[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.]
Through the years, I’ve coached dozens of runners of their quests to finish the Western States 100, volunteered on the race quite a few instances, and have 10 finishes of my very own. That is all to say that I’m a kind of individuals who is aware of the Western States 100 course considerably 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’ll get caught up within the second and run up the fireplace street rapidly for 1 / 4 mile or so. Shortly thereafter, actually a half mile into the race, it is best to settle into a powerful powerhike.
On the climb as much as the Escarpment, there are a number of runnable sections, however they’re temporary. Think about protecting a gradual mountaineering rhythm up the climb to the chairlift that’s on the base of the steep scramble up the precise Escarpment. When you’ve crested this, it’s a few three-minute powerhike to the highest of the Palisades Tahoe ski space and the race’s excessive level. Take pleasure in this part, and you should definitely flip round to take a look at the view. I even did that in 2005 after I completed second.
Zoë Rom (proper) and Leah Yingling climbing as much as the Escarpment on the 2022 Western States 100. Photograph: Tony DiPasquale
After cresting the summit, get onto singletrack and for kind of the subsequent seven miles to Lyon Ridge. You roll alongside a ridgeline that requires you to run some and stroll some. My robust recommendation right here is to softly run the flats, aggressively run the downs, and hike the ups. One caveat to that is that for those who get caught behind a conga line that’s going slower than you are feeling such as you’d prefer to go, attempt to get round it. Additionally, maintain a detailed eye out for the course markings by means of this part, as there are locations when the path is braided, and you’ll go barely astray. Nothing main, however it may be annoying.
After the Lyon Ridge support station (mile 10.3), the terrain turns into extra predictable, and it’s about half run/half stroll to the Pink Star Ridge support station (mile 15.8).
Surroundings alongside Pink Star Ridge, on the Western States 100 course. Photograph: iRunFar
From Pink Star, start a grinding two-mile climb that’s principally mountaineering. That is adopted by a pleasant, rolling singletrack part that step by step descends to the Duncan Canyon support station. It is a good part to open the legs a bit, because it’s the primary of what is going to be many lengthy, sustained downhills on the day.
Whenever you hit Duncan Canyon Help, you’ll be at mile 24.4 and have a 2.5-mile descent to Duncan Creek. That is one other good descent the place it’s price stretching the legs a bit, and it’ll even be the primary place the place you’ll get a good suggestion of what sort of warmth the day has in retailer. Ever because the 2001 Star Hearth, this has been uncovered and scorching.
The Duncan Canyon support station is a welcome reprieve within the excessive nation. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
After crossing Duncan Creek, which could be fairly deep and a few years has a rope to help you throughout it, start the lengthy, gradual four-mile climb as much as Robinson Flat. To be trustworthy, there may be not a lot runnable right here till the final mile or so, and also you’re higher off gifting away a while right here that you could make up later. I used to get handed on this climb and finally move the individuals again within the canyons later.
The final mile into the Robinson Flat support station (mile 30.3) is a bit flatter, and it’s enjoyable as a result of tons of individuals are on the market. Plus, you get to see your crew.
Adam Peterman at Robinson Flat throughout the 2022 Western States 100, on his method to profitable the lads’s race. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Robinson Flat to Foresthill
Leaving the Robinson Flat support station, the path climbs a few mile by means of good forest up the flank of Little Bald Mountain. On the high, you flip proper at a key — and normally well-marked — intersection the place you start the lengthy, regular descent to the Miller’s Defeat support station (mile 34.4). The path by means of here’s a mix of singletrack and outdated fireplace street. Since that is the primary part of the race that traverses the south aspect of a ridgeline, you’ll possible get a sign of the warmth on faucet for the day.
From the Miller’s Defeat support station, the path geese right into a extra forested singletrack path earlier than coming out onto a wider, dustier path main downhill into the Dusty Corners support station (mile 38). Dusty Corners is an effective place to gas up, and it’s price taking an additional minute right here to sponge off earlier than heading out onto the Pucker Level Path — particularly if it’s scorching.
Jim Walmsley on the Dusty Corners support station in 2019, with its namesake mud within the background. Walmsley went on to set a course report of 14:09:28 that 12 months. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
That is a completely lovely part with views to Screwauger Canyon to the proper and lengthy sight traces all the way down to Deadwood Canyon, your subsequent goal. After a brief uphill, which comes after a pleasant, regular downhill, the path pops out onto a mud street and descends one other half mile into the Final Probability support station (mile 43.3).
That is the jumping-off level for the traverse of Deadwood Canyon and a superb time to evaluate your situation. Make sure you high off your whole fluids, because the four-mile stretch from right here to Satan’s Thumb will possible take over an hour.
Ida Nilsson resupplying in Dusty Corners in 2023. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
I divide the descent into Deadwood Canyon into two components. First, the descent is gradual on a rutty, outdated fireplace street, passing outdated mining gear and dropping to Pacific Slab Mine. Then, after a left-hand flip onto slim singletrack, the path drops precipitously over the subsequent mile to the swinging bridge on the backside of the canyon. The path is usually in nice form right here, and the descent is enjoyable. Nevertheless, take care to not overstride, as it’s nonetheless early, and also you wish to maintain your quads intact.
It’s on this part that you simply’ll see the results of the 2013 American Hearth, in addition to the exceptional path restoration efforts of dozens of volunteers within the years that adopted.
After bouncing throughout the swinging bridge (actually), there’s a quarter-mile flat half that ends at a spring coming off the canyon wall. This water is potable, and I all the time high off my bottles right here. Additionally, it’s price a bit of additional time to dunk within the spring, or at the very least soak your working hat or shirt, as the new, 1,800-foot climb to Satan’s Thumb comes subsequent.
This infamous climb is just below two miles and consists of 36 switchbacks up the canyon wall. Nearly all of it’s a powerhike, and I strongly recommend settling into a superb mountaineering rhythm by means of right here and simply getting it completed. About midway up the climb, there’s a notably steep part. You possibly can normally hear the help station from a few quarter mile away, and it’s a good incentive to maintain slugging away. Make certain to steal a have a look at the Satan’s Thumb rock outcropping itself.
The help station at Satan’s Thumb (mile 47.8) is among the greatest on the course. Dennis Zilaff and his crew have been working this station for years, and so they have every part you should get better from the heinous climb you’ve simply accomplished. Take time right here to eat, drink, and get better earlier than descending into the subsequent canyon, El Dorado.
This descent is a little more gradual than the downhill into Deadwood and for much longer. In truth, at just below 5 miles, it’s one of many longest downhills on the course, and it’ll actually check the quads. Whenever you move the Deadwood Cemetery, you’re a few third of the way in which down the descent, and the path steepens over the past mile to the river.
That is the world the place you’ll start to expertise the results of the area’s most up-to-date wildfire, the 2022 Mosquito Hearth. This hearth burned by means of roughly 20 miles of the Western States Path, in addition to by means of the village of Michigan Bluff and as much as the sting of the city of Foresthill. The Mosquito Hearth left a mark on the world, and the race course, that can final for many years to return.
The doorway of the Deadwood Cemetery pictured in early 2022 earlier than this space was burned by the Mosquito Hearth. Photograph: iRunFar
You possibly can normally hear the speeding water of the creek a few half mile earlier than the underside and really feel the canyon’s warmth. El Dorado Creek support station (mile 52.9) is simply after you cross the bridge on the backside of the canyon. That is normally the most popular level on the course, and so they typically have a thermometer out so you’ll be able to see for your self! Cool off right here and high off your bottles, however don’t stay lengthy.
This climb as much as the outdated mining city of Michigan Bluff begins out steep however step by step ranges out towards the highest. I recommend powerhiking a lot of the first half of the climb after which roll into a number of jogging components as you close to the highest. The Mosquito Hearth has rendered a lot of this climb shadeless and uncovered, so maintain your self right here.
Tom Evans (again) and Dakota Jones locked in a duel climbing to Michigan Bluff throughout the 2023 Western States 100. The burned timber of the 2022 Mosquito Hearth are seen. Photograph: iRunFar/Jaja Ferrer Capili
The path pops out of the singletrack onto a rutted filth street a few half mile earlier than the Michigan Bluff support station (mile 55.7) and you’ll return to working right here. The run into Michigan Bluff is triumphant! You might be by means of two canyons, you’ll be able to see your crew, and it seems like you might be again in civilization. There’s a nice medical crew right here, so when you’ve got any points, cope with them now. Additionally, you should definitely high off on energy and fluids as you have got yet one more canyon to go.
Volcano Canyon has three distinct sections: the filth street out of city, the singletrack by means of the canyon, and the paved Bathtub Street climb. Take every of those sections as their very own entities and also you’ll be wonderful. Towards the underside of the canyon, as soon as once more, the path steepens. There may be additionally plenty of publicity to the solar on this space because of the Mosquito Hearth.
On the creek crossing, you should definitely douse your self and funky off a bit earlier than the climb to Foresthill. The paved climb up Bathtub Street is an effective mixture of strolling and working earlier than hitting Foresthill Street and the gradual downhill into the Foresthill support station (mile 62).
Tyler Inexperienced opening up his stride coming into Foresthill. He took second within the 2023 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Foresthill to the Rucky Chucky River Crossing
After the joyous run by means of Foresthill, the place you’ll be able to see your crew, re-fuel, and choose up a pacer, you’ll start the descent into the American River Canyon, on the notorious California Avenue. This 16-mile part of the race is among the most necessary and deceiving sections of the course. Certainly, it’s all downhill, apart from the uphill components, and these climbs alongside the way in which make this the crux of the race.
The runners and crowds of Foresthill on the 2019 Western States 100. Photograph: Michael Lebowitz
Leaving Foresthill, descend precipitously to the Cal 1 support station (mile 65.7), aka Dardanelles. This 2.9-mile stretch has only a few flat components and just one brief climb. Whenever you cross Dardanelles Creek, you have got between 9 and 10 minutes to the help station. Leaving Cal 1, you have got a 3rd of a mile of flat earlier than starting a brief however steep and uncovered climb. It is a good place to take a gel and powerhike.
Cresting this hill, it’s about 1.7 miles of comparatively flat terrain earlier than starting the “rollers,” a collection of 15 brief climbs that can kick you within the tooth for those who’re not prepared for them. In case you’re not too brain-dead, you’ll be able to rely these rollers, and once you get to the “crimson curler,” so named as a result of the soil is crimson, you have got just one extra earlier than you hit the “elevator shaft.” It is a 0.3-mile steep descent on the rugged path that may drain the quads out of nearly anybody. In 2005, I handed Vincent Delebarre right here as he was strolling backward!
When you backside out of the shaft, you have got lower than 5 minutes of good runnable terrain to the Cal 2 support station (mile 70.7), often known as Peachstone. Take a minute at Cal 2 to re-fuel and get located earlier than starting one other switchbacking descent on clean singletrack. This descent abruptly ends about 1.5 miles out of the help station at “six-minute hill,” a grinding climb on a hearth street that may be powerful for those who’re not prepared. After cresting the hill, you have got a five-minute downhill to the Cal 3 support station (mile 73), additionally referred to 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 continue to have a methods to go and several other brief however steep ascents on the way in which to the crossing. The singletrack path provides method to a hearth street about 1.5 miles earlier than the river crossing, and you’ve got one final grinding climb after going round a gate earlier than descending to the Rucky Chucky support station (mile 78).
Right here, re-fuel, hobble down, and cross the river. You could must take a ship or cross utilizing a hand line, relying on the river’s stage. As soon as on the opposite aspect, dunk within the restorative waters of the American River and start the two-mile climb as much as the Inexperienced Gate support station (mile 79.8).
Ruth Croft on the Rucky Chucky river crossing throughout the 2022 Western States 100, en path to profitable the race. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Rucky Chucky river crossing throughout the 2023 Western States 100, a 12 months when boats had been used to cross the river. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
The River to the End
One of many oft-spoken truisms in regards to the Western States 100 course is that the final 20 miles include essentially the most runnable terrain. And, essentially the most oft-spoken recommendation is to save lots of your legs so to really run a few of this runnable terrain. Subsequently, for those who’ve completed a good job of preserving your legs and a few vitality, this can be a excellent place to run.
Ellie Greenwood along with her crew throughout the 2012 Western States 100, arriving to the Inexperienced Gate support station after working and powerhiking up from the river. She set a course report that 12 months, which stood till it was reset by Courtney Dauwalter in 2023. Photograph: iRunFar
After the two-mile powerhike up from the river to the Inexperienced Gate support station, start a five-mile part to the Auburn Lakes Trails support station (mile 85.2). This is a superb path with a number of bumps alongside the way in which and two comparatively sustained climbs. You’ll have two brief, grinding climbs out of creeks en path to the help station.
When you move a small memorial in your left, created for Barbara Schoener, who was attacked and killed by a mountain lion right here again in 1994 whereas out on a coaching run, you have got about one mile to go to the Auburn Lakes Trails support station. This huge support station has medical assist, drop luggage, and scorching meals. In case you’re feeling slightly down right here, this isn’t a foul place to spend a couple of minutes regrouping with soup, maybe some stable meals, and fluids. The crew right here is skilled and really pleasant, and it helps to be in a superb temper earlier than leaving on the five-mile part to Quarry Street.
The path to Quarry Street is, fairly actually, all runnable. In case you had been out right here on a 20-mile coaching run, you’d simply run the entire thing. However, alas, you aren’t. Subsequently, on this part, it is very important keep targeted and run as a lot of the path as you’ll be able to. Whereas the little rollers might appear to be mountains after 85 miles, you’ll be able to and may run them.
Rolling into Quarry Street support station (mile 90.7), which is staffed by the great people from Rogue Valley Runners, together with two-time Western States 100 champ Hal Koerner, it is best to really feel drained however happy.
You permit Quarry Street on a clean fireplace street that parallels the American River for about 1.5 miles earlier than leaping again onto singletrack for the 1.5-mile climb to the Freeway 49 crossing at mile 93.5. This flip grew to become notorious in current race lore when, in 2016, Jim Walmsley missed the flip onto singletrack whereas main the race at under-course-record tempo.
At Freeway 49, you’ll actually start smelling the barn. There’s a small crew of volunteers right here on the street crossing to cheer you on for the final 0.8-mile climb to the Pointed Rocks support station (mile 94.3) situated within the Cool Meadow, one in all my favourite components of the course.
The singletrack throughout Cool Meadow, coming into the Pointed Rocks support station on the Western States 100 course. Photograph: iRunFar
Leaving Pointed Rocks, start a gradual 2.7-mile descent to the enduring No Palms Bridge (mile 96.5). Whenever you get to a degree the place you’ll be able to see and listen to the site visitors going to and from Cool Meadow on Freeway 49, you have got a few mile left to the bridge. When the path opens into a big meadow wanting down on the American River’s confluence, it’s about 5 minutes to the bridge. Keep targeted and run these downhills as assertively as you’ll be able to.
No Palms Bridge ready for runners throughout the 2023 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar
After crossing No Palms Bridge, start what’s at first a gradual climb as much as Robie Level. After a mile or so of light climbing, the grade steepens and crosses two creeks. When the singletrack pops out onto a hearth street, you have got lower than 1 / 4 mile to the highest.
You’ll hear and see the oldsters up on the Robie Level support station (mile 98.9), and once you go across the gate and onto the paved roads on the outskirts of Auburn, California, you have got 1.3 miles left to the end. The primary third of a mile is a grinding climb up the street that crests at a home that normally has a celebration happening with an indication saying “Mile 99.”
Spectators await runners on the final mile to the end line in Auburn, California. These residing on the route convey chairs and couches out, and lots of keep awake to cheer all evening lengthy. Photograph: Michael Lebowitz
From right here, wind downhill on metropolis streets earlier than crossing the white bridge and making a left downhill to Placer Excessive College. You’ll see the sunshine towers from the observe, so that you’ll know you’re shut. Enter the observe and revel in essentially the most wonderful 250-meter jog you’ve ever had.
Bottoms up!
Courtney Dauwalter setting a brand new course report of 15:29:33 on the 2023 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
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,” that are produced with components sourced from the native forests, Good Wolf’s The Tree That Splits the Wind is a scrumptious spruce brown ale that tastes prefer it got here proper out of a pine forest. Creamy and clean, The Tree that Splits the Wind is a novel and refreshing deal with.
Name for Feedback
- Is there any a part of the Western States 100 course that AJW has ignored?
- What’s your favourite a part of the course?
The 2019 Western States 100 followers on the Placer Excessive College observe. Photograph: Michael Lebowitz
