Mt. Disappointment Endurance Run

Mount Disappointment 50/50 -- Course Description & Maps

Course Description

All runners will follow Mt. Wilson Road to Eaton Saddle. Runners then follow the dirt fire road to Markham Saddle where they will be surrounded by a 360° panoramic view of 7 peaks, which include Occidental Peak, Mt. Lowe, Muir Peak, Brown Mountain, Mt. Markham, San Gabriel Peak, and of course, Mt. Disappointment. From Markham Saddle, runners will take the trail up to Mt. Disappointment going past San Gabriel Peak (6000 ft) and continue on the Mt. Disappointment Trail down to the Red Box Aid Station #1 (mile 5.7).

From Red Box the race follows the historic Gabrielino Trail west to Switzer's Picnic area. Runners will go up the USFS paved road (0.4 miles) to the trail, which connects to the Clear Creek Aid Station (mile 10.8). After Clear Creek, runners then climb Fire Road 2N64 to the aid station atop Josephine Saddle (mile 13.45). Once at Josephine Saddle, the runners will follow the Colby Canyon Trail around Strawberry Peak to the Strawberry Trail. Along this portion of the course runners will view vistas of the entire Big Tujunga Canyon and beyond. After connecting to Strawberry Trail, runners follow the single-track to the Red Box Aid Station #2 (mile 21.25).

Runners leave Red Box on the Gabrielino Trail (for 0.7 miles) to Red Box Road. After connecting to Red Box Fire Road, runners will continue on this tree-covered grade all the way to the West Fork Aid Station (mile 26.1).

For the 50K: Upon leaving this last aid station, all runners take the Gabrielino Trail going west to the base of the Kenyon Devore Trail. The final climb, which offers spectacular views, ascends the challenging Kenyon Devore Trail (1910 ft in 3.1 miles) up to the Mt. Wilson Summit Finish (31.3 miles total).

For the 50-mile: Runners leave Westfork on Red Box Fire Road and climb up to the Newcomb Aid Station (30.0 miles). This aid station is located where the hill ends and the road widens. This is the same location as the AC 100 Newcomb Aid station. Runners leave the aid station on the trail to Chantry Flats. Runners only follow the trail 0.75 miles to Newcomb Pass. Once at the picnic table at Newcomb Saddle runners turn a hard right onto the Gabrielino Trail, runners follow the trail for 0.5 miles to Red Box Road. Runners then follow the road uphill and return to Newcomb Saddle.

Once runners have done the 2.0 mile make-up loop, they then leave Newcomb Saddle on Red Box Road, follow the road to the “T” intersection of Rincon-Edison Road, and turn left to follow Rincon-Edison Road towards Shortcut. The course goes down to the San Gabriel River (the lowest elevation on the entire course) and then climbs to Shortcut. Runners should be cautious on this hot and long climb out of San Gabriel River Canyon.

Runners have drop bags and crew access at Shortcut (40.9 miles). Runners do NOT cross HWY #2. Runners will leave thru the gate on the Fire road, but turn approximately 0.45 miles on to the historic Silver Moccasin trail. Runners will follow Silver Moccasin back to Westfork Aid Station (44.7 miles).

Upon leaving this last aid station, all runners take the Gabrielino Trail going west to the base of the Kenyon Devore Trail. The final climb, which offers spectacular views, ascends the Kenyon Devore Trail (1910 ft in 3.1 miles) up to the Mt. Wilson Summit Finish (50.0 miles total). The 50 K course has approximately 5700 feet of elevation gain and loss. The 50-mile has approximately 8700 feet of elevation gain and loss. Both distances are completely within the Angeles National Forest.