Harvey’s Detailed Course Description
Section 1: Starting at the base of the ski area (outside of the Bear River Bar and Grill where packet pickup will take place), ascend Burgess Creek to ‘Why Not’ access road to Rainbow Saddle, past the Four Points Hut. Join the Storm Peak Challenge summer trail (rough two track) to the top of Storm Peak and the Mount Werner aid station. There is approximately 3,600 feet of elevation gain along this 6.4 mile section.
Section 2: From the Mt. Werner aid station join Mountain View Trail (FS Trail 1032). Descend the ridge off Mt. Werner with beautiful views of the meadows of Hogan Park to the south and the rocky peaks of the Zirkel Wilderness to the north. This is single track. A short steep descent at the end of the Mountain View Trail will bring you to a trail junction with the Fish Creek Falls Trail (FS Trail 1102). Take a right onto 1102 (heading east). You will quickly arrive at Long Lake. Rounding the north shore of Long Lake to the Long Lake aid station. There is about 700 feet of gain and 1,200 feet of loss along this 6.8 mile section.
Section 3: From the Long Lake aid station continue east along the Fish Creek Falls trail for approximately 1.3 miles to the four way intersection with the Wyoming Trail, FS Trail 1101. Take a right (heading south) on the Wyoming Trail. Another beautiful section of trail awaits. As you run south through open meadows and old growth spruce, fir, and pine forests, keep an eye out for Lake Elmo. Stay straight through the junction with Lost Lake and you will quickly come upon Fishhook Lake. Much like Mountain View, this is rolling singletrack. A quick descent down the Fishhook drainage will lead to a modest climb up to the Base Camp Trailhead aid station. This 5.2 mile section of trail has 550 feet of gain and 450 feet of loss.
Section 4: From the Base Camp aid station head southeast along the Base Camp Road (FS Road 311) for about 1/2 mile to the junction with the Wyoming Trail, FS Trail 1101. This right hand turn on 1101 will be well marked but please don’t miss it. Follow the 1101 trail to a short, steep descent to a stream crossing. Cross the stream, continue along the 1101, and look out for Dumont Lake below you. The trail follows an old ditch above the lake for almost a mile until you come upon the Dumont Campground. There is a short section of dirt road on the outskirts of the campground. Look out for a hiker sign on your left, again this will be well marked. Take this left, and follow to the Dumont aid station. This is a short section, about 3.9 miles, with about 100 feet of gain and 550 feet of loss.
Section 5: From the Dumont aid station head to Grizzly Creek Road, FS Road 291. Follow this rough jeep road as it climbs steadily uphill to the base of the Rabbit Ears. At the end of this road you can literally reach out and touch them. A volunteer will be at the turnaround to punch your bib, otherwise there is no aid here, other than the terrific views of the Gore Range, Rawahs, Flattops, and Rabbit Ears Pass area. Catch your breath, turn around, and pound back down to the Dumont Aid Station. This 5.4 mile section has approximately 1000 feet of gain and loss.
Section 6: This is the reverse of Section 4. Follow the 1101 from Dumont along the lake back up to the Base Camp Road (311). Take a left onto Base Camp Road and follow it for about a half mile back to the Base Camp aid station. 3.9 miles, 550 feet of gain, 100 feet of loss.
Section 7: This is the reverse of Section 3. Follow the 1101 out of Base Camp down to the Fishhook drainage, then climb back up to Fishhook Lake. Go straight through the junction for Lost Lake, then take a left at the four way intersection with the Fish Creek Falls Trail, FS Trail 1102. Follow this trail for 1.3 miles back to the Long Lake aid station. 5.2 miles, 450 feet of gain, 550 feet of loss.
Section 8: This is the reverse of Section 2. Follow the 1102 out of the aid station back along the shores of Long Lake. From the aid station it is .8 miles to the trail junction with the Mountain View Trail (FS Trail 1032). Take a left onto the Mountain View Trail, and follow it as it climbs back up the ridge to the Storm Peak aid station at the top of the Steamboat Ski area. 6.8 miles, 1,200 feet of gain, 700 feet of loss.
Section 9: From the top of the ski area, follow the Storm Peak Challenge trail (rough two track) back down to the Four Points hut, Rainbow Saddle, and eventually the Why Not access road. Why Not will graciously take you back down to the base of the ski area, the finish line, pizza and beer. 6.4 miles, 3,600 feet of loss.
Elevation Profile & Course Map
The Run Rabbit Run course is very much like life, in that there are many, many little and not so little ups and downs in between the obvious highs and lows. Be prepared. (Click on image to enlarge).
