Pack Trail Race
- Date Sat 23rd August 2025
- Time 10:00AM AKDT
- Location Valdez, Alaska
- Price $40.00
- Races 1 race
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the Pack Trail Race on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, in the stunning Valdez, Chugach! This exciting event invites a limited number of 40 entrants to experience the rich history and natural beauty of the original Pack Trail, a historic route built in 1898 by the US Army. Participants will take on an exhilarating out-and-back course along this iconic trail, which once connected the Port of Valdez to the Klondike Goldfields.
The race promises not just a physical challenge but also a journey through time, as runners will have the unique opportunity to glimpse remnants of the original telegraph line while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. With onsite registration available (cash only), and limited parking, we encourage carpooling for a more environmentally friendly experience. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Valdez history and join fellow trail enthusiasts for a day filled with excitement and camaraderie!
The race promises not just a physical challenge but also a journey through time, as runners will have the unique opportunity to glimpse remnants of the original telegraph line while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. With onsite registration available (cash only), and limited parking, we encourage carpooling for a more environmentally friendly experience. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Valdez history and join fellow trail enthusiasts for a day filled with excitement and camaraderie!
Organiser's Description
THERE WILL BE A 40 ENTRANT LIMIT TO THIS RACE. Parking is limited so please consider carpooling if available. We will be starting on the old highway. Onsite registration will be CASH ONLY.
The original "Pack Trail" was a trail from the Port of Valdez to Eagle, Alaska built in 1898 by the US Army to provide an "All-American" route to the Klondike Goldfields. When the gold rush ended, the Army kept the trail open to connect its posts, Fort Liscum in Valdez and Fort Egbert in Eagle. By 1910, it had grown into one of the most important access routes to interior Alaska and at that time it was upgraded into a wagon road. These upgrades were overseen by US Army General Wilds P. Richardson, for whom the final "Highway" was named. Because the wagon road and eventually the Richardson Highway were chosen to follow alongside the Lowe River instead of over the mountain, this part of the pack trail was abandoned. It remained forgotten for nearly 90 years until it was relocated and cleared in 1997 and 1998. The clearing was done with hadn tools in order to retain something of the original spirit of 1899. Glimpses of the original telegraph line (installed in 1900) can still be seen along the trail. In the fall of 2006, severe floods damaged the trail and washed out several important bridges, as well as portions of the Richardson Highway through Keystone Canyon. Join us on August 23rd to run an out and back on this amazing piece of Valdez history.
The original "Pack Trail" was a trail from the Port of Valdez to Eagle, Alaska built in 1898 by the US Army to provide an "All-American" route to the Klondike Goldfields. When the gold rush ended, the Army kept the trail open to connect its posts, Fort Liscum in Valdez and Fort Egbert in Eagle. By 1910, it had grown into one of the most important access routes to interior Alaska and at that time it was upgraded into a wagon road. These upgrades were overseen by US Army General Wilds P. Richardson, for whom the final "Highway" was named. Because the wagon road and eventually the Richardson Highway were chosen to follow alongside the Lowe River instead of over the mountain, this part of the pack trail was abandoned. It remained forgotten for nearly 90 years until it was relocated and cleared in 1997 and 1998. The clearing was done with hadn tools in order to retain something of the original spirit of 1899. Glimpses of the original telegraph line (installed in 1900) can still be seen along the trail. In the fall of 2006, severe floods damaged the trail and washed out several important bridges, as well as portions of the Richardson Highway through Keystone Canyon. Join us on August 23rd to run an out and back on this amazing piece of Valdez history.
Races
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Pack Trail Race
Sat 23rd August 2025 (10:00AM AKDT)
$40.00
This event is limited to 40 entrants.
Pack Trail Race