bighorn 52 mile

These directions and distances are estimated.  

Course Elevation at the start: 8800 feet
 

The 52 mile course begins at the JAWS Aid Station and Trailhead.

To Jaws Trailhead: Take Hwy 14 from Dayton and proceed up the Bighorn Mountains to Burgess Junction. Take Hwy 14A from Burgess Junction towards Lovell for approximately 20.7 miles to turn right on Forest Service Road #13 which is just prior to the road going to the Medicine Wheel and is just prior to Hwy 14A starting to descend back down the west side of the mountain. Go on Forest Service Road #13 in a northerly direction proceeding past Porcupine Campground on your left at approximately 1.9 miles. Cross over Porcupine Creek and continue driving past the entrance to the Porcupine Ranger Station (do not drive into the entrance of Porcupine Ranger Station).  Proceed left up the hill past the entrance to Porcupine Ranger Station for about ¼ mile where you will turn left into the parking lot for Jaws Trailhead at approximately 2.5 miles. Park in the designated areas for crew in Jaws Trailhead or as otherwise directed keeping the entrance to Jaws Trailhead clear for traffic and runners. Plan wisely on what you will carry as the first aid station is an 8 mile stretch. There is access to water however it will need to be self filtered. 

The trail joins trail #50 (Little Horn Trail) on Devils Canyon Road and proceeds easterly on trail app and starts to descend into the Little Horn drainage. Here is where you start your adventure on the original Little Horn Trail #50. The trail crosses several small creeks as you drop into Willow Creek then Duncum Creek drainages. Panoramic views and splendid seas of wildflowers greet you as the trail descends into the Wagon Box drainage.

After dropping about 1000 feet in 8 miles SPRING MARSH Aid Station #1 awaits your arrival. The supplies are limited there as it is accessible only by foot, so all supplies have been packed in. As the trail descends the Little Bighorn Canyon to Leaky Mountain Creek you might notice a sign about 150 yards after crossing Leaky Creek. At this sign turn and look to your left and you'll see why it was appropriately named Leaky Mountain. As you descend deeper into the canyon excellent views are afforded of the lower parts of the Little Bighorn Canyon and the confluence of the Dry Fork Canyon coming in from the south. 

Another limited aid station called CATHEDRAL ROCK Aid Station #2 at 5080 feet and 14.5 miles into the course is awaiting your arrival.

Continuing down to the FOOT BRIDGE Aid Station #3 at 18 miles and 4590 feet you'll find your drop bag at the fully equipped aid station with outhouses available. It is advisable to have dry socks and shoes in your drop bag here. 

After crossing the Foot Bridge, you begin a major climb up the Dry Fork reaching BEAR HUNTING CAMP Aid Station #4, a limited aid station at mile 21 1/2 and approximately 6800 feet. The course then levels off slightly to the KERNS COW CAMP Aid Station #5 at 28.5 miles and approx. 6600 feet. This is the course junction where you join the 32m course. 

You'll continue on together climbing up to the head of the DRY FORK Aid Station #6 at mile 34.5 and approx. 7480 feet. This is your second and final drop bag cache and a chance to use the outhouse.  After leaving the aid station the course 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.

After running about 5 miles from the Dry Fork station you will reach the fully supplied UPPER SHEEP CREEK aid station (39.5 Mile Checkpoint). 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 44 1/2 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 46.7 and approximately 4240 feet  and you will have a chance to use the outhouse . You will then leave the trail and run on a relatively flat gravel road for the remainder of the distance. 

At about mile 49.7 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. 

Spring Marsh ~ No Cutoff

Mile 8.5  Elevation 6920’  Minimal Aid, No Crew

Cathedral Rock ~ No Cutoff 

Mile 14.5 Elevation 5080'   Minimal Aid, No Crew  

Sally's Footbridge ~ 10:00AM Cutoff 

Mile 18  Elevation 4590'   Major Aid, OUTHOUSE, Medical Check, Drop Bag Station, Official Timing Checkpoint

Bear Camp ~ No Cutoff 

Mile 21.5  Elevation  6800'  Minimal Aid, No Crew 

Cow Camp ~ No Cutoff 

Mile 28.5  Elevation  6600'  Moderate Aid, No Crew

Dry Fork ~ 3:00PM Cutoff

Mile 34.5  Elevation 7480'   Major Aid, OUTHOUSE, Crew, Medical Check, Drop Bag Station, Official Timing Checkpoint

Upper Sheep Creek ~ 4:30PM Cutoff 

Mile 39.5  Elevation 7450'   Minimal Aid, No Crew

Lower Sheep Creek ~ No Cutoff

Mile 44.5  Elevation 5025'   Minimal Aid, No Crew 

Tongue River Trailhead ~ 6:45PM Cutoff

Mile 46.7  Elevation 4240'   Moderate Aid, OUTHOUSE, Crew on foot or by BIKE ONLY, Official Timing Checkpoint

Home Stretch ~ No Cutoff

Mile 49.7  Elevation 4040'   Minimal Aid, Crew on foot or by BIKE ONLY 

SCOTT PARK FINISH ~ 8:00PM Cutoff 

Mile 52  Elevation 3970'   Major Aid, Drop Bags Allowed