Range of Light Trail Races Bishop, CA   Oct 25, 2025

The Range of Light Trail Races showcase some of the best trail and dirt road running the Eastern Sierra has to offer, at a time of year when the High Sierra are still buried in feet of snow, but hints of spring are starting to appear on the valley floor and surrounding foothills.

With four distances from which to choose, plus a challenging hill climb loop, these races offer a bit of something for any runner and are a perfect start for those looking to races later in the spring, or for folks who just want to turn out and show their support for our fantastic Search and Rescue Team!

The races are directed by experienced ultra runner and race director Todd Vogel. Aid stations are staffed by runners who get it – we are here to help you succeed!

With an operating area that spans the lowest point in the Country – Badwater, 280’ below sea level – to the highest point in the lower 48 States, Mount Whitney, 14,495’, Inyo County Search and Rescue is busy around the year and operates in environments spanning the hot desert to the icy summits of the High Sierra. As a dedicated and highly trained volunteer team we need and appreciate your support.

The Range of Light Trail Races will take place as a fundraiser for search and rescue efforts across Inyo County.

The Courses
The 5K: This is a fun loop out of Millpond and is family and pet friendly.

The 10K: you asked and we responded by creating a 10k loop that adventures further afield than the 5K, flirting with the Tungsten Hills just enough to make you wish you’d done a bit more hill training… It’s a fun loop, with one aid station about four miles into the course. We did mention there’s a hill, right?

The 33K and 50K: A great training run or race in its own right, either distance will satisfy those runners looking for a spring challenge, especially if your sights are on the Bishop Ultras, or one of the other great area late spring races. Both routes leave Millpond, heading on fast dirt roads, towards the NE side of the Tungsten Hills. A nice warm up is just the thing you’ll be wanting, because at mile 3 both courses head steeply uphill on a fun (read ‘steep’) single track, climbing steadily towards the crest of the Tungstens. 1,500’ of climbing and a mile or two later a fast down hill leads to the second aid station at the base of the downhill switchbacks on the north side of the Tungstens, and mile 8. A long but not too steep uphill commences as the routes gain another 1,500’ or so, rounding the top of the Tungstens, with spectacular views towards Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Tom, and many other prominent peaks of the High Sierra. A steady and fast downhill leads to the third aid station at mile 12. Shortly after this another great single track section begins, ending not far from the Blue Mine Aid Station at mile 16. At this point the two distances diverge, the 33k heads back to Millpond, and the finish line a few miles distant.

Meanwhile, the 50k is just getting you warmed up. Continuing on after a steep, short downhill it’s back onto the single track, and a continuing tour of some of the great running and views in the Tungsten Hills. Mile 20.4 brings you to the Buttermilk Aid Station, also a stop on the famous Bishop Ultras course. A long, fast, and sometimes rocky downhill brings you back down to the base of the Tungstens, and tantalizingly close to Millpond, but you’re not done yet! Take that left, back up the nicely graded Tungsten City Road, to the Tungsten City Aid Station, at mile 24.6. It’s not far back to Blue Mine Aid Station, but it’s another 1,000’ gain, and your last stop before heading near Tungsten Peak, and back to where you started your day, 31 miles later.