Stage Two - Cottonwood to Troll Resort
The second section (stage) of trail is run on Day 2 (Saturday January 23rd) from Cottonwood to Troll Ski Resort (site of former Pine Grove House), a trail distance of 15 miles (25 kilometres). Dog teams and skiers who did not participate on Day 1 may choose to start at Cottonwood on Day 2.
A pancake breakfast will be available for purchase at the Cottonwood checkpoint and participants should begin to leave Cottonwood by 10:00 a.m. to arrive at Troll by 1:00 p.m. although this timing is not too crucial. Initially participants will backtrack on Friday's route, turning right on the 3500 Road at the 3501 mark, continuing down the 3500 Road to the 3505 mark and taking a right turn to continue on to Troll Resort. If some participants would like to run longer miles before heading to Troll Resort, this will be possible but please make your intentions known to the organizers so that they can ensure that the longer trail is broken.
There is significant elevation gain as teams travel past Hyde Lake, followed by an exhilarating five kilometre descent down Pinegrove Mountain ending right in the heart of Troll Ski Resort. Please note that for safety and liability reasons, all snowmobiles must park in a designated snowmobile parking area, they must not travel near the ski runs or near the lodge.
Troll Resort is located on Highway #26, 27 miles (44 kilometres) from Quesnel and 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Cottonwood. There will be an overnight campout at Troll, with a designated outside camping area for mushers, handlers, volunteers and family members. Again, campers should be self-sufficient although at Troll there are public washrooms with hot and cold running water, and it will also be possible for participants to bunk on the floor in a heated section of the main lodge (note: the "small" lodge will be off limits this year) if they provide all of their own camping gear. Troll Resort is private property and all participants are guests who are asked to treat the property and other participants with total respect.
Because of the proximity of Troll, dog trucks have easy access and again, if participants wish, they may choose to travel back to Quesnel or on to Wells for the night.
Once teams arrive at Troll, lunch can be purchased at the snack bar. In the afternoon there will be a series of contests (Mushers’ Sports) for participants, mushers and their dogs. 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 arrive and to meet the participants.
Mushers’ Sports Competitions
The setting at Troll Resort lends itself perfectly as a venue to showcase sled dogs for the general public. In keeping with our desire to maintain a focus on the history and traditions associated with sled dogs and dog mushing, a number of Mushers’ Sports will be staged for everyone to enjoy. This is truly a fun event and an opportunity to showcase sled dogs for the many spectators. There will be prizes!!!
At 2:00 p.m., mushers are asked to consider putting their dog team on display for the general public to view and appreciate. ALL DOGS AND EQUIPMENT ARE WELCOME and you are particularly encouraged to use equipment and clothing that you have made yourself.
At 2:30 p.m a weight pull demonstration is planned. This will be simply a demonstration event, to show the working abilities of sled dogs. Enter your dog(s) as you feel comfortable, every dog will be a winner, you can bait or lead your dog with a leash. There will be no attempt to come up with a winner.
Finally, at 4:00 p.m. the popular and hilarious Trapper’s Triathlon will be staged. This event requires a team of five people who will chop and split firewood, light a fire, melt snow to make water, prepare tea, bake bannock, snowshoe the distance of a measured trail. There will be demerit points for any indication of cheating….get your team together.
Following the Mushers’ Sports, the afternoon celebrations will begin winding down as everyone looks forward to the evening events.
Saturday evening will see the Dinner and Auction which will take place in the main lodge. Tickets must be pre-purchased (at a cost of $15.00 each) and must be obtained right up until Thursday evening at the Mushers’ Meeting.
Socializing beginning at 5:15 p.m., the banquet meal beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the auction beginning at 7:00 p.m. This should be a great evening of fun. Please pre-order your meal tickets when you register (see Participation Form), however they will be available until Thursday evening at the Mushers’ Meeting. All participants (including mushers, skijorers, skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers), volunteers, handlers, family members, and members of the public are invited to attend. A donation will be made to the Holger Bauer Forest Safety Fund from the money raised at the auction.
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