2006 Gold Rush Trail
Fourteenth Annual Edition
Quesnel to Cottonwood to Pine Grove House to Beaver Pass House
to Stanley to Van Winkle to Richfield to
Barkerville to Camerontown to Marysville to Wells British Columbia
Read About The Cariboo Waggon Road, Sled Dogs and The Mail
Want to be involved? Fill out a registration form and post it in to event organizers
Summary of Weekend’s Events
The members of the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Association invite you to join them for the 14th running of the annual Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run, the only opportunity in the world for anyone to arrange to have an envelope delivered by dog team through the regular postal system.
The Mail
Run has been designed to accommodate all teams and all abilities, it is an
event not only for mushers, but also for skijorers, skiers and snowshoers and
is supported by snowmobilers. Run over wilderness trails, the event is
challenging but organizers have built in many safety factors. Participants
choose only those parts of the trail they wish to travel and over what period
of time, either one, two or three days. The event is based on a stage format
and includes the opportunity for two
overnight campouts, mushers may become official Canada Post mail carriers,
there is a special focus on sled dog history and traditions, you will be able
to attend a Saturday night banquet and party, collect participation awards,
relive Cariboo Gold Rush history and participate in a fun sled dog race as you
participate in the Barkerville Dash. The Mail Run is not a race, it is a
participation event. All participants
enjoy everything that traditional dog mushing and winter camping has to
offer.
The Mail Run Trail - The trail for 2006
has been significantly changed from previous years. Essentially it runs 60 miles (100 kilometres)
from Quesnel to Barkerville to Wells B.C., in places along the actual historic
The first
section (stage) is 24 miles (40
kilometres) long and runs from Umiti Pit (north of Quesnel) to
The event is organized so that participants may
leave Umiti Pit any time between
The second
section (stage) of trail is run on Day 2 (Saturday) from
Troll Resort is located on highway 26, 27 miles
(44 kilometres) from Quesnel and 11 miles (18 kilometres) from
Once teams arrive at Troll, lunch can be purchased at the snack bar. In the afternoon there will be a series of contests for mushers and their dogs including a lead dog contest, a weight pull as well as a skijoring clinic and demonstration. The intent is to offer the public some insight into the world of sled dogs and the public will be invited to come to Troll to watch the teams.
In the evening the musher’s banquet will take
place at the Resort. Tickets must be
pre-purchased at a cost of $15.00
each. Socializing will begin at
The third
section (stage) will begin on Sunday morning with a pancake breakfast which
will be available for purchase beginning at
The fourth section (stage) is called The Barkerville Dash. Once in Barkerville, all teams will wait for the arrival of the last participant at which time the Barkerville Dash will take place from Barkerville to Wells, a distance of 5 miles (9 kilometres). This is a fun race for teams of three to six dogs, passengers are allowed. This event is open to all participants, dog teams, skiers, skijorers, snowshoers and even cyclists are encouraged to participate. Participants need only take part in the Dash if they wish and for those who choose not to participate but who have completed the previous stages, they must ensure that another mail carrier delivers their mail bag to Wells. The trail is a straight, flat run along the meadow between Barkerville and Wells. Every participant contributes a prize and the Dash will end at the helipad in Wells where dog trucks will be waiting, prizes will be awarded, the mail will be turned over to Canada Post and the 14th Annual Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run will come to an end. At this point participants are free to leave for home or they might like to spend some time in Wells enjoying the many trails.
Along the Trail - You will not be alone. While there will be no "officials" (as in timers, marshals and judges) as during a race, there will be safety spotters travelling by snowmobile. In addition to the sled dogs, there will be snowmobiles and skiers on the trail. All support persons and event officials will be clearly identified. The trail is beautiful but tough! If you have any questions about your ability or the ability of your dogs to complete this run, please contact organizers to discuss this matter. The starting elevation is approximately 970 metres, the elevation of Wells is 1200 metres. Most of the route runs through forest, some of it is on logging roads...some of the roads may be ploughed, only a few days before the Mail Run will we know the final status of the whole route....but your safety and that of the dogs is a priority. There will be spotters and good signage along the route. Remember that you must plan your equipment carefully, bring snacks for the dogs, dishes to water them, booties if your dogs use them, and make sure that you dress appropriately for the weather. It has not been uncommon for the temperatures to be -20C and on some years, it has been -40C during this weekend. Experience has shown that basic safety equipment is valuable and even if you don't use it, your sled will look cool when you come into Wells! See the Recommended/Mandatory Gear section. Remember that really cold weather complicates everything.
Be certain that your dogs have the coats to
withstand the cold especially if they will be camping overnight without a dog
box. In the event of an emergency, a veterinary technician will be available
along the trail to respond to any canine emergencies. If required, injured dogs
will be transported to a veterinary clinic in Quesnel for further treatment.
Recommended/Mandatory Gear At all times, all participants should have on
their person, matches, a knife, a disposable survival blanket. This is
especially important in the event that a musher should become separated from
his/her team.
At all times, participants should have on their sled or in their pack, an axe, change of clothing, suitable warm-weather parka and footwear, emergency personal food and water, food and feeding equipment for dogs, a headlight, first aid kit for self and dogs, snowshoes.
In addition, if camping out, be sure to bring
stakeout chain or picket line for dogs, (if not using truck and dog box), tent
or tarp, groundsheet and thermarest-style sleeping pad, good winter sleeping
bag, food and cooking equipment for at least two meals.
The Mail. Carrying the mail from Quesnel to Wells to Barkerville is a thirteen year tradition and the envelopes that have been carried over the route since 1993 have become sought after collector's items. It is well known that the artwork from the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run envelopes is the best of any "Carried By Dog Team" envelopes anywhere in the world. These envelopes will be on sale well before the Mail Run to collectors and others who just want to send a special message to their family members and friends. (Note: this Mail Run is now the only place in the world where it is possible to actually have a letter delivered as part of the regular postal system by dog team). Teams running from Quesnel to Barkerville to Wells will have the opportunity to carry their share of the specially cancelled envelopes. Mushers will be sworn in as Honorary Canada Post Mail Carriers, just for this trip. The swearing in will take place on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Quesnel Canada Post office where participants are encouraged to attend wearing their authentic traditional mushing outfit (there will be a prize for the best looking traditional musher). The mail will be distributed amongst all of the mushers at this special ceremony. All participants in the Mail Run will receive three cancelled envelopes at the end of the Mail Run. As a participant, you may also purchase additional envelopes.
Registration
Members of the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Association are simply inviting others
to come along with them on their annual Mail Run. We will endeavour to ensure
that the same high quality trail with all of the usual supports are in place.
We want this event to be as affordable as possible. There will be no
registration or participation fee. However all participants must complete a
registration form to inform the organizers that you will be attending and
exactly what your plans are so that we can anticipate everyone’s needs, please
send in your registration form as early as possible. In addition every
participant will be asked to complete a waiver form. In the absence of a
participation fee, we are asking that everyone (participants, handlers, family
members and others) pay for their own meal at the Saturday night banquet (cost
$15.00 per person) and if they wish, to purchase breakfast in both Cottonwood
and at Troll Resort. All participants will receive a specially designed
souvenir identification bib as well as three complementary Mail Run envelopes.
Saturday Night Banquet - There will be a Banquet at Troll Resort on Saturday night. Please pre-order your meal tickets when you register (see registration form), however they will be available until Thursday evening at the no-host supper and meeting. Participants in the Sled Dog Mail Run and Barkerville Dash (including mushers, skijorers, skiers, snowshoers, cyclists, joggers and snowmobilers), volunteers, handlers, family members, and members of the public are invited to the banquet and also to the party that will take place following the banquet. Socializing will begin at 6:30 p.m., the banquet will commence at 7:00 p.m. and the party will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night. This is where all awards will be presented, there will be a small fund raising auction of sled dog-related items and entertainment. Lots of laughs are guaranteed, it will be a great opportunity to meet with all of the other weekend participants as well as members of the public.
Accommodation
The Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run actually starts just north of Quesnel but
it finishes in Wells, approximately 60 miles (by road) away. Participants who
are non-campers could spend the nights in either Quesnel or Wells. Local
accommodation information is listed on the “links” section of this website or
you may contact event organizers. It is possible for participants to share some
of the apartment-style motel units in Wells.
Mushers may want to come earlier in the week and spend a few days
running on the extensive network of sled dog trails in the Wells area. This is
an excellent area for training dogs at all distances. Contact event organizers
for suggestions. It will be necessary
for dog mushers to arrange to have their dog trucks at Cottonwood for Friday
evening, Troll for Saturday evening and in Barkerville/Wells for Sunday
afternoon. This will require some prior
planning.
Special
Awards
Judges will be observing the dogs and human participants throughout the Mail Run. The judges have been asked to make decisions regarding the winners for the following awards:
Oldest Participant Youngest Participant Most Inspirational Participant
Best Looking Dog Team Volunteer Award Sponsor Award
Hard Luck Award Red Lantern Award Best Musher’s Hat Award
Skijorer’s Award
Want to be involved? Fill out a registration form
and post it in to event organizers
Last updated: January 13, 2006