Five miles above treeline on the exposed ridge that gives the race its name, with two out-and-back trips up Laws Pass and a closing 20 miles of Colorado Trail to get home.
Quick facts
- Location: County Road 321, Mount Princeton, CO (start/finish), a loop through the Sawatch Range near Salida
- Date: July 17–18, 2026
- Distance: 100 miles, 37-hour cutoff
- Website: highlonesome100.com
- Contact: kevin.c@freestoneendurance.com (Freestone Endurance)
- Registration: Via highlonesome100.com/UltraSignup
Course description
A loop through the Sawatch Range out of Mount Princeton, mixing 66% singletrack, 27% mining roads, 3% gravel, and 4% paved roads. The route passes Little Browns Creek, climbs toward Mount Antero, drops through the St Elmo ghost town, and runs the 6-mile out-and-back to Laws Pass twice. It picks up the Continental Divide Trail near Tin Cup Pass, passes through the Hancock ghost town aid station, crosses Chalk Creek Pass, and reaches Lost Wonder Hut and the Boss Lake trailhead before climbing onto the exposed “High Lonesome” ridge — five miles above treeline that give the race its name. From Monarch Pass and Fooses Creek, the course closes with a 20-mile stretch of the Colorado Trail back to the finish.
Elevation change
23,300 feet of cumulative gain, averaging 10,426 feet of elevation across the course. Low point 8,200 feet; high point 13,100 feet.
Aid stations
Key stops include Little Browns Creek, St Elmo (ghost town), the Laws Pass out-and-back (visited twice), Hancock (another ghost town aid station), Chalk Creek Pass, Lost Wonder Hut, Boss Lake trailhead, Monarch Pass, and Fooses Creek before the final Colorado Trail stretch to the finish.
Special conditions & average temps
The signature “High Lonesome” ridge sits five miles above treeline with no cover from lightning or wind — afternoon thunderstorms are a serious hazard on exposed sections above 12,000 feet. Nights at altitude drop into the 30s even in mid-July, while sun exposure on the mining-road climbs during the day is intense. Altitude alone is a factor for the entire course, which averages over 10,400 feet.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
2025
- Men: 1. Jeffrey Colt 18:52:00 · 2. Ryan Smith 20:15:04 · 3. Daniel Trampe 21:51:49
- Women: 1. Rachel Entrekin 21:56:16 · 2. Careth Arnold 23:16:33 · 3. Rachel Lemcke 23:25:01
2024
- Men: 1. Christopher Hammes 20:16:25 · 2. Alex Nichols 21:06:08 · 3. Elan Lieber 21:45:39
- Women: 1. Mckendree Hickory 22:19:22 · 2. Laura Hansen 23:06:47 · 3. Sarah Ostaszewski 24:56:47
2023
- Men: 1. Jimmy Elam 19:42:03 · 2. Brandon Stapanowich 22:25:37 · 3. Dave Scheibel 23:52:40
- Women: 1. Georgia Porter 24:52:57 · 2. Marisa Watson 25:09:52 · 3. Lindsey McDonald 26:59:20
Registration deadline & how to get in
Registration runs through highlonesome100.com and UltraSignup. Check the site’s current entry requirements and opening dates before applying, since qualification standards and pricing tiers can change year to year.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.