West Elk Challenge

West Elk Challenge: North Fork Valley, Colorado

The West Elk Challenge is a point to point trail event in the West Elk Mountain range. The event offers two distances and traverses a mix of gravel roads and singletrack through farms, forest, and aspen stands.

Distances

• Marathon: point to point trail from Crawford Reservoir State Park to Paonia.
• 30K: joins the marathon near Needle Rock and follows the course over Inter-Ocean Pass.

The marathon begins on the shores of Crawford Reservoir State Park, travels past farms at the base of Needle Rock, then enters the Gunnison National Forest. Runners climb singletrack on the slopes of Mt. Lamborn, reach the 9,762 foot Inter-Ocean Pass summit, and descend through spruce, aspen, and oak to Lone Cabin Reservoir and the town of Paonia. More than half of the marathon course is singletrack.

Transportation and logistics include a free shuttle from Paonia to the start lines; 30K participants cannot drive directly to their start and must use shuttle options. Drivers to Crawford State Park are subject to a $10 park fee. Packet pickup is available the Friday before the race at Paonia Smith Community Center and on race day at Crawford State Park, Iron Creek Campground.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Nature Connection Scholarship Fund. A post race gathering at the finish features local beer, hard cider, juice, snacks, and music by KVNF. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.