Never Summer 100km & 60km

The Never Summer 100km, 60km and Dirty Double 100 miler will take place almost entirely within the boundaries of State Forest State Park and run between the Never Summer Mountains on the northern border of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and the Medicine Bow Mountains to the north of Cameron Pass. The first 20 miles of each race will offer a tour of the peaks and alpine lakes of the northern Never Summer Mountains, before the route crosses below Cameron Pass and heads north into the southern Medicine Bow Mountains for more peaks and lakes over the final miles. Cameron Pass sits at the top of the iconic Poudre Canyon and near the headwaters of the Cache La Poudre River, almost exactly halfway between Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs (1.5 hours either way), an hour south of Laramie, WY, and 2.5 – 3 hours from Denver. This is a mountain race in the truest sense of the term, with extended periods of high alpine ridge running, two alpine peaks, and five alpine lakes visited along the way. When above timberline, you will enjoy huge views of the northern Never Summer Mountains to the south, the stunning peaks of RMNP to the southeast, expansive vistas across North Park to the Park Range above Steamboat Springs to the west, and even north out to Wyoming’s Snowy Range. The race covers a huge variety of terrain, from cross country, to jeep and logging roads, to bomber alpine trail, and pretty much everything in between. There are some sections of the course that have seen very little foot traffic in recent years and are rough and overgrown as a consequence; this only adds to the ‘charm’ of the race. You’ll cross meadows and streams, you’ll wade through mud up to your shins, you’ll negotiate rocks, and perhaps negotiate a snowfield or two. There is quite literally something new around every corner on this course. Expect to see moose, elk and maybe some bighorn sheep through the course of your run. Our aim with this race is to offer a challenging ultra-distance mountain-running experience in a wild and beautiful setting. With a cut-off of 24 hours for the 100km, we believe that anybody with adequate training and the requisite mental fortitude can complete this run, but please also be aware that this is a true mountain wilderness experience in challenging terrain, much of it between 10,000ft and 12,000ft. Come prepared!

Start : Gould Community Center , Gould, Colorado Distance : 100km (65.7 miles & 14,500') or 60km (39.2 & 8,800') or BOTH (Dirty Double) Min/Max Elevation : 8,450' / 11,852' Average Elevation : 10,220' Terrain : Trail, dirt road, rough trail, high alpine, rocks Fauna : Moose, elk, deer, black bears, bighorn sheep Registration Caps : 625 total (100km - 325; 60km - 300) Time Allowance : 100km - 24hrs; 60km - 15hrs Date : July 24-26 Start Time : 60km - Friday 5:30a; 100km: Saturday 5:30a The Never Summer 100km & 60km races will take place almost entirely within the boundaries of State Forest State Park and run between the Never Summer Mountains on the northern border of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Mountains to the north of Cameron Pass.

This is a mountain race in the truest sense of the term, with extended periods of high alpine ridge running, two alpine peaks and four alpine lakes visited along the way. When above timberline, you will enjoy huge views of the northern Never Summer Mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park to the south, expansive vistas across North Park to the Park Range to the west, and even north out to Wyoming's Snowy Range.

The race covers a huge variety of terrain; from cross country, jeep and logging roads; to bomber alpine trail; and pretty much everything in between. You'll cross meadows and streams, you'll wade through mud up to your shins, you'll negotiate boulder fields, and you'll enjoy some of the rawest trail running Colorado has to offer. Expect to see moose, elk and maybe some bighorn sheep through the course of your run.

Our aim is to offer a challenging ultra-distance mountain-running experience in a wild and beautiful setting. With generous cut-offs, we believe that anybody with adequate training and the requisite mental fortitude can complete this run, but please also be aware that this is a true mountain wilderness experience run on challenging terrain, much of it between 10,000ft and 12,000ft.

Come prepared!

Registration

Registration fees for the 2026 Never Summer 100km & 60km are as follows:

Date 60km Race Fees 100km Race Fees Dirty Double Dec 15 – Dec 31 $175 + $11.50 fee $225 + $14.50 fee $370 + $19.50 fee Jan 1 – March 31 $190 + $12.40 fee $240 + $15.40 fee $400 + $21.00 fee April 1 – July 24 $210 + $13.60 fee $260 + $14.00 fee $440 + $23.00 fee What You Get in Return for Your Registration Fee:

A truly unique, incredibly challenging & scenic course. We're not joking, this one is pretty special Enthusiastic, knowledgeable race and aid station volunteers & staff Fully stocked aid stations Gender-specific race T-shirt Unique finisher award Finish line meal (both 60k & 100k) and post-race breakfast (100k only) Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and non-alcoholic options are available as part of our standard race fare

Professional medical & emergency communications coverage Real-time results processing with splits from all aid stations Qualification for the Western States 100 Lottery (finishers under 23 hours) Waiting List

In past years we have been able to accommodate nearly all wait-listed runners, up to a total of 75-80.

If you are selected from the waitlist, you are given the opportunity to accept/decline the invitation. Your credit card will not be charged until you accept. Your fellow runners in line appreciate your prompt response.

Transfer Credit & Distance Change Policy

If you are not able to race, we will be able to offer a race transfer credit that can be applied to any future Gnar Runners race (valid for 12 months). Credit deadlines are as follows:

Until Feb 15: 100% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees). Feb 16 - May 31 : 75% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees). June 1 - July 18 : 50% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).

**In order to receive your credit , you must cancel your registration through the RunSignup registration platform.

Deferrals:

Log in to your RunSignup account Go to Profile -> Upcoming Races -> Never Summer -> Manage Registration At the bottom of the page, select “Defer Registration” and follow the automated process. While RunSignup will prompt you to, you DO NOT have to immediately choose which race to apply your credit to. Once you hit "Confirm Deferral" and see the "Your registration has been deferred" message, your credit is in the system and will be valid for one year past the event date. Distance Switch:

Log on to your RunSignup account Go to Profile -> Upcoming Races -> Never Summer -> Manage Registration At the top, click the link to "Transfer Event" Follow the steps to register for the race in the new distance Runners in the 60k race can pay the additional registration to upgrade to the 100k race. There is no charge for 100k runners to drop to the 60k race.

The online deadline to transfer is Monday (7/21) at midnight.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Entries are non-refundable. Entries are non-transferable, except for transfers via the wait list. In the event the race is cancelled due to extreme weather, fire, disease or for some other unforeseeable event, we cannot offer refunds or credits.

Course & Aid Stations

The 100km (65.7 mile) course will have approximately 14,500ft of hard-earned vertical gain and 14,500 feet of equally hard-earned vertical descent, for an elevation change total of 29,000 feet.

The 60km (39.2 mile) course will have approximately 8,100ft of hard-earned vertical gain and 8,100 feet of equally hard-earned vertical descent, for an elevation change total of 16,200 feet.

Course Maps

Click for a printable map

A map of the State Forest State Park trails is available here .

(Please note that much of the Never Summer course takes place on non-system trails and logging roads that do not appear on the park trail map.)

Course Profile

Detailed Course Directions & Maps

Cell service in the area is very limited (assume non-existent). We highly recommend printing all the maps that you or your crew will need for the race before traveling to the race. The same applies for uploading GPX files.

Course GPX File

100km (Current for 2025) 60km (Current for 2025) Aid Stations

100km

Aid Station Mile Split Total Distance Aid Drop Bags/ Crew Access Vertical Gain Vertical Descent Cut-Off Michigan Ditch 11.4 11.4 FULL No/No 3400 2100 - Diamond 8.1 19.5 FULL Yes/Yes 1100 2000 North Diamond Summit: 1:45p Montgomery 6.0 25.5 FULL No/No 2900 1200 - Ruby Jewel 6.1 31.6 FULL Yes/Hike-In 700 2200 4:30p Kelly Lake 4.7 36.3 Safety Only No/No 1900 800 - Clear Lake 1 4.6 40.9 FULL Yes/No 100 1600 - Clear Lake 2 4.4 45.3 FULL Yes/No 1400 1400 10:45p Canadian 6.2 51.5 FULL Yes/Hike-In 600 1100 1:00a Bockman 5.9 57.4 FULL Yes/Yes 1000 700 3:00a Ranger Lakes 6.2 63.6 Limited No/No 1300 1100 - Finish 2.1 65.7 FULL Yes/Yes 50 250 - 60km

Aid Station Mile Split Total Distance Aid Drop Bags/ Crew Access Vertical Gain Vertical Descent Cut-Off Michigan Ditch 11.4 11.4 FULL No/No 3400 2100 - Diamond 8.1 19.5 FULL Yes/Yes 1100 2000 North Diamond Summit: 2:15p Montgomery 6.0 25.5 FULL No/No 2900 1200 - Bockman 5.4 30.9 FULL Yes/Yes 50 2150 5:30p Ranger Lakes 6.2 37.1 Limited No/No 1300 1100 - Finish 2.1 39.2 FULL Yes/Yes 50 250 - The longest stretch without aid is from the start to Michigan Ditch Aid (11.4 miles); however, the hardest stretch for 100km runners comes between the Ruby Jewel Aid and the Clear Lake Aid. Runners should be sure to stock up at Ruby Jewel with the necessary supplies to meet their nutrition and hydration needs. This section is 10.0 miles, and occurs at high altitude, with lots of climbing on rough terrain during the heat of the day. It could take 4 hours or more to get between aid stations.

For added safety, we will have a first responder and a radio volunteer stationed at Kelly Lake, the midway point of this leg. They will have a limited supply of water treated from the lake & basic first aid, but will not have any additional aid supplies. This is intended to be used by runners who truly need it.

All full service aid stations will stock the following items:

Gnarly Nutrition Fuel2O sports drink. Naak Gels Water and Ice Salty Snacks: Pretzels, potato chips, corn chips Fruit: Oranges, Bananas, Watermelon Sweets: Cookies, M&M's, Gummy Bears Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale Sandwich Rolls: Flour or Corn tortillas with peanut butter & jelly or turkey & cheese. Potatoes in various forms (boiled, hash browns, pierogis, tots, etc) Later aid stations serving runners through the night will offer grilled cheese/quesadillas, soup, pierogis, hot ramen, broth, coffee/cocoa and more. ***There will be GF/Vegan alternatives for nearly all non-GF/V standard offerings. These are typically held back to save them for those who need them, so please ASK! Also note that while we will do our best to keep utensils and trays separated for these as well as common allergens, this is the backcountry and cross-contamination can occur.

While we will provide plenty of electrolyte options in drink mix and salty real foods, we deem the risks associated with salt in concentrated pill form to be more than we're comfortable providing. We won't restrict runners from using their own salt caps, but will not have them available at aid stations.

Time Cut-Offs

100km:

Summit (Mile 22.9) at 1:45p. 8:15 Total time. Ruby Jewel (Mile 31.6) at 4:30pm. 11:00 Total time. Clear Lake 2 (Mile 45.3) at 10:45p. 17:15 Total time. Canadian (Mile 51.5) at 1:00am. 19:30 Total time. Bockman (Mile 57.4) at 3:00am. 21:30 Total time. 60km:

Summit (Mile 22.9) at 2:15p. 8:45 Total time. Bockman (Mile 30.9) at 5:30pm. 12:00 Total time. Runners who miss the cut-off at Summit will be directed to turn around and return downhill to the previous full-service aid station for transport to the finish.

While we do not have a hard cut-off at Diamond Aid, any runner leaving that aid after 12:00p (60K) or 11:30p (100K) has a near-zero chance of making the Summit cut-off. You are welcome to try, but must turn-around if & when the reverse sweeps coming down from Summit reach you heading back to Diamond.

Drop Bags

If you have any specific personal nutrition or gear needs, you can leave drop bags to be taken to the designated drop bag aid stations. Drop bags can be left at the start on race morning and/or during check in.

Please provide your own bag and keep it to a reasonable size (small duffel bag or stuff sack). Clearly label it with your name and bib number. Please do not leave any valuable items in your drop bags - volunteers are not responsible for lost items.

100K Drop bags will be allowed at:

Diamond: Mile 19.5 Ruby Jewel: Mile 31.6 Clear Lake: Mile 40.9/45.3 Canadian: Mile 51.5 Bockman: Mile 57.4 Finish 60K Drop bags will be allowed at:

Diamond: Mile 19.5 Bockman: Mile 30.9 Finish 100km Drop bags from Clear Lake, Canadian and Bockman will not be returned to the finish area until early Sunday morning and will be available at the post-race breakfast/awards. Drop bags from Diamond and Ruby Jewel will be available at the finish at the end of the day Saturday.

60km Drop bags from Bockman will not be returned to the finish area until late Friday evening. Drop bags from Diamond will be available at the finish by midday.

Course Marking

The course will be well marked with pink flagging and pink pin flags. Important intersections and turns will be marked heavily and supplemented with flour ground markings and black directional arrows on a yellow background. On longer stretches of trail without intersections, confidence flagging will be placed approximately every quarter mile. Sections of primitive trail will be marked so as to ensure flagging is in line of sight at all times.

The course will be marked in stages. Non-system trails will be marked up to a month in advance, while system trails will be marked the week of the race. Pre-runner volunteers will confirm all markings ahead of front runners on race day to ensure accuracy, but there is always a (small) chance that cattle and other wildlife in the area may damage or eat course markings. We highly recommend bringing maps and/or downloading GPX tracks to your watch just in case.

Toilets

Permanent restrooms will be available at the start/finish, Diamond Aid, Ruby Jewel Aid, Canadian Aid, and Bockman Aid. All other aid stations will have at least a trowel and TP.

Training

There are organized training runs most weekends May-July for Never Summer, with a special Course Preview Weekend with Camping & Trail Work the in late June/early July. See the Fort Collins Trail Runners Facebook Group for details on times, locations & routes. See our Community Page for more info on both.

Crewing & Pacing

Crewing is permitted for the 100k at the following aid stations:

Diamond (19.5) - 40.505442, -105.921469 Ruby Jewel (31.6 - 1.8 mile walk in) - 40.584300, -105.963285 Canadian (51.5 - 1 mile walk in) - 40.614960, -106.008194 Bockman (57.4) - 40.559134, -105.971943 Pacers may meet their 100km runner to start pacing at the Canadian or Bockman Aid Stations. One pacer is allowed per runner at a time from Canadian to the Finish; you may switch pacers at Bockman. For runners over the age of 60, pacers can begin at Ruby Jewel Aid (31.6).

Crewing is permitted for the 60k at the following aid stations:

Diamond (19.5) - 40.505442, -105.921469 Bockman (30.9) - 40.559134, -105.971943 The last 2 miles from Ranger Lakes Aid to the finish is open for any family and friends to join their runner - DROP-OFF ONLY - no cars may be left at Ranger Lakes.

Crew & Pacing Rules

Runners are responsible for the behavior of their crew and pacers. A Colorado State Parks Annual Pass or Day Pass is required to access any aid station on the course. $12 Day Passes can be obtained at the Moose Visitor Center, 0.5mi from the start/finish, or most entrance stations. The only entrance station that accepts credit cards is the main one, on CR-41 off of Highway 14 (4mi north of the start/finish). Crews planning to visit the Diamond Aid station should plan to either have their own annual pass, visit the Visitor Center or main park entrance the day before, or bring cash/check for the day-of. A park ranger may also be available during pre-race check in to sell passes and answer other questions. Crewing outside of designated crew aid stations is prohibited. Spectators are welcome to access additional points on the course but may only spectate and provide moral support. The park is open to the public so please be courteous and respectful of other park users. Bockman and Ranger Lakes Aid Stations are near major campgrounds, so please limit noise and please do not drive through the campground areas after dark. No parking on Highway 14. No crew vehicles are allowed on Ruby Jewel Rd east of the Francisco Loop. Crew vehicles parked along any park road must not block traffic or any trail or access road gate. Crews & pacers should not interfere with volunteers. Dogs must be on leash at all times. Bring your own food, water and supplies. Aid station supplies are available for runners and pacers (while on course). Please pack in anything else that you need for the weekend. No muling. Pacers may not assist their runner in any way to carry gear or provide aid outside of the designated aid stations. Pacers may crew for their runner and assist them like any other volunteer or crew inside designated aid stations. Carpool, carpool, carpool. Parking space is limited on the course so please make an effort to carpool whenever possible. NO Crewing is allowed at the Montgomery or Clear Lake Aid Stations. Suggested Gear List for Crews:

Waterproof Rain Jacket or Poncho Headlight/Flashlight & Extra batteries Warm Hat & Gloves Puffy or other warm jacket Dry change of clothes Sunscreen Bug Spray Water bottle & Extra Jug Snacks/Meals Pen and paper Book This Webpage (File->Print->Save As PDF for offline use) Colorado State Parks Day Pass Printed Map Crew Directions

**There is very limited cell phone and data service in the area. We highly recommend printing out hard copies of any maps and directions that you need in advance. You will not be able to rely on your phone at most locations in the park or at the start/finish.

Diamond (mile 19.5 – car accessible)

Diamond Aid is located 3/4 of a mile east of the Seven Utes Trailhead (40.502198, -105.931914), the crew-access parking area. From the Gould Community Center, head East on Highway 14 for 4 miles to the turnoff on the right for the new Seven Utes Trailhead. Crews must park here and walk the 3/4 of a mile east to the aid station location.

***No parking is allowed anywhere on Highway 14.***

Ruby Jewel (mile 31.6 – 1.8 mile hike in (400' gain))

The Ruby Jewel Road past the Francisco Loop Road will be open only to park visitors and volunteers. Crew cars will have to park on the side of the Ruby Jewel Road anywhere before the Francisco Loop junction or further down on the side of the main park road (County Road 41) and hike, run or bike 1 to 2 miles (400' gain) up the Ruby Jewel Road to the aid location. Ruby Jewel is a narrow, rough road so please drive carefully and watch for runners and other traffic on the road. Please follow the instructions of parking volunteers and pull over as far as you can when parking to leave the roadway clear.

From the start/finish, it’s just over 5mi west to the main park entrance. Make a right into the park and follow County Road 41 five miles to the Ruby Jewel Rd intersection. It is two miles from County Road 41 to the aid location and a mile from the Francisco Loop parking junction.

Canadian (mile 51.5 – 1 mile hike in)

Crew cars will park at the trailhead at the northern end of County Road 41, three to four miles up the road from the Ruby Jewel intersection. It is about 1 mile of gently downhill dirt road to Canadian Aid. Your runners are going to take a long time getting there from Ruby Jewel. It will take the front of the field between four and five hours, so you don’t need to be in any hurry to get out there from Ruby Jewel.

From the start/finish, it’s just over 5mi west to the main park entrance. Make a right into the park and follow County Road 41 nine miles to Horse Corral / Campsites in a loop at the end of the main park road. Park in designated sites around the loop, then hike through the gate at the Northeast corner of the loop and 1mi along the dirt road to Canadian Aid.

Bockman (miles 57.4/30.9 – car accessible)

Three-quarters of a mile from the junction of CR41 & CR41B, the Bockman Aid will be sited. 100K runners will be crossing Bockman Road there, while 60K runners will be coming the road in a westerly direction and turning into the aid. Parking will only be allowed along the south (right) side of the road and before (west of) the trail crossing and aid station. Parking will be restricted to a single side of the road. Please follow the instructions of the volunteers.

From the Canadian parking lot at the end of CR41, it is 5 miles back south to the left turn onto County Road 41B (Bockman Road). The aid and crew location is 3/4 of a mile down 41B. It is also not far from the Bockman Campground, so please do not drive past the aid station location and keep noise levels down during the night.

From the start/finish, it’s just over 5mi west to the main park entrance. Make a right into the park and follow County Road 41 four miles to the Bockman Road intersection, make a right, and go 3/4mi to the aid station.

Spectating

Lake Agnes - runners pass by beautiful Lake Agnes at mile 10 on the course. This is a great spot to cheer on your runner for the first time. From the Lake Agnes trailhead it is a one mile hike uphill to the lake. To access the trailhead from the race start, drive 5 miles east on Highway 14, make a right onto the Crags/American Lakes dirt road, then make another right after a mile following signs for Lake Agnes and the Crags Campground. Stay straight at the turn for the Crags Campground and follow the rugged 2WD forest road a further mile up to the trailhead.

North Diamond Summit (11,850') is the high point on the course and offers sweeping mountain views. The summit is a little over a mile with 1,500ft of climbing if accessed from Cameron Pass (where there is a good-sized parking lot). The trail from Cameron Pass is good, but not marked. To find it, follow the creek to the northwest of the parking area. The trail follows the creek to treeline after which it is a steep climb for the summit (right peak as you look at North and South Diamond). Approaching from the west side on the course route adds another couple of miles in getting to the summit and limited parking is available in the picnic area turn-out off Highway 14. This is a unique point on the course to view runners, but would preclude crewing at Diamond Aid.

Other Excursions - Go check out Jewel Lake (11,300') another 2.5 miles and 1,600 ft up the trail from Ruby Jewel Aid. If you’re feeling perky, hoof steeply for Clark Peak (12,950'), which towers over the lake and is the high point in the Medicine Bow Mountains. The views are well worth it if you can get it done in time to meet your runner at Canadian Aid.

Race Rules

Race rules are designed to provide a safe and fair experience for everyone involved and to help ensure our ability to produce the race again next year. Major rule infractions by racers will result in immediate disqualification of the racer. Please do not argue with or harass our volunteers. Please direct any questions and feedback to us here .