and safety.  Participants must leave the checkpoint by the departure cutoff time.  No exceptions will be given for conditions, etc.

The Checkpoints

  1. Happy Kennels

  2. Pt. Makenzie

  3. Flathorn Lake

  4. 5 Star Tent Camp

  5. Willow Community Center

  6. Cow Lake

  7. Home Stretch

  8. Happy Kennels (Finish)

Details + Cutoffs

Start → Pt. Mackenzie

Mile 0 · Depart by 9:00 AM Sat · 22 miles to next

  • Starts at Happy Trails Kennels; through a stand of trees, then a right turn onto a series of swamps crossing Big Lake Trails #3 and #4.
  • ~5 miles in, cross the Little Susitna River, up the Cliff Trail, then left onto the Bud Smyth Trail heading south.
  • Cross the Little Su again; continue ~5–6 miles to the Four Corners intersection, then straight through toward the Little Susitna Boat Launch.
  • Stay off the road. Remain on the left shoulder to the parking lot — the race has no permit for road travel, and racers on the roadway are disqualified. This is the last road-access point before miles of wilderness.

Pt. Mackenzie → Flathorn Lake

Mile 22 · Depart by 4:00 PM Sat · 12 miles to next

  • Cross the Boat Launch Road, continue straight; the trail follows the old Ayrshire Road line ~5 miles, then right onto a westbound seismic line.
  • ~5 miles later, into the woods before Flathorn Lake. Steep descent, right turn onto the lake, across to the far shore.
  • Stay off the marked runways here.
  • Checkpoint is ~¼ mile up the shoreline, in the red cabin past the silver house. Private property — respect it, use only the designated outhouse.

Flathorn Lake → 5 Star Tent Camp

Mile 34 · Depart by 9:00 PM Sat · 19 miles to next

  • Left at the bottom of the hill, follow the shoreline around the big horn of Flathorn Lake.
  • Trail leaves the lake, climbs a steep embankment onto the historic Iditarod Trail.
  • Passes Barbie Doll Corner, Nome Sign, Big Lake Trail 11, Trail 6, Alfred Creek Trail, Fish Creek.
  • After Fish Creek, across an open swamp, then the 5 Star Checkpoint within a mile or two.

5 Star Tent Camp → Willow Community Center

Mile 53 · No posted departure cutoff [CONFIRM] · 17 miles to next

  • ~5–6 miles of swamp, then right onto the Old Hunter Trail.
  • Through Willow Swamp Trail, Vera Lake, Crystal Lake, Long Lake, Willow Lake.
  • Watch the road crossings at the ends of Vera and Crystal Lakes.
  • Follow markers to the Willow Community Center.

Willow Community Center → Cow Lake

Mile 70 · Depart by 3:00 PM Sun · 16 miles to next

  • Retrace ~8 miles back to Willow Swamp, then left toward North Rolly Lake.
  • Critical junction — watch for the trail sign here. Going straight sends you back toward 5 Star by mistake.
  • Across North Rolly Lake, Nancy Lake Parkway (closed in winter), South Rolly Lake, Redshirt Lake, a one-mile portage, then Cow Lake.
  • On Cow Lake, sharp right to the checkpoint ~100 yards down the shoreline.

Cow Lake → Home Stretch

Mile 86 · Depart by 12:00 AM Mon · 6 miles to next

  • Over a small hill to Little Cow Lake.
  • Follows Cow Trail #10, Butterfly Lake, Gunmetal Lake, Big Lake Trail #4.
  • Final checkpoint sits at this intersection, 8 miles from the finish.

Home Stretch → Finish

Mile 92 · Depart by 4:00 AM Mon · 8 miles to finish

  • Follow Big Lake Trail #4 back to Gnome Corner, left toward Happy Trails Kennels.
  • Across a series of swamps and small lakes to the finish.

Finish

Mile 100 · 9:00 AM Mon cutoff

  • Happy Trails Kennels. Check in with a race official — you're not done until you've checked out at the line.