bighorn trail 100

***The race committee reserves the right to respond to potential safety contingencies posed by potentially adverse weather conditions or other course conditions to make "last minute" course changes. If any such course changes are required, runners will be fully briefed at the Thursday evening pre-race briefing.  

We understand races sometimes don’t go as planned and this can be frustrating for participants. However, cutoff times are strictly enforced and  are firm regardless of changing course conditions once the race has begun. Our race director stands behind the aid station captains who have been informed that, under no circumstances will changes be made to the course or cut off times  once the race is in progress.  This event is "wild and scenic" and  mother nature is a contender, but this is a non-negotiable matter before, during, or after the  event. ***

Bighorn Mountain Trail 100 Run Course Description

The Bighorn Mountain Trail 100 is an epic mountain endurance adventure crossing through Little Bighorn and Tongue River areas of the Bighorn National Forest. Participants have 35 hours to navigate this remote, technical out-and-back course (average 2.94 mph). Mother Nature provides over 20,500 feet of ascent and 20,750 feet of descent testing the most seasoned ultra-runners with 76 miles of technical single-track trail, 16 miles of rugged 2-track jeep trail road, and 8 miles of gravel road. The Bighorn 100 is one of the classics, demanding you to reach deep down to your core of mental and physical fortitude. 

The Bighorn 100 begins where the scenic Tongue River has carved out an impressive canyon located approximately 1.25 miles from the Tongue River Canyon Trailhead and 3.5 miles from the Town of Dayton (Start BUS available for the 3.5 mile trip) on Tongue Canyon Road (4275 ft). Runners begin their outbound journey with views of steep cliffs rising overhead, refreshing glimpses of the Tongue River, and spectacular views of the iconic limestone formation, locally known as ‘The Needle”, as they make their way on a gravel road to the Tongue River Canyon Trailhead (trail #25, 4240 Ft, mile 1.25 outbound, mile 94.8 inbound). Limited aid is provided here by Tongue River Valley Community Center on the outbound trip.

The Trailhead is the gateway to the noble Bighorn Mountains and first remote aid station, Lower Sheep Creek (5025 ft, mile 3.5 outbound, mile 92.5 inbound). Thank the Burlington Northern volunteers and their crew for packing  in supplies by foot for your mountain trek. They are a steadfast group of folks and will be there on the inbound miles welcoming you on  your final footsteps towards the finish.  The water for this station is all hauled in by John Riley and his horse pack string the week before the race which is quite a site. 

Meandering along the Tongue River Canyon Trail, runners begin a challenging ascent through a sea of Spring Lupine, Balsam Root, and the Wyoming state flower the Paint Brush  to Horse Creek Ridge (7450 ft, mile 7.5 outbound, mile 88.5 inbound). This is Bighorn’s first introduction to one of many grueling climbs and rugged technical trails. The heat can be brutal in the canyon leading to DNFs later in the race. Move conservatively taking in fluids early and often. 

Cresting Horse Creek Ridge offers an opportunity for runners to peer over the wild terrain they have covered before making the steep, yet short decent into the Sheep Creek Drainage. A rustic footbridge crossing Sheep Creek guides runners along single-track trail and 2-track trail until reaching Upper Sheep Creek Aid Station. This dedicated  aid station's  captain and crew travel all the way from Rapid City, SD! They arrive here early and stay late, keeping the cool vibes going for the duration of the event. Send them some energy on your outbound trip and they will pay it back in full wearing grass skirts and coconut bras (yep even the guys)  as you pass by the next day!  Exchange "Mahalo" before you leave (road #198, 7450 ft, mile 8.5 outbound, mile 87.5 inbound).  

Head west over the next 3 miles of rolling single-track trail and 1.25 miles of 2-track trail (road #201). Camp Creek Ridge rises to approximately 7854 feet and 12.25 miles into the race. Kick back a little while descending through Camp Creek drainage on narrow single-track trail leading to a short section of gravel road where roads #168 and #149 greet one another and welcome runners to the saddle of the Dry Fork Ridge Aid Station on Freeze Out Road (road #149, 7480 ft, mile 13.5 outbound, mile 82.5 inbound). This is one of three major aid stations along the course offering crew, drop bags, and pacer (inbound only). It is no small feat to manage this aid station, so please pay your gratitude to the dedicated Dry Fork Family for offering their services for 25 years! 

It is likely you will feel the toll the past 13.5 miles of ascent and weather conditions have taken on you. Remain calm, be smart, trust your training and remember to gear down giving yourself time to take care of your needs. 

While descending into the Dry Fork drainage, don't forget to bring your eyes off the trail and take in the wide-open scenery and appreciate the sights. Over the next 6 miles of primitive, red dirt, 2-track trail, this drainage has spectacular views of elk meadows and small creek crossings. Short sections of steep uphill and downhill will work the legs as you settle into a sensible rhythm moving towards the next aid station, Kern’s Cow Camp. 

Kern’s Cow Camp Aid Station reveals the next breathtaking section of single-track trail on Dry Fork Trail at Miller Creek (trail #4, 6600 feet, mile 19.5 outbound, mile 76.5 inbound). The cow camp, aptly named after the Kerns family who used this primitive camp while tending to their summer cattle herds, can be seen to your left after you leave the aid station. Chris Carroll and his crew made this station the famous "bacon station"  way back when there were no bacon stations. They were on to something that is now commonly used on other courses. 

Relentless forward motion pushes runners on to a dilapidated stock tank approximately 3 miles after Kern’s Cow Camp.  Enjoy a short yet well needed opportunity to rest while filling water bottles with fresh spring water (tested and safe to drink). This forested single-track trail is a beautiful yet challenging stretch as it traverses the east face of the Dry Fork Canyon to Bear Camp Aid Station (6800 ft, mile 26.5 outbound, mile 69.5 inbound). Give a kind word of gratitude to the horsemen and ladies who make up the Bear Camp team. Their energetic team packs supplies  up 3000 ft of ascent humbly labeled  "the haul".  Head north down a treacherous section of Bighorn’s infamous shoe sucking mud and steep single-track trail. Go with the flow, but remind yourself it is still early in the race,  and saving your quads on this downhill will serve you later. The trail crosses the Little Bighorn River into a major crew/drop bag/pacer aid station, Sally’s Footbridge (trail #4 intersects Little Bighorn Trail #50, 4590 feet, mile 30 outbound, mile 66 inbound). 

Sally’s Footbridge named for an old friend of Bighorn who passed away in 2015, now captained and staffed by a team from the local YMCA, is a full menu, well stocked, aid station with plenty of volunteers to help make you comfortable. It is even rumored you may find a treat or two here form McDonald’s. Take a brief break, re-hydrate, consume some well-needed calories, and grab some warmer gear and your headlamp for this next section. Heeding this advice will pay dividends in the “long run” as this next section can dish out a hefty swing in temperature and darkness approaches quickly in the mountains. You may need your light if you leave Sally’s footbridge later in the day.

Ascending once again, Little Bighorn Canyon pulls runners up arduous rocky trail 3.5 miles to Cathedral Rock Aid Station (5080 ft, mile 33.5 outbound, mile 62.5 inbound).  The crew provide a remote yet essential selection of aid that they have packed in on foot. They are known for their "hot and ready" soup!  It is crucial to top fluids off at Cathedral Rock as the next aid station, Spring Marsh, is a solid 7 miles away. Be sure to  give your gratitude to the volunteers who filter that water by hand for you for hours and hours! 

The Little Horn Canyon is a standout with grand views of the Little Bighorn River juxtaposed with mighty canyon walls creating softness where your feet fall between the two extremes. Take in the beauty of your surroundings and glide through secluded single track-trail and wooded hideouts opening to meadows that host Wyoming’s wildlife. 150 yards before crossing Leaky Creek you might notice a sign announcing your approach underneath Leaky Mountain. Look to your right and you’ll see why it was appropriately named Leaky Mountain. Hold on tightly to a secure hand rope while crossing over a rustic log bridge aiding runners to safety over the rushing Leaky Creek. 

Continuing up the Little Horn Canyon, warm and welcoming bon fires prepared by aid station volunteers invite runners to Spring Marsh Aid Station (6920 feet, mile 40 outbound, mile 56 inbound). Spring Marsh is situated next to a fresh mountain spring providing the Bighorns’ finest water. Yes, we tested this spring water too!  The location of this aid station exposes runners to Mother Nature’s temper and participants can experience some threatening weather conditions. Thank Captain, John Gaviotis, and his crew for braving the conditions to offer aid at Spring Marsh.  John  is an accomplished Iron Man competitor who believes in giving back to fellow athletes. 

The Bighorns begin to cast their blankets of shadows beckoning nighttime adventures as runners ascend single-track trail through Wagon Box Creek and Duncum Creek. After passing through an Aspen grove, a steep yet short ascent may deliver a glimpse of the next remote aid station. Give Captain Matt McMeans and his team a friendly HOWDY  when you pass through Elk Camp (7430 ft, mile 43 outbound, mile 52.5 inbound). This limited aid station is hosted by a rough and tumble group of real  cowgirls/cowboys and their trusty equine friends. Your supplies made it here through the art of horse packing skills.  They serve up a special "banana" entree and those who've had it in the past can attest to the magic it creates.

Runners continue ascending the Willow Creek drainage crossing Devils Canyon Road on the Bighorn Mountain Divide (8951ft, mile 47 outbound, mile 49 inbound). Most of this section will be traveled during the dark hours but, know even in the darkness, the Bighorns do not disappoint on the gift of scenery. Following single-tack trail and a short section of road at a slight descent through Porcupine Creek drainage, it is clear the turn-around point, JAWS Trailhead, peaks around the next bend in the trail (8800 feet, mile 48). This fully supplied aid station with access to crew, drop bags, and pacers is complete with experienced aid station volunteers. Lisa Mohatt and the JAWS team readily await the opportunity to equip each individual runner with mental and physical encouragement for their return. The camp chef & team will make you something special short order style while you take care of your needs. Be sure to notice the younger volunteers and usually a local high school's sports team volunteers here that run cross country, indoor track, or play football and basketball for our local schools. Being at JAWS is an inspiring and rewarding experience as a Volunteer.   One CREW and/or PACER is allowed to be inside the JAWS aid station when you are there, but for crowd control reasons will be required to wait outside the tent in the CREW and PACER waiting area until you arrive at JAWS.  There will be a warm fire and lots of camaraderie in the waiting area.  Please make sure your CREW  is prepared for freezing temperatures,  long wait times, and that they come prepared with personal food and drinks as there are no food services near JAWS.  

Revitalized from JAWS aid station,  runners head out following their previous footsteps on the same course returning  through the following aid stations:

Elk Camp - mile 52.5  elevation 7430

Spring  Marsh - mile 56 elevation 6920

Cathedral Rock - mile 62.5 elevation  5080

Sally's Footbridge mile 66 elevation 4590  drop bag station

Bear Camp - mile 69.5 elevation 6800

Kerns Cow Camp - mile 76.5 elevation 6600

Dry Fork - mile 82.5 elevation 7480 drop bag station

Upper Sheep Creek - mile 87.5 elevation 7450

Lower Sheep Creek - mile 92.5 elevation 5025

Tongue River Canyon Aid Station captained by Karla Luckie and many of her friends, family, and coworkers, keep this aid station fully stocked providing essential aid and encouragement for your return (4240 ft, mile 95). The last five miles of gravel road reveals itself as a means to an end. Leaving the Tongue Canyon Trailhead, the Tongue River guides runners along gravel road to Home Stretch Aid Station (4040 ft, mile 98). Thank the Schwend family  for hosting and make sure to leave with a refreshing icy cold  otter pop in your hand. Continue on to  one last rustic footbridge adjacent to U.S. Highway 14.  Runners  will feel emotion bubbling, as the finish is only a ½ mile away. Cross U.S. Highway 14 into Dayton making a left onto 3rd St. and another left onto Broadway to a memorable culmination of an experience only the human spirit can realize as you cross the FINISH LINE and reunite with family and friends to celebrate at Scott Park in Dayton (3970 ft, mile 100) 

Have a snack, grab a nap, take the shuttle to Tongue River High School for a shower, lounge on the soft well kept grass in the park, and enjoy a local BEER and some live music, partake in the post race picnic featuring  Wyoming beef burgers,  (or veggie burger if you prefer) and hang out for awards!  You have just completed a magnificent journey you will never forget!