Ward Mountain Trail Run

2+ Mile Course: 

• Starts and ends at Group Site A and follows the dirt road to the trailhead. The trail forks to the right and follows a gentle uphill and slightly rolling terrain on the G-Loop Trail. After about a mile, the course takes a sharp left onto the H-Loop and it is predominately downhill to the finish line. Elevation gain is about 270 feet.

5.5+ Mile Course

• Starts and ends at Group Site A and follows the dirt road to the trailhead. This course follows the popular G-Loop trail. The trail forks to the right and follows a gentle uphill and slightly rolling terrain. This is also the first half of the 2-mile course. After about a mile the trail bends left near the warming hut and climbs up four switchbacks gaining some elevation. You will reach the crest of the uphill at about 2 miles. At about 2.3 miles the trail splits and the 5.5 mile course takes the left fork (straight). The trail dumps out into an open meadow and takes a sharp left turn to connect to the lower half of the trail. This section has rolling ups and downs. At about 5.3 miles the course takes a tight right to take you back to the trailhead to the finish line. Elevation gain is about 727 feet.

8.5 Mile Course

• This course follows the first 2.5 miles of the 5.5 mile course. It starts and ends at Group Site A and follows the dirt road to the trailhead. The trail forks to the right and follows a gentle uphill and slightly rolling terrain on the G-loop Trail. After about a mile the trail bends left near the warming hut and climbs up four switchbacks gaining some elevation. You will reach the crest of the uphill at about 2 miles. At about 2.3 miles the trail forks and the course follows the right fork onto the Rope Tow Trail. This section of trail will have bi-directional traffic. At about 3.3 miles runners will cross a dirt road onto Making Pancakes. Take this to trail to the Powderberry Divide. Careful! There are numerous trails where Powderberry connects. Runners will take a sharp right u-turn onto Powderberry. Runners follow Powderberry until it ends at the ATV Trail, where runners take a right. Follow the ATV trail for about a mile until it intersects with Skihill Road. Runners take a right onto the dirt road and then take a left onto Ropetow again. When Ropetow connects to G-Loop you will take a very sharp right and follow G-loop into the meadow. The course takes a sharp left turn to connect to the lower half of the trail. This section has rolling ups and downs. At about 8.3 miles the course takes a tight right to take you back to the trailhead to the finish line. Elevation gain is about 1,250 feet.

EVENT DETAILS:

• The start and finish is located at the Ward Mountain Forest Service Campgrounds at Group Site A.
• There is a large parking area directly across from Group Site A for participants.
• The trail will be marked with flagging, and turns and forks will have arrow signs and flagging.
• There will be no aid stations on the 2 mile course, one aid station on the 5.5 mile course, and 2 aid stations on the 8.5 mile course.
• There are bathrooms located at the start/finish line.
• Please be courteous if needing to pass another participant. Announce you are passing and indicate which side.
• This event will be timed with disposable chips.
• Medals will be awarded to first male and female, first youth (boy or girl 13 years or younger), and first dog of each course.
• If you do not follow the exact course, you will be disqualified and not eligible for awards.
• Please do not litter on the trail! Carry out your garbage of dispose of at an aid station.
• Anyone running with a dog, will start at the back of the pack. See dog rules below.

DOG RULES:

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
• Dogs must be under control at all times.
• Kids 13 and under with a dog must be accompanied by an adult.
• Extendable leads longer than two meters are not allowed on the course.
• Only one dog per person allowed.
• Owners must clean up dog’s feces at the start/finish area and on the trail. Take soiled bags with you and dispose of at the finish line.
• Use common sense when involving your dog in this race. Please do not bring your dog if:
  • Your dog is not fit enough to run/walk the entire course.
  • Is not leashed trained.
  • Does not get along with other dogs, adults, or kids.
• Runners without dogs have the right-of-way. Please make sure there is ample room to pass if needed.
• Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts is not responsible for any injuries to your dog.
• Remember not everyone loves dogs as much as we do! Please remember to keep control of your dog at all times.