![]() If you under-hydrate or under-fuel the final 4,860 foot ascent will turn into a death-march (and you’ll understand why entire books have been written about deaths in the Grand Canyon). There are some miles of mellow flat running along the Colorado River, but this route is defined by its two massive climbs through millions of years of rock sediment. Running into and out of the six-million-year-old hole has become a rite of passage for North American ultrarunners. However, the sheer immensity of it all won’t hit home until you arrive at the North Rim-21 miles from where you started-and realize you now have to run back. The Fastest Known Time: Kyle Skaggs 23 hours, 23 minutes AugGrand Canyon, Rim to Rim to Rim | (Joe Dsilva/ Flickr)Īrizona (42 miles, 10,700 feet of ascent)ĭropping into the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail is a quasi-religious experience. By the time you finish this one you will either swear off ultrarunning or throw your name into the lottery. Lacking the requisite oxygen to move anywhere near your sea-level potential (the race’s nickname is the “Hardwalk”), your rewards for the pain are plenty: alpine lakes, alpine meadows, remote mountain passes (Virginius pass is only as wide as a VW bus), gnarly scree fields, and the highest point on the course-14,048 feet Handies Peak. A popular way to experience the majestic 100-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains is to break it into three days ranging from 28-45 miles-a so-called “Softrock.” This ultra-tour of the iconic towns of Telluride and Ouray averages over 11,000 feet in elevation, with a total of 34,000 feet of uphill. ![]() It’s so coveted, in fact, that it’s nearly impossible to gain entry (first-time applicants have about a 1.4 percent chance). One race has captured the attention of the best mountain runners in the world-the Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run. Silverton-Telluride-Ouray, Colorado (100 miles, 34,000 feet of ascent) The Fastest Known Time: Mike Foote & Justin Yates, 7 hours 22 minutes, Softrock | (John Fowler/ Flickr) The trail out of Zion Canyon uses about half of the Angel’s Landing hike, which you should include as an out-and-back add-on because it’s one of the best hikes on earth. The views from the West Rim are breathtaking, but what makes this route amazing is its diversity: slot canyons with flash flood potential, switchbacks up sheer cliffs, jagged peaks, expansive sandstone slabs, improbable mounds of earth, sandy creek beds, and valley floors. Most choose to run west, getting the big climb out of Zion Canyon over with early in their adventure. Then, two of ultrarunning’s hardmen revived the route and brought it into the sport’s consciousness. Just six years ago, this challenging point-to-point was virtually unknown. This 48-mile route takes you on a tour of massive red cliffs and lush green valley floors as you run across the entire National Park. Zion National Park, Utah (48 miles, 9,000 feet of ascent) The Fastest Known Time: Kyle Skaggs 20 hours, 53 minutes SeptemZion Traverse | (mikewhitman/ Flickr) Vast and remote in scope, the well-worn trail-often wide enough to run side by side-traverses through peaceful old-growth forests and subalpine meadows of wildflowers. These are also the vehicle accessible locations where you can drop food and water if you’d prefer to break the route up into manageable chunks. The 360-degree view of Mount Rainier starts at Longmire Visitor Center traveling counter-clockwise to Mowich Lake, then White River Campground before arriving back at Longmire. Phase change is visibly and audibly evident as you cross over sculpted valleys and moraines along the 93-mile Wonderland Trail. The active volcano is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. It doesn’t get much better than running around the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest, 14,410-foot Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington (93 miles, 24,000 feet of ascent) Here are our picks for the best long-distance adventure trail-running routes in the country. What’s not to like about a sport that requires virtually no equipment-except (maybe) shorts and trail running shoes-and allows you to explore vast mountain ranges and terrain that most people will never experience? Even better, our country has some of the most beautiful and remote lines in the world. Trail-running is exploding in popularity, and for good reason.
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