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An annual run held the second Saturday of June. Founded in 1997, this is the second oldest ultra marathon in Utah.


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Map Key

52.0

Miles

83.6

KM

87%

Runnable

9,292' 2,832 m

High

5,123' 1,561 m

Low

9,406' 2,867 m

Up

9,400' 2,865 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

48%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is no final cutoff time! But there is a mandatory cutoffs at the Little Valley Aid Station Mile 33 at 2:30. That is 9 1/2 hours to go 33 miles. We have had runners who are fast power walkers be able to make this cutoff. For runners who know they are slower, we allow a early start. This race is here for YOU, and we want everyone, if possible, to come and have a positive experience!

Overview

This is a very challenging, difficult, and scenic loop course through the Wasatch Mountains above Provo, Utah. The trail is well marked. It consists of dirt trails (43%), dirt roads (38%) and some pavement (19%). There are 9 fully stocked aid stations including a blueberry pancake breakfast with turkey sausages and juice at the Hope Campground Aid Station at mile 5.5! Mile 7 has the first of one of many spectacular views as you crest out at the top of Rock Canyon and off to your right is the back side of Squaw Peak with Provo and Utah Lake off in the background. A few moments later, you'll be running down through an open meadow with Provo Peak and the Cascades off to your left.

Need to Know

There is a family-friendly finish at Vivian Park. It is a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot to start area at Vivian Park arrive early.

Mandatory pre-race check in Saturday morning before you start, even if you checked in at pre-race dinner Friday night.

Early starters need smiley face stickers on there bib.

Runner Notes

Drop Bags are allowed at several aid stations Drop bags can go to aid stations 4 to 8 and 10. No bags for Windy Pass; check the race website for info.

Description

START to Mile 5.5 (Start to Aid Station #2):
Start at 5:00 AM follows the Provo River Trail 2.1 miles down river past Bridal Veil Falls. Stay to the left at fork, 200 yards turn off paved trail to Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Dirt Trail eventually turns onto a road The road then immediately turns right and again left *** Stay left up the hill. Do not go down or continue to follow the road .2 mile road ends cross an old creek a trail about a mile up the canyon to HOPE CAMPGROUND AS

Mile 5.5 to 7.6 (As 2 to Squaw Peak road in Rock Canyon):
Leave the start at 5 a.m. and follow the trail, then a dirt road back to a trail brings you up to and across the Squaw Peak Road (dirt) and an overlook of Utah Valley. Stay left up ridge which drops into a small valley. Continue to climb until you reach the overlook of Squaw Peak at 7 miles. Turn left 0.25 miles later at the dirt road. You cross straight over a road. and head down through meadow through trees to come back onto the road .6 mile later. Go left and follow the course markings.

Mile 7.8 to 14.6 (Squaw Peak road to Kolob Basin Overlook):
Continue on (.8 miles) past the Rock Canyon Campground to begin your second climb. Between mile 8-11, depending on snow/avalanches blocking road, you'll come to the Rock Canyon Aid Station (#3). 11.5 miles after leaving the AS trail leaves the road to the right and heads straight up the canyon. Follow the flagging to the "The Kolob Basin Overlook" Continue now back on that road at that pass where you are at mile 15.1 and Horse Mountain.

Mile 14.6 to 20.9 (Kolob Basin Overlook to A.S. #5, Left Fork Hobble Creek):
Horse Mtn Aid Station(#4) will be set up around mile 15 depending on the snow. About 2 miles later at mile 17.2, go through Camel Pass and turn left down Pole Heaven Canyon. In 2 miles you reach Left Fork of Hobble Creek and the Pole Heaven Aid Station (#5) (Mile 20.9).

Mile 20.9 to 29.9 (Left Fork Hobble Creek to Sheep Canyon, A.S. #7):
Follow the paved road and watch for oncoming cars; run NE for 3.8 miles up Left Fork. At mile 26.5. the cut-off time will be 12:00 p.m. This is not a mandatory cutoff (that's 7 hours to basically do a marathon). There are stream crossings on bridges and the raod becomes dirt 1.3 miles after your first stream crossing.

Mile 29.9-33.5 (Sheep Canyon, AS #7 to Little Valley AS #8):
This is one of the prettiest parts of the course. It's now just a trail that climbs 1000 ft. with a few more stream crossings. The next 2 miles goes up/over Wallsburg Ridge into Little Valley. .6 miles down trail brings you onto a road and in .6 miles you come to a fork in the road. You are at Aid Station #8, the Little Valley Aid Station.

Mile 33.5 to 40.4 (Little Valley, A.S. #8 to Windy Pass, A.S. #9):
AS #8 (Mile 33.5) is the final cut-off point by 2:30 p.m. From here, you'll begin the last two climbs. Watch the flagging closely; 1 mile after the aid station, cross the creek in 300 yards. The road turns up the hill to right but you'll want to stay straight here to run onto the trail to Windy Pass. It is all singletrack so watch the course markings CLOSELY. Windy Pass Aid Station will be limited because of its remote location

Mile 40.4 to 50.8 (Windy Pass to Vivian Park/finish):
The final descent is on a trail to Big Spring—watch the flagging!! About 5 miles down, the trail splits; turn right at both turns within 100 yds. For the next 1/4 mile, you'll make several turns; watch flagging until you reach the big meadow where you'll turn left towards the barn. At the barn after the gate, turn left and in 1/4 mile turn right to the Big Spring AS#10. Leave the AS, and run down road. Turn left at the road and stay on the left side for 3.3 miles to the finish at Vivian Park.

Flora & Fauna

A rare Steer Head Flower is sometimes found shortly after the snow has melted. In 20 years, I have only seen some 3 times. It is white and actually looks like the skull of a steer with it's long horns science.halleyhosting.com/n…

Of course there are lots of other wildflowers too numerous to mention, and animals over the years everything from porcupines to moose, bear and cougar, elk, and marmots and squirrels!

History & Background

On the section of Trail from mile 4.2 after you leave the road, be sure to take a look at the trail as it s going up the ridge. Do you find it strange that that the trail is kind of deep rut on on the ridge? That's because back at the turn of the last century, this was a logging drag where horses would drag trees down the mountain from the logging area above thus digging out the deep rut!

Contacts

Shared By:

John Bozung

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Photos

This is the high point of the course before it drops down to Windy Pass in about 1/2 mile. Mt. Timpanogos stands prominently in the background.
Feb 26, 2017 near Orem, UT
Runners navigate a log crossing of the Left Fork Hobble Creek at about mile 28 of the Squaw Peak 50 Mile Trail Run.
Feb 25, 2017 near Provo, UT
Racers drop down into Windy Pass just ahead!
Feb 26, 2017 near Orem, UT
At mile 7.3, runners descend through the meadow below Rock Canyon Pass.
Feb 26, 2017 near Orem, UT
The group is still smiling coming out of Hope Campground at about mile 6.
Feb 25, 2017 near Orem, UT
About a mile down from Windy Pass, runners still have to encounter sharp rocks underfoot.
Feb 26, 2017 near Orem, UT

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