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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

North Fork 50 Mile

Basic Listing
  1. Aravaipa Running
  2. 2026 Edition

All-singletrack 50-miler through ponderosa pines and granite in Colorado's Front Range

Directions
DeadlineMay 26, 2026
This event took place on May 30, 2026

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Qualifier Req

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All trail races in Colorado→
May 30, 2026
Saturday 6:00am MDT start
Buffalo Creek, CO
United States
49.3 miles
Loop Course
6,120 ft
Elevation Gain
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebook
5:51 M / 8:07 W
Course Record

What Makes It Great

A 50-mile loop through the Pike National Forest just southwest of Denver, running 100% on soft-surface singletrack and doubletrack. The course climbs through the dramatic open terrain left by the 1996 Buffalo Creek wildfire, then dips into ponderosa pine forest and winds around towering granite rock formations. A solid mid-level mountain 50-miler with a 14-hour cutoff and genuine technical singletrack throughout.

Difficulty

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
High Altitude
Variable Weather
Sun Exposure

Race Highlights

100% soft-surface singletrack
Every mile runs on singletrack or doubletrack trail through Pike National Forest — not a foot of pavement
1996 wildfire burn terrain
Climbs through the dramatic open landscape of the 1996 Buffalo Creek fire, with expansive Front Range views
Granite rock formations
Weaves around towering granite formations unique to the Buffalo Creek area of the Front Range foothills
6,425 ft of climbing
Distributed across rolling terrain with no single crushing climb — accessible but cumulative
Community fundraiser
A portion of proceeds supports the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department serving the local Buffalo Creek community

Finish Awards

Finisher Award
All finishers completing their registered course receive a commemorative award.
Top 3 Overall Award
Special awards given to the top 3 male and female finishers in each distance.

North Fork 50 Mile

Buffalo Creek, CO, United StatesMay 30, 2026

May 30, 2026
Course map for North Fork 50 Mile
DistDistance49.3 mi
GainElevation Gain6,120 ft
LimitCutoff14 h
Steep ClimbingHigh AltitudeVariable WeatherSun Exposure

Entry Timeline

Registration DeadlineMay 26, 2026
Race DayMay 30, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
49.3 mi
Distance
Loop
Route
14h
Cutoff Time
7,700 ft
Average Elevation
6,120 ft
Total Ascent
6,120 ft
Total Descent
8,530 ft
High Point
6,690 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.06,693 ft
Colorado Trail Aid
Aid Station
4.87,717 ft
Kelsey Campground Aid
Aid Station
11.28,074 ft
Shinglemill Aid
Aid Station
17.17,700 ft
Tramway Aid
Aid Station
22.47,359 ft
Buffalo Aid 1
Aid Station
28.27,388 ft
Rolling Creek Aid
Aid Station
32.88,297 ft
Buffalo Aid 2
Aid Station
37.67,388 ft
Homestead Aid
Aid Station
42.67,756 ft
Finish
Finish
49.36,693 ft

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

  • Shinglemill aid station (mile 17.2): crew access allowed. Limited parking — no parking on Redskin Creek Rd.
  • Buffalo Creek aid station (miles 28.5 and 37.7): crew access allowed. Limited parking; additional parking areas available further up Redskin Creek Rd.
  • Rolling Creek aid station (mile 33.1): crew access allowed.
  • Crew support outside designated aid stations may result in penalties up to and including disqualification.
Weather

Late May in the Buffalo Creek area brings mild but unpredictable mountain weather. Morning start temperatures typically range from the low 40s to upper 50s°F (5–15°C), warming to the 60s–70s°F (15–25°C) by midday. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado mountains from late spring onward — runners on the exposed burn sections should watch the sky closely. High altitude UV is intense even on overcast days. Snow is rare but possible at higher elevations.

Gear Rules

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos & Race Reports

No videos or race reports available for this event yet.

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Register•May 30, 2026