CTAR 2.0 and 2023 results

We're now running the 2.0 course from near-Breckenridge to Turquoise Lake. Also, 2023 results are posted!

Results from 2016 and 2017 posted!

2016 and 2017 both saw more great running on the Colorado Trail!

I lost the results for 2016, but partially reconstructed them. So, there may be some errors.

The results from 2017 should be accurate. Check out all of the results here.

Also, I got the sweet new map working again: http://coloradotrailrelay.blogspot.com/p/map-20.html

Finally, I put all of the GPS tracks and Python scripts for producing the elevation profiles on GitHub in case they are useful to anyone: https://github.com/DanHickstein/ColoradoTrailRelay

2015 Results Posted!

After a long delay, I finally got around to posting the 2015 results! 2015 was a great year - nobody died and most people had a pretty good time. One team set a new record for the fastest relay by a three-person team. Check out the results on the Results Page.

2013 Results posted

Another great summer run! The time for all of the 2013 teams are posted on the Results page.

Leg 11 Directions

Leg 11 – "Grand Finale" (West Ridge)

North Fork of the Swan to Horseshoe Gulch

• Description: This leg starts climbing 1,000 feet nearly immediately, but the grade is constant and not-too-steep. Once atop the ridge, pick up some speed and cruise down switchbacks enjoying great views down into the Blue River Valley and across to the Tenmile Range. 
• Difficulty: Blue-square/Black-diamond
• Length: 9.5 miles
• Elevation gain/loss: 1,400/1,900

Driving Directions to the Start of Leg 11

• 53 miles, 90 minutes from the start of Leg 10 at Jefferson Lake Road.
• From the Beaver Ponds Trailhead, head southish on Jefferson Lake Road (County-37) for about 3 miles.
• Turn left on County-54, Michigan Lake Road. (Don't turn right here - see below*.)
• After 2.0 miles, turn right on US-285 and go 15.9 miles.
• Turn right on CO-9 and go about 23 miles to Breckenridge. Continue on CO-9.
• About 3 or 4 miles north of Breckenridge, turn right on Tiger Road. (If you get to the Gold Hill Trailhead on the left, you've gone just a little too far. Don't turn on Tiger Run Road. That's different.)
• Go 5.7 miles on Tiger Road.
• Just before a one-lane bridge, turn left on FS-354a. (If you get to "Good Times" dogsled camp, you've gone 0.25 miles too far.) 
• Drive up FS-345a for 0.7 miles until the Colorado Trail crosses. There is a spot for one car to park on the right. If it's full, head up the road for another ~0.1 miles and find another pullout.
• *Absolutely do not follow Google Maps unless you are ready for some pretty serious offroad driving. It tells you to take Michigan Creek Road, which is rated a 3 on TrailDamage.com and basically means that you need a a Jeep wrangler or better.

Running Directions

• 0.0 – From the dirt road, start running northwest on the Colorado Trail singletrack.
• 2.9 – After cresting the big hill, continue straight on the Colorado Trail as another trail goes right.
• ~3.3 – At an unsigned intersection, take the left fork (downhill) as another trail goes to the right.
• ~6.0 – Emerge from the trees and bound down several broad switchbacks.
• 6.2 – Come to a three-way junction. Make a hard left to stay on the Colorado Trail. There is a single small signpost with a little "U-Turn" arrow.
• 8.8 – After coming down some switchbacks, turn left on doubletrack under some high-voltage power lines. Follow this rocky trail around a gate and over two bridges.
• 9.5 – Arrive at the Dredge Boat Trailhead. (There is a pond here.) Finish!!

Driving Directions to the End of the Race

• 3.9 miles, 15 mins from the start of Leg 11.
• Head back down FS-345a for 0.8 miles.
• Turn right on Tiger Road and go 3.2 miles. Turn right into the Dredge Boat Trailhead parking area (unsigned). There is a big pile of rocks here as well as a small pond with the ruins of an old dredge boat in it. 
• (If you miss the trailhead and find yourself back at CO-9, you've gone 2.6 miles too far.)

Running Map:

Driving Map to the Start of Leg 11:

Driving Map to the End of the Race:

Leg 9 Directions

Leg 9 – "Better Than Sex" (Kenosha 2)

Kenosha Pass to Beaver Ponds Picnic Area

• Description: This is THE classic autumn "apen hike" near Denver. Great views, great trail -lots of people.
• Difficulty: Blue Square
• Length: 6.1 miles
• Elevation gain/loss: 950/1,000 vertical feet

Driving Directions to the Start of Leg 9

• 11.4 miles, 40 minutes from the start of Leg 8 at the Rock Creek Trailhead.
• From the Rock Creek Trailhead, head back out FS-133 towards County-56 (0.9 miles).
• Turn right on County-56 (Lost Park Road) and go 7.2 miles. 
• Turn right on US-285 and go 3.1 miles, up the hill towards Kenosha Pass.
• At Kenosha Pass, turn right on FS-126 (a dirt road) and go 0.2 miles.
• Park at the small trailhead near the toilets.

Running Directions


0.0 – From the Kenosha Pass East Trailhead, start running on the dirt road back towards the highway (US-285).

0.3 – Turn right on US-285 for 100 feet. Turn left, crossing the road and pass through a gate. Find the Colorado Trail singletrack and start running uphill.

0.4 – Cross a dirt road (FS-849) and continue running on Colorado Trail singletrack.

1.3 – Come to a bench and a nice vista. Start a glorious descent!

3.14159 – Come to a dirt road and continue on singletrack on the other side.

4.5 – Cross wide, rutted dirt road. Continue on singletrack on the other side.

6.0 – Arrive at Jefferson Lake Road at the Beaver Ponds Picnic Area.

Running Map:

Driving Map:

Leg 8 Directions

Leg 8 – “100 Years of Solitude” (Kenosha 1)

Rock Creek Trailhead to Kenosha Pass

• Description: Beautiful singletrack and 100 mile views. Nuf said.
• Difficulty: Blue square
• Length: 6.4 miles
• Elevation gain/loss: 1,150/900 vertical feet

Driving Directions to the Start of Leg 8

• 4.7 miles, 20 mins from the start of Leg 7 at the Long Gulch Trailhead.
• From the Long Gulch Trailhead, head back out the dirt road (0.1 miles)
• Turn right on County-56 (Lost Park Road) and go 3.6 miles.
• Turn right on FS-133 (Rock Creek Road). It may not be well signed heading this direction.
• After 0.9 miles, park at the Rock Creek Trailhead, where the Colorado Trail crosses.

Running Directions

• 0.0 – From the Rock Creek Trailhead, start running downhill on Colorado Trail singletrack.
• 0.5 – Cross a wooden bridge and continue on the Colorado Trail.
• 4.9 – Cross a little wooden plank bridge and continue on the Colorado Trail.
• 6.4 – Arrive at the Kenosha Pass Trailhead.

Running Map:

Driving Map: