Rain, melting snow nix Idaho Sled Dog Challenge for 2024

McCALL — Warm weather including rain and above-freezing temperatures have doomed most of the 2024 version of the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge here.

Organizers of the event announced Tuesday that the 100-mile and 300-mile races and the ceremonial start that were set to begin Sunday and Monday have been canceled. But the shorter Warm Lake Stage Race scheduled for today and Thursday will go on as planned.

Organizers said as recently as last week that the race would be held and cited a chain of storms that delivered a late burst of snow to the McCall region. But those storms were followed by much higher temperatures.

“Trail conditions have rapidly deteriorated over the last several days with above-freezing temperatures and rain,” race founder and organizer Jerry Wortley said. “According to weather forecasts, conditions will continue to get worse, making the trails unsafe for the dogs and their mushers.”

The race, along with the Eagle Cap Extreme near Joseph, Ore., and the Race to the Sky near Lincoln, Mont., make up the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown and serve as qualifying events for the 1,000-mile Iditarod in Alaska. The Eagle Cap Extreme and the Race to the Sky were previously canceled because of low snow conditions.

The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge will still hold its raffle for two VIP trips to this year’s Iditarod.