PACING CHART BY AID STATION - NEW!
Click here to see the 2006 Course Map - Topographical!
Silverton Alpine Marathon Course Description
Start:
Memorial Park, Silverton, Colorado. Start line is at the east corner of the park next to Greene Street (the paved “Main Street” in Silverton).
Leaving Town:
Proceed east 2 blocks. Turn left on Cement Street and follow dirt road behind Silver Lakes campground. Proceed straight on this road until you intersect asphalt road (County Road 2). Turn right on CR 2. . Follow asphalt road for approximately ¾ mile.
Howardsville: (4 miles; +380 feet cumulative climb; overall this section is fairly flat and fast with minimal rocky footing)
At the base of the big asphalt climb, 100 yards after red brick “Powerhouse” on right -side of road, turn right onto narrow bumpy gravel road. DO NOT follow asphalt road up the climb. (**This section differs from years previous). Go straight on rocky gravel road for approximately 2.5 miles to Howardsville aid station. **NOTE: There is one minor stream crossing as part of this new section. You may be able to cross the stream without getting wet feet…or you may not. At this point, you are allowed to go left off course and climb up above the big metal pipe out of which the stream water flows. It is up to each runner to decide how to proceed. Look for the Howardsville aid station before you intersect the big gravel road at mile 4.
Eureka: (7.6 miles; +600 feet cumulative climb; overall this section is flat and fast with smooth gravel footing)
After Howardsville aid station, turn right onto big gravel road (CR 2). Follow main road 3.6 miles to Eureka aid station. Look for aid station on left side of road, shortly after crossing bridge over Animas River before starting big climb.
Animas Forks (11 miles; +1,800 feet cumulative climb; this section is the beginning of the race’s big climb, there are few flat spots)
Proceed straight up on this rocky jeep road. ½ mile before Animas Forks aid station, road forks. Go LEFT!! DO NOT follow road to Engineer and Cinnamon Pass. Look for aid station somewhere in old abandoned town-site of Animas Forks.
California Pass (12,960ft) (16 miles; +3,560 feet cumulative climb; this is the big climb; steep grades near top of climb; watch for sheep in upper valley)
Proceed straight on this even rockier jeep road. Take the right fork at the Placer Gulch intersection. Look for aid station at the very top of California Pass.
Gladstone (19.8 miles; steep rocky downhill section)
After California aid station proceed down rocky gravel road approximately ¾ mile. Take the left fork at Poughkeepsie Gulch intersection. Follow sign that reads “Silverton”. Climb about 400 feet to top of Hurricane Pass (12,400ft). Follow rocky road down steep descent. At Corkscrew Gulch intersection take left fork continuing downhill. Keep going straight down hill to Gladstone aid station. Look for aid station on left side of road about 100 yards after intersection with wide gravel road.
Niagara Gulch (24 miles; smooth gravel road; fastest section)
Proceed straight on wide gravel road (CR 110). Approximately ¾ mile past Silverton Mountain Ski Area (on your left), at base of short steep hill, make an easy right turn onto narrow rocky road, shortly after which will be a very minor (if at all) stream crossing (there is no way to circumnavigate this stream crossing). After following rocky road for 0.9 miles you will be lead back onto main wide gravel road. Follow this road to Niagara Gulch aid station, on right side of road, about 2 miles from finish line.
Finish
Last ¾ mile is asphalt road with some shoulder. Finish line at Memorial Park is at the bottom of last steep hill. Run into park, follow ribbons to finish line. Congratulations!
Pictures along the way:
