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Angel Creek, Alaska
- 8th Checkpoint - 920 miles
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 Angel
Creek Lodge is located on the Chena Hotsprings Road, at Mile
49.6, just 7 miles from the Chena Hotsprings. It is the last
checkpoint in the Quest, when the race starts in Whitehorse
(and the first, when it starts in Fairbanks).
The Lodge is small, with just one room that serves as restaurant,
bar and billiards room. During the Quest, the tiny space is
packed with race officials, handlers, fans and media. Mushers
squeeze in for a quick bit of food, then camp out with their
dogs on the creek nearby. |
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 The
trail from Angel Creek to Fairbanks goes through the bush to
Valley Centre. At one point, it crosses the Chena Hotsprings
Road, and volunteers have to staff the road crossing, especially
at night. Teams suddenly emerge from the woods, cross the road
in a matter of seconds, and disappear into the woods again.
Often, you see little more than a headlamp blinking, then vanishing.
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 Just
before reaching Angel Creek, teams will cross Boulder and Rosebud
Summits, two very challenging climbs. The area is well-known
for its trails and rock-climbing sites. The picture to the right
should give you a sense of the geography of this area.
The Chena Hot Springs were discovered in 1905 by Robert and
Thomas Swan. They were looking for a place to ease their aching
joints. During the previous summer, a US Geological survey
crew had seen steam rising out of valley somewhere along the
upper Chena River, east of Fairbanks, so they went in search
of the source of that steam. New of the springs' healing effect
spread through the gold mining community. Early visitors travelled
to the springs by boat.
Until the overland trail was developed in 1911, it took anywhere
from 7 days to three weeks to get there from Fairbanks. Later,
people used horse-drawn rigs, which shorted the trip to two
and a half days. Along that trail, four roadhouse keepers
made their living by providing food and lodging to the passengers.
Today, it takes just an hour and a half to reach the springs
in winter. The area is heavily populated by moose, so you
have to drive very carefully. |
