08/17/2026
ITS RACE WEEK!!!
I just got done scoping out the trail and nailing down mileage. I have to say, I am freaking stoked. The Camp is beautiful and has a trail directly on to the race trail. Things have dried (are drying) up and its going to be amazing. Here’s a quick letter about all the things everyone needs to know.
There is limited trailer parking at the camp. First come, first served. Those who reserved cabins get parking by said cabins. Thankfully there is a quite large parking area at the Compeau Trail Head a quarter mile down the road and will easily accommodate our overflow parking. When you arrive to camp, please pull up to the gate and check in with our appointed Queen of Chaos (Red Shirt) she will hand you your goodies collect any remaining paperwork and hand you off to the parking squad (also Red Shirts). They will direct you to where you need to park. There is water on site as well as some side x sides for those needing to park at Compeau’s for hauling water. That said, if you can bring your own water, you should. Stuff from home is always best. After you’re parked and settled in the first big thing you need to know is that everyone riding on Saturday MUST be checked in and at the rider meeting at 7pm on Friday Aug 21. We’re going to introduce all the Staff (Red Shirts), explain the trail and its current conditions, what’s expected from riders and the timeline for the next morning. EVERY RIDER MUST be at the meeting if they plan to ride the next day. After the meeting is the initial Vet Check/ Trot Out. You MUST complete the check and have your Rider Card (given to you in your packet at the gate) filled out by our vet and on your person for the ride. Then everyone is free to relax as you may. Please note, it’s a DNR requirement to dispose of your horse manure. I hope to have a dumpster available to dispose of waste but be aware everyone is responsible for their own clean up. I also hope to nail down a food truck so there will be food on site, but planning on camping for the weekend is wise. There is a local convenience store at 24 mile (6 miles down the road) just in case you forgot an necessities.
Saturday Aug 22 morning 6am: 50 mile riders will have a mass start promptly at 6am. It is imperative that riders communicate and plan on who should lead and who should follow. It is a narrow trail and a lot of miles so no one needs to sprint out of the Start Line. When you get to the check point, grab a swanky slap bracelet to prove you made it then head back to camp for your pulse down and hold (45 min)
Saturday Aug 22 morning 7am: 25 Mile riders will have a mass start promptly at 7. Again, there will be potentially 15 riders all headed for the same trail through the woods, take it easy, give everyone space. Theres plenty of time and milage to sort out placing.
Using the connecting trail from Twin Bears to the Compeau Trail all riders will travel 12.5 miles up and down and up the ridge again until they reach the designated Vet Check/ Rest Stop. The 50 mile riders are not required to pause here although you are absolutely welcome too. 50 mile riders will then return to camp along the same trail to have their vet check/hold back at camp before doing the loop again. The 25 mile riders will reach the halfway point and they will have to wait for their horses to return to reach 60 bpm heart rate before their 30 min hold. All horses will be held for the full 30 minutes. After getting your vet card signed for the second time the 25 milers will return to camp for their final vet eval and official end time. Max time 6 hours
Once the 50 mile riders return to camp they will have their 45 min hold after pulse down and vet eval before returning to the loop for their second and final ride up (and an additional bracelet) and back to camp for their final vet eval and official end time. Max time 12 hours.
Saturday Aug 21 7pm: Baring any emergencies the rider meeting for Sunday ride will commence with Vet Check/ Trot out. As soon as the days riders have settled in we will present awards for the First Day Rides. For those who need to return home ASAP the parking attendants will es**rt your rig out of the chaos of camp. If you choose to wait to leave until Sunday we ask that you wait until the riders are off on the trail so that the Staff can be available for everyone (in order)
Sunday Aug 22 6am: If there is a 50 mile rider they will leave at this time following the same plan as the day before.
Sunday Aug 22 7am: 25 milers will take off at 7am following the same plan as the day before. Once riders are on the trail all Staff will be available to help Saturdays riders pack up and extricate themselves from the chaos. If you’d like to stay until Monday everyone is welcome to stay as long as they’d like.
Sunday Aug 22 7pm: Final awards given.
There will be a farrier available for all showing incidentals. The trail is VERY rocky. Shoes with pads or boots are HIGHLY recommended.
The Camp is beautiful and I cant wait to share in all the shenanigans with you guys. As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.
