Elephant Mountain
Cave Creek, United States • 7 Feb 2026
Elephant Mountain Trail Runs : overview
Elephant Mountain Trail Runs is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Cave Creek Regional Park in Cave Creek, Arizona. The event offers the following distances:
- 50 Mile
- 50K
- 35K
- 22K
- 12K
- 6K
The race is part of the Desert Runner Trail Series. Registration closes on February 2, 2026. The event uses chip timing and posts results at the finish. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers at each distance, and all finishers receive a finisher award. 50 Mile finishers receive a custom wood finisher award and Aravaipa glassware.
Course, aid and logistics
All courses run on single track trails and dirt roads within Cave Creek Regional Park, the Maricopa Trail, Tonto National Forest, and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. Expect desert trail conditions including rocks, sand, cactus, and gravel. Key distance/time limits by event include a 16-hour limit for the 50 Mile and a 15-hour limit for the 50K; shorter distances have shorter time limits listed by the organizer.
Aid stations are placed approximately every 3-7 miles and provide water, an electrolyte drink (NeverSecond), sweet and salty snacks, and fruit. The event is cupless; reusable cups are available at registration or runners may bring their own. Crews are allowed at the start/finish area and specified aid stations; pacers are not permitted for the 50K but are permitted at specified aid stations for the 50 Mile. Drop bags are allowed at designated aid stations for the 50 Mile and 50K; the 35K has no remote drop bag. Courses are marked with orange plastic ribbons with black polka dots and colored signs specific to each distance. The park charges a vehicle entry fee and on-site camping is available. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.