Connor's Claims Ultra 50-Miler: A Complete Course Recon Breakdown Using HARDN

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Connor's Claims is not a race you find by accident. It's set in the Oquirrh Mountains west of Tooele — a range most Utah runners drive past on I-80 without ever thinking to turn south. But the Oquirrhs are hiding something: the historic mining districts of Jacob City, Ophir Canyon, and the Mercur mines, and above them, Bald Mountain East at 10,006 feet — the highest point of any 50-miler in the region.

52.5 miles. 14,000 feet of vertical. 98% mining roads and ATV trails. Two summits of Porphyry Hill. One off-trail descent. And the Lion Hill Loop — hit three times.

This is a race designed by someone who knows every inch of the Oquirrhs and wants you to know it too, whether you're ready or not.

I loaded the official Connor's Claims GPX into HARDN — 1,337 track points, 52.47 miles, 15,727 feet of raw gain — and mapped it against the detailed course description mile by mile. Here's what the data shows.

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The Big Picture

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Distance | 52.5 miles (loop) |
| Elevation Gain | ~14,000 ft (official) |
| High Point | 10,006 ft (Bald Mountain East summit, ~Mile 45.1) |
| Low Point | 5,336 ft (~Mile 14) |
| Start/Finish Elevation | 5,796 ft |
| Terrain | 98% mining road/ATV trails · 2% off-trail |
| Start Time | 5:00 AM |
| Hard Cutoffs | Mile 40 (Lion Hill Loop AS #3): 14 hours / 7:00 PM · Finish: 19 hours / 12:00 AM |
| Aid Stations | 8 stations at 9 locations (Lion Hill Loop hit 3x) |
| Drop Bags | Start/Finish (mile 12.5) · Lion Hill Loop (miles 24, 32, 40) |
| Pacers | Allowed from mile 32 and/or 40 (Lion Hill Loop AS) |
| Crew | Lion Hill Loop Trailhead parking lot only (miles 24, 32, 40) |
| Location | Tooele County, UT — Oquirrh Mountains |
| RD | Tooele Trail Racing |

What makes this race unusual: The Lion Hill Loop is run twice — once forward (miles 23–32) and once in reverse (miles 32–40). You summit Porphyry Hill twice. You hit the same aid station three times. The course uses this creative structure to maximize the mining district terrain without unnecessary out-and-backs, but it means you need to understand the course flow in both directions.

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Elevation Profile

[COURSE_ELEVATION:connors-claims-50]

The profile has a distinctive three-act structure:

Act 1 (Miles 0–12.65): Open loop through Jacob City — climb hard to 8,250 ft, descend through Dry Canyon, roll back to start/finish via the pole line road.

Act 2 (Miles 12.65–32): Soldier Canyon to Ophir Canyon to Lion Hill Loop (forward). The long middle section introducing the mine district terrain and the first Lion Hill Loop.

Act 3 (Miles 32–52.5): Lion Hill Loop (reverse) to Bald Mountain summits to final descent. The most exposed and highest section, capped by the 10,006 ft Bald Mountain East summit at mile 45.1.

The Bald Mountain East spike at mile 45.1 is the defining feature of the chart — a sharp climb to 10,006 ft followed by an off-trail descent to Commodore Pass, then immediately back up to Bald Mountain West at 9,626 ft. Two distinct summits within 0.65 miles. This is the crux of the race and it arrives after 45 miles.

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Aid Station Table

[COURSE_AID_STATIONS:connors-claims-50]

> Crew critical note: Crew may ONLY meet runners at the Lion Hill Loop Trailhead parking lot — miles 24, 32, and 40. No roadside crew anywhere else on the course. This is strictly enforced. Drop bags return to runners after the aid station closes at 7:00 PM (or earlier if all runners have passed through).

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The Course Structure — Understanding the Loop

Connor's Claims has a unique structure that rewards runners who study the map before race day. The key is the Lion Hill Loop, which you run twice in opposite directions.

First pass (Forward, Miles 23–32):
Ophir Canyon to Lion Hill AS (24.15) to ascend south to Mercur Overlook (26.4, 8,100 ft) to Porphyry Hill junction (26.85, 8,350 ft) to summit Porphyry Hill (27.35, 8,719 ft) to descend north to Silverado Traverse (28.8, 8,400 ft) to descend Long Trail Gulch to Ophir Canyon Rd to Lion Hill AS (32)

Second pass (Reverse, Miles 32–40):
Lion Hill AS (32) to Ophir Canyon Rd to Long Trail Gulch ascent to Silverado Traverse to Porphyry Hill junction to summit Porphyry Hill again (37.35, 8,719 ft) to Mercur Overlook to descend South Fork to Hall's Basin junction to Lion Hill AS (40)

This means Porphyry Hill at 8,719 ft is summited at mile 27.35 AND mile 36.6. The second time arrives after 36+ miles of racing, on the same mountain you already visited nine miles ago.

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Segment Breakdown

[COURSE_SEGMENTS_TABLE:connors-claims-50]

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How to Race It

Segment 1: Start to Start/Finish (Miles 0–12.5) — The Opening Loop

Effort: Very Hard | 2,454 ft climb on Gnarly ATV trail before mile 5

The race begins at 5,796 feet with a brief dirt road section before turning onto the Gnarly ATV trail at mile 0.95. This is one of the most direct opening climbs in Utah trail running — 2,454 feet in 4.75 miles with no warmup. The trail earns its name: steep, loose, demanding from the first mile.

Jacob City Aid at mile 4.75 and 8,250 feet is the first checkpoint. No crew, no drop bags. From here the descent through Dry Canyon is rugged and rocky — Jacob City ruins at mile 5.5 are worth a look even at race pace. The mouth of Dry Canyon at mile 7.5 connects to the pole line road, which rolls back to the Start/Finish Area at mile 12.5.

How to race it: The Gnarly ATV trail is a hike. The grade demands it and the footing enforces it. The drop back through Dry Canyon is technical — watch your footing on the rocky switchbacks. The pole line road is your first sustained runnable section: use it to eat and recover before the Soldier Canyon climb. Drop bag at mile 12.5 — build it for the long middle section.

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Segment 2: Start/Finish to Lion Hill Pass 1 (Miles 12.5–24.15) — Into the Mine District

Effort: Hard | Soldier Canyon climb and Chandler Fork descent into Ophir

From the Start/Finish, the course descends Bald Mountain Road to mile 14 (5,350 ft — the course's lowest point), then takes the hairpin turn northeast for the 4.7-mile Soldier Canyon climb. Soldier Canyon Aid sits at mile 18.6 and 6,800 feet.

The section from Soldier Canyon to Ophir Canyon is one of the most dramatic on the course — a steep climb to the pass overlooking Ophir Canyon (mile 20.7, 8,550 ft), followed by a descent down Chandler Fork Road to Ophir Canyon at mile 22.9 and 6,900 feet.

The Ophir Canyon Aid at mile 23 and the Lion Hill Loop Trailhead at mile 24.15 are your first crew access. If you have crew, this is their first window.

How to race it: The Soldier Canyon climb is long and honest — 4.7 miles at a moderate grade. It's one of the more runnable climbs on the course. The descent to Ophir Canyon on Chandler Fork is fast. Arrive at Lion Hill (mile 24) with a plan: you're about to run the hardest loop on the course twice.

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Segment 3: Lion Hill Loop — Forward Pass (Miles 24.15–32) — Porphyry Hill #1

Effort: Very Hard | Summit Porphyry Hill at 8,719 ft; Silverado Traverse

The Lion Hill Loop forward pass is the heart of the Oquirrh mining district. From the trailhead you ascend through South Fork of Ophir Canyon, crest the Mercur Overlook at mile 26.4 (8,100 ft), and reach the Porphyry Hill junction at mile 26.85 (8,350 ft).

From here it's 0.5 miles to the Porphyry Hill summit at 8,719 feet. Turn around, descend back to the junction, then cross the Silverado Traverse at 8,400 ft before descending Long Trail Gulch back to Ophir Canyon Road.

The course description specifically warns: "There are many trail junctions through here, be sure to follow the course markings." This section requires navigation attention.

How to race it: This is the first hard loop and it arrives at miles 24–32 when you're warmed up but the real fatigue hasn't arrived yet. Summit Porphyry Hill, take in the views of the Oquirrhs, and descend under control. You'll be back here in 9 miles doing it in reverse.

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Segment 4: Lion Hill Loop — Reverse Pass (Miles 32–40) — Porphyry Hill #2

Effort: Very Hard | Same mountain, opposite direction, 7:00 PM cutoff

The Lion Hill Loop reverse starts at mile 32 from the same trailhead. Same mountain. Same vertical. Opposite direction.

From the trailhead, you ascend Long Trail Gulch, cross the Silverado Traverse, summit Porphyry Hill a second time at mile 36.6 (8,719 ft), then descend south to the Mercur Overlook and back down South Fork to the Lion Hill Loop Trailhead at mile 40.

The 7:00 PM cutoff at mile 40 is the critical gate. From a 5:00 AM start that's 14 hours for 40 miles with approximately 11,000 feet of gain. Runners who arrive after 7:00 PM are pulled.

How to race it: The reverse loop feels harder than the forward pass, not because the terrain is different but because you're 32+ miles in and you know exactly what Porphyry Hill asks of you. Don't sandbag the approach. Hike efficiently, summit, and get back down to Lion Hill with time in the bank before the 7:00 PM cutoff. Your pacer joins here.

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Segment 5: Lion Hill Pass 3 to Finish (Miles 40–52.5) — Bald Mountain

Effort: Very Hard | 10,006 ft summit at mile 45; off-trail descent; 4,300 ft drop to finish

The final 12.5 miles contain the race's highest climbing and its highest point. After Lion Hill's third pass, the course climbs Chandler Fork Road back to 8,450 ft, continues to the Serviceberry Canyon junction, then climbs steadily to 9,350 ft.

At mile 44.75 (9,500 ft) you leave the road for an off-trail 500-foot climb of the south face of Bald Mountain East. Mile 45.1 — the summit. 10,006 feet. 360-degree views of the Oquirrhs, Tooele and Rush Valleys, and the Stansbury, Onaqui, and Sheeprock ranges.

Then a steep off-trail descent of the west face to Commodore Pass at mile 45.55 (9,300 ft). Immediately after: the east face of Bald Mountain West, summiting at mile 45.75 (9,626 ft). Two distinct summits in 0.65 miles.

From Bald Mountain West, the course descends steadily back to Bald Mountain Road, then connects to the Gnarly ATV trail descent and finishes at mile 52.5.

How to race it: The off-trail section of Bald Mountain East is 2% of the course but 100% of the navigation risk. Stay aware. The descent off the west face is steep — controlled footing here is non-negotiable at mile 45 of a 50-miler. Once you're off the Bald Mountains and back on Bald Mountain Road, the descent to the finish is long but straightforward. The 12:00 AM cutoff gives you 5 hours from Lion Hill — enough time for a runner who made the 7:00 PM gate with working legs.

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What This Race Demands You Get Right

The Lion Hill Loop structure. You must understand the forward and reverse routes before race day. The description warns about trail junctions in Long Trail Gulch specifically. Download the GPX and study both directions.

The 7:00 PM cutoff at mile 40. 14 hours for 40 miles with ~11,000 ft of gain. Know your pace plan from Lion Hill Pass 1 (mile 24) onward.

Crew logistics. Crew access is only at Lion Hill Loop Trailhead — miles 24, 32, and 40. No exceptions, no roadside aid anywhere else. Drop bags are pulled at 7:00 PM station close.

The Bald Mountain summit at mile 45. After 45 miles, an off-trail climb to 10,006 feet followed immediately by a second summit at 9,626 ft. This is the race's hardest 0.65 miles and it comes last. Build your race plan backward from this section.

Pacer strategy. Pacers available from mile 32 or mile 40. Picking up a pacer at mile 32 gives them the full reverse loop and the Bald Mountain section — the two hardest remaining challenges.

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Logistics

Start/Finish: Tooele County, UT (Oquirrh Mountains near Stockton)

Hard Cutoffs: Mile 40 (Lion Hill Loop AS #3) at 7:00 PM · Finish at 12:00 AM

Drop Bags: Start/Finish Area (mile 12.5) · Lion Hill Loop Trailhead (miles 24, 32, 40) — small duffel or smaller. Bags returned at 7:00 PM or when last runner passes.

Crew: Lion Hill Loop Trailhead parking lot only (miles 24, 32, 40). No crew elsewhere.

Pacers: Join at mile 32 or mile 40 at Lion Hill Loop Trailhead. No muling. Pacers eat aid station fare.

Race Organization: Tooele Trail Racing

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Load Connor's Claims into HARDN and build your segment-by-segment execution plan — Lion Hill Loop navigation, Porphyry Hill pacing for both summits, the 7:00 PM cutoff math, and a crew brief for the Lion Hill Trailhead windows. [Try it at hardn.app →](https://hardn.app)