The Tripod, January 2022

The Tripod JANUARY 2022 Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, PO Box 2323, Seward AK 99664 http://www.Iditarod100.org IditarodHTA@gmail.com The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes awareness of the Iditarod Trail and its gold rush and Alaska Native heritage by encouraging education programs and historical research, assisting in the protection, improvement, maintenance and marking of the Trail and developing partnerships that foster stewardship, commitments and support. Virtual Race Across Alaska The official Virtual Race Across Alaska start cannon was fired at the Zoom Kickoff Party on December 21, 2021, at 4:30 pm. The race goes until March 20, so there's still plenty of time to sign up if you want to join: https://www.raawc.com/ Turnagain Training organizes the Virtual Race Across Alaska.

The December 29 Facebook post from Turnagain Training reports it has raised $35,000 for Alaska Trails this year through the Race Across Alaska. For every racer that signs up Turnagain Training donates $10 to Alaska Trails and participants can also make donations to Alaska Trails. Hike the Hill® Celebrating its 25th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable access, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands. The 2022 Hike the Hill® will be held on February 14-16.

Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19, trail partners from across the nation will come together for virtual briefings and group meetings to advocate for legislation, learn about new policies, and meet with federal partners, elected officials and their staff, and fellow trail organizations. Participants that wish to meet with their congressional representatives in-person may do so at their own discretion. If this is your first Hike the Hill® or you have not attended in a few years, or have not been able to travel to DC, the sponsors urge you to participate in 2022 in this virtual format.

If you have any questions contact Tyler Ray, tray@americanhiking.org or Valerie Rupp, valerie@pnts.org From the past… Iditarod Pioneer December 16, 1916 GOLD OUTPUT OF DISTRICT SHOWS A SLIGHT DECREASE COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR Gold shipments from Iditarod for the mining season of 1916 aggregated $2,056,171.00* according to figures compiled from statements from reliable sources. Of this amount $125,000 was from adjacent districts, including the Innoko, Tolstoi and Marshall City. The latter camp contributed $80,000 to the total. Compared with last year's total output the 1916 season shows a falling off, the figures for 1915 output being $2, 210,000. The falling off in the output was not unexpected, several reasons contributing to it. Open cut operations on 1 The Tripod JANUARY 2022 Otter Creek produced little this year, whereas in former seasons they were a big factor.

The installation of a new dredge on a tributary to that stream was not completed until late in the season, and its operations were limited. Other concerns on Otter were engaged in extensive preparatory work for next season’s operations. But the Otter dredge apparently had a good season and was idle only when making changes in machinery. On Flat Creek the big dredge of the Yukon Gold Company put in a busy season and is reported to have handled more dirt this year than any season since it commenced operations. In the closing days of the season, it was said to be in exceptionally rich ground. The operations at the head of Flat Creek, on Happy and Chicken Creek, and also on Willow contributed greatly to the output, and it is likely they will continue to do so for years to come.

With increased facilities, next season output of the Iditarod district should show a material increase over that of 1916. *Note the price of gold in 1915 and 1916 was $20.67 a troy ounce. Top Ten Community Trails in Alaska Rails to Trails Conservancy has worked to bring the power of trails to communities across the country since 1968. It has compiled lists of the ten top community trails in various states. Here is its list for Alaska communities.

Anchorage--Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Campbell Creek Greenbelt, Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail Homer-- Spit Road Trail Bird and Girdwood--Bird to Grid Pathway Juneau--Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei, Tlingit meaning ‘Going Back Clearwater Trail,’ also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail Talkeetna and Chase-- Chase Trail Fairbanks--Chena River Walk Seward-- Waterfront Path, the Iditarod Trail through Seward along Resurrection Bay Sitka--Cross Trail BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR. 2