A vertical sprint to 9,000 feet over Palisades Tahoe's most exposed alpine terrain
Other trail races within 60 miles
The Broken Arrow Ascent (formerly the Vertical Kilometer) charges from the ski village floor to the summit of Washeshu Peak in 3.6 miles. The route starts on steep singletrack, climbs technical off-trail talus through the Siberia Bowl, and culminates in a breathtaking traverse of the exposed Headwall Ridge—complete with a bolted handline and the iconic Stairway to Heaven ladder—to the 9,000-foot summit. Finishers descend to High Camp and return to the valley by aerial tram. An official WMRA World Cup Vertical Uphill event.
Experienced ultrarunners
Olympic Valley, CA, United StatesJune 19, 2026
| Location | Mile | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 6,253 ft |
Finish Finish | 3.6 | 8,832 ft |
Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.
Summit reaches 9,000 ft; conditions change rapidly and snow is common on the upper mountain even in June
Exposed Headwall Ridge is subject to gale-force winds; tram descent may be closed in severe weather forcing self-rescue
Afternoon thunderstorms possible on exposed summit ridge
No required gear specified
No recommended gear specified
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