[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 a large number of occasions, and feature 10 finishes of my very own. That is all to mention that I’m a kind of individuals who is aware of the Western States 100 direction rather obsessively. What follows is my direction description, divided into 4 sections and following a Kerouac-esque movement of awareness. Experience!
Olympic Valley to Robinson Flat
Leaving Olympic Valley, California, you’ll get stuck up within the second and run up the fireplace highway temporarily for 1 / 4 mile or so. In a while thereafter, actually a part mile into the race, you will have to settle into a robust powerhike.
At the climb as much as the Escarpment, there are a couple of runnable sections, however they’re transient. Be aware of maintaining a gentle mountain climbing rhythm up the climb to the chairlift this is on the base of the steep scramble up the real Escarpment. When you’ve crested this, it’s a few three-minute powerhike to the highest of the Palisades Tahoe ski house and the race’s prime level. Experience this phase, and you’ll want to flip round to try the view. I even did that during 2005 after I completed 2nd.
Zoë Rom (proper) and Leah Yingling hiking 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 following seven miles to Lyon Ridge. You roll alongside a ridgeline that calls for you to run some and stroll some. My sturdy recommendation this is to softly run the apartments, aggressively run the downs, and hike the ups. One caveat to that is that when you get stuck at the back of a conga line this is going slower than you’re feeling such as you’d like to head, attempt to get round it. Additionally, stay a detailed eye out for the direction markings thru this phase, as there are puts when the path is braided, and you’ll be able to pass fairly off direction. Not anything primary, however it may be irritating.
After the Lyon Ridge assist station (mile 10.3), the terrain turns into extra predictable, and it’s about part run/part stroll to the Pink Famous person Ridge assist station (mile 15.8).
Surroundings alongside Pink Famous person Ridge, at the Western States 100 direction. Photograph: iRunFar
From Pink Famous person, start a grinding two-mile climb this is most commonly mountain climbing. That is adopted by way of a pleasing, rolling singletrack phase that progressively descends to the Duncan Canyon assist station. This can be a excellent phase to open the legs a bit of, because it’s the primary of what’s going to be many lengthy, sustained downhills at the day.
Whilst you hit Duncan Canyon Assist, you’ll be at mile 24.4 and feature a 2.5-mile descent to Duncan Creek. That is every other excellent descent the place it’s price stretching the legs a bit of, and it’ll even be the primary position the place you’ll get a good suggestion of what sort of warmth the day has in retailer. Ever for the reason that 2001 Famous person Hearth, this has been uncovered and scorching.
The Duncan Canyon assist station is a welcome reprieve within the prime nation. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
After crossing Duncan Creek, which may also be lovely deep and a few years has a rope to help you throughout it, start the lengthy, slow four-mile climb as much as Robinson Flat. To be truthful, there isn’t a lot runnable right here till the final mile or so, and also you’re making a gift of a while right here that you’ll be able to make up later. I used to get handed in this climb and sooner or later go the folks again within the canyons later.
The final mile into the Robinson Flat assist station (mile 30.3) is a bit of flatter, and it’s a laugh as a result of heaps of individuals are available in the market. Plus, you get to peer your team.
Adam Peterman at Robinson Flat throughout the 2022 Western States 100, on his technique to successful the boys’s race. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Robinson Flat to Foresthill
Leaving the Robinson Flat assist station, the path climbs a few mile thru great woodland up the flank of Little Bald Mountain. On the most sensible, you flip proper at a key — and generally well-marked — intersection the place you start the lengthy, stable descent to the Miller’s Defeat assist station (mile 34.4). The path thru here’s a mix of singletrack and outdated fireplace highway. Since that is the primary phase of the race that traverses the south facet of a ridgeline, you’ll most probably get a sign of the warmth on faucet for the day.
From the Miller’s Defeat assist station, the path geese right into a extra forested singletrack path ahead of coming out onto a much broader, dustier path main downhill into the Dusty Corners assist station (mile 38). Dusty Corners is a great position to gasoline up, and it’s price taking an additional minute right here to sponge off ahead of heading out onto the Pucker Level Path — particularly if it’s scorching.
Jim Walmsley on the Dusty Corners assist station in 2019, with its namesake mud within the background. Walmsley went directly to set a direction checklist of 14:09:28 that 12 months. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
That is a completely stunning phase with perspectives to Screwauger Canyon to the correct and lengthy sight traces right down to Deadwood Canyon, your subsequent purpose. After a brief uphill, which comes after a pleasing, stable downhill, the path pops out onto a dust highway and descends every other part mile into the Remaining Probability assist station (mile 43.3).
That is the jumping-off level for the traverse of Deadwood Canyon and a great time to evaluate your situation. Make sure you most sensible off your entire fluids, because the four-mile stretch from right here to Satan’s Thumb will most probably 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 portions. First, the descent is slow on a rutty, outdated fireplace highway, passing outdated mining apparatus and losing to Pacific Slab Mine. Then, after a left-hand flip onto slim singletrack, the path drops precipitously over the following mile to the swinging bridge on the backside of the canyon. The path is normally in nice form right here, and the descent is a laugh. On the other hand, take care to not overstride, as it’s nonetheless early, and you wish to have to stay your quads intact.
It’s on this phase that you simply’ll see the consequences of the 2013 American Hearth, in addition to the exceptional path recovery efforts of dozens of volunteers within the years that adopted.
After bouncing around the swinging bridge (actually), there’s a quarter-mile flat section that ends at a spring coming off the canyon wall. This water is potable, and I at all times most sensible off my bottles right here. Additionally, it’s price a bit of of time beyond regulation to dunk within the spring, or no less than soak your working hat or blouse, as the recent, 1,800-foot climb to Satan’s Thumb comes subsequent.
This infamous climb is just below two miles and is composed of 36 switchbacks up the canyon wall. With regards to all of this can be a powerhike, and I strongly recommend settling right into a excellent mountain climbing rhythm thru right here and simply getting it completed. About midway up the climb, there’s a specifically steep phase. You’ll be able to generally listen the help station from a few quarter mile away, and this can be a excellent incentive to stay tramping away. Make sure you scouse borrow a take a look at the Satan’s Thumb rock outcropping itself.
The help station at Satan’s Thumb (mile 47.8) is among the highest at the direction. Dennis Zilaff and his staff had been working this station for years, and they’ve the whole lot you want to get better from the heinous climb you’ve simply finished. Take time right here to consume, drink, and get better ahead of descending into the following canyon, El Dorado.
This descent is a little more slow than the downhill into Deadwood and for much longer. In truth, at just below 5 miles, it’s some of the longest downhills at the direction, and it’ll in point of fact take a look at the quads. Whilst you go the Deadwood Cemetery, you’re a few 3rd of the best way down the descent, and the path steepens during the last mile to the river.
That is the realm the place you’ll start to revel in the consequences of the area’s most up-to-date wildfire, the 2022 Mosquito Hearth. This fireplace burned thru kind of 20 miles of the Western States Path, in addition to throughout the village of Michigan Bluff and as much as the brink of the city of Foresthill. The Mosquito Hearth left a mark at the house, and the race direction, that may final for many years to come back.
The doorway of the Deadwood Cemetery pictured in early 2022 ahead of this house used to be burned by way of the Mosquito Hearth. Photograph: iRunFar
You’ll be able to generally listen the dashing water of the creek a few part mile ahead of the ground and really feel the canyon’s warmth. El Dorado Creek assist station (mile 52.9) is simply after you pass the bridge on the backside of the canyon. That is generally the freshest level at the direction, they usually incessantly have a thermometer out so you’ll be able to see for your self! Cool off right here and most sensible off your bottles, however don’t remain lengthy.
This climb as much as the outdated mining the city of Michigan Bluff begins out steep however progressively ranges out towards the highest. I recommend powerhiking many of the first part of the climb after which roll into a couple of jogging portions 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 hiking to Michigan Bluff throughout the 2023 Western States 100. The blistered bushes of the 2022 Mosquito Hearth are visual. Photograph: iRunFar/Jaja Ferrer Capili
The path pops out of the singletrack onto a rutted grime highway a few part mile ahead of the Michigan Bluff assist station (mile 55.7) and you’ll be able to go back to working right here. The run into Michigan Bluff is triumphant! You’re thru two canyons, you’ll be able to see your team, and it appears like you might be again in civilization. There’s a nice scientific staff right here, so if in case you have any problems, handle them now. Additionally, you’ll want to most sensible off on energy and fluids as you will have yet another canyon to head.
Volcano Canyon has 3 distinct sections: the grime highway out of the city, the singletrack throughout the canyon, and the paved Tub Highway climb. Take every of those sections as their very own entities and also you’ll be effective. Towards the ground of the canyon, as soon as once more, the path steepens. There may be a large number of publicity to the solar on this house because of the Mosquito Hearth.
On the creek crossing, you’ll want to douse your self and funky off a bit of ahead of the climb to Foresthill. The paved climb up Tub Highway is a great mixture of strolling and working ahead of hitting Foresthill Highway and the slow downhill into the Foresthill assist station (mile 62).
Tyler Inexperienced opening up his stride entering Foresthill. He took 2nd within the 2023 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Foresthill to the Rucky Chucky River Crossing
After the joyous run thru Foresthill, the place you’ll be able to see your team, re-fuel, and pick out up a pacer, you’ll start the descent into the American River Canyon, at the notorious California Side road. This 16-mile phase of the race is among the maximum essential and deceiving sections of the direction. Certainly, it’s all downhill, apart from for the uphill portions, and those climbs alongside the best way 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 assist station (mile 65.7), aka Dardanelles. This 2.9-mile stretch has only a few flat portions and just one brief climb. Whilst you pass Dardanelles Creek, you will have between 9 and 10 mins to the help station. Leaving Cal 1, you will have a 3rd of a mile of flat ahead of starting a brief however steep and uncovered climb. This can be a excellent position to take a gel and powerhike.
Cresting this hill, it’s about 1.7 miles of rather flat terrain ahead of starting the “rollers,” a chain of 15 brief climbs that may kick you within the enamel when you’re no longer in a position for them. If you happen to’re no longer too brain-dead, you’ll be able to rely those rollers, and whilst you get to the “purple curler,” so named since the soil is purple, you will have just one extra ahead of you hit the “elevator shaft.” This can be a 0.3-mile steep descent at the rugged path that may drain the quads out of as regards to someone. In 2005, I handed Vincent Delebarre right here as he used to be strolling backward!
When you backside out of the shaft, you will have not up to 5 mins of great runnable terrain to the Cal 2 assist station (mile 70.7), sometimes called Peachstone. Take a minute at Cal 2 to re-fuel and get positioned ahead of starting every other switchbacking descent on clean singletrack. This descent hastily ends about 1.5 miles out of the help station at “six-minute hill,” a grinding climb on a fireplace highway that may be difficult when you’re no longer in a position. After cresting the hill, you will have a five-minute downhill to the Cal 3 assist station (mile 73), often 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 way of the sound of the river for your left. You continue to have some distance to head and a number of other brief however steep ascents on easy methods to the crossing. The singletrack path provides technique to a fireplace highway about 1.5 miles ahead of the river crossing, and you have got one final grinding climb after going round a gate ahead of descending to the Rucky Chucky assist station (mile 78).
Right here, re-fuel, hobble down, and pass the river. It’s possible you’ll want to take a ship or pass the usage of a hand line, relying at the river’s degree. As soon as at the different facet, dunk within the restorative waters of the American River and start the two-mile climb as much as the Inexperienced Gate assist station (mile 79.8).
Ruth Croft on the Rucky Chucky river crossing throughout the 2022 Western States 100, en path to successful the race. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Rucky Chucky river crossing throughout the 2023 Western States 100, a 12 months when boats have been used to pass the river. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
The River to the End
One of the crucial oft-spoken truisms concerning the Western States 100 direction is that the final 20 miles comprise probably the most runnable terrain. And, probably the most oft-spoken recommendation is to avoid wasting your legs so that you could in fact run a few of this runnable terrain. Subsequently, when you’ve completed a tight activity of maintaining your legs and a few power, this can be a good spot to run.
Ellie Greenwood along with her team throughout the 2012 Western States 100, arriving to the Inexperienced Gate assist station after working and powerhiking up from the river. She set a direction checklist that 12 months, which stood till it used to be reset by way of Courtney Dauwalter in 2023. Photograph: iRunFar
After the two-mile powerhike up from the river to the Inexperienced Gate assist station, start a five-mile phase to the Auburn Lakes Trails assist station (mile 85.2). This is a wonderful path with a couple of bumps alongside the best way and two rather sustained climbs. You’ll have two brief, grinding climbs out of creeks en path to the help station.
When you go a small memorial to your left, created for a girl who used to be attacked and killed by way of a mountain lion right here again in 1994 whilst out on a coaching run, you will have about one mile to visit the Auburn Lakes Trails assist station. This huge assist station has scientific make stronger, drop luggage, and scorching meals. If you happen to’re feeling a bit down right here, this isn’t a foul position to spend a couple of mins regrouping with soup, most likely some cast meals, and fluids. The team this is skilled and really pleasant, and it is helping to be in a excellent temper ahead of leaving at the five-mile phase to Quarry Highway.
The path to Quarry Highway is, reasonably actually, all runnable. If you happen to have been out right here on a 20-mile coaching run, you might simply run the entire thing. However, alas, you don’t seem to be. Subsequently, in this phase, you will need to keep targeted and run as a lot of the path as you’ll be able to. Whilst the little rollers might look like mountains after 85 miles, you’ll be able to and will have to run them.
Rolling into Quarry Highway assist station (mile 90.7), which is staffed by way of the nice other people from Rogue Valley Runners, together with two-time Western States 100 champ Hal Koerner, you will have to really feel drained however glad.
You allow Quarry Highway on a clean fireplace highway that parallels the American River for roughly 1.5 miles ahead of leaping again onto singletrack for the 1.5-mile climb to the Freeway 49 crossing at mile 93.5. This flip turned into notorious in fresh race lore when, in 2016, Jim Walmsley ignored the flip onto singletrack whilst main the race at under-course-record tempo.
At Freeway 49, you’ll surely start smelling the barn. There’s a small staff of volunteers right here on the highway crossing to cheer you on for the final 0.8-mile climb to the Pointed Rocks assist station (mile 94.3) situated within the Cool Meadow, one in every of my favourite portions of the direction.
The singletrack throughout Cool Meadow, entering the Pointed Rocks assist station at the Western States 100 direction. Photograph: iRunFar
Leaving Pointed Rocks, start a steady 2.7-mile descent to the enduring No Palms Bridge (mile 96.5). Whilst you get to some extent the place you’ll be able to see and listen to the visitors going to and from Cool Meadow on Freeway 49, you will have a few mile left to the bridge. When the path opens into a big meadow having a look down at the American River’s confluence, it’s about 5 mins to the bridge. Keep targeted and run those downhills as assertively as you’ll be able to.
No Palms Bridge looking ahead to runners throughout the 2023 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar
After crossing No Palms Bridge, start what’s in the beginning a steady climb as much as Robie Level. After a mile or so of mild hiking, the grade steepens and crosses two creeks. When the singletrack pops out onto a fireplace highway, you will have not up to 1 / 4 mile to the highest.
You’ll listen and spot the parents up on the Robie Level assist station (mile 98.9), and whilst you pass across the gate and onto the paved roads at the outskirts of Auburn, California, you will have 1.3 miles left to the end. The primary 3rd of a mile is a grinding climb up the street that crests at a area that generally has a birthday celebration happening with an indication pronouncing “Mile 99.”
Spectators watch for runners at the final mile to the end line in Auburn, California. The ones residing at the course convey chairs and couches out, and plenty of keep wakeful to cheer all night time lengthy. Photograph: Michael Lebowitz
From right here, wind downhill on town streets ahead of crossing the white bridge and creating a left downhill to Placer Prime College. You’ll see the sunshine towers from the monitor, so that you’ll know you’re shut. Input the monitor and experience probably the most wonderful 250-meter jog you’ve ever had.
Bottoms up!
Courtney Dauwalter atmosphere a brand new direction checklist 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 Excellent Wolf in Truckee, California. Recognized for his or her “Woodland Beers,” which might be produced with elements sourced from the native forests, Excellent Wolf’s The Tree That Splits the Wind is a scrumptious spruce brown ale that tastes find it irresistible got here proper out of a pine woodland. 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 direction that AJW has lost sight of?
- What’s your favourite a part of the direction?
The 2019 Western States 100 fanatics on the Placer Prime College monitor. Photograph: Michael Lebowitz