Mogollon Monster 100 Mile

Race - Sep 14, 2019

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

The Mogollon Monster 100 is a rugged, challenging trail race taking place outside the small town of Pine, Arizona. The races navigate up, down, around and through the beautiful Mogollon Rim (Pronounced: mug-ee-yun or muggy-own by locals).

The Mogollon Rim rises out from the earth some 2,000 feet for a span of 200 miles across Arizona and into New Mexico, defining much of the eastern part of the state. This Rim takes the race from elevations of 5,300 feet at the start to upwards of 8,000 feet at the top of the Rim, changing ecosystems along the way. There are distinct flora changes as the elevation changes, and you'll switch scenery from high Sonoran Desert to the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.

The race covers roughly 100 miles, climbing the Rim in four separate locations spending a lot of miles along the Rim, on top of the Rim and the challenging climbs up and down with climbs and descents at 30-45% grades at a some points. Expect to climb a total of approximately 22,000 feet along the way, never below 5,200 feet and never above 8,000 feet in elevation. While other races are certainly at higher elevations, and/or with more climbing, they certainly do not contain as rugged a terrain that is found on this course.

This is a VERY technical course in many areas, specifically the Highline Trail, Donahue, and the soon to be revered, Myrtle Trail. This is one of the most technical 100 milers in North America. That coupled with the terrain, moderate elevation, and intense Arizona sun, means this race will certainly take its toll on each runner.

This run is a graduate level race.

Start to Dickerson Flat AS (Mile 6.5) – 6.5 Mile Segment
Head east from the Pine Trailhead along the Arizona Trail which is also the Highline Trail; tough rocky and technical climbing.

Dickerson to Geronimo AS (Mile 10.8) – 4.4 Mile Segment
Leaving Dickerson Flat AS head east up the trail to Turkey Springs. Enjoy the views. This is nearly entirely all downhill from Dickenson Flat to Geronimo.

Geronimo to Washington Park AS (Mile 20.8) - 9.8 Mile Segment
Leaving Geronimo, climb 5,300 feet to a bit over 6,000 to the Highline Trail #31 in all its glory. Rugged, rough and beautiful, this trail traverses pine needle covered trails, sandstone red rock, and sandy washes.

Wash. Park to Houston Brothers AS (Mile 27.2) – 6.5 Mile Segment
Leaving Washington Park, you are starting out from mile 20 and making your second climb of the Rim up the Arizona Trail. This 2.0 mile section heads gradually up for 1.6 miles before heading straight up what at one point is a 45% grade.

Houston Bros to Pinchot Cabin AS (Mile 34.7) – 7.5 Mile Segment
You'll be taking Houston Brothers trail the entire 7.5 miles to Pinchot Cabin.

Pinchot to Washington Park II AS (Mile 42.8) – 8.1 Mile Segment
Leaving Pinchot Cabin Aid Station, you'll cross the forest road leaving the station and almost immediately on the left is the start of the Fred Haught Trail.There is a short but steep climb starting out again on the Fred Haught, but aside from that, there are some fun sections of ups and downs throughout this stretch.

Washington Park II to Hells Gate AS (Mile 51.8) – 9 Mile Segment
Now over 40 miles into the race, you can now pick up a pacer before heading out onto the Highline Trail towards the Hell's Gate AS and ultimately up the third climb of the race (Myrtle Trail) and onto the Buck Springs AS on your second Cabin Loop.

Hells Gate to Buck Springs AS (Mile 58.3) – 6.6 Mile Segment
Leaving Hell's Gate AS, you continue east along the Highline Trail for approximately 2 miles before reaching the turnoff for the Myrtle Trail. For the Myrtle Trail, it's very short, right about a mile. And it doesn't necessarily climb that much, a bit over 1,000 ft. in that mile. However, there are sections of it that are very steep, very rocky, very exposed, and leads to the top of the Rim.

Buck Springs to Pinchot Cabin II AS (Mile 66.7) – 8.2 Mile Segment
Leaving Buck Springs AS, you'll enter the dark and scary forest on Barbershop Trail and in no time, you'll see a turn to the right for the U-Bar Trail. This is a hard right at the bottom of a hill. DO NOT MISS THIS TURN.

Pinchot II to Houston Brothers II AS (Mile 73.9) – 7.6 Mile Segment
Once you check in at Pinchot Cabin, head back down the small hill, cross the stream and head south on the Houston Brothers Trail. You did this entire section moving north earlier in the day and now are heading back towards the Rim and the volunteers at the edge of the trail.

Houston Bros II to Washington Park III AS (Mile 80.2) –6.5 Mile Segment
Leaving Houston Brothers AS, you'll take the same route along the Rim Road #300 you took earlier to this same aid station but now heading west. You'll take this road back to the power lines at the top of the Washington Park climb.

Washington Park III to Geronimo II AS (Mile 90.1) - 9.8 Mile Segment
This section is 9.8 miles long but is very challenging and with 78+ miles on your legs and body will likely take much longer than when you did it going west to east sixty miles ago. Take plenty of water and prepare yourself for what is a very exposed and rugged.

Geronimo II to Donohue AZ (Mile 94.6) – 4.9 Mile Segment
Hallelujah climb up West Webber. (You'll curse us; it's okay).

Donahue to Finish in Town of Pine (Mile 101.5 (ish)) – 7.1 Mile Segment
You made it this far. Keep going and sprint to the finish!

Ponderosa pines, herds of elk.

If the history and beauty of the course wasn't enough to lure you in, how about a mystical monster that has been sighted in this area for nearly 100 years? The "Mogollon Monster" has been sighted on the Rim in the area of the race itself since as far back as 1903. More Bigfoot folklore? You bet it is, but it certainly makes you think a little at 3am in the dark, deep forest not quite sure if that was a herd of elk or...something else...