I have had several people ask for a more complete course description-so here it is. We are working feverishly to get everything ready so you will have an amazing experience in the Salt River Range this weekend!

The 50k starts at the West edge of Cottonwood Lake at 6 a.m. on Saturday. It will be a little dark but you shouldn’t need a light. Runners start with a 2800 ft. climb for the first 3.5-ish miles before dropping over “Balls” ridge and descending to the first aid station at the 4 mile mark. From the aid station the trail is pure single track running bliss as you make your way through the top of the Corral Creek Drainage to the lakes. The aid at the lakes has to be backpacked in so it will be limited. Make sure you thanks Joe for all his help. There is a short steep climb after the aid before descending to the second lake. As you switchback out of the second lake make sure you look for the cairn and trail markings to the right (east) if you continue to climb on the trail that goes northwest it will take you off course. Stay to the right at the top of the Swift Creek Drainage and you have 4 miles of crazy, technical downhill before you roll into the turn around. Stay on the high trail passing the intermittent spring until the turnaround. Then you get to turn around and do it all again…just backwards.

25k runners will start at the parking lot at the intermittent spring. (turn East between the fire station and the Lazy B Motel on Hwy. 89 and drive 5 miles) You will run the same “return” route as the 50k runners.

A few other items:

1. Pre-race packet pick up will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday night at the Star View park- 1 block East of Wells Fargo Bank on Hwy. 89. I will do a course briefing for those who want to listen at 7:30.

2. You MUST carry at least 1 water bottle. I would recommend being able to carry 40+ ounces. We will have water/NUUN on the course to quench your thirst.

3. Please make sure you check in before you get out on the trail. There is a lot of country out there…if you need to drop consider doing it at the turn around. We will give you a 25k finish but the Star Valley Search and Rescue and race director do not want to send out a search for someone who is driving home…!!!!

4. Feel free to call me at (307) 248-2874 if you have any other questions…See you this weekend.

If you would like to see a few landmarks click on “older posts” and look for the entry for August 11, 2008 for photos of trail junctions, etc.

50k entrants list HERE

25k entrants list HERE