The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run is the world's oldest 100-mile trail race. Starting in Olympic Valley near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and concluding in Auburn, California, this point-to-point course represents a historic endurance test. Traversing the traditional lands of the Nisenan, Washoe, and other Indigenous Peoples, runners travel through high alpine country, the deep canyons of California's gold country, and the historic trails once walked by prospectors.

Weather on the Western States trail is highly variable and plays a critical role in race strategy. Based on historical data from late June, runners can expect cool, pre-dawn starting temperatures in the high 30s in Olympic Valley. As the day progresses and the course descends into the exposed canyons, temperatures typically climb into the high 70s or low 80s under mostly clear skies. Relative humidity drops significantly throughout the day, making a consistent and disciplined hydration strategy essential.

Spanning 100.07 miles, the course is characterized by a net downhill profile with nearly 23,000 feet of descent against roughly 18,000 feet of ascent. The sustained climbs out of the canyons and the repeated descents place considerable strain on the quadriceps.

Conservative pacing through the early high-altitude sections is essential to preserving the muscular endurance needed for the demanding canyon crossings in the latter half of the race.

• Event Date: June 27, 2026
• Event Type: Trail 100 Mile
• GPX Course Length: 100.07 mi
• Course Type: Point to Point
• TrailScore: 188.78
• Total Ascent: 17987.5 ft
• Total Descent: 22809.74 ft
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 0, 3.58 mi at an average grade of 12.83%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 61.13, 3.47 mi at an average grade of -7.9%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 46.34, 1.63 mi at an average grade of 18.45%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 51.75, 1.43 mi at an average grade of -14.06%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 11 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 11 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Moderate Decline: 14.6%
  • Flat: 14.4%
  • Challenging Decline: 14.2%
  • Steep Decline: 12.4%
  • Steep Incline: 10.7%
  • Challenging Incline: 9.3%
  • Minor Decline: 8.7%
  • Moderate Incline: 7%
  • Minor Incline: 6.8%
  • Extreme Incline: 1.1%
  • Extreme Decline: 0.8%

The race begins sharply at 5:00 AM at the base of Olympic Valley on Shirley Canyon Road. Runners face a pre-sunrise start, so headlamps are required as they immediately tackle the course's longest uphill. The morning air will be crisp, historically lingering in the high 30s.

Civil twilight breaks at 5:04 AM, providing a dim glow before a 5:36 AM sunrise illuminates the Granite Chief Wilderness. The initial ascent transitions from a Steep Incline to an Extreme Incline, rewarding early patience. Upon cresting near the Watson Monument at Mile 3.58, runners transition onto a mix of unnamed trails and French Meadows Road, entering a rolling high country sequence.

Navigating Granite Chief Road and the Soda Springs Riverton Spur features consistent vertical variance. The terrain blends Moderate Declines with sharp Steep Inclines, particularly around Mile 11 on French Meadows Road. Runners then merge onto Mosquito Ridge Road around Mile 16, pushing toward the Duncan Canyon aid station.

Navigational focus in the early hours is critical. The trails are well-traveled, but the mixture of Extreme Inclines and Steep Declines through the Granite Chief Wilderness demands concentration. Taking the early downhills conservatively on fresh legs will pay significant dividends when the race reaches the canyon floor later in the day.

• Signature Early Climb: An immediate 2,423 foot ascent over the first 3.58 miles. Starting conservatively is essential to preserve the legs for the remaining 96 miles.
• Pre-Dawn Navigation: The race begins in darkness. Navigating the Extreme Inclines of the Escarpment requires reliable lighting and careful foot placement.
• Early Quad Damage: The long, Challenging Decline from mile 5.1 to 6.53 drops over 800 feet. It is critical to resist the urge to over-stride on fresh legs.

• Climb #1: Mile 0 to Mile 3.58, 3.58 mi, avg grade 12.83%, total gain 2423.69 ft
• Climb #2: Mile 11.13 to Mile 11.54, 0.41 mi, avg grade 14.51%, total gain 314.37 ft
• Climb #3: Mile 14.29 to Mile 14.91, 0.61 mi, avg grade 9.31%, total gain 301.25 ft

• Descent #1: Mile 5.1 to Mile 6.53, 1.43 mi, avg grade -10.95%, total drop 826.87 ft
• Descent #2: Mile 13.37 to Mile 13.99, 0.61 mi, avg grade -10.09%, total drop 326.31 ft
• Descent #3: Mile 21.84 to Mile 24.8, 2.96 mi, avg grade -7.21%, total drop 1124.97 ft

• Lyon Ridge (Mile 10.3)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 10:30am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Red Star Ridge (Mile 15.8)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 10:30am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Duncan Canyon (Mile 24.4)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 12:30pm
  • Toilet: Unknown

• Watson Monument (~Mile 3.58): Historical landmark at the crest of the first major climb.

Leaving Duncan Canyon, the course enters some of its most strategically demanding terrain. Around mile 30, runners transition onto Robinson Flat Road, signaling the approach to the deeply carved canyons of California gold country.

From Robinson Flat, the route follows Last Chance Road, sending runners into a 1,775-foot descent to the Swinging Bridge at the canyon floor. Temperatures here historically climb into the upper 70s and low 80s, turning the canyon into a heat trap with minimal airflow.

Immediately after crossing the bridge, runners face the Devil's Thumb climb on the Grouse Creek OHV Trail. The steepest uphill of the race at an 18.45% average grade, the climb is fully exposed to the sun and demands a deliberate, sustained hiking effort. The combination of heat and elevation change makes this stretch a breaking point for many competitors.

After cresting Devil's Thumb, the route drops sharply down Deadwood Road, losing another 1,444 feet before pitching upward again. This sawtooth profile of steep descents followed by steep climbs demands strict energy management from all but the most experienced runners. The section concludes with the ascent up Bath Road into Michigan Bluff, where runners reach a crucial crew access and medical check point.

• Canyon Heat: Historical data shows temperatures soaring through the midday hours. The lack of cloud cover and dropping humidity make aggressive hydration and heat management vital.
• The Swinging Bridge Descent: A relentless 2.65 mile Steep Decline losing 1,775 feet of elevation. Muscular endurance is severely tested here.
• Devil's Thumb Climb: A 1.63 mile Extreme Incline immediately following a deep descent. It is an exposed climb that forces a significantly slowed pace.

• Climb #4: Mile 28.67 to Mile 29.59, 0.92 mi, avg grade 12.7%, total gain 615.22 ft
• Climb #5: Mile 46.34 to Mile 47.97, 1.63 mi, avg grade 18.45%, total gain 1588.09 ft
• Climb #6: Mile 53.18 to Mile 54.71, 1.53 mi, avg grade 14.76%, total gain 1192.29 ft

• Descent #4: Mile 43.69 to Mile 46.34, 2.65 mi, avg grade -12.69%, total drop 1775.72 ft
• Descent #5: Mile 48.79 to Mile 51.44, 2.66 mi, avg grade -10.29%, total drop 1444.95 ft
• Descent #6: Mile 51.75 to Mile 53.08, 1.33 mi, avg grade -15.09%, total drop 1059.09 ft

• Robinson Flat (Mile 30.3)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 2:10pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Miller's Defeat (Mile 34.4)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 3:15pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Dusty Corners (Mile 38)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 4:05pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Last Chance (Mile 43.3)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 5:25pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Devil's Thumb (Mile 47.8)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 7:10pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• El Dorado Creek (Mile 52.9)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 8:40pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Michigan Bluff (Mile 55.7)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 9:55pm
  • Toilet: Unknown

• Swinging Bridge - Western States Trail (~Mile 46.24): Historic bridge crossing at the base of the canyon before ascending Devil's Thumb.
• Deadwood Cemetery (~Mile 49.81): Historic landmark providing context to the region's gold-mining past.

Exiting Michigan Bluff, runners navigate a brief segment on Gorman Ranch Road and Chicken Hawk Road before transitioning to Foresthill Road and Main Street toward the Foresthill aid station at mile 62. Foresthill is a critical crew access point, and its energy often provides a welcome mental boost. It also marks the beginning of the highly anticipated California Street trails, affectionately known as Cal Street.

The route follows Dardanelles Road and Peachstone Road, beginning a long net downhill trend toward the American River. While the overall direction is downward, the path is heavily corrugated with moderate climbs and punishing descents that make a steady rhythm difficult to find. A drop of 1,277 feet over nearly 2.5 miles leads toward the Dardanelles aid station, demanding focused downhill technique at a point in the race where fatigue is mounting considerably.

The trail winds through Peachstone Road and Fords Bar Road in a series of continuous turns, requiring constant attention to footwork and leaving little room for autopilot. This section concludes as the route meets Drivers Flat Road, pitching steeply downward toward the river crossing at Rucky Chucky.

• Compounded Fatigue on Descents: The continuous Challenging Declines and Steep Declines on Cal Street will heavily tax already battered quadriceps. Maintain a short, quick stride.
• Pacing the Divide: The rolling Moderate Inclines between Foresthill and the deeper descents can disrupt rhythm. Maintaining a steady, manageable effort is required.

• Climb #7: Mile 60.11 to Mile 61.13, 1.02 mi, avg grade 9.01%, total gain 484.06 ft
• Climb #8: Mile 72.3 to Mile 72.71, 0.41 mi, avg grade 13.49%, total gain 293.64 ft

• Descent #7: Mile 62.26 to Mile 64.6, 2.34 mi, avg grade -10.32%, total drop 1277.53 ft
• Descent #8: Mile 69.43 to Mile 70.14, 0.72 mi, avg grade -12.63%, total drop 479.07 ft
• Descent #9: Mile 70.76 to Mile 71.58, 0.82 mi, avg grade -10.45%, total drop 455.02 ft

• Foresthill (Mile 62)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 11:45pm
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Dardanelles (Cal-1) (Mile 65.7)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 2:40am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Peachstone (Cal-2) (Mile 70.7)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 2:40am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Ford's Bar (Cal-3) (Mile 73)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 5:00am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Rucky Chucky (Mile 78)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 5:00am
  • Toilet: Unknown

• Option waterfall 1 (~Mile 62.16): Scenic water feature just past Foresthill.

After surviving the cold waters of the Middle Fork of the American River at Rucky Chucky, runners face a sharp psychological and physical shift. The course climbs out of the river crossing via Sliger Mine Road on a challenging incline that gains nearly 700 feet, then links with Foxgrove Lane and Secret Lake Trail to navigate the final significant vertical challenges of the race.

A long stretch on the Quarry Trail offers some flatter terrain and minor descents, giving runners a chance to find a late-race rhythm if their legs will allow it. The route passes the iconic No Hands Bridge at mile 96.59, reached after a sustained 922-foot moderate decline down Highway 49. The smoother grades leading to the bridge are an opportunity to gather focus before the final push.

Those final miles demand everything left in the tank. The Robie Point Fire Break Trail is a steep climb that tests mental resolve just miles from Auburn, arriving at a point in the race when reserves are nearly gone. Once runners crest Robie Point, the terrain flattens onto the paved surfaces of Robie Drive, Marvin Way, and Stadium Way.

The shift from dirt to pavement can feel jarring after nearly 100 miles of trail, but it marks the final turns leading to the historic finish line at Placer High School.

• Post-River Climb: The immediate 1.73 mile climb out of the river on Sliger Mine Road requires a mental shift and strong hiking effort after the shock of the cold water crossing.
• The Final Ascent: The Steep Incline up to Robie Point between miles 98 and 99 is a difficult final hurdle before the finish.
• Surface Transition: The shift from dirt trail to the paved roads of Auburn in the final miles can be jarring on exhausted joints and feet. Adjust your stride to minimize impact.

• Climb #9: Mile 77.72 to Mile 79.45, 1.73 mi, avg grade 7.63%, total gain 696.82 ft
• Climb #10: Mile 91.38 to Mile 93.02, 1.64 mi, avg grade 7.53%, total gain 651.15 ft
• Climb #11: Mile 97.3 to Mile 99.14, 1.83 mi, avg grade 7.27%, total gain 704 ft

• Descent #10: Mile 94.24 to Mile 96.59, 2.35 mi, avg grade -7.45%, total drop 922.61 ft
• Descent #11: Mile 99.14 to Mile 99.24, 0.1 mi, avg grade -3.48%, total drop 18.57 ft

• Green Gate (Mile 79.8)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 5:50am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Auburn Lake Trails (Mile 85.2)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 7:15am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Quarry Rd (Mile 90.7)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: No
  • Cutoff: 8:40am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Pointed Rocks (Mile 94.3)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: Yes
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 9:40am
  • Toilet: Unknown
• Robie Point (Mile 98.9)
  • Offerings: Standard Ultra Menu
  • Drop Bags: No
  • Crew Access: Yes
  • Cutoff: 11:00am
  • Toilet: Unknown

• Trail Parking: Auburn State Park (~Mile 96.28): Recreational parking area near the entrance to the Auburn State Recreation Area.
• No Hands Bridge (~Mile 96.59): Iconic concrete arch bridge marking the final miles of the Western States trail.