Ely Mountain Trail Race
Shaver Lake, United States • 2 Aug 2026
Event overview
The Ely Mountain Trail Race is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Balsam Forebay, Shaver Lake, CA. The event includes two distances:
- 14K (8.7 mi)
- 8K (4.9 mi)
The field is capped at 250 runners. The listed entry fee is $54 per event (includes a $4 fee). Bib pickup is available the day before at a local store and on race day at the venue.
Course, logistics and awards
The 14K route features about 1,800 feet of climbing, including roughly a 1,000 ft ascent up Ely Mountain. The 8K route climbs about 800 feet. The 14K contains a granite section described as steep and rugged, just under a mile in length; participants are instructed to follow orange cones and not the nearby mountain bike downhill trail. Courses will be marked with orange ribbon, flags and signage at turns.
Aid stations:
- 14K: mile 1.5, 4.5, 6.6
- 8K: mile 1.5, 3.1 Supplies listed include GU Roctane drink, GU gels, water and snacks.
A King & Queen of the Mountain prize for the Ely Mountain climb (1.14 miles, 919 ft gain, 15.2% grade) will use Strava/GPS segment times; eligibility requires recording and uploading the run with appropriate privacy settings. Awards include top 3 overall male and female, age-group prizes in 10-year increments, custom finisher medals and event shirts. Parking is along the dirt road shoulder off Highway 168 near the Balsam Forebay entrance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.