bighorn 18 mile

The directions and distances are estimated. 

Course elevation at the start: 7480 feet.

The 18M course begins at the head of the DRY FORK aid station and proceeds up the Freeze Out road, following trails and a gravel road cresting on Camp Creek Ridge at 8,100 feet. It then descends down Sheep Creek drainage to 7450 feet on a four-wheel drive road. At about 5 miles you will reach the fully supplied UPPER SHEEP CREEK aid station. Next is the summit of Horse Creek Ridge at 8,000 feet, following trails and primitive four-wheel drive roads, which will then drop you into Tongue River Canyon. Take a moment to view the canyon and the distant plains before you descend the trail through seas of wildflowers.

LOWER SHEEP CREEK aid station at mile 10 and 5025 feet, is a good place to fill your bottles before entering the sometimes hot canyon below. Continuing on to the TONGUE RIVER aid station at mile 12.2 and approximately 4240 feet you will leave the trail and run on a relatively flat gravel road for the remainder of the distance. At about mile 15.2 is the final aid station, HOMESTRETCH aid station. Continue on and just as you are entering Dayton you will cross the Tongue River on a rustic footbridge. Runners then cross Highway 14 and proceed into town making a left onto 3rd street. Go one block and make a left onto Broadway and into Scott Park where the FINISH and picnic gala await you.

Bighorn Trail Run Aid Stations are famous in the Trail Running community & are known for  extravagant aid station supplies and the  best volunteers in the world!! We are taking extra precautions when preparing and serving food and drinks to participants, however aid stations are remote and require some handling by volunteers and are served  outdoors.  There are opportunities for drop bags where you can store personal food/drinks  to take with you  when you come through the aid stations should you forgo provided options. 

Upper Sheep Creek ~ 4:30PM Cutoff 

Mile 5.0  Elevation 7450'   Minimal Aid, No Crew

Lower Sheep Creek ~ No Cutoff

Mile 10.0  Elevation 5025'   Minimal Aid, No Crew 

Tongue River Trailhead ~ 6:45PM Cutoff

Mile 12.2  Elevation 4240'   Moderate Aid, OUTHOUSE, Crew ON FOOT or by BIKE ONLY, Official Timing Checkpoint

Home Stretch ~ No Cutoff

Mile 15.2  Elevation 4040'   Minimal Aid, Crew on foot or by BIKE ONLY 

SCOTT PARK FINISH ~ 8:00PM Cutoff 

Mile 18  Elevation 3970'   Major Aid, Drop Bags Allowed