MARQUETTE – When people think of the U.P. 200 sled dog race in February, they think of snow, sleds, cold weather, and most of all, dogs. What spectators tend to forget, or may never cross their minds, are the trails the dogs and mushers race on. Many hours of work by very generous volunteers are put into the well-groomed trails year round. These volunteers often do not get the credit they truly deserve.
Six to eight volunteers help create the U.P. 200 trail each year in a process that is often long, exhausting, and sometimes stressful. However, U.P. 200 trail boss Cathy Sleeter thoroughly enjoys volunteering for the event even though it can sometimes be stressful.
In order for the 240 mile trail to be ready for snowfall, the process usually begins as early as September. During the first few months, volunteers use four-wheelers to check the condition of the trail, which runs round-trip between Marquette and Grand Marais. Tree branches, rocks and other debris could have fallen onto the trail through the spring and summer months.
The trail-making process plays an enormous part in the U.P. 200 sled dog race because the trail is the key to the safety of the mushers and dogs.
“Without the trail being brushed out in the fall and again as we approach the race, we would not have a safe trail. Without a safe trail, mushers would not be willing to risk the safety of their dogs to race in this event. The reputation of the race rests on its trail first,” says U.P. 200 President Pat Torreano. “The trail makers are the heart of the race.”
Clearing the trails requires a number of different equipment. The most important pieces of equipment used for packing the snow are snowmobiles. The Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association currently owns five, with two in the process of becoming unfixable. Surprisingly, the crew does not pull any type of groomer behind these snowmobiles.
“We only use snowmobiles; we don’t pull groomers. It’s a dog trail and the dogs are out there to work. They like it when it’s not just a flat trail,” says Sleeter. Instead, the crew uses chainsaws, clippers, shears, hatches, axes, machetes, and of course shovels, in case they get stuck.
Once the crew has cleared the trail of trees and brushes, they then wait for the first major snowfall, which typically occurs following the end of the hunting seasons.
When the crew has an ample amount of snow to work with, they then check different sections of the trail on the snowmobiles, in search of branches and other tree parts that may have been pulled onto the trail due to the pulling weight of snow. The safety of the mushers is a number one priority, so these steps must be followed.
“This year’s lack of snow makes it hard. In November and December, when the wet snow came, it pulled (branches and brush) onto the trails, blocking them entirely,” says Jon Carlson, a 10-year volunteer of the U.P. 200. “The snow machines (we have) make it easier to pull out the brush.”
A major part of trail preparation, and typically most forgotten, is the science behind the use of snow. The best snow for early trail making is a good mixture of wet and dry snow. If the snow is too dry, then it is not good for packing, which is the main part of trail making. If the snow is too wet, then it makes maneuvering for the crew difficult. If there is a good snow between wet and dry, the crew packs it into the ground. Then, they hope for a good freeze throughout the night. If all goes well, they will have a great base to work with.
As the day of the race draws near, there are three main jobs that need to occur to ensure the race will run smoothly.
The most important job, Sleeter says, is the process of getting the trail markers in place and making sure the trail is completely set. The crew also needs to be sure the snowmobiles are in working order. Just before the race, there is a lead crew who sets out right before the race teams to make sure the trail is clear, free of damages and/or changes, and all the markings are in place. During this time, they also do last-minute trail packing.
Without these six or eight volunteers, the U.P. 200 would simply never happen. The U.P. 200 requires a special volunteer, one who enjoys working long and strenuous hours in the outdoors.
Jon Carlson says he always enjoys volunteering at the race because he simply enjoys being outdoors, regardless of what type of wintry weather the Upper Peninsula brings.
“I look forward to it…I know spring is on the way,” says Carlson.
Even though the trail making crew enjoys working through the months getting the trail ready, race volunteers are relieved when the race finally commences. And if the race goes well, then they feel a sense of accomplishment.
“There is no way we can ever give enough credit to our volunteers. We try to always tell them, but I know we can never do enough,” says Torreano. “When an event, such as ours, relies so much on the willingness of others to give their time, we only hope they love the outdoors and the dogs enough to continue their great effort.”
