In case our topo map is difficult to read or print  or you are a bit ‘spatially challenged’ (like many of us…), the following text directions may be more helpful.  Please note, these directions should NOT be considered as needed at all on Race Day.  We strive to maintain what we consider to be a VERY WELL MARKED course – marked literally “by trail runners for trail runners”.  Directions here are for either you over-achievers who want to come down before the race for “recon/training” runs and/or for those masochists among you who might want to revisit the scene of the crime sometime after the race!

25-MILE LOOP (CLOCKWISE)

[Abbreviations:

CR = County Road (metal, typical Colorado road signage);

FSR = Forest Service Road (typical brown, plastic forest service free-standing-signage

OR, white and green signage attached to wooded posts);

FST = Forest Service Trail (same as for FSR);

Tccm = total course mile mark;]

Beginning from the community center:  follow dirt/gravel road toward river;  road will turn north as it leads down to the river; continue following the road past the foot-bridge that leads across the river (do NOT turn onto the foot bridge!);  from the foot-bridge, road continues up a very short rise where it begins to turn left/west – at that point you will see a foot-path leading north along and above the river – follow this;  at apprx. 1 mile total distance from community center, you will come to an intersection on the foot-path;  turn left and you should see beginning of a pave road apprx. 100 yards out – head for that pavement;

This paved road is CR 372;  follow 372 apprx. 200 yards until it intersects (ends) at CR 371;  turn RT onto CR 371;  from here, directions are as follows –

• CR 371 apprx 2 miles to CR 375; turn RT; (if  you reach tunnels, you just passed 375 – go back!);
• CR 375 up hill apprx ½ mile (?) until road appears to have fully topped out (“plateaued”); at this point road should take a hard left turn – at this point continue straight off of road into a very small natural parking area (space for 2-3 cars) – and you should almost immediately see sign for, and beginning of, FST 6037;
• FST 6037 to FSR 376;  turn RT – and go only about 50 yards before looking for FST 1415 beginning on left side of the road;
• FST 1415 to CR 375C;
• CR 375C to CR 375 (apprx tcmm here is 6); turn RT – and go apprx ¼ mile to FSR 375A;
• FSR 375A to FSR 373 (at this point 375A is ending/intersecting at 373;  if you are simply running along, you should transition correctly onto 373 without any actual turn -  without even realizing it (and that’s just fine); however, for those of you really who do see the signage, do NOT turn right onto 373);
• FSR 373 (or still “375A” for those of you who didn’t realize the transition) – follow several miles until intersecting / ending at FSR 311; note, as you are heading towards this intersection, you will pass by a natural stone arch way up in the rocks to left of the course somewhere around tcmm 10.8 to 11.2 – if interested, keep your eyes peeled;  tcmm at intersection with 311 is 11.7; turn RT onto 311;
• FSR 311 to FSR 376; turn LFT;
• FSR 376 to FSR 376A (this interesting section is apprx 3.5 miles in length – beginning with a trek through a usually very sandy area and concluding with the  famous/infamous two-mile climb up ‘Lenhardy Hill’ (all runnable, but for most, a bit of a grind);  top of hill is race elevation high point of about 9400ft – and on race day, a welcomed aid station! (apprx tcmm here is 17.9); turn RT;
• FSR 376A DOWNHILL to intersection with start of FST 1450A;  note, FSR 376A takes a relatively hard right turn here – DON’T go that way;  instead turn slightly left straight on 1450A; 
• 1450A to 1450 – also know as the “Midland Trail”);  while there may be  little or no customary FS signage, the trail is marked with circular Midland Trail markers mounted on posts; the transition turning right onto this single track is quite natural (you very likely won’t even realize there’s a left turn option…); 
• 1450/Midland Trail apprx 1.5 miles to CR 304 (apprx tcmm here is 21.8); essentially continue straight forward onto CR from trail – do NOT turn left on 304;
• CR 304 apprx 2 miles – where you will see trails leading off the road - both to the right and to the left; to the right is FST 6032 – do NOT take this trail; instead take the left trail marked with Midland Trail circle on post;  this is a steep 0.9mile descent down to the river and to the foot-bridge that you passed when starting out some 3 hourse earlier (o.k. for most of us mortal, non-mutants, 4 or 5 hours earlier……);
• Cross bridge, turn LEFT, and proceed back up to the community center for a well earned reward of your choosing!!!!!!!!