An Obsessive’s Description of the Western States 100 Course – iRunFar

[Author’s Note: This column was originally published in June of 2013, and over the past 11 years, a few things have changed at Western States 100. Ahead of the 2024 race edition, we’re publishing a new, updated Obsessive’s Description of the Western States 100 course.]

Over time, I’ve coached dozens of runners of their quests to complete the Western States 100, volunteered on the race fairly a number of cases, and have 10 finishes of my very personal. That’s all to say that I’m a type of people who’s conscious of the Western States 100 course significantly obsessively. What follows is my course description, divided into 4 sections and following a Kerouac-esque stream of consciousness. Take pleasure in!

Olympic Valley to Robinson Flat

Leaving Olympic Valley, California, you’re going to get caught up throughout the second and run up the hearth freeway shortly for 1 / 4 mile or so. Shortly thereafter, truly a half mile into the race, it’s best to settle into a strong powerhike.

On the climb as a lot because the Escarpment, there are a few runnable sections, nevertheless they’re short-term. Contemplate holding a mild climbing rhythm up the climb to the chairlift that’s on the bottom of the steep scramble up the exact Escarpment. While you’ve crested this, it’s a few three-minute powerhike to the very best of the Palisades Tahoe ski area and the race’s extreme stage. Take pleasure in this half, and ensure to flip spherical to try the view. I even did that in 2005 as soon as I accomplished second.

After cresting the summit, get onto singletrack and for type of the following seven miles to Lyon Ridge. You roll alongside a ridgeline that requires you to run some and stroll some. My sturdy suggestion proper right here is to softly run the flats, aggressively run the downs, and hike the ups. One caveat to that’s that if you happen to occur to get caught behind a conga line that’s going slower than you feel resembling you’d want to go, try to get spherical it. Moreover, maintain an in depth eye out for the course markings by means of this half, as there are places when the trail is braided, and you might go barely off monitor. Nothing primary, nevertheless it could be annoying.

After the Lyon Ridge help station (mile 10.3), the terrain turns into additional predictable, and it’s about half run/half stroll to the Purple Star Ridge help station (mile 15.8).

From Purple Star, begin a grinding two-mile climb that’s principally climbing. That’s adopted by a pleasing, rolling singletrack half that steadily descends to the Duncan Canyon help station. It’s a good half to open the legs a bit, as a result of it’s the first of what will be many prolonged, sustained downhills on the day.

In case you hit Duncan Canyon Help, you’ll be at mile 24.4 and have a 2.5-mile descent to Duncan Creek. That’s one different good descent the place it’s worth stretching the legs a bit, and it’ll even be the first place the place you’ll get a great suggestion of what kind of heat the day has in retailer. Ever as a result of the 2001 Star Fire, this has been uncovered and scorching.

After crossing Duncan Creek, which can be pretty deep and some years has a rope that will help you all through it, begin the prolonged, gradual four-mile climb as a lot as Robinson Flat. To be reliable, there could also be not so much runnable proper right here until the ultimate mile or so, and in addition you’re greater off gifting away some time proper right here which you would make up later. I used to get handed on this climb and at last cross the oldsters once more throughout the canyons later.

The ultimate mile into the Robinson Flat help station (mile 30.3) is a bit flatter, and it’s pleasurable because of tons of individuals are available on the market. Plus, you get to see your crew.

Robinson Flat to Foresthill

Leaving the Robinson Flat help station, the trail climbs a few mile by means of good forest up the flank of Little Bald Mountain. On the excessive, you flip correct at a key — and sometimes well-marked — intersection the place you begin the prolonged, common descent to the Miller’s Defeat help station (mile 34.4). The trail by means of right here’s a mixture of singletrack and outdated fire freeway. Since that’s the main a part of the race that traverses the south facet of a ridgeline, you’ll attainable get an indication of the heat on faucet for the day.

From the Miller’s Defeat help station, the trail geese proper right into a additional forested singletrack path sooner than popping out onto a wider, dustier path primary downhill into the Dusty Corners help station (mile 38). Dusty Corners is an efficient place to fuel up, and it’s worth taking an extra minute proper right here to sponge off sooner than heading out onto the Pucker Stage Path — significantly if it’s scorching.

That may be a fully pretty half with views to Screwauger Canyon to the exact and prolonged sight traces proper right down to Deadwood Canyon, your subsequent objective. After a short uphill, which comes after a pleasing, common downhill, the trail pops out onto a mud freeway and descends one different half mile into the Closing Probability help station (mile 43.3).

That’s the jumping-off stage for the traverse of Deadwood Canyon and a good time to judge your state of affairs. You’ll wish to excessive off all of your fluids, as a result of the four-mile stretch from proper right here to Devil’s Thumb will attainable take over an hour.

I divide the descent into Deadwood Canyon into two parts. First, the descent is gradual on a rutty, outdated fire freeway, passing outdated mining gear and dropping to Pacific Slab Mine. Then, after a left-hand flip onto slim singletrack, the trail drops precipitously over the following mile to the swinging bridge on the bottom of the canyon. The trail is often in good kind proper right here, and the descent is pleasurable. Nonetheless, take care to not overstride, because it’s nonetheless early, and in addition you want to maintain your quads intact.

It’s on this half that you simply simply’ll see the outcomes of the 2013 American Fire, along with the distinctive path restoration efforts of dozens of volunteers throughout the years that adopted.

After bouncing all through the swinging bridge (truly), there’s a quarter-mile flat half that ends at a spring coming off the canyon wall. This water is potable, and I on a regular basis excessive off my bottles proper right here. Moreover, it’s worth a little bit of further time to dunk throughout the spring, or not lower than soak your working hat or shirt, because the current, 1,800-foot climb to Devil’s Thumb comes subsequent.

This notorious climb is barely beneath two miles and consists of 36 switchbacks up the canyon wall. Almost all of it’s a powerhike, and I strongly counsel settling into a fantastic climbing rhythm by means of proper right here and easily getting it achieved. About halfway up the climb, there’s a considerably steep half. You probably can usually hear the assistance station from a few quarter mile away, and it’s a great incentive to take care of footslogging away. Make certain that to steal a check out the Devil’s Thumb rock outcropping itself.

The assistance station at Devil’s Thumb (mile 47.8) is probably going one of many best on the course. Dennis Zilaff and his workers have been working this station for years, and they also have all of the items you would get higher from the heinous climb you’ve merely completed. Take time proper right here to eat, drink, and get higher sooner than descending into the following canyon, El Dorado.

This descent is a bit more gradual than the downhill into Deadwood and for for much longer. In fact, at barely beneath 5 miles, it’s one in all many longest downhills on the course, and it’ll truly check out the quads. In case you cross the Deadwood Cemetery, you’re a few third of the best way through which down the descent, and the trail steepens over the last mile to the river.

That’s the realm the place you’ll begin to experience the outcomes of the realm’s latest wildfire, the 2022 Mosquito Fire. This fireplace burned by means of roughly 20 miles of the Western States Path, along with by means of the village of Michigan Bluff and as a lot because the sting of the town of Foresthill. The Mosquito Fire left a mark on the realm, and the race course, that may last for a few years to return.

You probably can usually hear the dashing water of the creek a few half mile sooner than the underside and actually really feel the canyon’s heat. El Dorado Creek help station (mile 52.9) is solely after you cross the bridge on the bottom of the canyon. That’s usually the most well-liked stage on the course, and they also sometimes have a thermometer out so that you probably can see on your self! Cool off proper right here and excessive off your bottles, nevertheless don’t keep prolonged.

This climb as a lot because the outdated mining metropolis of Michigan Bluff begins out steep nevertheless steadily ranges out in the direction of the very best. I counsel powerhiking numerous the primary half of the climb after which roll into a few jogging parts as you near the very best. The Mosquito Fire has rendered numerous this climb shadeless and uncovered, so keep your self proper right here.

The trail pops out of the singletrack onto a rutted filth freeway a few half mile sooner than the Michigan Bluff help station (mile 55.7) and you might return to working proper right here. The run into Michigan Bluff is triumphant! You’re by means of two canyons, you probably can see your crew, and it appears such as you is perhaps once more in civilization. There’s a pleasant medical workers proper right here, so when you’ve gotten any factors, deal with them now. Moreover, be certain that to excessive off on vitality and fluids as you should have one other canyon to go.

Volcano Canyon has three distinct sections: the filth freeway out of metropolis, the singletrack by means of the canyon, and the paved Tub Avenue climb. Take each of these sections as their very personal entities and in addition you’ll be implausible. In direction of the underside of the canyon, as quickly as as soon as extra, the trail steepens. There could also be moreover numerous publicity to the photo voltaic on this area due to the Mosquito Fire.

On the creek crossing, be certain that to douse your self and funky off a bit sooner than the climb to Foresthill. The paved climb up Tub Avenue is an efficient combination of strolling and working sooner than hitting Foresthill Avenue and the gradual downhill into the Foresthill help station (mile 62).

Foresthill to the Rucky Chucky River Crossing

After the joyous run by means of Foresthill, the place you probably can see your crew, re-fuel, and resolve up a pacer, you’ll begin the descent into the American River Canyon, on the infamous California Avenue. This 16-mile a part of the race is probably going probably the most vital and deceiving sections of the course. Actually, it’s all downhill, other than the uphill parts, and these climbs alongside the best way through which make this the crux of the race.

Leaving Foresthill, descend precipitously to the Cal 1 help station (mile 65.7), aka Dardanelles. This 2.9-mile stretch has only some flat parts and only one transient climb. In case you cross Dardanelles Creek, you should have between 9 and 10 minutes to the assistance station. Leaving Cal 1, you should have a third of a mile of flat sooner than beginning a short nevertheless steep and uncovered climb. It’s a good place to take a gel and powerhike.

Cresting this hill, it’s about 1.7 miles of comparatively flat terrain sooner than beginning the “rollers,” a sequence of 15 transient climbs that may kick you throughout the enamel if you happen to occur to’re not ready for them. For individuals who’re not too brain-dead, you probably can rely these rollers, and everytime you get to the “purple roller,” so named because of the soil is purple, you should have only one additional sooner than you hit the “elevator shaft.” It’s a 0.3-mile steep descent on the rugged path which will drain the quads out of almost anyone. In 2005, I handed Vincent Delebarre proper right here as he was strolling backward!

While you bottom out of the shaft, you should have decrease than 5 minutes of excellent runnable terrain to the Cal 2 help station (mile 70.7), usually generally known as Peachstone. Take a minute at Cal 2 to re-fuel and get positioned sooner than beginning one different switchbacking descent on straightforward singletrack. This descent abruptly ends about 1.5 miles out of the assistance station at “six-minute hill,” a grinding climb on a hearth freeway which may be sturdy if you happen to occur to’re not ready. After cresting the hill, you should have a five-minute downhill to the Cal 3 help station (mile 73), moreover generally known as Ford’s Bar.

Leaving Cal 3, it’s 5 miles to the Rucky Chucky crossing of the American River. Don’t be misled by the sound of the river to your left. You proceed to have a strategies to go and a number of other different transient nevertheless steep ascents on the best way through which to the crossing. The singletrack path provides approach to a hearth freeway about 1.5 miles sooner than the river crossing, and also you’ve obtained one last grinding climb after going spherical a gate sooner than descending to the Rucky Chucky help station (mile 78).

Proper right here, re-fuel, hobble down, and cross the river. You would should take a ship or cross using a hand line, counting on the river’s diploma. As quickly as on the alternative facet, dunk throughout the restorative waters of the American River and begin the two-mile climb as a lot because the Inexperienced Gate help station (mile 79.8).

The River to the Finish

One in all many oft-spoken truisms regarding the Western States 100 course is that the ultimate 20 miles comprise most likely probably the most runnable terrain. And, most likely probably the most oft-spoken suggestion is to avoid wasting a number of your legs in an effort to actually run a number of of this runnable terrain. Because of this reality, if you happen to occur to’ve achieved a great job of preserving your legs and some energy, it’s a great place to run.

After the two-mile powerhike up from the river to the Inexperienced Gate help station, begin a five-mile half to the Auburn Lakes Trails help station (mile 85.2). This can be a very good path with a few bumps alongside the best way through which and two comparatively sustained climbs. You’ll have two transient, grinding climbs out of creeks en path to the assistance station.

While you cross a small memorial in your left, created for Barbara Schoener, who was attacked and killed by a mountain lion proper right here once more in 1994 whereas out on a training run, you should have about one mile to go to the Auburn Lakes Trails help station. This huge help station has medical help, drop baggage, and scorching meals. For individuals who’re feeling just a bit down proper right here, this isn’t a nasty place to spend a few minutes regrouping with soup, possibly some sturdy meals, and fluids. The crew proper right here is expert and actually nice, and it helps to be in a fantastic mood sooner than leaving on the five-mile half to Quarry Avenue.

The trail to Quarry Avenue is, pretty truly, all runnable. For individuals who have been out proper right here on a 20-mile teaching run, you’d merely run the complete factor. Nevertheless, alas, you aren’t. Because of this reality, on this half, you will want to maintain centered and run as numerous the trail as you probably can. Whereas the little rollers may appear like mountains after 85 miles, you probably can and can run them.

Rolling into Quarry Avenue help station (mile 90.7), which is staffed by the good individuals from Rogue Valley Runners, along with two-time Western States 100 champ Hal Koerner, it’s best to actually really feel drained nevertheless completely happy.

You allow Quarry Avenue on a straightforward fire freeway that parallels the American River for about 1.5 miles sooner than leaping once more onto singletrack for the 1.5-mile climb to the Freeway 49 crossing at mile 93.5. This flip turned infamous in newest race lore when, in 2016, Jim Walmsley missed the flip onto singletrack whereas primary the race at under-course-record tempo.

At Freeway 49, you’ll undoubtedly begin smelling the barn. There’s a small workers of volunteers proper right here on the freeway crossing to cheer you on for the ultimate 0.8-mile climb to the Pointed Rocks help station (mile 94.3) located throughout the Cool Meadow, one in all my favorite parts of the course.

Leaving Pointed Rocks, begin a gradual 2.7-mile descent to the long-lasting No Fingers Bridge (mile 96.5). In case you get to a level the place you probably can see and hearken to the positioning guests going to and from Cool Meadow on Freeway 49, you should have a few mile left to the bridge. When the trail opens into a giant meadow wanting down on the American River’s confluence, it’s about 5 minutes to the bridge. Hold centered and run these downhills as assertively as you probably can.

After crossing No Fingers Bridge, begin what’s at first a gradual climb as a lot as Robie Stage. After a mile or so of gentle climbing, the grade steepens and crosses two creeks. When the singletrack pops out onto a hearth freeway, you should have decrease than 1 / 4 mile to the very best.

You’ll hear and see the dad and mom up on the Robie Stage help station (mile 98.9), and everytime you go throughout the gate and onto the paved roads on the outskirts of Auburn, California, you should have 1.3 miles left to the tip. The first third of a mile is a grinding climb up the freeway that crests at a house that usually has a celebration occurring with a sign saying “Mile 99.”

From proper right here, wind downhill on metropolis streets sooner than crossing the white bridge and making a left downhill to Placer Extreme College. You’ll see the sunshine towers from the observe, so that you simply’ll know you’re shut. Enter the observe and luxuriate in most likely probably the most fantastic 250-meter jog you’ve ever had.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s Beer of the Week comes from The Good Wolf in Truckee, California. Recognized for his or her “Forest Beers,” which can be produced with elements sourced from the native forests, Good Wolf’s The Tree That Splits the Wind is a delicious spruce brown ale that tastes favor it obtained right here correct out of a pine forest. Creamy and straightforward, The Tree that Splits the Wind is a novel and refreshing take care of.

Title for Suggestions

• Is there any part of the Western States 100 course that AJW has missed?
• What’s your favorite part of the course?