25K/50K Course Description (subject to change)
This Description/Course (on Trailforks) has been updated to reflect a minor trail closure on last years course. The change is typed in pink.
Our trail system can be confusing at times so we figured this would be the best way to convey the information. The trail names described below can be referenced on www.trailforks.com If you plan to run with your phone, you can also track your progress and locate where you are, using the mobile app. Create an account and then use this link to get all the details.
Here we go!
-Starting from the cabins head towards the Chalet and take a right when you cross the foot bridge and hit the pavement
-head up the hill stay to the left and jump on the trail that leads up the left side of the toboggan hill, run on the old (steeper) trail to the left of the new gravel one
-When you reach the top of the hill catch your breath and head along the gravel trail, then take a right and head up the short rocky trail to the top of toboggan hill (Centennial Sliding Hill Trail)
-run across the top of toboggan hill and take the trail directly ahead of you (not the one on the left under the hydro line, not the one on the right that leads to the old rope tow)
-the trail starts out flat and then descends down between the highway on the left and the animal paddock on the right. Stay left and head down the hill. Stay on this trail until it T’s and then go left. Stay on this trail (still part of Centennial Sliding Hill Trail) until it meets up with the trail that runs along the river just before the highway overpass.
-keep running straight by staying on the main trail to the right (Yellow Trail). Take the second bypass (there will be a tree with a Trans Canada Trails sign with a left and right arrow below it) and go left to follow on the Red Trail.
-Run up this short section and take a left on the first trail intersection which will be "Conveyor Belt - Sec 1"
-Follow this until the next trail fork and stay left (just before the fork, step on the rocks to avoid the water that sometimes runs there)
-Stay on this "Conveyor Belt - Sec 1" trail until you cross the main hydro line, and keep running straight towards the "Lower 2K Trail" entrance. (we will flag this).
-Take a left and head down to the left into “Lower 2K”, when you descend to the bottom of this trail and you have run through the rock and rooty part you will come to a fork where you will continue going straight (we will flag this). Keep on this trail until you emerge in the meadow on the hydro line.
-head around the corner to the left into “Crossover”. As crossover heads around a left turn you have the option to go left into “Dagobah”, that’s where you’re headed. Follow this trail until you cross the last wooden foot bridge and pop out at the intersection of “Dagobah” on the left, “Grand Chasm” straight ahead and “Peakaboo” on the right. Go left and stay on Dagobah.
-Follow Dagobah. Once you come around the last corner of this trail that veers left, you'll go left on the gravel road (Prologue Loop) for about 280m and then jump on the trail to the left (Snakes and Ladders). This trail is easy to miss so we'll have lots of flags out.
-there's an option to go right over some rocks on this trail, don’t do that stay to the left and follow the trail down. Keep on this trail and then you will pop out back on the gravel road (Adventure Trail). Run straight up the trail directly in front of you and then take a left into BMX, don’t worry if you didn’t bring your bike :)
-follow BMX until it pops back out on the gravel road and then take a hard left (Adventure Trail) and start heading towards the hydro line (Doubletrack Trail), you will run over a big hump and then veer right and head for the grass you can see under the hydro line. You will run across a little bedrock and then across the hydro line into “The Otherside” follow this trail until you reach the confusing section. We ARE NOT going into “Milk and Cookies”. We will actually cut the trail and head downhill to get onto “Yo Mitchell”. This cut and all the possible options to get lost will be flagged off intensely.
-take a left into “Yo Mitchel” run the entire trail until you return to the trail you were on, take a hard left and head on down the hill, you will cross the hydro line. This is always a good spot to see deer. Once you cross the hydro line you will be on “Doctors” and you will begin to climb up and to the right. When you reach the fork stay right and keep on climbing. When you eventually arrive at the “Adventure Trail” or dirt road, take a hard left and head downhill. As the trail begins to turn right, you're taking the trail straight ahead called “The Stranger”. Head on over the foot bridge and start descending around the corner to the right. This trail will eventually meet up with another. Stay right and continue on “The Stranger”.
-Eventually you will come to a fork. Follow the signs and keep left to stay on “The Stranger” and head towards the “Green Mile”. As you round the corner and begin to climb again “The Green Mile” will be on your left, take it and enjoy the climb. When you reach the top, follow the signs and go straight to hell...we mean, take a hard left onto “Road to hell”. Follow the trail downhill, when you come out at the hydro line, take a hard right and run the worn in single track along the hydro line. Do not enter any of the trails to your right or left when you reach the highpoint on the hydro line. Continue to run down the worn in skinny mountain bike trail (Hill Top Connector Trail). When this trail meets the “Adventure Trail” or gravel road, take the hairpin turn to the left and start climbing up the road. DO NOT cut this corner “cheaters never prosper”.
-the gravel road (Adventure Trail) will crest and then starts heading downhill. You will be running fast here so be careful. We are staying on the road so do not take the option on the right. Stay left and head down the hill. On your left will be the exit for the Mountain Bike "Hill Top Trail", watch for bikes coming out at speed.
-the gravel road will arrive at a junction, take a hard left and head towards the Cascades, stay on this trail "Cascades Access 1". It’s fairly flat so if you're a speedster it's a good place to make time, if not, it’s a good place to rest :)
-the trail will deliver you into the Cascades. When you arrive at a junction with a trail map in front of you take a hard left and head on up towards the parking lot and aid station. When you climb out of this trail you will be able to see the aid station at the pavilion to your right. Head across the grass to the aid station. The grass can be a little uneven so be careful here. Once you arrive at the aid station high five a volunteer. You're 1/2 or a 1/4 of the way there. Refresh and head on back the way you came. Make sure you let the runners you pass know how good a job they are doing and don’t forget to smile.
Don't worry if this seems very complex. We have new trail markers we plan to use extensively as well as arrows for the different races directing you at trail junctions. If you can read and pay attention, you'll be just fine.
10K Course Description (subject to change)
This course is an irregular loop course. It follows some portions of the 50/25K course. The trail names described below can be referenced on Trailforks.com. If you plan to run with your phone, you can also track your progress and locate where you are, using the mobile app. Create an account and then use this link to get all the details.
Here we go!
-Starting from the cabins head towards the yellow trail by the river. Stay on this trail until you pass under the highway.
-keep running straight by staying on the main trail to the right (Yellow Trail). Take the second bypass (there will be a tree with a Trans Canada Trails sign with a left and right arrow below it) and go left to follow on the Red Trail.
-Run up this short section and take a left on the first trail intersection which will be "Conveyor Belt - Sec 1"
-Follow this until the next trail fork and stay left (just before the fork, step on the rocks to avoid the water that sometimes runs there)
-Stay on this "Conveyor Belt - Sec 1" trail until you cross the main hydro line, and keep running straight towards the "Lower 2K Trail" entrance. (we will flag this).
-Take a left and head down to the left into “Lower 2K”, when you descend to the bottom of this trail and you have run through the rock and rooty part you will come to a fork where you will continue going straight (we will flag this). Keep on this trail until you emerge in the meadow on the hydro line.
-head around the corner to the left into “Crossover”. As crossover heads around a left turn you have the option to go left into “Dagobah”, that’s where you’re headed. Follow this trail until you cross the last wooden foot bridge and pop out at the intersection of “Dagobah” on the left, “Grand Chasm” straight ahead and “Peakaboo” on the right. Go left and stay on Dagobah.
-Follow Dagobah. Once you come around the last corner of this trail that veers left, you'll go left on the gravel road (Prologue Loop) for about 280m and then jump on the trail to the left (Snakes and Ladders). This trail is easy to miss so we'll have lots of flags out.
-there's an option to go right over some rocks on this trail, don’t do that stay to the left and follow the trail down. Keep on this trail and then you will pop out back on the gravel road (Adventure Trail). Run straight up the trail directly in front of you and then take a left into BMX, don’t worry if you didn’t bring your bike :)
-follow BMX until it pops back out on the gravel road and then take a hard left and start heading towards the hydro line. After about 50 metres or so there will be signs directing the 25K/50K runners to the left. 10K runners will head straight down the "Adventure Trail". As the trail begins to turn right, you're taking the trail straight ahead of you called “The Stranger”. Head on over the foot bridge and start descending around the corner to the right. This trail will eventually meet up with another. Stay right and continue on “The Stranger”.
-Eventually you will come to a fork. Follow the signs and take a hard right on "Cassandra" trail. Follow this trail straight as it cuts across the "Adventure Trail" and continue until the end, where it meets with "Crossover" trail at a T-intersection. Turn left on "Crossover" until you're back at the main trail head in the open field.
-Follow the signs and head straight towards the "Conveyor Belt - Sec 2" trail. Stay on this trail and follow it all the way back to Hydro line where you came in. You're going to cross the hydro line (red trail) and continue following this trail back as you did coming in by following the signs back.
-50 meters or so after you pass under the highway there is a fork to your right "Centennial Sliding Hill Trail", take it and start the gentle climb. There are multiple points to leave this trail...don't. Follow the signs and stay on this trail.
-This trail will slowly climb up until you're at the top of the "Toboggan Hill".
-when you emerge from the trail at the top of the "Toboggan Hill" you will cross the top of the hill and take a short rocky trail that will lead you down to the gravel path that heads back towards the Chalet and Cabins. Follow the flags and take the old trail to the right of the new path and head on down towards the Chalet. When you can see the Chalet it's time for the "road section", you'll run 50 meters or so on pavement and then take a hard left across the footbridge and continue on the "Centennial Cabins Trail". You're almost home.
-You saved something for the finish line sprint right? Fly along the trail, cross the tracks and head down to the cabins for your finish line photo. Be sure and wipe the drool from your mouth before you get there :)
Good job, you made it. We hope you had fun.
Don't worry if this seems very complex. We have new trail markers we plan to use extensively as well as arrows for the different races directing you at trail junctions. If you can read and pay attention, you'll be just fine.