RaceMob

Yellowstone City 30K

Sunday September 19th, 2021

Livingston, MT

Official Website

Description

Yellowstone City 30K


Yellowstone City 30K runners will know why “Yellowstone is more Valuable than Gold”!


Description


This race covers 18 miles of gravel road, USFS dirt and scree jeep roads, and trails directly below Emigrant Peak in Paradise Valley. It climbs from 5,000 feet in Emigrant to 8,000 feet near Emigrant Peak and descends to the finish line at Chico Hot Springs in Pray Montana at 5,250 feet. Starting near the Yellowstone River at the Sage Lodge on Chico Cemetery Road in Emigrant, Montana, you will run past the site of 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. This is a dirt/scree jeep road that travels between steep canyon walls and past abandoned mines and has several steep sections. Your feet will get wet running through Emigrant Creek and you will continue up to the turn-around at the aid station near the St. Julian Mine (c. 1906).  Descend out of the gulch, turn right at Old Chico road and run down to the finish line at Chico Hot Springs.


New this year, and for the sake of our volunteers, runners who are unable to meet cutoff times will be pulled from the race. Cutoff times are generous at an average of 20 minute miles over the entire course, and taking in to account a slower pace for climbing and faster for descending. See aid stations below for specific cutoff times. For more information visit Yellowstone City 30K Facebook page. 


Yellowstone City 30K Details


Packet Pick-Up


There will be two days available for packet pick up:



  • Stand by for early pickup times and locations. 

  • Sun (9/22) 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 coolers (BYO bottle), electrolyte drink, gels, pretzels and gummies -- not to mention energetic volunteers! Please note aid station cutoff times (elapsed) in bold


                           Outgoing Stations                                                                                                                     Return Stations


Old Chico Aid Station (Station #1): 3.8 miles from the start                                          Emigrant Creek Crossing Aid Station (Station #3): 12.0 miles
Emigrant Creek Crossing Aid Station (Station #3): 8.0 miles *2:43                              Old Chico Aid Station (Station #1): 16.0 miles *5:34
St. Julian turnaround (Station #4): 10 miles *3:36 (Water only)                                    Chico Finish 18.0 miles  


Our Commitment to Sustainability


Yellowstone City 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; there are a number of ways we'll be regulating and behaving to reflect our values and respect of this Earth. 



  • Cupless - Seriously, cupless. We won't provide you with one because it's not sustainable if the trend is to go cup-less and then provide a silicone cup when you already have five at home. If you don't have one, please borrow or invest in a reusable hydration item that suits you personally and enjoy on your cup less racing experience! We promise, you won't miss the disposable cups.

  • Reducing - At the post race picnic, we'll be using reusable or industry standard compostable service wear to limit our dependency on single-use service ware. Thank you in advance for disposing of your goods in the proper receptacle! 

  • Composting - Happy Trash Can will be providing the compost service to be able to turn our food, compostable ware and paper goods into soil! 


Course Markings


The course will be marked with stake flags and paint. Race volunteers will be placed at the major turn up Old Cemetery Rd and on the way back, racers will be directed to turn down Old Chico Rd to end at the lower lawn at the historic Chico Hot Springs. Race volunteers at aid stations will cheer and direct racers, we don’t think it’ll be there should be any wrong turns.


Parking


Due to limited parking at Sage Lodge and the nature of finishing at a different location than the start our kind sponsors are offering a shuttle. Parking will be in the “Field of Dreams” parking lot above the Day Spa at Chico Hot Springs. Signs and attendants will direct guests to parking and how racers can catch the shuttle from the parking lot to the start line at Sage Lodge. 


In the case a racer would like to be dropped off at Sage Lodge, there will be signs and attendants to direct vehicles to the drop off zone (by the flagpole in front of main lobby). After dropping off the racer, please park at Chico Hot Springs "Field of Dreams" parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation! 


Shuttle - Chico Hot Springs to Sage Lodge 


Park your car at the finish location and catch a ride to the start - how convenient is that?! Shuttles 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, 8:30 AM.  The shuttles will be two tan suburbans and one black suburban with Chico Logo. 


Drop Bag Transport


Participants may drop one bag off at the Sage Drop Bag Station (near Sage Lodge Mud Room). Bags will be taken to finish line and piled together for post-race. To be most efficient and organized with the bags, please use duct tape and markers to write your bib # and name as a tag (think airport luggage style). The bags will be monitored by a volunteer by the finish line.


Prizing


Everyone will receive a Yellowstone City 30K performance trucker hat; additionally, there will be awards for top three male and female finishers and 1st male and female masters sponsored by Patagonia and Park County Environmental Council. 


Support and Spectating


No pacing will be allowed on this course. We encourage spectators to get out on the course and cheer for family and friends but due to the nature of the out-and-back and safety of our volunteers and racers, we ask that spectators refrain from driving up Emigrant Gulch.  


Race Organizers would like to recommend the following spots for those willing to hike to cheer on runners: culvert aid station, and up emigrant gulch. Additionally, there is a great pullout where Conlin Rd joins Chico Rd near Old Chico where racers can be cheered at mile 3.75 and mile 16.


Dogs


We love dogs! And we love running with our dogs; HOWEVER, we ask that you leave dogs at home for this event. For the safety and comfort of all participants, no dogs will be allowed on the course.


Opting Out


Please inform the nearest aid station if you need to drop out of the race. If you need assistance getting off the mountain, please request so at the aid station, our volunteers will be happy to assist you.


Post Race


Afterward, shake out your legs in the shade tent on the Chico Hot Spring Main Lodge lawn with a beer and sandwich sponsored by Chico Hot Springs. Post-race libations are free for racers and volunteers only.  Also, what’s better than a post-race soak?  Racers earn their “gold” (free swim pass) at the St. Julien turn-around. With two pools of varying temperatures, we’re sure everyone in the family can find a comfortable spot to relax!


History


Yellowstone City was a site on the flat near the present dredge pond. It became the eastern-most town in Montana when snows in October 20, 1864, drove the miners down from the 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."


Old Chico was where those living in Yellowstone City moved to when they became hesitant to live there any longer after conflicts with local Crow Indians.
Source Emigrant Gulch, Searching for Gold in Park County, Montana - Doris Withorn, and Park County, Montana.


Proudly brought to you by the following community partners and sponsors...



 

Race Distances

Price Register
Yellowstone City 30K Click to Find Out Register »

Places to Stay

Get Directions

Start Location

215 E Lewis St #306, Livingston, MT

Add a Comment

Please login to see RaceMob members' comments! Login