Single track trails and dirt roads in and around Los Alamos, NM in the scenic Jemez Mountains.

The 50 mile course will again run through the wild and scenic Valles Caldera National Preserve. The only change to the course will be on the climb out of the Valle Grande. This year the 50 mile runners will asscend Cerro Grande from the Caldera before joining last years course at the saddle between Pajario Mountain and Cerro Grande. The 50k and half marathon will be run on the same course as last year.

Start: Posse Shack, North Mesa in Los Alamos, NM. The 50 mile run starts at 5:00am, the 50 kilometer starts at 6:00am, and half marathon starts at 7:00am.

Directions to start/finish: Take Diamond Drive north to the round about. Go straight through the round about and up the hill onto North Mesa. The Posse Shack is approximately 1 mile from the round about. (Google map of Posse Shack)

Aid Stations Driving Directions for crew/spectators can be found in the Runners Manual

Maps of the Los Alamos Area marked map of Los Alamos townsight, link to additional maps

MAPS

50 Mile

50 K

Half Marathon


In order to print the Aid Station information on the PDF versions of the following maps, follow these steps: When printing, look for the option section called "Comments and Forms:" in the Print dialog box. Choose "Document and Markups" in the drop-down box and then print.

COURSE PROFILES

50 mile
50 kilometer
Half marathon

Aid Stations
Location Elevation (feet) Distance (mi)

50 Mile Race

 Distance (mi)

50 k Race

 Distance (mi)

50 Half Marathon

 Aid Drop Bag Vehicle Access(1)
1 Mitchell Trail Head 7,553 4.9 4.2 4.2 Limited No(2) Yes
2 Guaje Ridge(3) 8,852 7.1, 42.8 6.4, 25.7 6.4 Full No No
3 Caballo Base 8,640 10.1, 14.2 9.4, 13.4 --- Limited No No
4 Caballo Top 10,480 12.1 11.4 --- Water No No
5 Pipeline Road(3) 9,580 17.0, 39.1 16.3, 22.0 --- Full 50 mi No
6 Valle Grande 8,640 21.0 --- --- Limited No No
7 Pajarito Canyon 7,780 28.7 --- --- Full 50 mi Yes
8 Townsite Lift 8,980 32.6 --- --- Full No Yes
9 Ski Lodge(4) 9,220 36.2 19.2 --- Full 50 k Yes
10 Rendija Canyon 7,080 48.1 31.0 11.7 Limited No No

  1. Crews are allowed at all aid stations except for Caballo Base #3 (junction of Guaje Canyon and Caballo Trail) and Valle Grande #6. The aid stations marked "Yes" for vehicle access can be reached with a short walk. All others require hiking.
  2. Flash lights will be collected for the 50 mile runners. Make sure your light is labeled with your name and race number.
  3. Crews are discouraged from going to Guaje Ridge aid station and the Pipeline Road aid station.
  4. Cut off at Pajarito Ski Area is at 5:00 PM. All runners must LEAVE the Ski Lodge aid station heading to Pipeline Road aid station by 5:00 PM. Any runner leaving the ski area after 4:00 pm will be required to carry a light.

Distances (in miles) and Elevation Change (in feet) between Aid Stations

Half Marathon Race

From To Split Distance Cumulative Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Lost
1 Start Mitchell Trail Head 4.2 4.2 721 555
2 Mitchell Trail Head Guaje Ridge 2.2 6.4 1540 170
3 Guaje Ridge Rendija Canyon 5.3 11.7 36 1792
4 Rendija Canyon Finish 1.9 13.6 426 206
Total --- --- --- 13.6 2723 2723

50 kilometer Race

From To Split Distance Cumulative Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Lost
1 Start Mitchell Trail Head 4.2 4.2 721 555
2 Mitchell Trail Head Guaje Ridge 2.2 6.4 1540 170
3 Guaje Ridge Caballo Base 3.0 9.4 835 1050
4 Caballo Base Caballo Top 2.0 11.4 1771 45
5 Caballo Top Caballo Base 2.0 13.4 45 1771
6 Caballo Base Pipeline 2.8 16.3 1169 222
7 Pipeline Ski Lodge 2.9 19.2 293 629
8 Ski Lodge Pipeline 2.9 22.0 629 293
9 Pipeline Guaje Ridge 3.7 25.7 316 1048
10 Guaje Ridge Rendija Canyon 5.3 31.0 36 1792
11 Rendija Canyon Finish 1.9 32.9 426 206
Total --- --- --- 32.9 7781 7781

50 Mile Race

From To Split Distance Cumulative Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Lost
1 Start Mitchell Trail Head 4.9 4.9 907 734
2 Mitchell Trail Head Guaje Ridge 2.2 7.1 1540 170
3 Guaje Ridge Caballo Base 3.0 10.1 835 1050
4 Caballo Base Caballo Top 2.0 12.1 1771 45
5 Caballo Top Caballo Base 2.0 14.2 45 1771
6 Caballo Base Pipeline 2.8 17.0 1169 222
7 Pipeline Valle Grande 4.0 21.0 49 1009
8 Valle Grande Pajarito Canyon 7.8 28.7 1598 2444
9 Pajarito Canyon Townsite Lift 3.9 32.6 1281 54
10 Townsite Lift Ski Lodge 3.6 36.2 1409 1173
11 Ski Lodge Pipeline 2.9 39.1 629 293
12 Pipeline Guaje Ridge 3.7 42.8 316 1048
13 Guaje Ridge Rendija Canyon 5.3 48.1 36 1792
14 Rendija Canyon Finish 1.9 50.0 426 206
Total --- --- --- 50.0 12011 12011