SAN JUAN HUT SYSTEMS SNEFFELS HALF LOOP
The 3rd ‘Running’ of the Sneffels Half Loop. This event can be done as an epic all out race or as a supported tour through the beautiful San Juan Mountains while benefiting the Mount Sneffels Education Foundation.
*please note there is a new start time for the race, 6AM!!! Due to lack of adequate snow cover and extremely demanding terrain, the Sneffels Half Loop will not be skiing to and past the Burn Hut, dropping down to the frontage road north of Ouray and continuing to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
Submit a Sneffels Half Loop Registration Form to San Juan Hut Systems, Inc. and pay an entry of $100 per racer (for either course). This is an individual event. Call San Juan Hut Systems, Inc to acquire your Registration Form, to make your payment or for more information! 970.626.3033!
Don’t want to race….we NEED VOLUNTEERS!!! EMT’s, WFR’s, Hut Station Aids. Volunteers and racers will receive Free Complimentary Hut Stay for Two at any of San Juan Hut Systems five huts (in addition to their time at the hut for those volunteering).
Full course: Start is above Telluride at the Last Dollar Hut Trailhead. Finish is County Road 5 / Elk Meadows (Burn/Ridgway Hut Trailhead)
Total Distance: 37.7 miles
Total Ascent: 7440′
Total Descent: 10707′
Short Course: Start is above Telluride at Last Dollar Hut Trailhead. Finish is at The Blue Lakes Hut Trailhead.
Total Distance: 23.8 miles
Total Ascent: 3990′
Total Descent: 5489′
Why should you do the Sneffels Half Loop? To Benefit the Mount Sneffels Education Foundation and to get your Arse off the sofa and out in the beautiful backcountry.
RACE DESCRIPTION: The Sneffels Half Loop is a backcountry Nordic ski race that takes place on the Alder Creek and Dallas Trail Systems along the base of the Mount Sneffels Range in the San Juan Mountains. The start is located near the town of Telluride and the finish is at County Road 5 / Elk Meadows. This backcountry Nordic backcountry trail moves quickly through Aspen/Spruce forest with unmatched views of the North Faces of the twenty 13,000-foot peaks of the Sneffels Range. The trail changes quickly, moving left to right, and undulating up and down for the entire length.
FULL COURSE: This race option includes two mountain passes: the first is a 2,000-foot ascent up to Last Dollar Pass; the second is a 1,000-foot climb up to Wilson Creek Summit. To finish the Full Course, skiers will finish at the Ridgway/Burn Trailhead / County Rd 5 (at The Mailboxes). Due to lack of adequate snow cover and extremely demanding terrain, the Sneffels Half Loop will not be skiing to and past the Burn Hut, dropping down to the frontage road north of Ouray and continuing to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
Course Ascent: 7,440 feet Course Descent: 10,707 feet Total Distance: 37.7 miles
SHORT COURSE: This race option includes the first 2,000-foot climb up to Last Dollar Pass and drops down to the Blue Lakes Hut Trailhead. A shuttle will pick skiers up and take them to the Full Course finish at County Road 5 / Elk Meadows.
Course Ascent: 3,990 feet Course: Descent 5,489 feet Total Distance: 23.8 miles
START TIME: March 10, 2012, approximately 6 a.m.
START LOCATION: Last Dollar Hut Trailhead (Located above the Telluride Airport)
FINISH LINE: Country Road 5 / Elk Meadows which serves as the trailhead for San Juan Hut Systems Burn Hut and Ridgway Hut with a Post-Even Party location TBA.
COST: $100/racer (after March 1 +$20). Race-day registration is accepted.
RACER REQUIREMENTS: Huts within the San Juan Hut Systems will be used as aid stations. Each racer must carry an avalanche transceiver and headlamp. Shovels and probes are not necessary. Any and all types of skis are allowed from AT to “toothpicks and tennis shoes.”
PRE-RACE DINNER/RACER CHECK-IN: Spaghetti dinner and pre-race meeting to be held in Ridgway, location/time TBA. Weather forecast, course conditions, any and all questions will be covered. Overnight accommodations are available at the Ridgway Elementary School. Dinner and accommodations are included in the entry fee.
PARKING: Free parking is available at the Ridgway Elementary School and free shuttle services to race start and back to town.
COURSE MARKING: The course is marked with Blue Diamonds and orange flagging on trees.
CUT-OFF TIMES: Cut off times for each checkpoint (hut) will be established and announced at the Pre-Race briefing.
AID STATIONS: Four huts will be used as aid stations and as mandatory check-in points. Water, hot and cold drinks, and food including energy bars, bagels and cream cheese, PB&J, cheese and trail mix will be available.
RACER SAFETY: Patrol people will be stationed at two potential avalanche path crossings. To mitigate any danger, skiers will be detoured completely around the first by direction of a stationed patrol person. The second avy area requires a mandatory one-at-a-time skier crossing with patrol monitoring crossings.
TRAINING: Pre-race course recon. We encourage all participants to come out and check out the trails to become familiar with terrain and appropriate ski gear. Contact SJHS for more info.
