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History Time and Location Awards Course Description Directions History:
The Silent Trails race was organized in 2001 to honor and celebrate the lives of eight, University of Wyoming cross country athletes that were killed by a drunk driver on September 16, 2001. Killed in the tragedy were:
Cody Brown, Hudson, Colorado
Kyle Johnson, Riverton, Wyoming
Josh Jones, Salem, Oregon
Justin Lambert-Belanger, Timmons, Ontario, Canada
Morgan McLeland, Gillette, Wyoming
Kevin Salverson, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nick Schabron, Laramie, Wyoming
Shane Shatto, Douglas, Wyoming
What better way to remember these young men then by doing what they loved ... running the trails! Whether you are a walker, jogger or an all out racer, this course will challenge you while providing access to some great Wyoming fall scenery.
All proceeds from the race will support present and future runners on the University of Wyoming team.
Time and Location:
Date: October 11, 2008
Registration: 8:00 am race day, online or mail (see Registration Link)
Race Start: PROMPTLY at 9:00 am
Location: Parking lot for the Upper Tie City Campground, Happy Jack Recreation Area. (click here for directions) (Top)
Forest Service Fees: The Forest Service is now requiring a $5.00 parking fee for all events at this site. Be sure to have either a valid Medicine Bow permit, or a self-serve parking tag (available at the site) or you may be ticketed. Another option is to park at the Lincoln Monument Rest Area (approx. 2 miles) and car-pool. Sorry about that, folks!
Entry Limits: The race will be limited to the first 150 runners to apply! Sign up early!
Walkers are welcome and may choose to start with the runners, or 1 hour early at 8am on race morning. Official walkers must be pre-registered if they want to take advantage of the early start time, and must identify clearly on the entry form that they are walking the course. Walkers will be timed, but will not be awarded prizes. You will be eligible for the raffle!!
Awards:
Special awards for the top male and female finishers. First and second place awards for male/female age groups:
Under 30, 30-39, 40-49, and Over 50
Course Description:
The Silent Trails Race is a 10 mile trail race that begins at the Upper Tie City parking area in the Happy Jack Recreation Area on the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest. (click here for directions)
Elevation at the start of the course is approximately 8000'. The course follows the Pole Creek single track, winding through Spruce, lodge pole and Aspen forest. The first two miles descend several hundred feet in elevation, passing the base of the old Happy Jack ski area, then proceeding through the Pole Creek campground. The trail continues along Pole Creek, past beaver ponds and finally crossing the creek at the course low elevation just before mile 3. Gentle uphill foreshadows the FUN TO COME!
The first of two aid stations is positioned just before mile 4, and several hundred yards further along the trail, markings will steer you to the right. This is the base of the notorious "Death Crotch" hill climb. Several switchbacks lead through a mostly lodge pole pine forest, emerging into the pre-Cambrian granite rocks which characterize the area, and an impressive view to the east. The trail reaches a false summit on a wind-swept ridge, descending an open field before the final climb to the top of the Summit Loop trail at mile 5.
A left turn onto the Summit Loop trail descends slightly, then turns left onto the Headquarters Trail where it climbs to the race high point and the second aid station at the top of the Headquarters/Browns Landing trail. Just beyond the aid station the trail descends the Browns Landing trail, past mile 6, rejoining the Headquarters Loop trail for a rolling 2 mile stretch which includes a beautiful overlook of the valleys and mountains to the west.
The final 2 miles take the runner back into the main Happy Jack trail system, concluding with the Upper UW trail, which connects to the Upper Tie City campground and the race finish. (Top)Directions:
From I-80, east of Laramie, take exit 323 and follow the signs to the Happy Jack Recreational Area. Do not turn into the rest area, but follow the Happy Jack road (highway 210). The Upper Tie City parking area is on the right, approximately 1 mile after turning onto the Happy Jack road. (Top)