Bear 100: A Complete Course Recon Breakdown Using HARDN

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The Bear 100 starts in a neighborhood in Logan, Utah, and within the first mile you're climbing. By mile 10 you've gained nearly 5,000 feet and arrived at the first aid station — Logan Peak at 8,865 feet. The course then takes you 100 miles north through the Wasatch-Cache and Caribou National Forests into Idaho, finishing at The Reserve Beach on Highway 89 in Fish Haven — right on the shore of Bear Lake.

It is a Western States and Hardrock qualifier. It is a lottery. And in late September, when the maples are turning red and the aspens are going yellow, it is arguably the most beautiful course in Utah.

It is also relentless. The first climb is the longest, but not by as much as runners think. Twenty thousand feet of cumulative gain through 12 sections, with a final soul-crushing climb arriving around mile 92 when most runners are running on fumes. The field knows this course is hard. The field still shows up — 886 lottery applicants for 300 spots in 2026.

I loaded the official 2026 Bear 100 GPX and aid station data into HARDN and broke it down completely. Here's what the numbers say.

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The Big Picture

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Distance | ~100 miles (point-to-point) |
| Elevation Gain | ~20,364 ft cumulative |
| Elevation Range | 4,852 ft (start) → 8,865 ft (Logan Peak) → 5,969 ft (finish) |
| High Point | ~8,865 ft (Logan Peak, Mile 10) |
| Terrain | 65% singletrack · 34% dirt double-track · 1.5% pavement |
| Start | Mount Logan Park, 1400 E 350 S, Logan UT — 6:00 AM Friday |
| Finish | The Reserve Beach, Fish Haven ID (Bear Lake shore) |
| Cutoff | 36 hours (6:00 PM Saturday) |
| Aid Stations | 12 + finish (13 total) |
| Pacers | From Right Hand Fork (Mi 37) — recommended start: Tony Grove (Mi 51) |
| Drop Bags | 9 stations (not at Start, Logan Peak, Upper Richards, or Peter Sinks) |
| Qualifies For | Western States 100 · Hardrock 100 |
| Buckles | Wolverine (<24 hr) · Grizzly (24–30 hr) · Black Bear (30–36 hr) |
| Entry | Lottery — 886 applicants for 300 spots in 2026 |
| Volunteer Req | 8 hours trail/race work, submitted by September 15th |

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Elevation Profile

[COURSE_ELEVATION:bear-100]

Three features define the shape of this race:

The Logan Peak wall (Miles 0–10): 4,013 feet gained in the first 10 miles before the sun is up. The longest single climb on the course, and the one that determines everything that follows.

The canyon rhythm (Miles 10–75): The course descends into valleys — Leatham Hollow at 5,140 ft, Right Hand Fork at 5,551 ft — then climbs back out repeatedly. Upper Richards at 7,490 ft, Tony Grove at 7,980 ft. Every descent gets paid back on the next climb. There is no coasting.

The Bear Creek / Ranger Dip section (Miles 75–100): After Beaver Mountain, the course descends to Beaver Creek Campground, climbs to Peter Sinks at 8,240 ft, drops, and then delivers one final climb around mile 92 before the descent to Bear Lake. That last climb is the one that ends races.

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Aid Station Table

[COURSE_AID_STATIONS:bear-100]

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The Crew Pass System — What You Actually Need to Know

This is the most logistically complex crew situation of any Utah 100, and getting it wrong means your runner doesn't see you when they need you most.

RHF vs. Temple Fork — choose one. A crew survey goes out in early September. You select Right Hand Fork or Temple Fork. At bib check-in Thursday evening, you receive one pass. That pass is valid at all open crew stations except the one you didn't select. Non-transferable. Strictly enforced.

If you select RHF: Your pass works at Leatham Hollow, RHF, Tony Grove, Beaver Mtn, Beaver Creek CG, and Ranger Dip. No access to Temple Fork.

If you select Temple Fork: Your pass works at all the same stations plus Temple Fork, but not RHF.

The RD's recommendation: Start your pacer at Tony Grove. Both RHF and Temple Fork have severe parking constraints — pacers dropped there must be dropped and the vehicle must leave immediately. The Tony Grove turnoff has a parking lot, free Starlink WiFi from noon–6 PM, and is a far more practical staging area.

Temple Fork specific rule: Do not park on Highway 89 — Highway Patrol issues citations. Drop off your pacer in the designated area immediately after turning off the highway, then leave. You cannot wait or pick up a pacer here.

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Pace Chart: The Three Buckles

| Aid Station | Mile | Sub-24 | Sub-30 | Sub-36 | Cutoff |
|-------------|------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Logan Peak | 10 | 8:15 AM | 8:45 AM | 9:15 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Leatham Hollow | 19.5 | 10:00 AM | 10:45 AM | 11:45 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Upper Richards | ~28 | 11:45 AM | 2:00 PM | 2:15 PM | 4:30 PM |
| Right Hand Fork | 37 | 1:30 PM | 3:15 PM | 5:15 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Temple Fork | 44.8 | 3:15 PM | 5:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| Tony Grove | 51 | 5:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 10:30 PM | 1:00 AM |
| Franklin Basin | 61 | 7:30 PM | 11:00 PM | 2:30 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Beaver Mountain | 75.1 | 11:15 PM | 4:15 AM | 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| Beaver Creek CG | 84.7 | ~12:45 AM | ~6:00 AM | ~11:30 AM | 1:30 PM |
| Ranger Dip | 91.8 | ~4:15 AM | ~9:45 AM | ~3:30 PM | 4:15 PM |
| Finish | 100 | 5:59 AM | 11:59 AM | 5:59 PM | 6:00 PM |

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Segment Table

[COURSE_SEGMENTS_TABLE:bear-100]

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How to Race It

Segment 1: Start → Leatham Hollow (Miles 0–19.5) | Pay the opening tax

Effort: Hike | Terrain: Sustained Climb (4,013 ft wall) + Technical Descent | Elevation: +4,013 ft / -3,725 ft

The race begins at 6:00 AM in a neighborhood in Logan and you're climbing within a mile. The Logan Peak wall — 4,013 feet over 10 miles — is the defining feature of the first quarter of the race. Almost everyone hikes it. The runners who try to run it are the ones you'll pass at Tony Grove when they're shuffling.

Logan Peak at mile 10 has no crew and no drop bags — checkpoint only, 10:00 AM cutoff. That's 4 hours for 10 miles with 4,000 feet of gain. Don't linger.

The descent to Leatham Hollow (mile 19.5, 5,140 ft) is 3,725 feet in 9.5 miles — technical in spots, sustained throughout. First major crew access, drop bags, 1:00 PM cutoff. Eat real food. No crew for the next 17+ miles.

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Segment 2: Leatham Hollow → Tony Grove (Miles 19.5–51) | The long middle

Effort: Steady | Terrain: Remote Climbs + Canyon Descents | Elevation: +5,200 ft / -2,400 ft

Thirty-one miles through the most remote sections of the race. Upper Richards (mile ~28, no crew) is a 2,350 ft return climb directly from Leatham. The rhythm of the Bear starts here: descent, eat, climb.

Right Hand Fork at mile 37 is the first pacer pickup and the start of the crew pass zone. If your pacer starts here, they get dropped and the car leaves immediately. No lingering.

Temple Fork at mile 44.8 — 20 spots, Highway Patrol on site, drop off only. The fastest runners take 4+ hours from Leatham to Temple Fork. There is no reason to rush here and no time to wait.

Tony Grove at mile 51 and 7,980 ft comes after a 2,143 ft climb from Temple Fork in the dark. The 1:00 AM cutoff is where many races end. If you're pushing sub-30, you need to arrive before midnight. The Tony Grove climb is where the Bear earns its reputation.

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Segment 3: Tony Grove → Beaver Mountain (Miles 51–75.1) | The overnight

Effort: Conserve | Terrain: Rolling Ridgeline (Night) + Sustained Climb | Elevation: +3,800 ft / -2,600 ft

Tony Grove to Franklin Basin (mile 61) is 10 miles rolling ridgeline happening between 1–5 AM. No crew. Franklin Basin cutoff 5:30 AM — park at the pit toilet lot and walk 1/3 mile in.

Franklin Basin to Beaver Mountain (miles 61–75.1) is 14 miles of sustained work at dawn. Beaver Mountain at mile 75.1 is the last fully accessible crew station — camp sites #33–40 reserved and pre-paid for crews. The ski patrol lodge, not the main building. The 11:00 AM cutoff.

Beaver Mountain is not the finish. Twenty-four miles remain. Two more climbs. Tell your runner this before the race starts. Tell your pacer. It matters.

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Segment 4: Beaver Mountain → Finish (Miles 75.1–100) | Bear Creek, Ranger Dip, Bear Lake

Effort: Push | Terrain: Rough Descent + Final Singletrack | Elevation: +1,500 ft / -4,200 ft

Beaver Creek Campground at mile 84.7: high clearance only, 4-mile rough dirt road, cars get stuck routinely. If your crew vehicle is a sedan or low-clearance SUV, skip this and wait at Ranger Dip. Your runner will be fine; they won't be fine if they arrive at Ranger Dip to find you stuck in a ditch.

Ranger Dip at mile 91.8 is the final aid station. The 4:15 PM cutoff — 34.25 hours elapsed — is tight. Runners who arrive before 4:00 PM with legs that move will finish. The final 8.2 miles descend to The Reserve Beach at Fish Haven, Idaho. Runners come in on the bike path. Don't park on the highway. The finish is right on the lake.

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What This Race Demands You Get Right

The Logan Peak climb. Hike it. Hiking with purpose beats running with ego. Every extra minute you save on Logan Peak you pay back double at Tony Grove.

The crew pass decision. Choose carefully in September. RHF vs. Temple Fork determines your entire crew strategy. The RD recommends Tony Grove as the practical pacer start — factor that into your decision.

Night gear at Tony Grove. September nights in Logan Canyon above 7,000 feet can drop to the mid-20s. Shell, gloves, hat should be at the Tony Grove drop bag. Not in the car. Not at Beaver Mountain. Tony Grove.

Beaver Creek Campground. If you have a sedan, skip it. If you have a high-clearance 4WD, go carefully and slowly. Cars get stuck regularly on this road and a stuck crew car means a missed Ranger Dip.

The cupless policy. Carry a collapsible cup or soft flask. Aid stations provide limited cups for broth only.

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Course Records

| Category | Runner | Time | Year |
|----------|--------|------|------|
| Men's CR | Zach Garner | 17:11:51 | 2023 |
| Women's CR | Careth Arnold | 20:25:49 | 2024 |

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Logistics

Start: Mount Logan Park, 1400 E 350 S, Logan UT — 6:00 AM Friday, September 25, 2026

Finish: The Reserve Beach, Highway 89, Fish Haven, Idaho — parking by the beach, no limit on vehicles

Check-In: Thursday Sept 24, 3:30–6:00 PM at start line. Bib and drop bags due by 6:00 PM. No exceptions.

Crew Pass Survey: Early September — select RHF or Temple Fork. Pass distributed at check-in.

Shuttle: $25 return shuttle from finish to start departs ~6:30 PM Saturday

Starlink WiFi: Tony Grove turnoff parking lot, noon–6 PM race day (free)

Volunteer Requirement: 8 hours trail/race work, form submitted by September 15th

Qualifies For: Western States 100 lottery · Hardrock 100

Entry: Lottery — 886 applicants for 300 spots in 2026

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Load the Bear 100 into HARDN and build your execution plan with every cutoff, crew access window, and pacer exchange mapped out — including which stations require passes and which roads need high clearance. Give your crew the briefing they actually need. [Try it at hardn.app →](https://hardn.app)