Gearing Up for the CB300
Scene from the 2023 CB300. Photo by Whitney McLaren.
By Allison Sayer
The next Copper Basin 300 (CB300) sled dog race is set for January 11, 2025. I caught up by phone with lead trailbreaker Nathan Helmer to learn more about how things are shaping up for the year.
The tentative route will go clockwise from Glennallen to Tolsona, Lake Louise, and on from there. There is a possibility that river crossings on the Gulkana and Gakona will not be doable by the race date. If this occurs, the race will switch directions because teams will be forced up to the highway to cross bridges. Traffic control in a counter clockwise pattern is easier because the crossings are closer to the start of the race, when racers are less spread out.
Helmer has moderate confidence that although the crossings are “on the edge” as of December 16, this measure will not be necessary by the time January 11 rolls around.
CB300 trailbreakers snowmachine sections of the trail in groups of three or more to pack down the trail for the dog teams, with the rear rider towing a sled to smooth things out. They also clear fallen trees and other obstacles as needed. Helmer reported encountering a small sinkhole near Meiers Lake this year that several trees had sloughed into. The crew rerouted a short section of trail around that, clearing vegetation and packing snow.
Last year, riders experienced some ordeals breaking trail in a five or six foot snowpack. Helmer recalls people getting stuck, sometimes in groups.
Scene from the 2023 CB300. Photo by Whitney McLaren.
The snowpack is much thinner this year, but Helmer said there is “decent enough coverage to run snowmachines on the whole course.” He reported that he had just finished riding from Chistochina to the Gakona River, and estimated between eight inches and two feet on the trails. Along the Tok cutoff towards Gakona was “sparse,” with a rougher ride and brush sticking up.
Helmer reported coverage was better towards Meiers Lake, to Sourdough, and down to Lake Louise. South of there is tougher. Lake Louise to Glennallen is “doable but less than we’d like,” according to Helmer. Glennallen to Chistochina is similarly sparse but “doable.”
According to Helmer, riders have packed down the first layer of the base over more than half the trail, including the sections in the mountains that are the hardest. Several sections that connect areas still need to be ridden. The crew will put in stakes closer to the time of the race.
In other trail updates, the race board has secured all of the straw needed for the race and gotten it delivered. It is weed free straw from Delta Junction sponsored by the Copper River Watershed Project.
There is also about a 50 foot section of the upper Gakona that is still open and may not freeze before the race. The water is only six to eight inches deep, but mushers should note that there will be some wetness. This section has been open in many prior races. It’s all part of the race being “The toughest 300 miles in Alaska.”
Scene from the 2023 CB300. Photo by Whitney McLaren.
Helmer enjoys riding the trails. He grew up in Eagle, and has fond memories of doing what he could to help with the Yukon Quest race there. Helmer also said he is “very appreciative” of the other community volunteers who have come out and ridden.
38 out of a possible 40 racers have registered for the 2025 race.
If you are interested in volunteering for the CB300, sponsoring a mile of the race, or viewing race maps and other information, visit the CB300 website: cb300.com.
CB300 Stories from Prior Years:
Images from the CB300 Archives
On the Trail with Ron Stifler in the CB300