Thirteenth Annual Edition
January 21, 22, 23—2005
Quesnel to Wells to Barkerville British Columbia
A unique aspect of the history of Canada is the general knowledge that in the past, our mail was sometimes delivered by dog team. Today, we will often joke about the speed of mail delivery and compare it to the speed of a sled dog team. Romanticized movie images of Canada and Canada’s north will include references to “mushers” and sled dogs and “the mail”. Historic accounts often refer to isolation and loneliness and the arrival of the sled dog “packet” which brought with it cherished news from the “outside”, often news that was 12 or more months old. It is true that with Canada’s unique winter weather, sled dogs were often the only way to travel from one settlement to another and it follows that in the course of their journeys, mushers would carry “the mail” or at least news from one place to the other.
Since then times have changed and with the introduction of air mail the sled dog mail carriers were no longer required. The Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run is the only opportunity in the world for anyone to arrange to have an envelope delivered by dog team through the regular postal system.
Read a participant story
from the 2004 Mail Run
Read more history on sled dog team mail carriers
Want to be involved? Fill out a registration form and post it in to event organisers
Introduction----Summary of Weekend Events
The members of the Gold Rush Trail
Sled Dog Association invite you to join them for the 13th running of the annual
Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run. 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
beautiful wilderness trails, the event is challenging but organizers have built
in many safety factors. Participants choose 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 an overnight campout, an outdoor
trail-side barbeque, mushers may become official Canada Post mail carriers,
there is a special focus on sled dog traditions, you will be able to participate
in a unique triathlon, attend a Saturday night 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, however
some competitive racers choose to include this event as part of their training
program. All participants enjoy everything that traditional dog mushing and
winter camping has to offer.
The Mail Run Trail
The trail runs 60 miles (100 kilometres) from Quesnel to Wells to Barkerville
B.C. This is the same trail that has been used since 1993. It is well maintained
and groomed and each year the trail undergoes more upgrading. Experience has
proven that conditioned teams take from 5 1/2 to 8 hours to complete this whole
route and some mushers may choose to run the whole distance non-stop. For the
purposes of the Mail Run however, the route has been broken into smaller
sections or stages. A printable map of the trail can be accessed by contacting
event organisers..
The first section (stage) is from
Umiti Pit (north of Quesnel) to Ahbau Lake. This section is 24 miles long and an
overnight campout will take place at Ahbau Lake in the forestry campground.
(Note: The campground has outhouses and tables, good firewood will be available
as well as water from the lake, in addition the access roads will be plowed.
However all campers must be self-sufficient and prepared for winter
camping…..three years ago the overnight temperature was -30C). The event is
organized so that participants may leave Umiti Pit any time after 11:00 a.m. on
Day 1 (Friday). It is important that all participants inform organizers when
they plan to leave from Umiti Pit, volunteers will be in attendance. All
participants must arrive at the Ahbau Lake campsite by 6:00 p.m. although in an
emergency it is possible to run this section after dark. In January, it is dark
by about 5:00 p.m. Ahbau Lake is accessible by road, so participants can choose
to end there and arrange to have their truck pick them up. Similarly, dog teams
and skiers may choose to start at Ahbau Lake on Day 2. Because of the road
accessibility, it is also possible to have handlers with vehicles join their
teams for the overnight campout.
The second section (stage) of trail
is run on Day 2 (Saturday) from Ahbau Lake to the 24A Road. This is a relatively
short distance (8 miles), it runs on a logging road (the 1000 Road), it consists
of gently rolling hills and teams make good time. It would be possible for
mushers to run this section with as few as two dogs. It is anticipated that the
Scouts will have a campsite set up at the 24A Road and this serves as a
checkpoint and rendezvous point for participants running to Wells and for
snowmobiles coming from Wells. Hamburgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate will be
available for everyone. This checkpoint is also road accessible so if they
choose, participants may start (or finish) at the 24A road for the run into
Wells.
The next section (stage) of trail runs from the 24A Road to Fran MacPherson's
homestead on the Willow River. This section is approximately 20 miles long and
is the most difficult section of trail on the whole route with a very
significant elevation change as the trail climbs over Hardscrabble mountain. It
is truly beautiful, however smaller dog teams will have to ensure that they are
in condition and will have to allow enough time to complete this section. Fran
MacPherson's homestead is a landmark and if they wish, teams can stop to rest in
Fran’s front yard and wait for other participants to join them for the final leg
into Wells.
The next section (stage) from Fran's place to Wells is approximately 4 miles
long and is an easy run over a very well used trail. Small teams and skiers may
want to travel out to Fran's from Wells to rendezvous with the teams and then
travel into Wells as part of the larger group.
The final section (stage) is the 5 mile run from Wells to Barkerville and this
will take place on Day 3 (Sunday) in the form of the Barkerville Dash sprint
race. This is a fun event for all teams (3 to 6 dogs), skijorers, skiers and
even cyclists and snowshoers. All participants are asked to donate a prize which
will become part of the pool of draw prizes. …..this way, everyone wins. This
year the club will be donating three cash prizes that will be up for grabs. This
particular stage is open to everyone, even those who have not taken part in the
rest of the Mail Run. See Weekend Event Schedule for specific times.
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. If for some reason a participant cannot complete the whole
route, there are two places where it is possible to drive your vehicle to the
trail and you and your dogs may be trucked to Quesnel or Wells. All support
persons and event officials will be wearing fluorescent safety vests.
The
trail is beautiful but tough! See Trail Map for details. 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 and the height of land on the route is Hardscrabble
Mountain at 1400 metres. This spot is on the second half of the route past the
24A Road. While there is lots of climbing, the elevation of Wells is 1200 metres
so there is gradual downhill from Hardscrabble to Wells. Most of the route runs
through beautiful 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 is guaranteed. 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 is not uncommon for the temperatures to be -20 Celsius and on
some years, it has been -40 Celsius 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, a
sleeping bag, 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 at Ahbau Lake be sure to bring stakeout chain or
picket line for dogs, (if not using 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 twelve 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 Ryun is now
the only place in the world where it is possible to actually have a letter
delivered as part of the regular mail system by dog team. For this reason, this
year’s artwork celebrates the pioneer dog musher/ mail carriers.
Teams running from Quesnel to Wells to Barkerville 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 10:00 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.
Every participant who is present at the Thursday night no-host supper,
regardless of whether they plan to travel the whole trail or only a portion of
the route, will be asked to sign and address five of the special
envelopes...three of these will go to the participant and two will be kept by
the club once they are cancelled upon delivery to Barkerville. If you are unable
to be present at the Thursday night meeting but would like to personally sign
and address your envelopes, please make arrangements with organizers well
beforehand. Otherwise, all participants in the Mail Run who have not signed
their envelopes will receive three cancelled envelopes at the end of the Mail
Run. As a participant, you may also purchase additional envelopes.
Wells Winter Carnival
The Mail Run is staged in conjunction with the Wells Winter Carnival. There will
be a number of fun events for the whole family taking place in Wells on the
Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, the now-famous tri-sport winter triathlon
involving dog teams, skiers, antique snowmobiles, backcountry cooking and
old-fashioned cheating will be staged for any interested participants. You can
sign up on the Sunday if you wish to compete as part of a team. There will also
be a short sprint race--The Barkerville Dash-- for any and all teams from three
to six dogs in size. Skijorers and skiers as well as cyclists, snowshoers and
joggers may also participate in this race and mushers may carry a passenger if
they wish. Please note that every competitor is asked to provide a sled
dog-related prize and these will be shared with the winner getting first pick
etc....this way, everyone wins! The Barkerville Dash will be a commemoration of
the Cariboo Gold Rush as participants will literally be arriving on the steps of
Barkerville where they will have to "stake their claim" before their race ends.
Participants in the Mail Run are encouraged to take part in these sled dog
events, but they are open to everyone, even if they have not participated in the
journey from Quesnel to Wells.
If you wish, you may use Sunday to explore some of the trails in the
area...there is great training for those teams that might be preparing for some
of the longer races coming up. Some teams may choose to run back to Umiti Pit.
Registration
This year 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 everyone is asked to
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 (see
registration form for cost). This year there will be no participation awards or
draw prizes, but all participants will receive a participation certificate, as
well as five Mail Run envelopes.
Saturday Night Banquet
There will be a Banquet in Wells on Saturday night. Please pre-order your
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, invited guests and members of the public are invited to the
banquet and to a party that will take place following the banquet. The party
will begin at approximately 8:00 on Saturday night. This is where all
participation certificates will be presented, there will be a small fund raising
auction of sled dog-related items, a special video presentation and lots of
laughs are guaranteed. It will be a great opportunity to meet with all of the
other weekend participants.
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. Most participants
will want to spend Saturday night in Wells, in order to be able to attend the
banquet. It will also be necessary for dog mushers to arrange to have their dog
trucks in Wells for their arrival on Saturday afternoon. This will require some
prior planning. It will be necessary to arrange for accommodation in Quesnel and
also in Wells. Local accommodation information is listed on the main page or you
may contact event organizers. It is possible for mushers to share some of the
apartment-style motel units. Actually, you 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.
Want to be involved? Fill out a registration form and post it in to event organisers
This web site created by
Jess Allen
for the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Association
Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved.
Last updated: 1st of December 2004