DC Peaks 100: A Complete Course Recon Breakdown Using HARDN

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The DC Peaks 100 starts below the Utah State Capitol. Let that land for a second. You begin in Memory Grove Park — one of Salt Lake City's most beautiful spots — and from there you run 100 miles north through the Wasatch Front foothills, into Davis County, through Farmington Canyon, up past Francis Peak, and eventually down to Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake.

Along the way: 20,869 feet of vertical gain. The entire back half of the DC Peaks 50 — a course that's already known for chewing people up. A Francis Peak section that gains 5,768 feet in 14.5 miles. And a cutoff at 11:00 PM Saturday that gives you 36 hours to get it done.

This is the newest 100-miler on the Wasatch Front, and it is not messing around.

I loaded the official DC Peaks 100 GPX into HARDN — 9,775 track points, 99.91 miles, 28,001 feet of raw gain — and broke it down segment by segment from the official race manual. Here's what the data shows.

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The Big Picture

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Distance | 100 miles (point-to-point) |
| Elevation Gain | ~20,869 ft (official) · 28,001 ft raw GPX |
| Elevation Range | 4,455 ft (start) → 9,364 ft (Francis Peak area) → 5,197 ft (finish) |
| High Point | ~9,364 ft (Francis Peak ridge, Mile 64) |
| Terrain | Mostly trail · some service road · minimal pavement |
| Start | Memory Grove Park, Salt Lake City — 11:00 AM Friday, October 2 |
| Finish | Tunnel Springs Park, 1080 Eaglepointe Dr, North Salt Lake — cutoff 11:00 PM Saturday |
| Cutoff | 36 hours |
| Aid Stations | 13 (including start and finish) |
| Pacers | From Farmington Pond (Mile 43.7) — multiple OK, 1 at a time |
| Drop Bags | 7 stations |
| Shuttle | Leaves finish at 9:30 AM Friday to take runners to start |
| Packet Pickup | Thursday Oct 1, 2:00–6:00 PM · 819 N Lagoon Dr, Farmington UT |
| Navigation | GPX download required — must carry on device |
| Course Markings | Blue DC Peaks flags and signs only (no ribbons) |

Important note on the Summerwood out-and-back: Runners hit Summerwood twice — once at mile 10.6 heading out, and once at mile 94.9 coming back in. The second pass is a mandatory out-and-back. Skipping it is a DQ.

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Elevation Profile

[COURSE_ELEVATION:dc-peaks-100]

The shape of this race is defined by two massive climbs with very different personalities.

Mueller Park → Temple Ridge (Miles 23–29): 3,563 ft in 5.8 miles. The biggest single-segment climb on the course happens at mile 23 — after you've already done a full marathon's worth of climbing. The Mueller Park climb to Temple Ridge is unrelenting and steep. There is no way around it.

East Mtn Wilderness Park → Francis Peak (Miles 50–64): 5,768 ft in 14.5 miles. This is the race-defining section. From the low of East Mountain Wilderness Park (~5,000 ft) all the way up to Francis Peak at 9,357 ft. 5,768 feet of gain over 14.5 miles at night, with a 12:00 PM cutoff at the top and no crew access for the entire climb. This segment will end more races than any other.

Bountiful Peak → Zig Zag (Miles 73–80): 4,537 ft of descent in 7.2 miles. After Bountiful Peak at 9,098 ft, the course descends nearly 4,500 feet to Zig Zag at ~4,605 ft. This is the most quad-destroying section and it comes at mile 73+.

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Aid Station Table

[COURSE_AID_STATIONS:dc-peaks-100]

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Pacer & Crew Parking Notes

Farmington Pond (Mile 43.7): First pacer pickup. Minimal parking — be prepared to park down the street or get dropped at the entrance and walk in. Great cell service.

East Mtn Wilderness Park (Mile 49.7): Good parking. Great cell service. Last crew access for 34+ miles — build drop bags accordingly.

Zig Zag / Parrish Creek Trail (Mile 80.1): Crew must park down the hill and walk up. The parking lot itself is used as the aid station.

Mueller Park (Mile 85.3): Park along 1800 South. Poor cell service — Verizon better than T-Mobile.

Pacer bibs: Pick up at packet pickup Thursday. If you do race morning pickup, pacer gets their bib at the aid station where they start.

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Segment Table

[COURSE_SEGMENTS_TABLE:dc-peaks-100]

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How to Race It

Segment 1: Memory Grove → Mueller Park (Miles 0–23.1) | The urban opening

Effort: Conserve | Terrain: Urban Foothills + Mountain Trail | Elevation: +2,428 ft / -2,090 ft

The race starts at 11:00 AM in Memory Grove — an unusual midday start for a 100-miler — giving runners time to get their feet under them before dark. You immediately begin climbing north through SLC foothills and canyons into Davis County.

The first 10.6 miles to Summerwood gain 2,428 feet with a brief descent along the way — urban foothills terrain transitioning into true mountain trail. Summerwood at mile 10.6 has no crew, no drop bags — check in and keep moving.

Summerwood to Mueller Park (miles 10.6–23.1) crests at 7,156 ft before a 2,090 ft descent into Mueller Park at mile 23.1. Mueller Park has drop bags, crew access, and the first cutoff: 7:00 PM Friday — 8 hours after your 11 AM start. That's a generous window but it closes fast if you're struggling on the SLC foothills section.

How to race it: Midday start means the first several hours happen in daylight and warmth. Early October on the Wasatch Front means afternoon high temps in the 60s, dropping into the 30s overnight at elevation. Dress in layers. The Mueller Park cutoff is the only easy one.

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Segment 2: Mueller Park → East Mtn Wilderness Park (Miles 23.1–49.7) | The first mountain

Effort: Hike | Terrain: Steep Climb + Ridgeline + Descent | Elevation: +3,563 ft / -2,795 ft

The Mueller Park to Temple Ridge climb (miles 23.1–28.9) is the steepest single segment on the course: 3,563 feet in 5.8 miles from 5,089 ft to 8,576 ft. It starts immediately out of Mueller Park and does not relent. This happens at mile 23 in the race — your legs are warm and you should be moving well. Hike the steep sections, run the brief flats, and arrive at Temple Ridge with something left.

Temple Ridge to Farmington Canyon (miles 28.9–37.5) is ridgeline travel with some climbing and then a descent to Farmington Canyon at 37.5. No crew here — drop bag only.

Farmington Canyon to Farmington Pond (miles 37.5–43.7) is nearly pure descent: 2,795 feet in 6.2 miles from 7,234 ft to roughly 4,503 ft. This is where quad damage accumulates before the race's hardest section. Run it controlled.

Farmington Pond at mile 43.7 is the first pacer pickup. Your pacer starts here if you have them — good, because what comes next requires all the help you can get.

East Mountain Wilderness Park at mile 49.7 (5:00 AM cutoff) is the last crew access for 34+ miles. Your crew will not see your runner again until Zig Zag at mile 80.1. Build your drop bags for the Francis Peak section as if you're preparing for a race within the race.

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Segment 3: East Mtn Wilderness Park → Farmington Canyon (Miles 49.7–68.6) | The race

Effort: Very Hard | Terrain: Sustained Major Climb (Overnight) + Descent | Elevation: +5,768 ft / -1,949 ft

The East Mtn Wilderness Park to Francis Peak segment is the DC Peaks 100. Full stop.

5,768 feet of gain over 14.5 miles. Starting at roughly 4,892 ft and ending at 9,357 ft. Happening overnight — most runners will be on this section from 2–9 AM. No crew access. No bail options. The Francis Peak cutoff is 12:00 PM Saturday — 25 hours into the race.

The CalTopo profile from the race manual tells the full story: a gradual start for 3 miles, then an uninterrupted climb from mile 53 onward that doesn't crest until Francis Peak itself. It is one of the longest sustained climbs on any Utah 100.

How to race it: This section runs east through Farmington Canyon into the high Davis County backcountry. The exposure above treeline is significant — October nights on the ridge can drop below freezing with wind. Layers and a shell are not optional. This is where cold, under-fueled runners drop.

Poles are your best friend on the Francis Peak climb. Your pacer (who started at Farmington Pond or East Mtn) is doing serious work here keeping you moving and eating. Francis Peak summit area at 9,357 ft has no drop bags and no crew — just a checkpoint with a cutoff.

The descent off Francis Peak to Farmington Canyon (miles 64.2–68.6) loses 1,949 ft in 4.4 miles. It is one of the most direct descents on the course. Let gravity do the work — you've just done the hardest thing.

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Segment 4: Farmington Canyon → Zig Zag (Miles 68.6–80.1) | Bountiful Peak and the descent

Effort: Conserve | Terrain: Major Climb + Massive Descent | Elevation: +1,864 ft / -4,537 ft

Farmington Canyon at mile 68.6 has drop bags and is the last crew-accessible station before Zig Zag. Resupply here. The next segment is another significant climb.

Farmington Canyon to Bountiful Peak (miles 68.6–72.9) gains 1,864 feet in 4.3 miles — from 7,234 ft to 9,098 ft — with zero descent. After 68+ miles, this is a hard ask. Bountiful Peak has no drop bags, no crew, no pacer exchange. Summit and keep moving.

Bountiful Peak to Zig Zag (miles 72.9–80.1) is a 4,537 ft descent in 7.2 miles. From 9,094 ft down to ~4,605 ft. This is the most destructive descent on the course — coming at mile 73, after everything. Run it smart: short stride, upright posture, don't bomb it. Zig Zag at mile 80.1 has crew access, pacer exchange, and the welcome relief of knowing the major climbing is behind you.

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Segment 5: Zig Zag → Finish (Miles 80.1–100) | The long way home

Effort: Push | Terrain: Rolling Forest + Final Descent | Elevation: +879 ft / -1,089 ft

Zig Zag to Mueller Park (miles 80.1–85.3) gains 879 feet from the valley bottom back to 5,207 ft — a short climb that feels enormous at mile 80. Mueller Park at mile 85.3 has the 5:00 PM Saturday cutoff — 30 hours elapsed. Drop bags, crew, pacer exchange.

Mueller Park to Summerwood (miles 85.3–94.9) is 9.6 miles of rolling forest trail — net positive, cresting around 6,549 ft, then descending. Your crew can't access Summerwood on the second pass (no crew vehicle), but your pacer can continue.

The Summerwood out-and-back at mile 94.9 is mandatory. Check in, turn around, come back. Skipping it is a DQ. It's one of the more unusual race design elements — a required out-and-back at mile 95 when you're almost done — but it's in the rules and it's enforced.

The final 5.2 miles to Tunnel Springs drop 1,089 feet to the finish at North Salt Lake. The cutoff is 11:00 PM Saturday.

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What This Race Demands You Get Right

The Francis Peak build. The E Mtn Wild to Francis Peak climb (miles 49.7–64.2) is where this race separates itself from every other Utah 100. You have no crew for 34+ miles, you're climbing nearly 6,000 feet overnight, and the Francis Peak cutoff at noon means you need to be moving efficiently all night. Your East Mtn Wilderness Park drop bag and your pacer's mental game are your only resources.

Night gear. October in the Davis County mountains means real cold — below freezing is possible above 8,000 ft. Shell, gloves, and a hat must be accessible, not buried. Build your East Mtn drop bag for a cold night, not an average one.

The Bountiful Peak climb. At mile 68, after Francis Peak, after 68 miles, after a descent — you climb 1,864 feet again. Runners who celebrate at Francis Peak and coast into Farmington Canyon find themselves in trouble on Bountiful Peak. Keep eating through the Farmington Canyon aid station stop.

The mandatory Summerwood out-and-back. You must check in to Summerwood at mile 94.9 and return. It's on the race rules page, it's enforced, and it's a DQ if you skip it. Don't skip it.

Navigation is mandatory. The course uses blue DC Peaks flags only — no ribbons. The RDs specifically note that markings get removed every year by "trail police." GPX must be on your device and accessible. Know how to use it.

Crew logistics. No crew at Summerwood (either pass), Temple Ridge, Farmington Canyon passes, Francis Peak, or Bountiful Peak. Your crew has windows at Mueller Park (23.1), Farmington Pond (43.7), East Mtn Wilderness Park (49.7), Zig Zag (80.1), and Mueller Park again (85.3). The Francis Peak section is a 34-mile crew blackout. Plan for it.

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Logistics

Start: Memory Grove Park, Salt Lake City — 11:00 AM Friday, October 2, 2026

Finish: Tunnel Springs Park, 1080 Eaglepointe Dr, North Salt Lake UT — 11:00 PM Saturday cutoff

Packet Pickup & Drop Bags: Thursday October 1, 2:00–6:00 PM · 819 N Lagoon Dr, Farmington UT (SW side of building under the big X)

Shuttle: 100-mile runners take a shuttle from the finish to the start — departs 9:30 AM Friday. Don't miss it.

Aid Station Food: Water, Näak electrolyte drink, PB&J, fruit, chips, cookies, donuts, pickles, salt, pancakes & bacon, quesadillas, pizza, ramen noodles, first aid, ice

Nearby Hospitals: Layton Hospital (201 Layton Pkwy, 801-543-6000) · Lakeview Hospital (630 Medical Dr, Bountiful, 801-299-2200)

Davis County SAR: 800 W State St, Farmington — 801-451-4100

Deferral: Rollover Insurance available at checkout ($25, non-refundable) — must cancel 14+ days out to use it

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Load the DC Peaks 100 into HARDN and build your complete race execution plan — cutoffs, crew windows, drop bag contents, and a segment-by-segment strategy for every section of the Wasatch Front. [Try it at hardn.app →](https://hardn.app)