Chena River to Ridge Endurance Race

Description:

The race will start and finish at the Twin Bears camp, mile 30 Chena Hot Springs Rd. Racers will follow a trail north from the southwest end of the lake at Twin Bears for ~1/2 mile to the intersection with the Yukon Quest trail. Racers will turn right and travel along the Yukon Quest trail for about 2 miles before turning left to follow the Colorado Cr. and Compeau trails in a counter clockwise direction. Around race mile 8, racers will pass the Colorado Creek public use cabin and then immediately begin a steep climb toward the ridgeline. This signifies the beginning of the Compeau trail. The trail climbs from 700’ to approximately 2400’ during the first 9 miles and then roughly contours just below the ridgeline with frequent, short climbs and descents for the following 4 miles. The views of the surrounding high country and the Alaska Range to the south are stunning. A small aid station with refreshments will be located near mile 14 of the race course, the junction with the Little Chena Dozer line trail. The race course then descends for 6 miles to the valley floor and the intersection with the Yukon Quest Trail. This descent is occasionally interrupted by several small climbs. Racers will continue straight across the 4-way intersection with the Yukon Quest trail for an additional ~1/2 mile and hang a left onto the return trail to Twin Bears. Continue on the return trail for about 1/2 mile before entering the lake on the southeast end. This will be the end of the short course and the midway checkpoint for those doing the 55-mile route.

Racers doing the 55-mile course will retrace their path from the southwest end of the lake and again turn right onto the Yukon Quest trail. However, instead of turning left at the Colorado Creek trail as they did for the first loop, continue an additional ~1/2 mile and turn left on the Stiles Creek trail. Racers will then ascend the Stiles Creek trail in a clockwise direction, climbing to a high point around 1800’, and then descending to the bottom of the valley at about race mile 42. There will be a second aid station close to mile 35 near the first apex of the loop that will have refreshments before passing Stiles Creek public use cabin. The last ~7 miles will follow the Yukon Quest trail back to the 4-way intersection with the Compeau trail. Racers will turn left on the Compeau trail and familiar territory. Follow the Compeau trail for ~1/2 mile as with the first loop, turn left on the return trail to Twin Bears and on to the finish line.