Salida, Colorado · Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Vapor Trail 125 is a cycling, mountain biking, and trail running event held on Saturday, September 12, 2026. It is located at 330 W Sackett Ave in Salida, Colorado.
The High Lonesome 100 is a high flying endurance race in the Sawatch range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. With 23,500' of vertical gain and reaching an elevation of 13,100', it's a hell of a course. The race runs in a loop through some of the most beautiful single track in the state, and takes runners on the Continental Divide and Colorado Trail, through 2 ghost towns, over 5 alpine passes, through remote basins, and over soaring ridges. It's also run and staffed by experienced and quality individuals, so you'll get to be a part of a wonderful community. If you're looking for a true mountain race, created in the spirit of the classic 100 milers, then look no further.
Stats
Entry fee: $465
Start/Finish Location: County Road 321, Mount Princeton, Colorado (coordinates: 38.740282, -106.161237)
Distance: 101 miles
Average Elevation: 10,600'
High Point: 13,100'
Low Point: 8,150'
Total Elevation Gain: 23,500'
Cut off: 37 hours
Course type: 66% single track, 21% mining roads, 10% gravel roads, and 3% paved roads
A bike fest weekend in Salida, Colorado that offers the 76: gravel that's remote, beautiful, and ridden by few and the Banana Belt: a proper MTB throwdown. Course marking and aid stations? Heck yes.
The price displayed is inclusive of registration and all processing fees
A classic, high-alpine, vert-heavy Colorado 50k! Get some miles on the Colorado Trail and run all the way to 13,150' feet in elevation! Starting and finishing at the base of Mount Princeton, runners are treated to panoramic views of the Sawatch Range and the gorgeous Arkansas River Valley. The race runs in a large lollipop and is essentially one long 7000' foot climb and one long 7000' descent. The beginning and end have a mix of dirt and paved roads, but the middle is 25 miles of uninterrupted singletrack, including 12 miles on the Colorado Trail. Yet, despite the amount of vert this course is surprisingly runnable, especially for a runner with mountain experience. Add in the changing aspen leaves and the (usually) perfect fall weather and you've got yourself one hell of end-of-the-season race. As an added bonus, the course shares some similarities with the High Lonesome 100 course and is put on by the same folks at Freestone Endurance.
The race starts on Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7:30am and runners have 11 hours to complete the course. There are three aid stations (not counting the Start/Finish) that are fully stoked with the typical aid station fare as well some tasty treats to surprise you and water and Tailwind are available at all aid stations. Runners can camp at the start/finish line for $15/night and space is limited to 35 spots. The race is capped at 250 runners Runners get a finishers medal, race shirt, free full resolution professional images, and free drinks (alcoholic and non) at the finish line. If you don't want a shirt and/or medal, you can select that during registration to save $10-20.
As an added challenge, runners can attempt the Sawatch 50/50 by registering for the West Line Winder 50k on the same weekend! Finishers of the Sawatch 50/50 will get a special award and place awards for the top 3 overall men and women.
Cancellation, Deferral, and refund Policy: Runners can defer 50% of their entry to the following year so long as they request it by September 1st. We do not offer refunds, but you may purchase third-party insurance during registration which may allow you a refund. Please see the website for the full details.
Key details:
When: Sunday September 28th, 2025 at 7:30am
Where: Nathrop, Colorado (coordinates: 38.74275, -106.15964)
Course: 33 miles, 7000' of vert, 8200' low point to 13,150' high point, average elevation 9800'
Trail type: 26 miles of singletrack, 4.5 miles of pavement, 2.5 miles of gravel roads
Cutoff: 11 hours
Extra challenge: Sawatch 50/50!
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the lighting of Christmas Mountain in Salida with a 5 mile and 1 mile race! The 5 mile course begins and ends by Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race course is very scenic and mostly flat (around 160 feet of elevation gain) and takes place on city and county roads and gravel or concrete pedestrian paths. This event is designed for all runners, and we encourage all ages and abilities to come out! Packet pickup, post race drinks and snacks, and awards will also take place in Riverside Park in downtown Salida.
Race begins at 10am, giving participants time to sleep in after Thanksgiving, and then relax with friends and family before heading back to downtown Salida for the lighting of Christmas Mountain. Festivities in town associated with this event include the annual Christmas Mountain parade, beginning at 6pm, followed by fireworks. This is one of Salida's biggest and most celebratory nights each year.
The goals of this event are to encourage health, fitness, fun, and community connection around the Thanksgiving holiday; to offer another competitive racing opportunity in Chaffee County; and to raise money during the holiday season for the Chaffee County Community Foundation. Prize money will be offered to the top finishers: top 3 M/F overall ($150/$100/$75), along with the first place M/F masters runner ($100).
There will also be a one mile run, which will begin at approximately 10:05am. Participants will run down Sackett Avenue, turn around after 1/2 mile, and head back to the finish line. This race will be timed, all competitors will receive a participant ribbon, and post race snacks are included.
For more information or if you're interested in sponsoring or volunteering at this event, please contact Kristy Falcon at [email protected].