Activities in Skwentna – Skwentna, Alaska
This community of just 111 residents in Mat-Su Borough is the spot for lots of activities involving things Alaska is known for, such as the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome each March. Skwentna is an official checkpoint for this race. They are also a gas top for the Iron Dog Snowmobile Race in February. Then you go to the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350 mile race that combines skiing, mountain biking and snowshoeing and find that Skwentna is also a stop for this activity.
You can’t drive to Skwentna so you have to reach it either by sled dogs or fly in. Skwentna lies on the south bank of the Skwentna River at its junction with Eight Mile Creek.
The area had been fished and hunted by the Dena’ina Athabascans for centuries. Permanent settlers did not show up until after the Alaska Road Commission cut the Iditarod Trail here in 1908 on the way to Nome from Seward.
Roadhouses were later constructed along the trail, including the Old Skwentna Roadhouse to service the prospectors, trappers and Native Alaskans who used sled dogs to transport goods over the trail.
The area drained by the Skwentna and Yentna rivers has many lakes and small streams that support all five species of salmon in Alaska. Taking advantage of the fine fishing are a number of fly-in fishing lodges with most located on the Talachulitna River, Lake Creek and Fish Creek. Guests target king salmon from June to mid-July and then concentrate on pink and sockeye salmon July and early August and silver salmon August to early September. Rainbow trout, grayling, Dolly Varden and northern pike are also plentiful and frequently caught.
A visit to the Skwentna Roadhouse will surly have you wishing your life could always be this peaceful. Nestled within the confines of the Alaska splendor is what the owners refer to “as a little piece of heaven where time just seems to have no meaning.” The Skwentna Roadhouse was built in 1982 by John and Joyce Logan to provide housing for the school children in the area. Several years ago the school was closed so the Logan’s turned their home into a comfortable hot spot for the Alaskan adventurer. In 1984 it became the 1st checkpoint for the Iron Dog Classic. In 1985 the race was changed to Iron Dog Gold Rush Classic which was later renames Tesoro Iron Dog and now we know it as the “Alaska National guard Irondog Race.” Wonder when it will be changed again??
Along the line they became the layover checkpoint for the Knik 200. This started many years of supporting Alaskan outdoor sports. Somewhere along the way ~ they started entertaining the summertime enthusiast by providing rooms and fine dining for fisherman and local travelers.
The new Roadhouse is located about 8 miles downstream from the original historic Skwentna Roadhouse ~ The Roadhouse is at the junction of the Yentna and Skwentna rivers. Skwentna, Alaska, is on the Historic Iditarod trail and is located at 61degrees 52’46”N 151degrees15’59”W It is 450 square miles in size of which 6.9 square miles is water. It is approximately 50 Nautical air miles from Wasilla, Alaska, 65 Nautical air miles form Anchorage, Alaska and about 70 river miles from the Deshka Landing in Willow, Alaska. The Skwentna Roadhouse is fortunate to have a State owned and operated Airport provided for by the United States during World War II’s Lend lease program with Russia.
This location would be a great place to spend some time learning about the area, whether you are there for one of the races or there during the summer when the beauty of the area will truly capture your heart.
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