7th Annual White Pine Solstice Runs!!!
In the heart of the Oquirrh's lie White Pine & Settlement Canyons, divided by towering Kelsey Peak (10,373'), White Pine Peak (10,321'), and Tooele Peak (9,601'); to the east and north are Butterfield Peaks (9,370') and the Kennecott Mine Overlook (9,015')! These courses will take you up steep canyon roads; along beautiful single-track leading through groves of aspen and stands of pine; along rugged ridgelines overlooking Tooele, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties; and to the lofty summits of White Pine, Kelsey, Tooele, & Butterfield Peaks.
55k Course
The 55k route will take you up White Pine Canyon Rd, through White Pine Flat, up to "White Pine Pass"; then southwest to Piney Pass; runners will then ascend Kelsey Peak, the high point of the course (10,373 ft.); next, runners will return to Piney Pass, continuing on to White Pine Peak (10,323 ft.). From White Pine Peak, you will head north, bagging Peak 9,747'; following the ridgeline northwest, you will next summit Tooele Peak (9,601 ft.); next, you'll descend to Bear Trap Pass, to your first aid station. Next, runners traverse the "Ridge Trail", descending Crossing Hollow, to Settlement Canyon Rd; runnes will then descend halfway down "Dark Trail", where they will visit their second aid station. After leaving the aid station, runners will descend the remainder of "Dark Trail"; after crossing the Settlement Canyon Rd, runners will ascend "Left Hand Fork" trail and "Bench Trail", arriving at the Bear Trap Pass aid station again. From here, runners will re-trace their steps, re-bagging Tooele Peak, Peak 9,747', and White Pine Peak again; runners will then descend the east face of White Pine Peak to "White Pine Pass"; next they will traverse the east-west Butterfield Peaks ridgeline, summiting Butterfield Peak East (9,363 ft.); from here, runners will descend the ridgeline to the north, where they will visit the Butterfield Pass aid staion. From here, runners will head north, ascending Oquirrh Mine Overlook Rd. At the top, be sure to take a peek down in the depths of the Bingham Copper Mine. Next, runners will re-trace their steps, back to the Butterfield Pass aid station. From here, runners will head west, descending the White Pine single-track trail, until they reach White Pine Canyon Rd again. From there, it's a 0.8 mile 450 ft descent to the finish line!
Congratulations! You just climbed about 12,500 ft, summited two Oquirrh 10'ers, three 9'ers, and experienced some of the best trails in the mountain range!
THE OVERALL CUTOFF WILL BE 14.5 HOURS (8:30 pm)
This will be a true mountain race! 8 miles will be above 9,000 ft elevation, 2 miles of which will be above 10,000 ft. Lightning can be a potential hazard; rain, hail, even snow can fall at these elevations at this time of year.
We HIGHLY recommend you carry adequate hydration capacity, as well as food and gear for inclement weather!
Please do not sign up for this distance if this is your first ultra and/or you don't think you can handle 12.5k vert, and rough, rugged ridgelines. That being said, we know that hard & difficult makes for life changing, memorable experiences! Just be judicious and wise in your decision to sign up for the 55k or not.
Amongst all that ascent, you'll be faced with 2 substantial climbs of 3,550 ft & 4,925 ft, as well as a moderate climb of 1,250 ft!
Aid Station #1 - Bear Trap Pass (mile 8.5)
Aid Station #2 - Settlement Canyon (mile 12.9)
Aid Station #3 - Bear Trap Pass (mile 18.3)
Aid Station #4/5 - Butterfield Pass (miles 25.9 & 31.2)
Total Mileage: ~34 miles
Total Vert: ~12,500 ft
Single-Track: 52%
Dirt Roads: 25%
Off-Trail: 19%
Double-Track: 4%
Hard Cutoffs:
Mile 25.9 - 11 hours (5:00 pm)
Mile 34 - 14.5 hours (8:30 pm)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3102299488379918662
Half-Marathon Course
This route follows the 55k'ers up White Pine Canyon Rd, through White Pine Flat, up to "White Pine Pass"; runners will then ascend Butterfield Peak East (9,363 ft); next, runners will descend to the Butterfield Pass aid station (mile 5.7). Runners will then head north, ascending the Mine Overlook Rd - be sure to take a peek into the world's largest open pit mine! Next, retrace your steps back to Butterfield Peak Pass aid station. Upon leaving the aid station, runners will head west, descending the White Pine single-track trail to White Pine Canyon Rd - from there, it's a 0.8 mile 450 ft descent to the finish line!
Aid Station #1/2 Butterfield Pass (miles 5.8 & 11.1)
Total Mileage: 13.9 miles
Total Vert: ~3,700 ft
Single-Track: 44%
Dirt Roads: 50%
Double-Track: 6%
Hard Cutoff:
Mile 13.9 - 4.5 hours (10:30 am)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3294875260772349390
8.5 Mile Course
This route follows the 55k'ers up White Pine Canyon Rd, through White Pine Flat, up to "White Pine Pass"; runners will then ascend Butterfield Peak East (9,363 ft); next, runners will descend to the Butterfield Pass aid station (mile 5.7). Upon leaving the aid station, runners will head west, descending the White Pine single-track trail to White Pine Canyon Rd - from there, it's a 0.8 mile 450 ft descent to the finish line!
Aid Station #1 - Butterfield Pass (mile 5.8)
Total Mileage: ~8.5 miles
Total Vert: 2,500 ft
Single-Track: 70%
Dirt Roads: 21%
Double-Track: 9%
Hard Cut-off:
Mile 8.7 - 3 hours (9:00 am)
https://www.strava.com/activities/9264662443
Race Simply
We create our events, especially our courses, to give you a beautiful, challenging, fun experience, racing in Tooele County's Oquirrh Mountains!
Our prices are low. We don't give out gimmicky race entry bags full of clutter you'll never use. We don't hand out finisher's awards that will end up in a drawer somewhere. We don't play thumping music, announce finishers over a PA, or display flashy finish line arches.
The course is where it's at. Each year, we change up the course routes. Always with an eye for scenery and the challenge: what will the runner see as they're flying down steep single-track or as they crest a tough summit climb? Would it be more of a challenge to climb a mild dirt road or a rocky, technical ridgeline? Each of these distances will treat you to challenging trail/mountain conditions and beautiful views of the surrounding Oquirrh, Wasatch, & Stansbury Mountain Ranges, as well as the Tooele, Salt Lake, & Utah Valleys.
Our aid stations will be minimalist, but they will help you get to the finish line.
The vibe will be very low-key; but you'll face stiff competition, whichever distance you choose.
The top three men & women in each distance will receive a modest award.
We look forward to having you, and are excited to show off some off the great trails the Oquirrh's have to offer!
For additional info, visit www.tooeletrailracing.com
USATF Santioned
This event is USATF sanctioned.
Event's current local time: 4:07 PM MT