Are there rest points or checkpoints along the race trail?
Yes, the race trail has a total of 22 checkpoints between the Wasilla starting line and Nome. The checkpoints vary from people’s homes along rivers to old cabins in the woods to villages and ghost towns. A few checkpoints are just remote place where planes could land to drop off officials and food and set up tents. The checkpoints are sort of the activity centers for the race. All of the veterinarians, officials, and food for mushers and dogs are at the checkpoints. When a team arrives at a checkpoint, a checker signs the team into the checkpoint and records the time, date, and number of dogs in the team. Checkers also point out the location of camp sites for the team, the food drop bags (if a food drop checkpoint), and water (if available). Teams are not required to rest at every checkpoint, however, so sometimes teams just pass through and head out on the trail again. Other times, teams stop for a rest. Checkpoints are nice places to rest because a place for mushers to go inside and
