The Snow Fun Courses are both out and backs on snow covered forest service roads that are closed to vehicles(except snowmobiles) and are groomed frequently to provide a wide, firm, and uniform running surface. The trail is a little softer than normal trail but not as bad as sand and is rarely icy. It is possible however that due to a large amount of snow falling the night before(or possibly days before) the run could result in less than ideal running conditions--in which case we'll either adjust to running slower by not going as far or possibly even changing the route to a place where the footing would be firmer. I'll be monitoring the conditions and will announces any changes if needed with as much notice as possible.
Both races start and finish at the S. Fork Gold Creek Sno Park at 2100ft. The run starts out with a gradual but nearly relentless 11 mile climb up to a gap in the Chelan Sawtooth Ridge at 5800 high above the Methow River Valley and Lake Chelan. The 22 milers turn around here. The 35 milers continue another 6.5 miles to their turnaround point at the highest part of Coyote Ridge-- gradually losing a couple hundred feet then gradually climbing up to 6550ft. These routes are amazingly beautiful especially once you get up high and start getting the views of the two valleys and the surround mountains. This race will be like no other you have other run!
There will be 5 aid stations for the 35m (5.5,11.0, 17.5, 24.0, 29.5) and 3 aid stations for the 22m (5.5, 11.0, and 16.5)
Q: WILL YOU NEED SNOWSHOES?
A: Snow shoes will probably not be needed. The race course is on groomed snow mobile trails and the course will be groomed the thursday before the race so as long as it doesn't snow a whole bunch between the grooming and the race on saturday we should have a pretty firm surface to run on top of. Even if it did snow we would most likely be able to run on the portion of the trail packed down by the snowmobiles that will go out in the morning to set up the aid stations. But anything is possible so having snow shoes with you in your car at the start might be a good idea just incase. But if it's gonna be that bad that folks need snow shoes i'll probably change the course so we run somewhere more runnable. trying to run 35 miles in snowshoes would probably kill most folks!
Another to keep in mind is that this course is very remote and has potential for bad winter weather. There are no road crossings any where on the course and if you were to get injured on the course you will either have to get out on your own or be carried out by snowmobile.
