“To every (runner) there comes…that special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing uniquely fitted to their talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for the race which would be their finest hour” (Winston Churchill, paraphrased)
When a group of trail running buddies decided to host a race in their favorite local mountains, they knew it would have to be as unique as it is challenging. And from our first official ‘scouting visit’ right up until the securing our final sponsor, the process has exceeded all our expectations! Our objectives have been clear from the start:
1. Offer a top-notch event that would attract both elites and beginners alike.
2. Promote healthy relationships within the community and with nature.
3. Reward participants with tremendous organization, unparalleled scenery, and an unforgettable adventure!
The Palisades Ultra Trail Series will most likely be the most difficult event you ever undertake. It is unlikely that you will run into a mean moose on the trail but you will definitely find the terrain mean and relentlessly unforgiving. With over 100 miles (we use “100” loosely) and 20,000 ft of vertical gain, you will find this a pleasantly peaceful and yet painful experience. In the Palisades Wilderness, you will see some of the most majestic sights in the world, yet you will find that the insurmountable terrain will test you to the very core. You will see creeks in almost every canyon (crossing several), waterfalls in many and the ridge running will take your breath away. With over 20 miles of high Rocky Mountain ridge running, you will be overshadowed by the fearsome Mt. Baird for most of the course.
With a very short warm up, you will climb out of Big Elk Creek and up to Quaker Flats. Early on at Quaker Flats, you will catch your first glimpse of Mt. Baird through the trees. Throughout the course, you will have majestic views of the Palisades Reservoir, Swan Valley, Grand Tetons and other seemingly innocent sounding names. Into deep canyons you will go, chasing creeks to lakes, breezing past waterfalls and playing in the supple wildflowers.
Always looming will be Mt. Baird, until you begin your approach at mile 85. What follows after the final major aid station at Little Elk Creek trailhead is what may appear to be a cruel and twisted joke. Over the next 4 miles, you will climb over 4,000 ft. as you crawl to the high point of the race at over 10,000 ft. You will have a unique opportunity at this point to look out over several of the canyons you previously trotted in, many of the ridges you gently floated over and the expanse that lays beyond in all directions. The final descent through Austin Canyon and then Big Elk Creek will be a gentle buttery experience, a reward for battling the previous 90 miles.
We cannot stress the term “wilderness” enough. This is remote backcountry and handhelds will not cut it. Drop bags are few unless we have someone donate a helicopter to fly in your gear to most aid stations. If you want a true wilderness race experience that will tear you down to the core of who you are and what you are made of, the Moose 100 is for you.
Moose 100:
- 102 Miles of Mountainous Pain
- 20,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Gain
- 20,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Loss
- (40,000+ Vertical Ft. Change)
- The final cut-off is 36 hours (6:00 pm on Saturday)
*Prerequisites: Completed a verifiable 100k race in the previous 2 years or sub 12-hour 50 mile race, in addition to possessing a healthy appetite for beauty and adventure.
- Start & Finish at Big Elk Creek YMCA camp, the course covers 2 GIANT 51-mile figure-eight loops: Loop #1 is a clock-wise, loop #2 is run counter-clockwise
- 95+% Single Track (zero asphalt, only a few miles of dirt road)
- There are multiple creek crossings, depending on snowmelt, none of them are over thigh deep
- Drop Bags and crew/spectator access at miles 21, 42, 51, 60, and 81 (pacer access allowed at all drop bag points after mile 42)
- Additional WILDERNESS aid stations located at miles 8, 16, 25, 31, 64, 70, 85, 93, 96 for a total of 14 fully-stocked aid station stops
Grizzly 50:
- 51 Miles of Mountainous Pain
- 10,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Gain
- 10,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Loss
- (20,000+ Vertical Ft. Change)
- The final cut-off is 16 hours (6:00 pm on Saturday)
*Prerequisites: Possessing a healthy appetite for beauty and pain… No “race” prerequisites but this is NOT your grandma’s 50-miler… Be prepared for a TOUGH race that many have described as the most difficult 50-miler they have ever done, but their favorite!
- Start & Finish at Big Elk Creek YMCA camp, the course covers 1 GIANT, 51-mile figure-eight
- 97% Single Track (zero asphalt, only a few miles of dirt road)
- There are multiple creek crossings, depending on snowmelt, none of them are over thigh deep
- Drop Bags and crew/spectator access at miles 9 and 30
- Additional WILDERNESS aid stations located at miles 14, 20, 34, 42, 45 for a total of 6 fully-stocked wilderness aid station stops (8 total) NO PACERS allowed in the Grizzly 50
Big Elk 50K:
- 31 Miles of Lusty Landscapes
- 7,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Gain
- 7,000+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Loss
- (14,000+ Vertical Ft. Change)
- The final cut-off is 11 hours (6:00 pm on Saturday)
*Prerequisites: Possessing a healthy appetite for beauty and some pain
- 1 Loop course that starts & finishes at Big Elk Creek YMCA camp
- 98% Single Track
- There are some creek crossings, depending on snowmelt, none of them are over thigh deep
- No drop bag locations and no pacers allowed… What you bring is what you get!
- There is crew access at mile 9 aid station, Indian Creek. Aid stations are located at miles 9, 14, 23, 26 for a total of 4 fully stocked aid stations.
Big Elk Half Marathon:
- 13.1 Miles of Lusty Landscapes
- 1,500+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Gain
- 1,500+ Vertical Ft. Elevation Loss
- (3,000+ Vertical Ft. Change)
- The final cut-off is 5 hours (12:00 pm on Saturday)
*Prerequisites: A healthy appetite for beauty and minor discomfort, some might call pain.
- Start & Finish at Big Elk Creek YMCA camp
- The course is an out and back that crosses a couple creeks, guaranteeing to get your feet wet and your heart rate racing!
- 100% Single Track
- No drop bag locations and no pacers allowed… No backup gear!
- Aid stations are located at miles 3, 6, 8, and an optional aid station at 10.5 (but you have to cross back over Big Elk Creek to access it in Dry Canyon)
Critter Kids 1-Mile Run:
- Fun, FREE, with great prizes for those adventurous kiddos who wanna be ‘just like’ their older heroes participating in the longer PUTS distances!
- The well-marked < 1-mile course beginning at the YMCA Big Elk Lodge will include several ‘surprise’ obstacles and volunteers to guide tomorrow’s ultra-trail runners through their first taste of trail-running.
- All finishers receive a custom award!
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