The Tripod, Spring 2026

*“: The Tripod TRAIL * STORY * STEWARDSHIP Spring 2026 The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance (Alliance) promotes awareness of the Iditarod National Historic 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, comm One IDEPAKOD, ALAS iditarod Pioneer itments, volunteerism and support. KA. SATURDAY BV Two Hers 2 Flat and Iditarod: Baseball Rivals! For America’s 250" birthday, Alaska is showcasing its unique baseball history. To participate, in 2026 The Tripod is featuring the baseball rivalry between two gold rush towns, as told in the Iditarod Pioneer, Iditarod’s local newspaper that ran 1910-1919 (photo, above).

July 8, 1911 FIRST BALL GAME WON BY IDITAROD Flat Creek was represented by a cheerful bunch of losers on the Fourth of July when she sent over a team to play against Iditarod and to furnish just the right metropolitan touch to this city's celebration. “Second Inning. —-McNance got a present of first and stole second. Brown hit the ball about five feet in front of the plate and stood there until O’Brien touched him out, the ground being soft the ball stuck in the moss and neither Brown nor O’Brien could find it. McNamee went to third, Moyer was out at third and McNamee scored the only run in the game for Flat. “There was a good crowd out to see the game and the rooter got in his work in great shape. The Flat boys played with a crippled team and the subs they picked up had seen more games than they had ever taken part in.

But under the circumstances and conditions of the ground it was a good game and very much enjoyed by all who had the pleasure of witnessing the first game of ball in this [tussocked] empire.” The complete article can be viewed online at: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/Iccn/sn95060032/ Iditarod Race and A America’s 250 The 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Ceremonial Start at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Campbell Tract was a big success! This year was a special celebration for America’s 250" birthday. (continued next page) Top: Viewing the sled dog race at BLM Campbell Tract. Middle: Alliance contractor Peyton Edelbrock shares the history of Susitna Station with young and old. Bottom: Seward Trail Blazer Kim Strehlow celebrates with Senator Lisa Murkowski at BLM Campbell Creek Science Center.

The Tripod Spring 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Celebrations, continued 1,600 visitors from the public attended to watch the dogs cross the “finish line” of the ceremonial start and enjoy the event at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center. Twenty partner groups had interactive stations sharing their unique relationship to the Iditarod Trail, mushing, or outdoor recreation and public lands. These included Chugach National Forest, Junior Mushers, Eagle River Nature Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chugach State Park, and more. The Alliance had a booth about trail history and stewardship, and sponsored another booth sharing the story of Susitna Station via interactive exhibit. Attendees included Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and top leadership at BLM and the Department of the Interior.

Word is, all raved about the event as a showcase of what’s great about America’s public lands and the many partners and volunteers who contribute to the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Volunteers and staff from the Alliance also celebrated at the race restart in Willow the following day, where our t-shirts and prints featuring art by Jon Van Zyle were popular souvenirs for race viewers. Saving Girdwood’s “Middle Iditarod” Trail A win for public access. A city resolution in February 2026 determines that a proposed subdivision in Girdwood will be required to build and permanently protect the popular Middle Iditarod Trail that crosses it, although the trail may be relocated across the plat. To help build the case for the trail, the Alliance shared with the city municipal documents acknowledging the trail as far back as 1997.

Photo credit: State of Alaska Facebook Page TPP Fc eer natal ee aie Welcoming Aaron Burmeister The newest Alliance Board member is already well known for his dedication to the Iditarod [DI TAROD Trail, dog sledding, and winter travel. Aaron National HistoricTrail Burmeister of Nome, AK was recently elected to Detail of art print by Jon Van Zyle. the Board of Directors. He is an active member F of the Nome Kennel Club. His volunteer efforts Commemorative include helping organize the Nome-Golovin Sled Map Art Dog Race, which requires an entire season of trail maintenance, installing wayfinding signage, and preparing emergency shelter cabins. The Alliance is eager to further our connections with Nome Kennel Club through Aaron’s involvement.

The celebrated historic map art print of Iditarod National Historic Trail by Alaska artist Jon Van Zyle is available on our website: Burmeister receiving the Golden Tripod Stewardship Award in 2025 for his volunteer efforts repairing the trail after Typhoon Merbok in 2022. www.iditarod100.org/store The Tripod is released quarterly. Look for Alliance news updates, upcoming events and meetings, and more on our Facebook page and via email. To be added to our email contact list, please send a request to iditarodHTA@gmail.com Iditarod National Historic Trail, Inc. dba Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance 3705 Arctic Blvd #272, Anchorage, AK 99503-5774 iditarodHTA@gmail.com www. iditarodhistorictrail.org The Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.