Yellowstone Gateway 30K runners will know why “Yellowstone is more Valuable than Gold”!
General Description: This race, renowned for its unique beauty, spans just over 18 miles, climbs 2,609 ft, and descends 2,366 ft. It starts at the 2024 MICHELIN Guide awarded Sage Lodge trails, with a 10-mile climb that steadily increases in steepness, followed by an exhilarating 8-mile downhill that gradually eases in gradient. The entire course is off-road, with no pavement in sight. Instead, participants traverse a mix of trails, gravel roads, USFS dirt roads, and scree-covered jeep paths. The upper elevations in Emigrant Gulch are an out and back, and the rest of the race is point to point. The initial miles take runners through the rolling grasslands of the Paradise Valley foothills, near the Yellowstone River. From there, they ascend a deep gorge alongside the rushing Emigrant Creek, reaching a high point 2,609 feet above the starting elevation. At the high aid station, turn and take in stunning views of Emigrant Peak and the Snowy Block Mountains of the Western Beartooths. The course
then makes a wild descent along Emigrant Creek, passing through the historic mining settlement of Old Chico. The race concludes on foothill trails, finishing at the legendary and renowned Chico Hot Springs Resort.
Details: At the start at the Sage Lodge, you will run double track trails over rolling foothills past the historic Chico Cemetery, then past the historic Yellowstone City gold settlement (c. 1864-1866) where some of the first gold seekers came to Montana to find fortune. Continue to Old Chico and turn right up Emigrant Gulch and begin climbing up an increasingly steep gorge cut by a dirt/scree jeep road between steep canyon walls and past abandoned mines and where a recent industrial gold mine was halted when local residents and the federal government decided that “Yellowstone is more valuable than gold.” Your feet will get wet crossing Emigrant Creek and the East Fork of Emigrant Creek on the way up and again on the way down. After turning around at the aid station near the closed St. Julian Mine (c. 1906) you will descend out of the gulch, turn right at Old Chico Road and join the Chico Hot Springs Ranch 635 trails to the finish at Chico Hot Springs. The elevation varies from 4,966 feet
at the start at the Sage Lodge in Emigrant to 7,6180 feet at the top aid station east of Emigrant Peak, and 5,250 feet at the finish at Chico Hot Springs in Pray Montana.
Packet Pick-Up
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Early packet pickup time and location will be announced as we get closer to race day but is usually in Livingston at the Park County Environmental Council office on the Friday before race day.
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Race Day: Sun (9/21) 7:30 AM-8:45 AM -- Sage Lodge Mud Room (55 Sage Lodge Drive, Pray, MT)
Aid Stations: There are three aid stations on the 30K course. Each aid station will be stocked with water, Tailwind Nutrition Fuel drink, gels, and various standard trail food. Pack your own nutrition if you have specific needs. This is a cup-less race so you must bring your own bottle or bladder for water/Tailwind, and we recommend wearing a trail running vest or waist pack to carry your bottles, layers, and snacks.
Cutoff times: Cutoff times are established for the consideration of our volunteers, but they are generous, allowing participants to average 20-minute miles, equivalent to a fast hike, and adjusted for climbing and descending pace. See aid station information below for specific cutoff times.
Aid Stations
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Old Chico Aid Station: 3.8 miles from the start
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Emigrant Gulch Aid Station: 7.0 miles
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St. Julian turnaround: 10 miles. Cutoff time *12:45 pm
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Emigrant Gulch Aid Station: 13.0 miles Cutoff time *1:45 pm
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Old Chico Aid Station: 16.0 miles Cutoff time *2:35 pm
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Chico Finish! 18.2 miles
Safety: Running downhill on steep rocky slopes can be hazardous and you can roll an ankle or take a fall. Emigrant Creek is ankle to shin deep at the crossing and while the current won't wash you away, the rocks are slick underfoot and you could fall. We picked September because it is often awesome for running but it could be cold and snowy or hot and dry, on race day. Check the Point forecast for Emigrant Gulch frequently as race day approaches for the latest forecasts. This is not a closed course and there may be off road vehicle users recreating in the Gulch. Please exhibit mutual courtesy. We will have warning signs up, encouraging any motorized users to watch for runners. Park County Search and Rescue Volunteers will be on the course with off road vehicles to assist if you become ill or injured and require assistance to evacuate.
Our Commitment to Sustainability: Yellowstone Gateway 30K is a race that takes you through some of the most beautiful country in the greater Yellowstone area. This is our backyard. This is your public land. As Directors and racers, we choose to tread lightly and steward the landscape responsibility.
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Cupless - You must bring your own cup/water bottle/hydration pack.
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Reducing Waste - At the post-race picnic, Happy Trash Can will help us to compost and reduce our footprint.
Course Markings: The course will be well marked with flags, cones, and paint. Race volunteers will be at critical junctions to ensure that no one makes a wrong turn.
Shoes, Terrain, and Equipment: The upper part of the course is very rocky and uneven in places. Trail shoes are the best choice. If you like poles, they will help you on the steep uphill and downhill sections and water crossings, but they are a matter of choice and not required. Water depth at both crossings is often ankle to calf deep. Less than half of our participants carry poles, but they can help you keep your feet dryer by allowing you to balance on rocks without falling, if you have a comfortable way to carry them when not needed.
Bear Spray: There will be a lot of runners and volunteers and some machines on the course which is a deterrent to bears. You may wish to carry bear spray in your pack or hand for protection in some of the upper sections that are less frequented by humans, but it is not required. The aid station volunteers, and SAR teams travel noisily through there in trucks and ATVs prior to the start so that will alert any animals to humans.
Parking: Due to limited parking at the start at Sage Lodge, we encourage you to take the free and short shuttle to from Chico to Sage Lodge before the race unless you have someone who can drop you at the start. Parking for the shuttle is at the “Field of Dreams” parking lot above the Day Spa at Chico Hot Springs and you will walk down the stairs to the shuttle pick up. Signs and attendants will direct runners to the parking lot at Field of Dreams.
Shuttle - Chico Hot Springs to Sage Lodge: The shuttle Bus will depart Chico “Field of Dreams” Parking area above the Day Spa at the following times: 7:10 am, 7:30 am, 7:50 am, 8:10 am, and 8:30 am. Any schedule changes will be announced in emails prior to the race.
Drop Bag Transport: Participants are encouraged to bring a bag to drop at the start at the Sage Lodge. Your drop bags will be taken to the finish line and will be stored at the finish line prior to the first finisher's arrival. Please write your name and phone number on your drop bag. If you leave any articles of clothing with aid station volunteers, they will return to the finish but may not arrive until after 3:30 pm.
Prizes: Everyone will receive a Yellowstone Gateway 30K hat with the Lynx logo. Awards for top three male and female finishers, 1st male and female masters, and first place male and female age group winners. In addition, there will be door prizes at the finish line, given at random, from our sponsors.
Support and Spectating: We encourage spectators to get out on the course and cheer for family and friends on the Chico Cemetery Road, at Old Chico, and at the intersection of Conlin Road and Chico Road. Spectators are also encouraged to travel up the Gulch by foot or bike but for safety reasons, please do not attempt to drive vehicles up the Gulch as you could block course monitors and Park County Search and Rescue (SAR) off road vehicles.
Opting Out: If you pick up a packet either early or on race day but don't run, please inform a volunteer or the race director at 406-548-1249. If you drop out of the race you must inform a volunteer. This is so we don't call you at home or search for you all night! If you need assistance getting off the mountain, please request so at the aid station, or with Park County SAR.
Post-Race: Afterward, runners can relax at Chico Hot Spring's lawn with a beer and lunch provided by Chico Hot Springs. Post-race lunch and beer is free for racers and volunteers. Also, all finishers and volunteers get a free swim pass! With two pools of varying temperatures, we’re sure everyone in the family can find a comfortable spot to relax!
History: This area has a long and fascinating history of indigenous peoples, hard rock mining, settlements, and tourism. Historic structures occupied and abandoned are seen all along the course. Mountain man Jim Bridger wintered with Crow Indians in the vicinity in 1844. Twenty years later, a few of the wagons led by Bridger over the infamous Bozeman Trail were lured to the Upper Yellowstone valley by news of a gold discovery. Gold-seeking immigrants followed a cairn-marked aboriginal trail which crossed the Yellowstone River at a natural ford and bore southeast to the diggings, which became known to all but the Crow as Emigrant Gulch. The mining camps of Yellowstone City and later, Old Chico became established by means of trespass on Crow tribal lands. In 1876, Crow scouts serving under Lieutenant James Bradley called Emigrant Gulch "Mu-Ni-Ah-Noot-Su," or "how they get their money."
In 2014 a Canadian mining company threatened Emigrant Gulch with an industrial size gold mine on public and private lands. This gold mine would have caused irreparable damage to the landscape, water quality, environment, wildlife and communities in and around the Gulch. The community under the guidance of the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition, came together to protect the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park and their community and engaged in a 5-year battle that ended with The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. This act of Congress withdrew the mineral rights on public lands in the Gulch, protecting them in perpetuity. The Yellowstone Gateway 30K is a celebration of a community’s determination, dedication, and love of place so that we may all enjoy its splendor forever.
More information and updates will be emailed to registered participants prior to race day and also posted on the Yellowstone Gateway 30K Facebook page or contact the Race Director at bl2deyoung@gmail.com.