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38 miles with about 14,000 feet of climbing.


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Map Key

38.1

Miles

61.3

KM

69%

Runnable

13,453' 4,101 m

High

8,712' 2,655 m

Low

13,592' 4,143 m

Up

13,591' 4,143 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

57%

Max Grade (30°)

Dogs Unknown

Overview

The original and infamous TMR route—with one significant change. In the words of race founder, Dakota Jones, "The course is really hard."It is 38 miles with about 14,000 feet of climbing. You'll go over 13,000 feet twice along with two additional climbs over 12,000 feet.

If the race wasn't challenging enough, there is one significant change to the old TMR route that includes 1.5 miles of sharp ridgeline above 13,000 feet between Ajax Peak and Imogene Pass. Not to mention the 13,500 foot summit of Telluride Peak along the ridge. This new section is called the "Mile and a Half of Sky."

You should know... there are sections of this course that are extremely technical, steep, and loose. THIS IS A MOUNTAIN RACE, NOT A TRAIL RUN—participants will be running to altitudes of over 13,000 feet on exposed ridgelines and steep, rocky summits. The trails are extremely rocky and at times there are no trails at all. There are many sections of this course that will be exposed to falls, potential rockfall and hazardous weather. There will be safety personnel along sections of the route monitoring these hazards but all participants should be responsible for their own safety. THIS IS NOT AN EVENT FOR BEGINNERS

Description

The 38-mile course starts and ends at the Oak Street Plaza in Telluride (base of the Gondola).

Section 1—Telluride to Gold Hill: Leave Oak Street Plaza and head south across the bridge and onto the Ski Area. Follow Telluride Trail up for 1 mile until you have the option to continue straight on Easy Out Road. After 0.3 miles, Easy Out Road will take a right turn, follow this up for 1 mile to See Forever Ridge. If you miss this turn, you'll soon arrive at the base of Lift 9. Continue on the See Forever Trail (road), off and on the ridge, for 1.8 miles to the Gold Hill Aid Station- mile 4.2.

Section 2—Gold Hill to Bridalveil: From the Gold Hill Aid Station take an immediate left onto the contouring singletrack (Wasatch Connect Trail) that passes underneath Chairlift 15. Follow the Wasatch Connect Trail down for 2.3 miles before making a hard right hand turn onto the East Fork Bear Creek Trail. Be on the lookout for this turn because it is easy to miss for downhill traffic. *Note: well before the East Fork Bear Creek Trail is the option to turn right onto the Wasatch Trail, please do not go this way! It will meet with our route higher up but is a significant shortcut and not part of the course. Follow the East Fork Bear Creek Trail up for 1.2 miles where the trail will merge with the Wasatch Trail. Continue up and left for 1.5 miles to Wasatch Pass. From Wasatch Pass head down and left on a faint two track road marked with large rock cairns. After .8 miles on this road it will trend left into La Junta Basin- do not go this way! Instead, turn right and head down the grassy slopes, following small rock cairns to the Bridalveil Road that can be seen below. Follow the Bridalveil Road down for 3.5 miles to the Bridalveil Aid Station- mile 13.

Section 3—Bridalveil to Imogene Pass: From the Bridalveil Aid Station continue up the Black Bear Pass Road switchbacks for 1.2 miles before taking a left turn onto the Ajax Peak Trail. This will be shortly after a steep rock step in the road following the river crossing above Ingram Falls. Follow the Ajax Trail for 1.5 miles of switchbacks to the ridge. From the ridge, continue up and right on rocky terrain for 0.3 miles to the summit of Peak 13,230. From the summit of Peak 13,230, turn left (east) and follow the high ridge for 1.5 miles, passing over the summit of Telluride Peak (13,509'), to the Imogene Pass Aid Station at 13,200'- mile 17.5. *Note: The route more or less follows the direct ridgeline with a few deviations dropping off to the right side for less technical terrain. There are sections of this ridge that a very loose so please take your time and be aware of others below you. It is also very exposed to weather so please use your best judgement on whether or not to proceed if storms appear to be moving in; this 1.5 miles will be very slow for some.

Section 4—Imogene Pass to Liberty Bell: From the Imogene Pass Aid Station head down Tomboy Road for 2.5 miles and take a right turn on the Marshall Basin Road—this will appear shortly after you exit the old Tomboy town ruins. Follow the Marshall Basin Road to the upper mining ruins and continue up grassy slopes to the right until you are able to regain a singletrack trail heading back left towards Mendota Pass, 2.2 miles from the start of the road. *Note: If you continue up and right on this singletrack, instead of left, it will take you to Virginius Pass—do not go this way! Head down the steep, loose trail from Mendota Pass. Once back on the tundra, the trail will fork; take the faint trail to the right which will send you to the Liberty Bell Trail. From Mendota Pass, it is 2.6 miles to the Liberty Bell Aid Station at mile 25

Section 5—Liberty Bell to Mill Creek: From the Liberty Bell Aid Station turn right (north) on the Jud Wiebe Trail. Follow this for 1.3 miles to a right turn at the Deep Creek/ Mill Creek Trail sign. This is part way down the Jud Wiebe descent. *Note: flagging has been repeatedly removed from this intersection

History & Background

Shared By:

David Fisher Boersma

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#1260

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#244

in Colorado

#1,260

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Photos

Views down toward Telluride from near the top of the falls and Powerplant.
Nov 4, 2023 near Telluride, CO
Wildflowers in Bridal Veil Basin.
Nov 3, 2023 near Telluride, CO
It
Nov 22, 2014 near Telluride, CO
Beautiful aspen forest.
Oct 26, 2023 near Mountai…, CO
Ajax Peak summit ridge.
Oct 30, 2023 near Telluride, CO
Hiking along the Liberty Bell Trail.
Nov 4, 2023 near Telluride, CO

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