HURL Elkhorn 50 Mile Ultramarathon - Course Maps & Descriptions

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.

Start to Aid Station #2

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).

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version

Aid Station #2 to #3

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.

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version

Aid Station #3 to #4

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).

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version

Aid Station #4 to #6

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).

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version

Aid Station #6 to #7

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.

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version

Aid Station #7 to Finish

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.

Click to view full-size version
Click to view full-size version
©2006 Helena Running Club, All Rights Reserved.