Mile 101 - Central
Start/Finish
Checkpoint
Dogdrop
(Distance 53 km)
Eagle Summit, steeply if mounted from its eastern side from Central, is easier to climb, if the race begins in Fairbanks. The rise is flatter - ends however in driving downhill, which is hardly to be braked. Trailbreakers report the fact they only must let tilt the skydoo after the summit "simply past and only does not try to brake". Rick Mackey, which cleared a beginner up over Eagle Summit at a stop at 101 once, said:"Wenn you comes to the summit, it goes suddenly steeply downhill. When I drove the race for the first time from this side, my dogs disappeared suddenly before me and before I could think, I found in a 2 km driving downhill. Best which you can do is to tip the sled and ride your snow hook. Perhaps this slows the speed down somewhere. You will surely not stop." Naturally Mackey's description, after which he let stand the anxious beginner with a paternal shoulder knocking, may be a bit exaggerated. It is Clear that however the drive downhill is hardly to be braked and the weather conditions on Eagle Summit, forced team to give up, even so briefly after the start. The downhill of Eagle Summit is seen altogether as the most dangerous stage of the entire Quest Trails. After Eagles Summit the Trail leads by a broad high valley with small firs and innumerable little rivers to the gold grave city Central. Open water, despite cutting cold weather, is a problem. Although now slowly "the chaff from wheat" separates, is hardly possible it to find out, which team is really strong. Most teams observe themselves mutually and who lies here in the first place has still little meaning. Crabb's Corner, a bar/restaurant serves in Central as checkpoint. Traditionally the Mushern are offered a dinner with steak and a warm corner for sleeping.
