Devil's Backbone 50 Miles, 25 Mile Relay 2010

Gnarly Dude(ette) Race Series: This race is in the Montana Gnarly Dude(ette) Series. See Gnarly for more info.

Date and time: July 17, 2010 Starts promptly at 5:30 AM

Location: Gallatin Mountain Range, Bozeman , Montana . 40-50 minutes from town, off I-90, exit 305, South about 9 miles on 19th Ave, road curves hard right, then turn left in about 3/4 mile at the Forest Service sign for Hyalite Canyon. Stay the paved road to reservoir (about 8 miles), continue on an excellent Forest Service gravel road about 7 miles to the end and the Hyalite Creek trailhead.

Entry fee: $30.00 solo, $40.00 total for 2-person relay. Printable entry Entry   or register via Active.com ActiveCom    Late fee $20 for either Solo or Team received Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday raceweek. No entry on Friday. Closed after 30 solo entries and 15 relays (due to Forest Service permit).

General: Entry includes insurance and permits, special finishers' awards to solo runners, and t-shirt. Runners will pick up race packets evening before at the Hayes residence (816 S. Black) during the mandatory pre-race briefing at 5:30PM . This is followed by an optional supper at our house. Great chance for socializing during excellent catered pasta dinner. We will have generous sponsors who will get us great giveaways. There is an optional brunch on Sunday morning at Louie's Downunder, 9:30AM, for post-race bragging and dropbag pickup.

Relay: Two-person relay is an option for those not certain they can do this course solo. The second relay person is responsible to drive to the Windy Pass cabin hand-off (see map). They might be asked to help carry aid station and drop bag stuff up or down the trail to the turn-around. Second relay person can start when they choose on Saturday and time themselves. First relay person might be asked to help carry stuff back down to the trailhead after finishing and can drive their partner's vehicle to the start/finish. First relay person starts with the solo 50 milers.

Course and other info: This is a graduate level run (yes, like Hardrock). It is almost unsupported and unmarked. This CANNOT be your first 50 miler. This course is much, much harder than you expect, and much more disconcerting knowing there are no markings!! There are many cairns and you primarily stay on the ridge but with no ribbon it is still possible to get well off course. The "graduate" part is due to the requirement to carry what you need for 5 - 9 hours of running and once out on the course there is no easy way out until the turnaround. You are almost always above 9500 feet on a rocky (but beautiful) trail. Course starts and finishes at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead and is out and back on 100% trails with one significant climb to 10,300 feet and multiple short steep climbs totaling 11,400 feet. Runners have exclaimed this is one of the few courses beautiful enough to warrant out and back. Though the climb is not huge, it is deceptively hard due to elevation and sometimes rocky trails. Please, experienced ultrarunners only! The course will not be marked except by FS blazes and cairns . It is generally well-worn except in meadows. Hand drawn and Topo maps available at the website. There will be nice streams multiple times in the first (and last) 7 miles. There is a murky lake at 11 miles (and 39 miles), and a very small spring a quarter mile later and lots of snow to put in your water carrier. There is a nice creek at the 25 mile turnaround point. Water has certainly been frequented by wildlife, especially the lake, so a filter is recommended. Cutoff is 9 hours at the turn-around cabin. Exposure is extreme in case of a thunderstorm. Possibility of elk, goats, mountain lions and bears (all seen in past few yrs) and the most beautiful views imaginable of Paradise Valley and the Absaroka and Spanish Peaks mountain ranges. Hand drawn map:   Map Topo Map: Topo

Aid Station and Drop Bags: There is only one aid station at the turn-around. There will be filtered or hauled water and Heed available, Hammergel, tortilla sandwiches (PB&J or meat/cheese), potato chips, candy and some fruit and caffienated pop. Drop bags must be carried up 1100 feet of elevation over 2 miles so please minimize your needs! NO dropbags for relay runners, unless they carry them up themselves. No shoes or liquids unless really important!! Finish line will have food and drink and a bonfire for night-time arrivals. These are self-serve aid stations so do not expect assistance from volunteers.

Road directions to turn-around: The trip will take over 75 minutes one-way. Take US 191 (Main Str) west out of town about 8 miles following it left at 4-Corners to Big Sky and Yellowstone Park. In 30 miles, after the raft put-in at Moose Creek, just past milemarker 54, watch for the left to Portal Creek. Go up this decent but very rocky gravel road about 7 miles to Portal Creek. Do not take the right after 5 miles. The trailhead is left-center of the parking area. It is just over two miles to the turn-around with 1100 feet of elevation gain on a very good trail. Should take 45 minutes for power hiking. The turn-around is at the Forest Service cabin.

Other info: Grizzly bears do range in the Gallatins so bear spray is recommended. Race organizers have some extra canisters if you don't want to buy it for this race. Carry a flashlite and warm clothes for the return trip even if you normally can finish before dark (you may end up walking through a bonk or pulled muscle). As mentioned above, a water filter is recommended though flowing water is generally clear of giardia.

Records: Male open is Jim Rucker in 8:55 (2009), Female open is Zanna Drobnik 11:21 (2006), Male master is John Hallsten in 10:46 (2009); Female Master is Liz McGoff in 11:14 (2006)

Race organizers anticipate providing a sweeper in both directions. Evacuation is possible only by helicopter except at the turnaround which is about 2 miles from a long logging road.

A few volunteers are needed on race day. If your spouse or significant other can help, please have them contact 406-556-1496.

Bozeman Lodging Possibilities:   Lodging
Things to do in Bozeman: To Do
Hand drawn map:   Map Topo May: Topo
DB50 Course Profile Profile