Lower Spinal Tap

View from Trail #052, about half way up the mountain.

Mandatory Gear:

* Personal hydration / Camelback required of all runners.

* An electronic version of the map for off-line use on your phone or device. Route navigation has always been a key skill for Crimson Canyon runners.

* A rain jacket

60 KM Route Description

Section 1: CC Road (2.5 miles uphill)
From the Lion’s Park, pass under the freeway and continue straight on up the gravel Civilian Conservation Corp (CC) road for 1.3 miles. This dirt mountain road was created by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Great Depression. Interesting fact, Ken Isbell, who this race is held in honor of, actually oversaw teams of workmen on this road when it was first being constructed 80+ years ago.

At about 1.1 miles you will see green markings for the 10km to exit the road, but continue past this a short ways curving to the left until you see red markings and a sign to exit the road. You will exit the road, in the dark, at a “No Motorized Vehicles” sign that blocks a small recently closed / abandoned ATV trail.

Section 2: Gravel Streambed (0.5 miles)
Water drop will be here in the dark. Turn right and zoom in the streambed over to Trail #103.

Section 3: Trail #103 & Little Valley (3.3 miles)
Turn left onto Trail #103 and begin a rocky climb. At the top of the climb take the right ATV road forks to continue on Trail #103 (ATV trail), which crosses the Faulty MTB trail. Cross the Faulty Trail on Trail #103 as it drops down a bit and turns West (to the left) along the edge of Cottonwood Canyon. It is a glorious view of the canyon below, but it will probably be dark. Follow Trail #103 until it drops down into Little Valley (about mile 4.5). The trail will cross the dry streambed at the bottom of Little Valley a couple times as you work your way gently uphill to Aid Station #1: Trail 052 at mile 5.3.

Section 4: Trail #052 (about 4 miles)
Fill up your supplies fully at Aid Station #1 for the good climb ahead, and then climb up and up about 3 miles until Trail #052 starts a rapid descent into a little high mountain valley below.

Section 5: CC Road #96 (Through the Valley - about 3.7 miles)
At end of Trail #052 you will connect back up with the CC Road. Check in and resupply at Aid Station #2: The Valley, then continue up the CC road another 3.7 miles to your next water stop. Be mindful of possible ATV or truck traffic. If you have crew coming to Aid Station #3, remind them to drive very slowly if there are runners present.

Section 6: CC Road #96 (Upper Reaches - about 3 miles)

Continue uphill on the CC Road. There is one major road junction, where you take the right-hand turn, crossing a cattle guard. You will pass through a high aspen forest as you are now over 9000 feet.

Section 7: White Pine Peak Ascent & Descent (about 2.2 miles)
At about mile 16 you hit Aid Station #3: White Pine Peak for the first time. Now it's time for your final push to the summit! Continue up towards the telecom installation atop the mountain at 10,200 feet. It is 1.1 miles each way, up and back. The final ascent & descent will be a mix of a dirt road, then following off-trail flags, and finally a rough dirt road the last little bit. At the summit, grab a rubber bracelet confirming your achievement, and then return down the way you just came back to Aid Station #3. It is about 2.2 miles round trip to the treeless summit.

Aid Station #3 is located at the top of the Spinal Tap Trail, just below White Pine Peak. There is parking area and a cement pit toilet that was upgraded in 2024. .
Leaving Aid Station #3 the second time, you begin your 18 mile Spinal Tap Trail descent!

Section 8: Upper Spinal Tap Trail (about 9 miles)
On this amazing groomed trail, zoom on downhill. You will cross the CC road after about 2.7 miles, where there will again be a water drop if needed.

There are a couple bike cattle guards to cross in this area. Continue on down the Spinal Tap Trail until you hit the main Paiute ATV Trail/Road #1, where Aid Station #4: Middle Spinal Tap will be located. Refuel and refill your liquids here, as the temperature will probably be rising later in the morning, and as you lose elevation and you have some distance to go.

Section 9: Middle Spinal Tap (about 5 miles)
After an initial relatively flat section overlooking the valley far below, the trail will cross over another bike cattle guard and pass through a striking Pinion forest, before starting several steep descents. At a couple spots the trail splits very briefly for bikes with easier or more adventurous options. You can run down either you choose, as they reconnect. Once down closer to Little Valley, you will run on packed clay ridges. There is a very slight climb back out of Little Valley before you get to Lower Spinal Tap. You will see the One-in-a-Pinion trail merging with Spinal Tap in this area. You will cross the remote ATV Trail #84 (25k route), where there will be another self-serve water drop here, in case you need a little extra to get you through the last 4 miles of Spinal Tap.

As the Spinal Tap Trail is open publicly for fast moving downhill bike riders, be attentive, and step out of the way to let the bikes pass if you encounter them.

Section 10: Lower Spinal Tap (about 4 miles)
Here you pass through a magical red-rock section of Earth! There are several steep technical drops for the bikes over these 4 miles. You may either navigate the steep straight descent, or take the easier route around at each. The surface is mostly packed clay, with some slick-rock sections. You will drop down into an old motocross track next to town at the bottom of Spinal Tap. Follow markings on the ground about ¼ mile, heading towards the visible freeway underpass, on to your final Aid Station #5: Bottom of Spinal Tap.

Section 11: Frontage Road to Finish (about 1.2 miles)
After checking in at your final Aid Station, 60km runners follow the frontage ATV trail paralleling the freeway about 1 mile to the North to the next freeway underpass where you started the day. Pass back under this underpass, and finish back at the Lion’s Park where you started this epic day!

Trail #052 climbing out of Little Valley. This photo is from a 2017 route when runners came down 052 that one year. Since 2024 runners climb this trail.

Bike cattle guard

Spinal Tap Trail 60km

The Spinal Tap Trail is a new all downhill gradual 18-mile single-track downhill trail. The 60km completes the "Whole Epidural", catching the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections of Spinal Tap. Of course, that comes after first summiting White Pine Peak at over 10,000 feet!

After years of engineering, permitting (2017-2019), and then several furious years of construction (2020-2023), utilizing countless paid and volunteer people hours, the Spinal Tap trail was completed September 2022.

The 60km stars 5am in the dark, to get much of the climbing out of the way while cool.

Runners will cover a total of 37.6 miles (60.5km), with an elevation gain of 6980 feet (2128 Meters). This challenging course must be completed by 7pm, so within in 15 hours.

Summer 2022, Middle Spinal Tap was newly constructed and was still soft. After two winters of settling, and lots of wheels now, it will be nicely packed.