The trail to Tolovana is part roller coaster, part luge. On xc skis it was interesting 🙂 Starting out at 2000 ft, dropping to 850 ft, then up to 2120 ft, back down to 1000 ft made the trail a little bit of a climb/steep descent over 10 miles. Skins on the uphills made it significantly easier, although the trail was packed enough to hike. We lucked out with daytime temps in the 20’s and around 0F at night. We enjoyed mostly sunny skies, brilliant stars, and the faint glow of the northern lights on the horizon. Pretty sweet weather & temps!
Map of the ten mile trail to Tolovona & elevation gain.
The trail looking back towards the Elliott Highway. We were thankful for the snow machine track, which kept the trail nice and groomed in many parts. Although, parts of the trail were super icy (mostly down low and up on top of the dome.) 
The crew-Ben, Becca, Eva, & Dan.
When we got to the cabin we had a curious fox show up a few times the first day. Becca named him Albert.
Sunset from the Log cabin. This cabin was pretty sweet-equipped with solar panels, LED lights, and an oven!
The middle spring! The best soaker-love the temperature control with the hoses. We did manage to get 7 of us in here, although it was tight!
Saturday we went for a xc ski excursion down the trail towards the Livengood-Dunbar trail. There is tons of evidence everywhere of a recent forest fire. This is one of two windsocks on the icy runway.
Ben made fresh bread!
Deke and Lorraine made it! They are rock stars for making it on the 10 mile trail with dog teams! Here Deke is riding on the back of Lorraine’s sled.
They brought with them frozen pizzas & beer-couldn’t ask for better friends 🙂
In land in front of the cabin had been cleared and was at a slight slope AND glare ice. When we saw them drive in, we all ran out to help in our down booties. To say the least we weren’t as much help as we could have been & I almost got clotheslined by the dog team line into a tree. Apparently, I did a great rendition of the running man in my down booties. Once I got enough traction, I went inside and put on my boots-more suitable footwear for helping 🙂 
It was super fun taking the dogs off the line an setting up a picket line. We helped Deke and Lorraine give the dogs fish head meatball snacks and put hay down for their beds. Later on while we ate our pizza, the dogs got their dinner.
Deke & Lorraine with Deke’s team leaders.
Lorraine sharing a moment with one of her dogs.
Pizza! It was a fabulous feast. Love, love, love having access to an oven!
A few of us enjoying a beer and a soak. Absolutely amazing place-can’t wait to go back!
The Adventures of Amber 