Course Description
START TO TUNGSTEN CITY 1.5 MILES
Leaves the Millpond on pavement, left turn past the tennis courts, left turn and uphill through the campground. Through the gate, then uphill on sandy road for 1 mile to the aid station at the junction of 5 dirt roads.
2. TUNGSTEN CITY TO CDF CAMP 4.2 MILES.
Rolling dirt road, heads north, then around the Tungsten Hills, past the shooting range and through a dry creek bed, past the CDF camp and sewer ponds. Continues westward and uphill around to the Aid Station. Heart stopping view of the coming hill! Great views of the Owens Valley, Casa Diablo, Pleasant Valley, Round Valley and the Sierras.
3. CDF CAMP TO THE JUNCTION 4 MILES
Steadily uphill on rough and rocky alluvial fan, although very scenic. A small deer trail detours past a very muddy creek crossing, then rejoins the road which winds through some large boulders, and then heads across the meadows to the Junction Aid station.
4. JUNCTION TO BUTTERMILK ROAD 1.5 MILES
Another steady, but less steep, uphill pull. Passes through dense vegetation, and by many of the local climbing boulders. Follow a short trail section to the aid station.
20 milers will return to the Junction, and head for home. Other runners may choose the 20 mile option here.
5. BUTTERMILK ROAD TO MCGEE CREEK 3.67 MILES
Still more uphill, but now with Pinion trees as well. Very scenic, with wonderful views of the mountains, valley floor and distant hills. The road is rough in sections. Look for wildflowers, deer and maybe a coyote. Some rolling hills, and then through a shady grove of aspen trees to the Aid Station.
6. MCGEE CREEK TO EDISON LOOP 2.46 MILES
The creek crossing may be knee high, plan on wet feet. It is not practical to find a dry crossing, better to wade through! A very pretty section with pine and aspen trees for a shady respite. The road rolls through the trees, is rough in spots, and passes some streams. Look for Edison Loop aid station at the bottom of a short hill. 50k runners turn around here, also 50 mile runners who wish to change to the shorter race.
7. EDISON LOOP - OVERLOOK - EDISON LOOP 6 MILES
The most spectacular scenic section of the race! Look for the large deer herd, marvel at the mountains and trees. There are several old hunting camps near the road and in the old trees. Steadily uphill, with a small snow patch for sure, and possibly more, depending on the later snowstorms. Continue past the aid station people for another 1.5 miles to the Overlook, and then turn back and take the right hand turn onto the last part of the loop back to Edison Loop.
8. EDISON LOOP TO INTAKE 2 2.65 MILES
Hike up the old pipeline shortcut onto the dirt road near the small water pond. More uphill through the trees and canyon, then over the hill and switchbacks to Intake 2. Cross the highway carefully and drop over the hillside into Intake 2 aid station, and enjoy a hot burrito!
9. INTAKE 2 TO BISHOP CREEK LODGE 3.11 MILES
More rolling and hilly roads. Run along the old paved road alongside Intake 2, then downhill to the Forks campground. The trail follows the creek, crosses rocks near the culvert, then along the other side of the creek, then back onto the old road, over another hill, then down to cross the highway near the Four Jeffrey campground. Continue along the highway, then off onto a trail almost all the way up to Bishop Creek Lodge. Enjoy some home-made soup, and then start the return journey to Intake 2, Edison Loop, McGee Creek, Buttermilk Road and Junction.
10. JUNCTION TO HIGHWAY 168 3.73 MILES
More rolling hilly road that winds around the Tungsten Hills and Langley Meadows, crosses McGee Creek, follows a washed out road out onto the main Buttermilk Road, now just one mile to Highway 168 aid station.
11. HIGHWAY 168 TO TUNGSTEN CITY 2.21 MILES
Rough, rocky downhill, steep in sections. Take it easy, you're almost there. Cross McGee Creek once again, then a short uphill to Tungsten City aid station.
12. TUNGSTEN CITY TO SAGE SUMMIT, APPROX 4 MILES - (100K RUNNERS)
Leaving TC, taking a rolling, slightly uphill wide sandy road up and over the Tungsten Hill. The road takes runners along a well-established mining road, with wonderful views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
13. SAGE SUMMIT AID STATION
Located at the topmost portion of the 6 mile out-and -back extension. Say Hi to Chris Scott and his henchmen, then continue down to the turnaround.
14. POKER CHIP TURNAROUND (FOR WANT OF A BETTER NAME)
Continue down the switchbacks, about 1 mile total, slightly less than 1000' elevation loss to the CDF camp, where you were much earlier in the day. Run to the marked turnaround location, and collect a numbered poker chip to present to the RD at the finish line. This achieves 2 things - verifies that you went all the way, and puts you in the drawing for one of several great prizes. Return the way you came, this time regain that 1000' you just lost, see the Sage Summit crew again, and return via Tungsten City aid station to the finish.
15. TUNGSTEN CITY TO FINISH 1.65 MILES
Follow the sandy, downhill road to the campground, through the gate, under the gateway, by the softball diamond, past the tennis courts, and a gently uphill paved road to the finish line - cold shower, hot food, drinks, massage and awards all await you.