| Course Descriptions |
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50 Mile The race will start and finish at Sherando Lake Recreation Area located just a few miles from Skyline Drive (entrance to Shenandoah National Park) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The starting line is located by the upper lake in the Recreation Area. Once you cross the entrance gate to the recreation Area, proceed on the main access road. You will see Sherando Lake on your right. Continue beyond the lake and after about 0.4 miles you will see the starting line located in the upper lake picnic shelter on the right. On the left, you will see a large grassy field and an earth dam. START - The race will start atop the large earth damn and proceed left onto the White Rock Gap Trail. The White Rock Gap Trail has a very smooth surface and rolls along the edge of the North Fork Branch Creek which feeds Sherando Lake. Start to Aid Station #1 (4.6 miles) - On the White Rock Gap Trail, you will come to the intersection with the Slack Trail after 2.5 miles: stay left at the intersection with the Slacks Trail (do NOT go up the Slacks Trail). After 0.3 miles after the Slcks intersection, the White rock Gap trail will cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Being careful with traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Directly across the Parkway, you will see the entrance for the White Rocks Falls Trail. The White Rocks Falls Trail will last for 2.4 miles and exit onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Watching out for traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and look to your LEFT. You will see Aid Station #1 located just a few 100 yards on the right at the Slacks Overlook. Aid Station #1 to Aid Station #2, Bald Mountain Jeep road Summit (7.3 miles) – After leaving Aid Station #1, proceed westbound through the parking lot (moving away from the aid station which is located on the eastern corner of the Slacks Overlook. When facing the aid station with the BRPW behind you, look for the trail on the left). At the end of the parking lot, you will see the West Slack Spur Trail which will connect you to the Slacks trail. This is the beginning of a good climb up the Slacks Trail which will intersect the Torry Ridge Trail. Turn LEFT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (this turn will be clearly marked with ribbons, orange chalk and orange arrows) and continue for 1 mile until you reach Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162), where you will make a right and proceed 0.5 miles to Aid Station # 2, Camp Marty BMER Summit. The Aid Station will be located on your right in a camping site. Aid Station #2 to Aid Station #3, Kennedy Ridge (13.1 miles) - After departing Aid Station #2 you will go for 2.3 miles along the Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162) and then make a right onto the Kennedy Ridge Trail. The Kennedy Ridge Trail will last for 3.5 miles and bring you to Aid Station #3 on Coal Road (SSR 42). This is a great section of the race. The first 2.3 miles are on a wide jeep trail. As you turn right onto the Kennedy Ridge Trail, you will enjoy for some terrific single track along a great exposed ridgeline. Also, this section along Kennedy Ridge is primarily all downhill, so you may want to take advantage of gravity! Aid Station #3 to Aid Station #4, Turkey Pen (16.6 miles) – After exiting Aid Station #3, turn right onto Coal Road (SSR 42). This is a wide gravel road with rolling hills and an excellent surface, so it is a good place to make up some time. You will be on Coal Road for about 3.5 miles, until you reach the entrance to Turkey Pen Trail located on your right. You cannot miss it, since you will see a wide parking area and a metal gate. Go through the gate. The gravel road turns into a jeep road. Continue for about 1.4 mile to the aid station, which will be at the end of the jeep road on your left. Aid Station #4 to Aid Station #5, The Furnace Turnaround (19.8 miles) - From the Turkey Pen Aid station, turn left onto the Furnace trail (if the aid station and the road you just came on are beding you, the trail will be on your left). You will have the cross the Mills Creek in order to get on the Furnace trail. After about 0.1 miles you will get to an intersection: go straight. Continue uphill for another mile and after crossing the creek, take a RIGHT onto the Furnace trail (do not go straight). After another 1.1 mile, you will get to the intersection with the Torry Ridge Trail: go straight and downhill on the Furnace trail. Continue downhill for 0.2 miles to the Furnace aid station. This aid station is unmanned and will only have fluids. Aid Station #5 to Aid Station #6, Turkey Pen (22.2 miles)- Turn around and retrace your steps to the Turkey Pen aid station. Aid Station #6 to Aid Station #7, Bald Mountain Jeep road summit (27.2 miles)- Once you get to the Turkey Pen aid station, look to your LEFT. You will see the Mills Creek Trail. Enter the trail and proceed southbound. This trail is mostly flat and very smooth; it crisscrosses Mills Creek, so prepare to get your feet wet! Remain on this trail. After approximately 4 miles, the trail will begin to climb towards Aid Station #7. This is a steep climb, but it only lasts for about 1.1 mile. As you climb, look to your left, where you will have spectacular views of Torry Ridge and the Mill Creek valley. As you exit the MillsCreek Trail, you will see the Aid Station on your right. Aid Station #7 to Aid Station #8, Turkey Pen (32.3 miles)- Turn around and retrace your steps downhill to the Turkey Pen aid station. Aid Station #8 to Aid Station #9, Kennedy Ridge Trail (37.2 miles)- From the Turkey Pen Aid Station, retrace your steps to the Kennedy Ridge Aid Station. You will run on the Turkey Pen Jeep road, take a left onto Coal road and a left into the Kennedy Ridge trail and aid station. Aid Station #9 to Aid Station #10, Bald Mountain Jeep Road Summit (42.9 miles)- Climb on the Kennedy back up the Bald Mountain Jeep Road. This climb is 3.5 miles long, and steep at times. Take a left onto Bald Mountain Jeep road, which will be rolling for 2.3 miles to the Aid Station. Turn left into the camping area to the aid station. Aid Station #10 to Aid Station #11, East Sherando Lake (48.5 miles) – As you leave Aid Station #10, turn left onto Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162). At this point, you are retracing your steps toward the Torry Ridge Trail. Continue on Bald Mountain Jeep Road for about 0.5 miles, until you get to the Torry Ridge trail. Turn left onto the Torry Ridge Trail and continue for about 1 mile. Continue STRAIGHT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (DO NOT TURN RIGHT ONTO THE SLACKS TRAIL!). This intersection will be marked with orange arrows, ribbons and orange chalk. The Torry Ridge Trail is rolling with no major climbs, but it is also quite rocky. Continue for about 3.7 miles on the Torry Ridge Trail. You will pass the South Blue Loop Trail on your right: do not take this trail and continue straight on the Torry Ridge Trail. Proceed until your reach the second (North) Blue Loop Trail: turn right onto the North Blue Loop Trail. This trail descends steeply towards Sherando Lake, and it is technical, so keep your eyes down and your toes up! After about 1.3 mile of descent, you will reach Aid Station #6, where you will also cross the paved entrance road to Sherando Lake. Aid Station #11 to the FINISH LINE! (50 miles) – After you leave Aid Station #11, turn right onto the paved road. Cross the bridge and take an immediate right onto the Sherando Dam Road. This smaller road splits from the main access road and it follows a beautiful creek fed by Sherando Lake: it will take you to the North earth dam of Sherando Lake. Continue on this paved road for about 0.8 miles until you will see a parking lot, restrooms and, right in front of you, a large earth dam. Take a right before you reach the parking lot across a low-water crossing (you are now crossing the creek which the road has been following). Continue on this trail, which is now the Lakeside Trail; from here, you will have stunning views of Sherando Lake. Continue on this trail (do not take the trail which goes uphill) until you reach the South parking lot and the beach area. Keep straight to exit the parking lot and continue straight onto the main park road for about 0.5 miles. You will see the FINISH LINE on your right! * (mile) represents total mileage 50 K The race will start and finish at Sherando Lake Recreation Area located just a few miles from Skyline Drive (entrance to Shenandoah National Park) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The starting line is located by the upper lake in the Recreation Area. Once you cross the entrance gate to the recreation Area, proceed on the main access road. You will see Sherando Lake on your right. Continue beyond the lake and after about 0.4 miles you will see the starting line located in the upper lake picnic shelter on the right. On the left, you will see a large grassy field and an earth dam. START - The race will start atop the large earth damn and proceed left onto the White Rock Gap Trail. The White Rock Gap Trail has a very smooth surface and rolls along the edge of the North Fork Branch Creek which feeds Sherando Lake. Start to Aid Station #1 (4.6 miles) - On the White Rock Gap Trail, you will come to the intersection with the Slack Trail after 2.5 miles: stay left at the intersection with the Slacks Trail (do NOT go up the Slacks Trail). After 0.3 miles after the Slcks intersection, the White rock Gap trail will cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Being careful with traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Directly across the Parkway, you will see the entrance for the White Rocks Falls Trail. The White Rocks Falls Trail will last for 2.4 miles and exit onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Watching out for traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and look to your LEFT. You will see Aid Station #1 located just a few 100 yards on the right at the Slacks Overlook. Aid Station #1 to Aid Station #2, Bald Mountain Jeep road Summit (7.3 miles) – After leaving Aid Station #1, proceed westbound through the parking lot (moving away from the aid station which is located on the eastern corner of the Slacks Overlook. When facing the aid station with the BRPW behind you, look for the trail on the left). At the end of the parking lot, you will see the West Slack Spur Trail which will connect you to the Slacks trail. This is the beginning of a good climb up the Slacks Trail which will intersect the Torry Ridge Trail. Turn LEFT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (this turn will be clearly marked with ribbons, orange chalk and orange arrows) and continue for 1 mile until you reach Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162), where you will make a right and proceed 0.5 miles to Aid Station # 2, Camp Marty BMER Summit. The Aid Station will be located on your right in a camping site. Aid Station #2 to Aid Station #3, Kennedy Ridge (13.1 miles) - After departing Aid Station #2 you will go for 2.3 miles along the Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162) and then make a right onto the Kennedy Ridge Trail. The Kennedy Ridge Trail will last for 3.5 miles and bring you to Aid Station #3 on Coal Road (SSR 42). This is a great section of the race. The first 2.3 miles are on a wide jeep trail. As you turn right onto the Kennedy Ridge Trail, you will enjoy for some terrific single track along a great exposed ridgeline. Also, this section along Kennedy Ridge is primarily all downhill, so you may want to take advantage of gravity! Aid Station #3 to Aid Station #4, Turkey Pen (16.6 miles) – After exiting Aid Station #3, turn right onto Coal Road (SSR 42). This is a wide gravel road with rolling hills and an excellent surface, so it is a good place to make up some time. You will be on Coal Road for about 3.5 miles, until you reach the entrance to Turkey Pen Trail located on your right. You cannot miss it, since you will see a wide parking area and a metal gate. Go through the gate. The gravel road turns into a jeep road. Continue for about 1.4 mile to the aid station, which will be at the end of the jeep road on your left. Aid Station #4 to Aid Station #5, Bald Mountain Jeep road Summit (23.1 miles) - Go STRAIGHT on the a single track trail called Millscreek (if the jeep road you just came on and the aid stations are behind you, the trail will be right ahead). Enter the trail and proceed southbound. This trail is mostly flat and very smooth; it crisscrosses Mills Creek, so prepare to get your feet wet! Remain on this trail. After approximately 4 miles, the trail will begin to climb towards Aid Station #5. This is a steep climb, but it only lasts for about 1.1 mile. As you climb, look to your left, where you will have spectacular views of Torry Ridge and the Mill Creek valley. As you exit the MillsCreek Trail, you will see the Aid Station on your right. Aid Station #5 to Aid Station #6, East Sherando Lake (28.7 miles) – As you leave Aid Station #5, turn left onto Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162). At this point, you are retracing your steps toward the Torry Ridge Trail. Continue on Bald Mountain Jeep Road for about 0.5 miles, until you get to the Torry Ridge trail. Turn left onto the Torry Ridge Trail and continue for about 1 mile. Continue STRAIGHT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (DO NOT TURN RIGHT ONTO THE SLACKS TRAIL!). This intersection will be marked with orange arrows, ribbons and orange chalk. The Torry Ridge Trail is rolling with no major climbs, but it is also quite rocky. Continue for about 3.7 miles on the Torry Ridge Trail. You will pass the South Blue Loop Trail on your right: do not take this trail and continue straight on the Torry Ridge Trail. Proceed until your reach the second (North) Blue Loop Trail: turn right onto the North Blue Loop Trail. This trail descends steeply towards Sherando Lake, and it is technical, so keep your eyes down and your toes up! After about 1.3 mile of descent, you will reach Aid Station #6, where you will also cross the paved entrance road to Sherando Lake. Aid Station #6 to the FINISH LINE! (31.4 miles) – After you leave Aid Station #6, turn right onto the paved road. Cross the bridge and take an immediate right onto the Sherando Dam Road. This smaller road splits from the main access road and it follows a beautiful creek fed by Sherando Lake: it will take you to the North earth dam of Sherando Lake. Continue on this paved road for about 0.8 miles until you will see a parking lot, restrooms and, right in front of you, a large earth dam. Take a right before you reach the parking lot across a low-water crossing (you are now crossing the creek which the road has been following). Continue on this trail, which is now the Lakeside Trail; from here, you will have stunning views of Sherando Lake. Continue on this trail (do not take the trail which goes uphill) until you reach the South parking lot and the beach area. Keep straight to exit the parking lot and continue straight onto the main park road for about 0.5 miles. You will see the FINISH LINE on your right! * (mile) represents total mileage 25 K The race will start and finish at Sherando Lake Recreation Area located just a few miles from Skyline Drive (entrance to Shenandoah National Park) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The starting line is located by the upper lake in the Recreation Area. Once you cross the entrance gate to the recreation Area, proceed on the main access road. You will see Sherando Lake on your right. Continue beyond the lake and after about 0.4 miles you will see the starting line located in the upper lake picnic shelter on the right. On the left, you will see a large grassy field and an earth dam. START - The race will start atop the large earth damn and proceed left onto the White Rock Gap Trail. The White Rock Gap Trail has a very smooth surface and rolls along the edge of the North Fork Branch Creek which feeds Sherando Lake. Start to Aid Station #1 (4.6 miles) - On the White Rock Gap Trail, you will come to the intersection with the Slack Trail after 2.5 miles: stay left at the intersection with the Slacks Trail (do NOT go up the Slacks Trail). After 0.3 miles after the Slcks intersection, the White rock Gap trail will cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Being careful with traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Directly across the Parkway, you will see the entrance for the White Rocks Falls Trail. The White Rocks Falls Trail will last for 2.4 miles and exit onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Watching out for traffic, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and look to your LEFT. You will see Aid Station #1 located just a few 100 yards on the right at the Slacks Overlook. Aid Station #1 to Aid Station #2, Bald Mountain Jeep road Summit (7.3 miles) – After leaving Aid Station #1, proceed westbound through the parking lot (moving away from the aid station which is located on the eastern corner of the Slacks Overlook. When facing the aid station with the BRPW behind you, look for the trail on the left). At the end of the parking lot, you will see the West Slack Spur Trail which will connect you to the Slacks trail. This is the beginning of a good climb up the Slacks Trail which will intersect the Torry Ridge Trail. Turn LEFT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (this turn will be clearly marked with ribbons, orange chalk and orange arrows) and continue for 1 mile until you reach Bald Mountain Jeep Road (FSR 162), where you will make a right and proceed 0.5 miles to Aid Station # 2, Camp Marty BMER Summit. The Aid Station will be located on your right in a camping site. Aid Station #2 to Aid Station #3, East Sherando Lake (12.9 miles) – TURN AROUND at the Aid Station and run back THE WAY YOU CAME on Bald Mountain Jerep Road (FSR 162). You are now retracing your steps toward the Torry Ridge Trail. Continue on Bald Mountain Jeep Road for about 0.5 miles, until you get to the Torry Ridge trail. Turn left onto the Torry Ridge Trail and continue for about 1 mile. Continue STRAIGHT onto the Torry Ridge Trail (DO NOT TURN RIGHT ONTO THE SLACKS TRAIL!). This intersection will be marked with orange arrows, ribbons and orange chalk. The Torry Ridge Trail is rolling with no major climbs, but it is also quite rocky. Continue for about 3.7 miles on the Torry Ridge Trail. You will pass the South Blue Loop Trail on your right: do not take this trail and continue straight on the Torry Ridge Trail. Proceed until your reach the second (North) Blue Loop Trail: turn right onto the North Blue Loop Trail. This trail descends steeply towards Sherando Lake, and it is technical, so keep your eyes down and your toes up! After about 1.3 mile of descent, you will reach Aid Station #3, where you will also cross the paved entrance road to Sherando Lake. Aid Station #3 to the FINISH LINE! (15.5 miles) – After you leave Aid Station #3, turn right onto the paved road. Cross the bridge and take an immediate right onto the Sherando Dam Road. This smaller road splits from the main access road and it follows a beautiful creek fed by Sherando Lake: it will take you to the North earth dam of Sherando Lake. Continue on this paved road for about 0.8 miles until you will see a parking lot, restrooms and, right in front of you, a large earth dam. Take a right before you reach the parking lot across a low-water crossing (you are now crossing the creek which the road has been following). Continue on this trail, which is now the Lakeside Trail; from here, you will have stunning views of Sherando Lake. Continue on this trail (do not take the trail which goes uphill) until you reach the South parking lot and the beach area. Keep straight to exit the parking lot and continue straight onto the main park road for about 0.5 miles. You will see the FINISH LINE on your right! * (mile) represents total mileage
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