About This Race
The 50K serves as the accessible entry point into the 3 Bears experience, offering first-time ultrarunners a introduction to distance running beyond the marathon. This distance provides a taste of the course's character while remaining achievable for runners transitioning from road racing or shorter trail events. The route delivers a complete trail experience within a timeframe that allows most runners to finish during daylight hours.
The courses utilize a combination of clockwise and counter-clockwise loops centered around Danish Pass and the Highline Trail. The Papa Bear 100-mile follows the most complex routing, beginning with the 50-mile course clockwise to Danish Pass, then completing a counter-clockwise loop before reversing the entire 50-mile route. The terrain features technical singletrack through high mountain forests, with significant elevation changes and challenging navigation points that require focused attention from runners.
Elevation Profile
Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.
Location
Notable Features
This race offers the unique opportunity to experience the original Bear 100 course that operated for nearly a decade before the current Bear 100 moved to a different location. The multi-loop format and complex routing create a technical navigation challenge that separates this event from more straightforward ultra courses. The intimate field size and mountain lodge start/finish at Deer Cliff Inn provide a throwback atmosphere to ultrarunning's earlier, more grassroots era.