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Lower Spinal Tap

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

Mandatory Gear:

Personal hydration / hydration vest required of all runners.
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.
Rain jacket (just in case at high elevation)
Light - for a dark early start

60 KM Route Description

Section 1: CC Road (2.5 miles uphill)
Start the adventure from the Lion’s Park, passing under the freeway and continue up the gravel Civilian Conservation Corp (CC) road for about 2.5 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 1.3 miles you will see markings for the 10km & 1/2 marathon exiting the road, but you will continue on the main road a little over another mile.

Section 2: Gravel Streambed (0.5 miles)
At about 2.5 miles up the CC Road, take a hard right turn down into a dry (hopefully) gravel streambed. Zoom in the streambed over to Trail #102.

Section 3: Trail #102 & Little Valley (3.3 miles)
Turn left onto ATV Trail #102 and begin a rocky climb. At the top of the climb take a right turn as the road forks, and continue on Trail #102 (ATV trail), which crosses the Faulty MTB trail at this point (this is where the ½ marathon route joins you). Cross the Faulty Trail, and Trail #102 immediately starts a 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 this ATV trail until it drops down into Little Valley (at about mile 4.5). As you hit the streambed, STAY IN THE STREAMBED and continue up the streambed about 0.6 miles miles to Aid Station #1: Little Valley 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 gaining over 1700 feet vert over 3 miles. Trail #052 then has a rapid descent into a little high mountain valley.

Section 5: CC Road #96 (Through the Valley - about 3.7 miles)
Trail #052 ends with a flat packed clay section along a tiny stream (and probably some thirsty cows milling about). Aid Station #2: Top of Trail 52 is where you reconnect back to the CC dirt Road. At the Aid Station, check in, resupply, and then continue up the CC road another 3.7 miles through the heart of this little mountain valley, on up to your next water stop (self-serve water drop where Spinal Tap crosses the road). DO NOT TURN DOWN SPINAL TAP NOW - stay on the road crossing the trail, and continue on up towards the summit!! At least one person makes a mistake here every year.

Section 6: CC Road #96 (The Upper Reaches - about 3 miles)
Continue uphill on the CC Road. There is one major road junction, where you take the right-hand fork, crossing a cattle guard. You will pass through a magical high aspen forest as you are now at 9000 feet. This takes you to Aid Station #3: White Pine Peak.

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 is 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 from the Aid Station. The final ascent & descent will be a mix of a dirt road, then following off-trail flags along a fence-line, 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. Note, the rubber bracelets will be just before a closed gate, about 50 yards from the telecom installations at the summit. [[If you really want the last 20 vertical feet you can open the gate and do the last 50 years, but remember to close the gate. And there are security cameras past the gate]] 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 a 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 small bike cattle guards to cross in this area - cross with care. 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 be rising late in the morning (or afternoon), and it only gets warmer as you lose elevation on Middle Spinal Tap.

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 - where the 1/2 marathon route connects. You will cross the remote ATV Trail #84, which is the location of your final aid station, Aid Station #5 Lower Spinal Tap/Trail #84. Check-in, refuel, and then head out for the final descent. As the Spinal Tap Trail is open publicly for fast moving downhill bike riders, be attentive especially on this lower section, and step out of the way to let the bikes pass if you encounter them.

Section 10: Lower Spinal Tap (about 4 miles)
You will travel 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 descents, 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 closest visible freeway underpass.

Section 11: Frontage Road to Finish (about 1.2 miles)
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 unique gradual all-downhill 18-mile single-track trail. The 60km completes the "Whole Epidural", catching the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections of the Spinal Tap trail. Of course, that comes after first summiting White Pine Peak at 10,200 feet!

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

The 60km stars 5:00 am in the dark, to get much of the climbing out of the way while cool.

Runners will cover a total of 38.3 miles (61.6km), with an elevation gain of 6980 feet (2128 Meters). This challenging course must be completed by 8pm, 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.