Leg 1 - Up Up and Away

Old Visitor Center to Main Group Campground

Starting from Elk Water townsite, this leg is run mainly on double track trails. Runners immediately begin a grueling climb to Horseshoe Canyon Viewpoint followed by the highest lookout point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador, also known as the Head of the Mountain) Looking west, the views are spectacular, and one may see the Grassy Mountains of Montana. Runners continue west to the park boundary where they once again have an uphill grind which levels off as you approach Mystery Trail, a delightful time to enjoy the forest on this relatively flat part of the route.

Learning Center to Main Group Campground (31.85 km)
1. Leave starting line and follow Visitor Center Trail (.75 km road) to Old Baldy Trail.
2. Right on Old Baldy Trail to Horseshoe Canyon Trail (1.1 km double track). Turn Right.
3. Follow Horseshoe Canyon Trail to M8 Trail (3.5 km double track).
4. Right on M8 Trail to Murray Hill Road (1.5 km double track).
5. Right on Murray Hill Rd to M1 – M4 Trail (3.8 km road). Turn Left. Aid Station 1 – Head of the Mountain Lookout)
6. Continue slight right along fireguard road along fence, left, then right, crossing cattle gate heading towards Eagle Butte Road
7. Before reaching Eagle Butte Road turn sharp right heading back up to the ridge.
8. Continue left along the ridge past the bench to the park boundary
9.Turn left down the hill along park boundary and fireguard road towards lookout. Stay right of look out to Murray Hill road. At the junction, turn right onto fireguard road and back to Murray Hill Road.
10. Murray Hill Road to Mystery Trail (3.70 km road). Turn Left.
11. Follow Mystery Trail to Main Group Campground Trail (11.9 km single track).
12Left on Main Group Campground Trail to Main Group Campground (2.95 km single
track).
TRANSITION 1

Cut Off at 1pm (6 hours)

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Leg 2 - Coyote Coulee

Main Group Campground to N1 Junction

Runners entering this leg will encounter loose rocks and stunning rock formations. They will also be treated to a few nice flat areas which will be an opportunity to pick up the pace. Leg 2 is definately the most adventurous leg as it wanders in and out of valleys exploring nature trails. Runners may see an abandoned cabin on the opposite side of Battle Creek near the finish area.

Main Group Campground to N1 Junction (22.65 km)
1. Follow D Nature Trail, crossing Highway 41 to B5 Trail (4.3 km single track). Turn Right.
2. Follow B5 Trail to G4 Trail (8.25 km single track). Turn Left.
3. Follow mature trail to G9 Trail. Turn Right
4. Follow G9 Trail to Maka Trail (5.75 km double track). Turn Right.
5. Follow Maka Trail which crosses Graburn Road to Graburn Road Trail (2.85 km single track). Turn Right.
6. Follow Graburn Road Trail to N1 junction transition (1.5 km road).
TRANSITION 2

Cut Off at 5pm (4 hours)

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Leg 3 - Double Trouble

N1 Junction to Fort Walsh

On this leg, runners are priviledged to explore 2 provincial parks (Alberta and Saskatchewan) as well as a National Historic Park (Fort Walsh). Most of this leg takes place in Saskatchewan Interprovincial Park allowing runners on the Trans Canada Trail, the Great West Trail, an Equestrian trail and the famous historical Battle Creek Trail in Fort Walsh National Park. Participants will enjoy the history of the hills on this leg.

N1 Junction to Fort Walsh (31.50km)
1. Follow Graburn Road Trail to G13 / Draw Trail (.25 km road).
2. Right on G13 / Draw Trail to Homestead Trail and go through gate (1.0 km single track). Turn Right.
3. Follow Homestead Trail to N3 Trail (3 km single track).
4. Left on N3 Trail to West Benson Road Trail and go through gate (5.0 km single and double track). Turn Right.
5. Follow West Benson Road Trail to Prairie Trail (4.25 km double track).
6. Right on Prairie Trail to Trans Canada Trail (TCT) (.75km single track).
7. Right on TCT to Equestrian Trail (4.5 km double and single track)).
8. Left on Equestrian Trail Fort Walsh Battle Creek Trail and go through gate (4.25 km single track).
9. Right on Fort Walsh Battle Creek Trail to Fort Walsh parking lot (8.50 km double and single track)
TRANSITION 3

Cut Off at 11pm (6 hours)

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Leg 4 - Cougar Range

Fort Walsh to Battle Creek Campground

On this leg, runners will be exiting historical Fort Walsh National Park via an old service road heading to the Saskatchewan Ranger Station. From there, racers can enjoy some amazing double and single track trails that expose exceptional nature. Panoramic views of the beautiful Cypress Hill valleys are worth a breather. The final stretch is a dirt road, but not to be fooled, it is not easy.

Fort Walsh to Battle Creek Campground (29.75 km)
1. Follow Battle Creek Road Trail to Ranger Station Trail (5.75 km double track and road).
2. Right on Ranger Station Trail to Plateau Trail (4.15 km single track).
3. Left on Plateau Trail to Tower Hill Road Trail (2.1 km double track).
4. Left on Tower Hill Road Trail to Prairie Trail (4.0 km double track).
5. Right on Prairie Trail to TCT (2.0 km single track)
6. Straight ahead on PCT to Battle Creek Road (8.75 km singletrack)
7. Right on Battle Creek Road Trail (AB) to Graburn Road Trail (1.5 km road).
8. Left on Graburn Road Trail to Battle Creek Campground Trail (1.5km road).
9. Right on Battle Creek Road Trail to Battle Creek Campground (1.5km road).
TRANSITION 4

Cut Off at 4am (5 hours)

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Leg 5 - Ridge Runner

Battle Creek Campground to Rodeo Grounds

On this leg, runners will endure a variety of terrain which includes a creek crossing, some beautiful single track trails along 2 lakes, and perhaps some swampy areas (tie those laces well). Hilly, undulating terrain providing the greatest elevation gain and loss makes this the most difficult leg.

Battle Creek Campground to Rodeo Grounds (30.75 km)
1. Follow Monument Trail to Graburn Road Trail (.25 km single track)
2. Left on Graburn Road Trail to Battle Creek Road Trail (.2km road).
3. Left on Battle Creek Road Trail to Ridgeline Trail (.8 km road)
4. Right on Ridgeline Trail to Road (7.85 km single track).
5. Left on Reesor lake Road to TCT (2.75 km road)
6. Right on TCT to Spruce Coolee Lakeside Trail (8.2 km single track).
7. Slight right on lakeside Trail to Spruce Coolee trail (2.0km single track).
8. Straight ahead on Spruce Coolee Trail to Rodeo Look Tral (6.25 km single track).
9. Right on Rodeo Loop Trail to Rodeo Trail (2.2 km single track).
10. Right on Rodeo Trail to Rodeo Grounds (.25 km double track).
TRANSITION 5

Cut Off at 9am (5 hours)

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Leg 6 - Triple Threat

Rodeo Grounds to Old Visitor Center (FINISH)

The name of this leg says it all. Runners will experience a punishing 20.43 kilometers of single track trails undulating throughout the fabulous Elk Water Hills as well as Hidden Valley Ski Resort. This may be the shortest leg, but challenging nevertheless. ENJOY!!!

Rodeo Grounds to Finish (23.43 km all single track)
1. Follow Sunset Trail to Ranger Trail (1.25 km).
2. Left on Ranger Trail to Cobble Miner Trail (.05 km).
3. Left on Cobble Miner to Ski Hill Loop Trail (2.75 km).
4. Left on Ski Hill Loop (down Canadiana bike trail and up new bike trail by McGee) to Mazama Drop Trail (3.0 km).
5. Left on Mazama Drop Trail to Mitchell Trail (2.5 km).
6. Left on Mitchell Trail to Plateau Trail (2.75 km).
7. Right on Plateau Trail to Beaver Creek Trail (2.0 km).
8. Right on Beaver Creek Trail to Beaver Creek Loop Trail (3.5 km).
9. Left on Beaver Creek Loop Trail to Finish Trail (1.63 km – possibly 2.63 if decide to do new trail).
10. Right on Finish trail to end of race (.4 km).

Cut Off at 1pm (5 hours)

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Race Participants Information Package

Transition Aid Station Directions

Transition Aid Station Distances

Participant Terms and Conditions

Leg Descriptions