50 mile Course Details
Ok, so here’s the deal. We are old school and still hold on to the belief that trail running should be simple; some shoes and proper clothing, water and food and a basic understanding of where you are going. We hold on to the idea that trail runners should be fairly self sufficient. We will warn you now, mileage is based on “ishes”, “arounds”, “approximately” - in other words IT IS NOT EXACT. If you are one of those people that live and die by the distance displayed on your watch, then this race may stretch your comfort zone. We take pride in having a well marked course and will do everything we can to mark the course and intersections clearly, but understanding and knowing the course ahead of time is a must. You never know when our friendly elk will play tricks on you by removing ribbons and flags! As long as you see markers, just keep running until you see the aid station. Enjoy the experience and freeness of ultra trail running.
Distance: ~50 miles
High Point: 11,659 ft
Low Point: 6,608 ft
Average Elevation: 8,978 ft
Total Elevation gain: ~13,500
Cut Off: 16 hours
Profile
aid stations
maps
Start to AS#1 - San Isabel (9.8 miles)
As you leave the Pueblo Mountain Park, you will have a steady climb about 4.5 miles along highway 78. Please keep in mind that even though it is a dirt road, it is still a highway and open to the public so keep to the side and watch for vehicles. You will have plenty of space to spread out and find your place amongst the other runners. After climbing about 1,500ft you will come upon a small trailhead on your left for the San Carlos Trail (1320). Turn here and follow the trail for a little over approximately 2 miles where the trails opens up to a dirt road FR 320). Follow FR 320 about 3.2 miles to San Isabel AS.
AS#1 - San Isabel to AS#2 - Greenhorn (8.5 miles)
Let the climbing begin! From the aid station you will go west (right) on Old San Isabel Road 243 for about 2 miles before hitting HWY 165. As you come to the paved highway, using extreme caution, look for cars then cross the highway and carefully run along the highway for a short 0.17 miles. Then go left and head into the woods on a single track trail. After a few switchbacks, you will officially “T” into the Snowslide Trail (1318) where you will go left up the trail. Enjoy the densely wooded pine trail as you climb 2,700+ ft in about 4 miles to 11,500ft. From the top descend a little over 1.25 miles until you come to the Greenhorn Mountain Road (FR 369). Turn right and go a little over 0.5 miles until you are greeted for the first of two visits at the Greenhorn AS.
AS#2 - Greenhorn to AS#3 - Saint Charles (9.7 miles)
From the Greenhorn AS you will go left on Greenhorn Mountain Road (FR 369) for a short distance of about 0.2 miles where you will see a sign on your right for the Cisneros Trail (1314). This time you will follow the Cisneros Trail (1314) for roughly 3.9 miles until you come to an intersection with the Saint Charles Trail (1326). You want to go to your left and follow the Saint Charles Trail (1326). You will continue to climb up for about 5.25 miles bringing you to another junction. This time go left for less than 0.5 miles on a short out and back to the Saint Charles AS.
AS#3 - Saint Charles to AS#4 Second Mace (11 miles)
Leave the Saint Charles AS the same way you came in by going back the less than 0.5 miles to the trail junction. Go left back onto the Saint Charles Trail (1326) - the opposite direction from where you came up before. A short gradual climb will bring you to the highest point of the race at 11,672 ft. From here enjoy your 4 mile descent to HWY 165. At the highway you will carefully look both ways and cross to the other side. You will continue right (south) on the highway for less than 0.25 miles where you will turn left into a small parking area called Lion Park towards the South Creek Trailhead. You will take the South Creek Trail (1321) approximately 3.75 miles to a trail junction. Here you will go left on Coupler Trail 1386 towards the Squirrel Creek Trail (1384) junction. DO NOT go straight towards the Pueblo Mountain Park. In about 0.5 miles you will cross a stream and come to a “T”. Go left onto Squirrel Creek Trail (1384) towards the Davenport Campground. In 1.8 miles you will reach the Second Mace AS on your right after passing through the campground (please be courteous and keep your voices down when passing through the campground).
Unofficial AS: At HWY 165 we are allowing an unofficial aid station. Here, you can meet your crew and swap pacers in two different locations. There is a small parking area across the street from where the Saint Charles Trail (1326) meets the highway. That is option #1. Option #2 is at Lion Park just 0.25 miles south on HWY 165 at the South Creek Trailhead.
AS#4 Second Mace to Finish (10.7 miles)
Almost there! Oh so close! You will take Second Mace Trail (1322) out from the aid station. Climb roughly 0.9 miles until you come to a trail junction. Go to your right and stay on the Second Mace Trail (1322). In about another 0.5 miles trail 1328 will intersect. Again, stay on the Second Mace Trail towards the junction with Dome Rock Trail (1387). In approximately 0.75 miles, the trail will come to a “Y”. You will veer right and take Dome Rock Trail (1387) for 2.6 miles where it will end at Squirrel Creek Trail (1384). You want to continue left on Squirrel Creek Trail (1384). In a little over a mile you will pass one of the very first recreational pavilions ever built in the nation. From here, go a short distance until the trail comes to a “T”. You will turn right towards the Pueblo Mountain Park. You will start climbing for about 1.3 miles until you come to another trail junctions. Turn left onto the Northridge Trail. You will run about a mile to the next trail junction where you will stay straight on to Devil’s Canyon Trail (do not go left). Follow Devil’s Canyon trail until you hit a “T”. Here you will start your out and back section to the Fire Tower by going right onto Maces Trail. Veer left at the next junction (do not go right onto the Ranger Trail). Shortly after at the next junction veer right up the the Fire Tower. At the Fire Tower, you will find a sign and a sharpie. Follow the directions on the sign. Then go back the way you came on the Maces Trail for about 1.25 miles. You will go passed where you first popped out onto Maces trail and passed the Overlook Point until you pop out onto the road. Stay to your left and follow the course markings along the dirt road for about a mile to the finish!
