50k Course Description

Click here for a complete map of the Blue Sky 50k Route.

Click here for the course map with mile markers in Google Earth.

The 50k course will start and finish at the Soderberg Trailhead at Horsetooth Mountain Park and will follow much of the same Marathon course.  After the first Marathon aid station at the Herrington and Towers Rd junction, 50k runners will continue up Towers Rd and will turn left on the Spring Creek trail and will continue left just before Horsetooth Falls to rejoin with the marathon course on the Stout trail.  At the intersection of Stout and Towers, 50k runners will cross Towers and add another small loop around Stout and Sawmill before returning to the Start/Finish area.  The rest of the 50k course will follow the same route as the marathon runners.

The numbers before each paragraph indicate the "Total Distance [Leg Distance]".

0 [0] Start: The starting line is located in the Soderberg parking lot in Horsetooth Mt Park off Shoreline Dr. Follow the signs and park in the boat ramp parking area.

3.5 [3.5] From the start line the course follows dirt double track onto the good single track of the East Valley trail and Nomad trail. The course then climbs 1000ft up the gravel Towers Rd to the first aid station. This is the biggest climb of the race and offers a good chance for a walk break.

3.5 [NA] Towers Rd Aid Station: The first aid station of the race is located the junction of Towers Rd and the Herrington trail. Water and Succeed! Ultra will be available.

8.0 [4.5] From the aid station, 50k runners will continue up Towers Rd for approximately 1 more mile and will turn left onto the Spring Creek trail. The Spring Creek trail will descend south through the valley for about 1.5 miles before turning east to wrap around the south side of the mountain to reconnect with the Stout trail. There are several side trails off of the Spring Creek trail but the route will be marked. If you end up at Horsetooth Falls, you’ve gone too far and misse the left turn to the Stout junction. Stout will bring you back to Towers Rd

8.0 [NA] Stout/Towers Aid: At the junction of Stout and Towers Rd, 50k runners will continue straight across the road on Stout. This will be a limited aid station with water available for 50k runners only. Full service aid will be available at the next stop at the Start/Finish area. (Marathon runners will turn downhill on Towers here to go directly back to the Start/Finish aid only 1 mile away)

11.5 [3.5] After crossing Towers Rd, continue to the end of Stout to the Sawmill trail. Turn right down the hill on Sawmill to the Nomad trail. Turn right on Nomad and continue to Towers Rd. At Towers Rd turn left down the hill and take your next right onto Swan Johnson back to the Start/Finish area.

11.5 [NA] Start/Finish Aid: Water, Succeed! Ultra, and snacks will be available at the start line for those who need it.

13.2 [1.7] Run through the start/finish and follow the dirt/gravel road through the campground and around the inlet to the tunnel leading under the road where you’ll find the second aid station.

13.2 [NA] Blue Sky Aid Station: The second aid station of the race will be located just before you cross under the road. This aid station will be stocked with water and Succeed!

16.4 [3.2] From the aid station follow good single track South as it climbs up the valley to the junction with the Rim Rock trail. From the junction stay in the valley, DO NOT climb over the ridge. Follow the trail down into the valley, through the dry stream bed to the third aid station.

16.4 [NA] Indian Summer Aid North: The third aid station of the race will be located on the service road at the Northern junction of the Indian Summer and Blue Sky trails. This aid station will be fully stocked with food, water, and Succeed! Ultra. There will be a Port-o-Pottie located near the aid station.

18.8 [2.4] From the aid station continue onto good single track headed up the Indian Summer loop. The trail climbs 350ft before leveling off, then descending down to the Southern junction with the Blue Sky trail. Continue South on the Blue Sky trail (right), Half-Marathon runners will be turning around here.

18.8 [NA] Indian Summer Aid South: The aid station will be located on the dirt road .2 miles from the Indian Summer junction. The aid station will be fully stocked with food, water, and Succeed! Ultra.

21.3 [2.5] From the aid station follow the Blue Sky trail and climb up to the top of the ridgeline on your left. You’ll then descend .3 miles down rocky trail to the Laughing Horse loop. The next 3.5 miles is VERY rocky so be careful with your footing and take your time. At the junction take a right and head uphill back to the ridgeline then descend to the Northern Laughing Horse junction. Continue North and stay right when you reach the Hunter loop. At the end of the Hunter loop you’ll reach the turn around. Give your number to the race workers. YOU MUST GIVE YOUR NUMBER TO THE ATTENDANT OR RISK BEING DISQUALIFIED!  (Volunteers at the Hunter Loop turn around are here to provide direction and ensure that all runners make it through the course. They will not have any aid station supplies on hand.)

23.7 [2.4] Take a left at the turn around and head North. Stay right at the Hunter loop junction and Laughing Horse loop junction. This section of the Laughing Horse loop is the most technical portion of the trail and includes several large rock steps, watch your footing. Stay right and climb up and over the ridgeline then drop down into the valley. Follow the dirt road back to the Indian Summer S aid station.

23.7 [NA] Indian Summer Aid South: The aid station will be located on the dirt road before your turn onto the single track. The aid station will be fully stocked with food, water, and Succeed! Ultra.

26.1 [2.4] From the aid station jump on the single track staying left back onto the Indian Summer loop. Climb 250ft up and over the Indian Summer loop before returning to the Indian Summer North Aid.

26.1 [NA] Indian Summer Aid North: The aid station will be located on the service road at the Northern junction of the Indian Summer and Blue Sky trails. This aid station will be fully stocked with food, water, and Succeed! Ultra, this is your final fully stocked aid station. There will be a Port-o-Pottie located near the aid station.

29.3 [3.2] Head down into the wash then up the final climb of the race a short but steep 150ft climb to the Rim Rock Jct. Continue down the valley on good single track back to the last aid station.

29.3 [NA] Blue Sky Aid Station: The final aid station, located just on the other side of the tunnel will be stocked with water and Succeed! Ultra drink mix. You’re 1.7 miles from the finish!

31 [1.7] Follow the single track around the inlet to the gravel road through the campground. The finish line will be located just across the paved road in the Soderberg parking lot.