THIS TRAIL PARTY WILLL SELL-OUT
THIS EVENT WILL SELL-OUT BEFORE RACE DAY! It has sold out the last 4 years... If you want to join us and avoid being added to a waitlist, please register at least a few weeks before March 8, 2025!
SQUATCHAPPLE
There is the Fallapple, the Mayapple, the Febapple and THE SQUATCHAPPLE!! Join us on Saturday March 8, 2025 for the Squatchapple Trail Race at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ! With distances for everyone, this trail party is open to runners and hikers of all ages and paces. Runners/hikers can sign up to squatch 11 miles, 20 miles, 50K or 50 miles! We will be supporting the South Mountain Conservancy with this trail party! Please visit our website for the complete details on this race, course maps, gpx files etc!
SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY
Founded in March 2000, the South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preserve, protect, and enhance the South Mountain Reservation through active stewardship, advocacy, and education. Through volunteer activities, public programs and partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the South Mountain Reservation. The SMC strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of this regional park and to foster public appreciation and support for it.
Donate to the South Mountain Conservancy to maintain the trails at the Reservation.
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
The start/finish area for ALL events is at the Tulip Springs Trailhead on Cherry Lane in West Orange. Looking to carpool with other Sassquaders? Check out the Sassquad Carpool Assist Program!
This trailhead has a large parking lot along with many picnic tables. Please feel free to setup your gear using a picnic table or leave gear in your car (just be aware that we cannot supervise your gear or be responsible for it). Our aid station and check-in area will be at the main covered pavilion next to the parking lot. There are portajohns here, as well as along the course.
Runners/hikers can sign-up for a 11 miler, 20 miler, 50K or 50 miler. The course closes at 8pm sharp.All participants can have a pacer at sunset. As with all of our events, Squatchers over the age of 60 and AWD (athletes with disabilities) can have a pacer/guide at any time. Please use this form to pre-register your pacers.
50 Miler:
- Check-in 6:15am-6:45am
- Start at 7am
- Course closes at 8pm; 13 hour cutoff
- Participants need to maintain a 15 min 36 sec pace to finish by 8pm
*6am early start available ONLY for folks who need the extra hour to finish by 8pm; will need to maintain a 16 min 48 sec pace*
50K:
- Check-in 7:15am-7:45am
- Start at 8am
- Course closes at 8pm; 12 hour cutoff
- Participants need to maintain a 23 min and 12 sec pace to finish by 8pm
20 Miler:
- Check-in 8:15am-8:45am
- Start at 9am
- Course closes at 8pm; 11 hour cutoff
- Participants need to maintain a 33 min per mile pace to finish by 8pm
11 Miler:
- Check-in 8:15am-8:45am
- Start at 9am
- Course closes at 8pm; 11 hour cutoff
- Participants need to maintain a 60 min per mile pace to finish by 8pm
All runners/hikers will take home a handcrafted wood medal that we make here in the Squatch Shop. As well as an item of your choice from the Squatch Shop (hat, buff, bag etc).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Squatchapple course consist of 3 different loops that all start/finish at the Tulip Springs Trailhead. The loops are 4 miles, 5.5 miles and 7 miles. Runners/hikers will complete a combination of these three loops to achieve the distances that they registered for. You must complete the loops in the exact order that they are listed. We only allow drop-downs for the 50M -> 50K and the 50K -> 20M. 20 Milers cannot drop down to the 11 miler as they are different loop sequences. Folks who drop-down are not eligible for post-race awards.
4 Mile Turtleback Loop, PINK RIBBONS: 370 ft gain, 75% carriage roads, 25% singletrack. This is almost the same loop that we use for the Frosty Fat Sass and Squatchy Leftovers - we just add a little bit extra which means you get to see "Turtleback Rock". You'll know what it is when you get there! This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails with a bit of singletrack. There is one big climb and one big descent. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
5.5 Mile Locust Grove Loop, CHECKERED RIBBON. 600 ft gain. 90% carriage roads, 10% singletrack. This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails. The one exception is the rocky, technical climb up the steep Lenape Trail--300' gain in 1/2 mile. The other 300' gain in the loop are gentle rollers. This year we rerouted the backhalf of the course to follow the Crest Trail rather than the Swampy Trail. The Crest Trail parallels Crest Drive and is a flat, doublewide trail. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
7 Mile Mayapple Loop BLUE RIBBONS: 960 ft gain. 35% singletrack, 30% road, 34% carriage roads, 1% grass field. Note: this loop has two road crossings - all runners/hikers must cross legally and only when they have the right-of-way at the crosswalk! You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
50 Miler: 5,790 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 3 x’s
50K: 3,860 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 2 x’s
20 Miler: 2,155 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue, Pink
11 Miler: 1,185 ft gain - Pink, Blue
We will include a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race. Generally, most runners/hikers find a sturdy trail shoe with decent lugs to be a good match for this race (think Brooks Cascadia, Altra Timps, Hoka Speedgoat etc).
TRAIL MIX FUND
Do you want to race but can’t afford the entry fee? Are you a part of the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ community?
"Apply to the Trail Mix Fund to have your registration fee waived!" Sassquad Trail Running is proud to partner with the non-profit the Trail Mix Fund for the Squatchy Leftovers, Squatchapple, Big Bear North & South, and the Wild Goose. Founded in 2020 by our friends in Oregon at Go Beyond Racing, the Trail Mix Fund uses donations to help people who are under-served, under-resourced, and under-represented. This includes people of color and LGBTQ+, but is not restricted to those communities.
SQUATCH KIDS CLUB
We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! Kids under the age of 19 can score 15% off their registration with the code SQUATCHKIDSCLUB. We also have some free entries available for youth athletes; email us to learn more! We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com before you register so we can give you the code! We recognize and celebrate our young adventurers by giving out wooden star medallions to kids who are registered AND to kids who come to spectate with their families. It's our way of saying thank you for being a part of our community and for embracing the spirit of adventure! We want families to come to our Trail Parties! We have a range of fun games that your family can enjoy: corn hole, connect four, a giant rainbow parachute and the Squatch Hunt. Don't be shy, head on over to the Finish Line and join in on the fun! Learn more about our Squatch Kids Club!
SQUATCH DISCOUNTS
Sassquad Trail Running is proud to offer 20% off all events to all active duty military and Veterans, hospital workers and teachers. Please email trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com before you register for an event so we can provide you with a discount code. We extend a 10% discount to our Wise Elder Squatch Squad (folks who are over the age of 60); email us for the the code! New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Members and South Mountain Conservancy members can receive 10% off of registration; please email us for the discount code!
FAQ's
Q: Can I have a pacer?
A: As with all of our events, Squatchers over the age of 60 and AWD (athletes with disabilities) can have a pacer/guide at any time. Please fill out the pacer registration form ahead of time and be sure to pick-up a pacer bib during check-in! Pacers are not allowed for other runners and hikers without prior approval from the Trail Party Director
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Sorry, but Einstein has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs at our events; thank you for understanding!
Q: Can I sign my kids up for this trail party?
A: Yes! We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email us (trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com) before you register so we can give you the code! Make sure to keep track of Marty and Biff before during and after the race. We only have 1 search-party and they're already out there looking for Sasquatch.
Q: What's the weather like in West Orange, NJ in March?
A: Great Scott! It could be cold. Maybe. It could be warm. Check the weather before the race and dress appropriately. The zip code for the race is 07052.
Q: This will be my first trail race. What do I need to know?
A: This is heavy.
Q: No really, it is my first trail race! Any advice?
A: Seriously, we are SO EXCITED that you are choosing a Sassquad event for your first trail race! This is a great choice for your first race because these trails have a bit of everything! You'll run on easy carriage roads, technical singletracks and enjoy flat trails and hilly trails. You're going to LOVE it!
Q: Are there any roads on the course?
A: Roads? Where we are going, we don't need roads! There is only 1 very, very short stretch of pavement that is less than .20 miles long. There is also 1 road crossing at a stoplight that has a crosswalk. Runners/hikers are only allowed to cross LEGALLY and must wait for the right-of-way at the crosswalk!
Q: What food will you have at the aid station?
A: We will have a wide variety of traditional ultra running food, as well as many vegan and gluten-free items. You are more than welcome to bring your own food/water and setup your own aid station in the parking lot. You will come back to the lot after every loop.
Q: I don't want to run, are there any volunteer opportunities?
A: Yes! We always need Sassy Volunteers! Please email us at trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com if you would like to volunteer!
Q: Are there restrooms at the start/finish area?
A: There are one portajohns at the start/finish area. There are also portajohn's at the halfway point of each of the three loops.
Q: I can't come to the race anymore, can I get a refund?
A: Unfortunately we do not offer refunds on the nonrefundable registration fee.
Q: Me and my friend aren't registered for the race, but we're still planning on coming to run. We won't eat from the aid station or take a medal or swag. This is okay, right?
A: NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Don't do this at a Sassquad trail party or ANY other race. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.
BE A HERO
Join the Sassy Volunteer Squad! We need help with marking the course, check-in, sweeping the course and cleaning up. Are you registered for a race that requires volunteer hours? We can sign-off on the hours that you log at the event! Volunteer to provide delicious food for the runners and we can sign-off on your prep time! We love our volunteer team and we are always looking to add more sassy members to the Volunteer Squad! Email us at trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com if you'd like to volunteer!
REFUNDS/DEFERRALS
Like many other race organizations, we do not offer refunds for our events. Please take the time to double check your calendar before registering for a Trail Party. Please understand that we do not offer refunds under any circumstances. If you notify us via email (not through social media, text or phone call) more than 21 days from the date of the Trail Party, we will extend a deferral to any of our events that fall within one calendar year of the Trail Party that you were registered for. If you sustain an injury less than 21 days from the race date, we will extend a deferral if you come to that race to volunteer for at least 4 hours. If the race that you want to drop from is sold-out with an active wait-list and are able to fill your spot: if you notify us via email (not through social media, text or phone call) at least 3 days before the race, we will extend a deferral to any of our events that fall within one calendar year of the Trail Party that you were registered for. The race credit is the amount that you paid for the race (not including UltraSignUp fees) so you will need to cover any difference in fees; refunds will not be issued if the deferred event costs less than your race credit. You can only defer one time so please doublecheck that you can make the race you're deferring to.
SASSQUAD TRAIL RUNNING
We are a community of SASQUATCH-lovin' trail runners and hikers. Our goal is to provide FUN and challenging events for runners of all ages and paces. We like to think that we have a good sense of humor, a full arsenal of sarcastic wit, useless trivia facts and a deep appreciation for cinematic masterpieces (as evidenced multiple times already). Follow us on Instagram , and like us on Facebook to get all of our Squatchy updates. You can also join our Facebook group, "Sassquad Trail Runners" to connect with other runners and hikers!
Event's current local time: 7:10 PM ET
