About the Course Maps
Click
here to view the overall course map.
To view detailed course maps and descriptions for
the 50 mile course, please see below: Start
to Aid Station #2, Aid
Station #2 to #3, Aid
Station #3 to #4, Aid
Station #4 to #6, Aid
Station #6 to #7 and Aid
Station #7 to Finish.
If you would like to see a full-size version of a course map, click
on the course map image.
From the start/finish area (Crystal Creek Campground) the course
starts uphill on Forest Service Road 4017 to Trail 301 (2.5 Miles).
We will have self serve water available at this trailhead.
Runners continue uphill on Trail 301 to Montgomery Park (5 miles).
The trail is faint through Montgomery Park. Head towards the top of
the ridge and watch for a trail sign on a wood post in the middle
of the meadow on your right. Follow the rock cairns straight downhill
from the sign to an obvious trail heading to the left. Continue on
Trail 301, which more or less contours along the mountain side until
climbing slightly then dropping into the Jackson Creek drainage and
intersection with Trail 344 (7 miles). The trail is faint as it drops
into Jackson Creek. From here continue on Trail 301 climbing slightly
until dropping into Casey Meadows and intersection with Trail 343
(8 miles). At Casey Meadows runners will turn downhill on Trail 343
to the Jackson Creek Trailhead (aid station #1, 10 miles). Runners
then go uphill on Trail 344 which intersects with Trail 301 (13 miles).
Runners then backtrack on Trail 301 to Montgomery Park (15 miles),
downhill to Forest Service Road 4017 (17.5 miles, self serve water
will be available), and down Forest Service Road 4017 to the start
finish area (aid station #2, 20 miles).
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From the Aid Station #2 (start/finish area) runners will start a
gradual uphill on Forest Service Road 294 to the McClellan Creek Trailhead,
Trail 343 (22 miles). Approximately ¼ mile up Trail 343 runners will
turn right on McClellan Creek Trail 302 (if you cross the log over
the creek you went too far up Trail 343). The course continues mostly
gradual uphill on Trail 302. At 23.5 miles Trail 347 comes in from
the right, continue uphill on Trail 302. At 24 miles Trails 302 and
301 intersect, this is the location of Tepee Creek Aid Station #3.
From Tepee Creek continue uphill on Trail 302. The trail becomes
steadily more steep with numerous switchbacks at the head of the McClellan
Creek Basin. Following a brief downhill the trail continues climbing
through more switchbacks over the top of the ridge, and a short downhill
into Elk Park Aid Station #4 (27 Miles).
From Elk Park Aid Station #4 runners turn left on Trail 113, and
then take a quick right on Trail 114 (Moose Creek). This trail rolls
up and down briefly before turning downhill to the intersection with
Forest Service Road 4032 (31 miles). The trail is pretty easy to follow,
just watch for the hard right just as you enter Airplane Park. Just
before the intersection with Road 4032 the trail becomes more of a
primitive road, and you pass a cabin on your left. There is a gate
across the path to keep vehicles off the trail. Go around the gate
and head up the road to the right, which begins a gradual uphill on
Forest Service Road 4032. Stay on the road to its intersection with
Trail 113. Wilson Creek Aid Station #5 (32.5 miles) is at this intersection.
From Wilson Creek Aid Station, runners take Trail 113, which quickly
goes through some wet areas and tall grass (watch for trail markers
as the trail is faint through this section) before beginning a steep
uphill. The trail continues steep uphill out of the forest and into
Elk Park. The trail is faint through Elk Park (watch for trail markers).
You are exposed to sun during this climb. At the top of Elk Park the
trail enters the forest and the climb becomes less steep. You cross
the highest point on the course (7,920') above Elk Park and the trail
then descends gradually back into Elk Park Aid Station (aid station
#4 and #6).
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From Elk Park Aid Station runners backtrack down Trail 302. A very
short uphill out of the aid station gives way to a steep downhill.
The steepest parts down through the two switchback sections are also
fairly rocky. The last two miles back into Tepee Creek Aid Station
#7 (39 miles) are more gradual. From the Tepee Creek Aid Station,
the course includes a major climb exposed to the afternoon sun. We
strongly encourage participants to assess their condition at this
point.
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From Tepee Creek Aid Station #7, the course immediately begins a
fairly steep uphill. This entire uphill section is exposed to the
afternoon sun. The climb is approximately 2 miles long and elevation
gain is approximately 1,500 feet. There is little shade and no water
crossings on this climb. From Tepee Creek Aid Station runners start
uphill on Trail 301 along Tepee Creek. Shortly after leaving the aid
station the trail makes a sharp turn to the left and starts uphill,
a game trail continues along the creek. Watch for rock cairns and
course markers. Once you begin climbing the trail is obvious. The
trail eventually climbs straight up through a meadow to a ridge line,
and the course is not obvious. Again watch for rock cairns and course
markers. At the top of the meadow the trail turns right, becomes rocky,
and continues uphill. Watch for course markings here as the right
turn is not obvious. Continue climbing, soon the trail begins contouring
along the mountainside, and eventually starts downhill. At 41 miles
Trail 374 comes in from your right. Continue downhill into Casey Meadows
and the intersection with Trail 343 (42 miles). Turn right at the
trail sign (stay on Trail 301) and immediately cross the creek. Continue
on Trail 301 uphill out of Casey Meadows. This climb is mostly gradual,
with a few short steeper sections. Then the trail gradually descends
to Jackson Creek and the intersection with Trail 344 (44 miles). Turn
left down Trail 344. This is a long downhill. Shortly after your last
crossing of Jackson Creek, the trail climbs about 300 feet before
dropping back down to Jackson Creek Aid Station #8. The trail drops
straight downhill into Jackson Creek Aid Station. There is a game
trail going off to the left at the top of the last downhill. Follow
the rock cairns and course markings straight down hill. From the Jackson
Creek Aid Station the course turns downhill on Trail 343 a gradual
downhill to the trailhead, down Forest Service Road 294, a mostly
gradual downhill with some very short uphills, and to the finish area.
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