Southwest Community: McGrath
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McGrath, located on the upper Kuskokwim River near the intersection of Interior and Southwest Alaska is a bush community, inaccessible by road. Since its beginnings, McGrath has long been the transportation and supply center for the region and its population is predominantly Athabascan and Yupik. Subsistence remains an important part of the local culture. Dog teams have been common, providing functional transportation during the winter. Many dog teams from McGrath have participated in major Alaska races, finishing in the top-10. McGrath has daily prop-jet service from Anchorage.
The lower portion of the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge lays to the west of McGrath. Innoko was established to conserve waterfowl, peregrine falcons, other migratory birds, black bears, moose, furbearers, other mammals, and salmon. One of the most enjoyable and practical ways to visit and see this vast refuge is by floating down the Innoko, Iditarod, or Dishna Rivers.
Access to the refuge is by means of airplanes equipped for water landings during spring, summer and fall. Due to its extremely remote and isolated location, access to the refuge by watercraft is, in most cases, not practical. The Innoko Refuge headquarters is also located in McGrath.
McGrath is the staging area for numerous wilderness adventures including limited “pay to mine” operations at nearby gold mines. Visitors can prospect tailing piles with metal detectors and at one location, gold dredges and power sluices. McGrath is a major checkpoint along the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Local businesses offer excursions during the Iditarod International Sled Dog Race, the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race and the Iditarod Invitational endurance race (human powered) providing visitors first-hand experiences along the Iditarod Trail. Buffalo, sheep and moose hunting bring many visitors to the area where they are transported by local charter aircraft.
Details
Photo By: Robin Hood
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A musher gives one of his dogs a reassuring pat
Population:
315
Location:
McGrath is located 221 miles northwest of Anchorage and 269 miles southwest of Fairbanks on the KuskokwimRiver.
Access: By scheduled air service out of Anchorage and air charter, river travel May to October.
Accommodations: Three bed and breakfast and bunkhouse type rooms, one cafe.