Wasatch Front 100: A Complete Course Recon Breakdown Using HARDN

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The Wasatch Front 100 doesn't let you ease in. It starts in Kaysville at 4,887 feet, sends you up 4,400 feet in the first seven miles, and then proceeds to spend the next 93 miles doing exactly what it wants to you. Rolling ridgelines. Technical canyons. A high point at 10,462 feet that doesn't come until mile 72. A finish at Soldier Hollow in Midway that you will earn every step of.

This is Utah's race. It has been since 1980. And it is the only 100 in the state that the ultra community universally agrees is harder than it looks on paper.

I loaded the official Wasatch 100 course data — every named point, every aid station, every elevation — into HARDN and broke it down the way I'd actually prepare for it. Here's what the numbers say and how to race it.

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The Big Picture

- Distance: 100.02 miles (point-to-point)
- Elevation Gain: ~26,000 ft
- Elevation Loss: ~26,000 ft
- High Point: 10,462 ft (Point Supreme, Mile 72.25)
- Low Point: 4,887 ft (Start, Kaysville)
- Start: Kaysville, UT — 6:00 AM Friday
- Finish: Soldier Hollow, Midway, UT
- Cutoff: 36 hours (6:00 PM Saturday)
- Course Style: Point-to-point, net-neutral
- Aid Stations: 15 (16 including finish)
- Pacers: Allowed from Big Mountain (Mile 31.9)
- Drop Bags: 6 stations

The defining feature of Wasatch isn't any one climb — it's the relentlessness. Unlike courses that have a single hard section, Wasatch delivers major climbing at miles 0–8, 20–23, 47–52, 59–65, and 70–72. Every time you think you've found a rhythm, the terrain changes direction. The aid stations are your lifeline, and the cutoffs are tighter than most runners expect.

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Elevation Profile

[COURSE_ELEVATION:wasatch-100]

Three features define the shape of this race:

The opening wall (Miles 0–8): From 4,887 ft at the start to 9,317 ft at Radar Towers Road in eight miles. You gain more elevation in the first two hours than most 100s deliver in their hardest single climb. And it's happening in the dark.

The long middle (Miles 30–65): The course drops into the valleys and canyons — Alexander at 5,555 ft, Lambs Canyon at 6,122 ft — then climbs back out repeatedly. Scotts Peak at mile 65.3 is 9,880 ft and marks the last major high point before the final push.

Point Supreme at mile 72.25 (10,462 ft): The actual high point of the race comes at mile 72 — when you've already been running for 20+ hours. The climb from Brighton at 8,787 ft to Point Supreme at 10,462 ft over 3 miles is the move that breaks runners who haven't managed their legs properly up to this point.

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Aid Stations

[COURSE_AID_STATIONS:wasatch-100]

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Cutoff Table — The Real Race Plan

Wasatch cutoffs are calculated from the latest time any runner ever finished from each station. They are non-negotiable — arrive at or after the posted time and you are pulled automatically, regardless of how you feel.

The grace window is the only gap between the last person who ever finished and the mandatory cutoff. After Brighton, those windows shrink dramatically. If you arrive at Brighton (mile 69.3) between 7:10 and 7:30 AM, you are in the grace window — no one who arrived in that window has ever finished, but you are allowed to try. If you arrive at 7:30 AM or later, you are done.

The practical implication: Plan to arrive at every cutoff station 45–60 minutes ahead of the mandatory time. Not to be safe. Because the gap between "barely making cutoffs" and "finishing" at Wasatch is almost always the section from Pole Line Pass to Little Deer Creek.

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Course Segments

[COURSE_SEGMENTS_TABLE:wasatch-100]

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How to Race It

Segment 1: Start → Big Mountain Pass (Miles 0–31.9) | The opening tax

Effort: Hike | Terrain: Sustained Climb (4,400 ft wall) + Ridgeline | Elevation: +5,000 ft / -2,500 ft

The race begins in Kaysville at 6:00 AM and immediately presents the bill. The first 6.24 miles climb from 4,887 ft to 8,366 ft at The Gut — over 3,400 feet in six miles before sunrise. From there the ridgeline rolls at 9,000+ feet through Radar Towers Road before dropping back down toward Bountiful B.

The Bountiful B cutoff is noon. That's six hours for 16.6 miles with nearly 5,000 feet of gain. Most runners make it fine — it's the ones who blow up on the opening climb in the dark who arrive at Bountiful B at 11:45 and are already playing defense.

From Bountiful B, Sessions Lift Off sits at mile 20.9 with no crew access, then Sessions Summit at 9,046 ft. This is the first real ridgeline section — multiple bumps above 9,000 ft before the course drops to Big Mountain at mile 31.9 and 7,438 ft.

Big Mountain is the first real reset. Drop bags, crew access, pacer pickup available. You've covered 32 miles, done most of the worst climbing of the first half, and have 68 miles to go. Take what you need, don't linger.

The big mistake: Hiking too slowly on the opening climb because "it's early" and arriving at Bountiful B behind pace. The Wasatch cutoffs compress as the race goes on. Bountiful B at 11:45 AM feels safe. By Brighton, that buffer is gone.

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Segment 2: Big Mountain → Lambs Canyon (Miles 31.9–47.5) | The descent trap

Effort: Steady | Terrain: Long Descent + Canyon Creek Crossings | Elevation: -2,600 ft / +1,800 ft

Big Mountain to Alexander (mile 40.7) is a long descending ridge from 7,438 ft to 5,555 ft — the lowest point on the entire course. It feels like recovery. It isn't. Your quads are absorbing 2,600 feet of descent on technical trail in daylight heat. Alexander's 8:30 PM cutoff gives you 3.5 hours for 8.8 miles — it's generous, but use the station properly. Drop bags aren't here, crew is.

Alexander to Lambs Canyon is a canyon section — 6.8 miles with creek crossings and technical footing at night. Lambs Canyon at mile 47.5 has a hard 11:00 PM cutoff. This is where the race starts separating people. Runners who've been marginally behind all day find themselves staring down a 49-minute grace window.

How to race it: Protect your legs on the Big Mountain descent. Run the runnable, walk the steep — but keep moving. Eat real food at Alexander (drop bags available at Lambs). You're about to hit the hardest single climb of the entire race.

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Segment 3: Lambs Canyon → Brighton (Miles 47.5–69.3) | The night section

Effort: Very Hard | Terrain: Bear Bottom Pass Climb (Night) + Ridge above 9,000 ft | Elevation: +4,500 ft / -2,200 ft

This is Wasatch. Specifically, this is the section that defines the race for most runners.

From Lambs Canyon, the course immediately starts climbing to Bear Bottom Pass at mile 51.2 and 8,142 ft — a near-2,000 ft climb in 3.7 miles at midnight. This is the surprise section. Runners know about the opening climb and the Brighton push. Most don't adequately prepare for Bear Bottom Pass after 47 miles in the dark.

From Elbow Fork (mile 52.9, no crew), the climb continues to Desolation Lake at 9,244 ft and then Red Lovers Ridge at 9,564 ft. You are climbing to nearly 10,000 feet at 2–3 AM, after 60 miles of racing, with no crew access for 20+ miles.

Scotts Peak at mile 65.3 and 9,880 ft is the last major high before Brighton. The descent from Scotts to Brighton drops 1,100 feet — welcome after hours above 9,000 ft. Brighton Lodge has the 7:30 AM cutoff. Drop bags, crew, hot food. If you've made it to Brighton and you're not destroyed, you will finish.

How to race it: The Bear Bottom Pass climb catches people who ran too hard in Phase 2. It is not optional — there's no way around it. Just hike. Poles are essential through here. At Desolation Lake, check your calories and warmth; runners who get cold and underfueled in this section drop or slow dramatically into Brighton. Make the 7:30 AM cutoff with 30+ minutes to spare.

Gear note: The ridge above 9,000 ft at 2–3 AM in September can be below freezing. Shell, gloves, and a hat should be in your vest or at Lambs Canyon drop bag, not at the car.

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Segment 4: Brighton → Rock Springs (Miles 69.3–81.2) | Point Supreme and the second half of the night

Effort: Hike | Terrain: Catherine Pass Climb to 10,462 ft + Traverse | Elevation: +1,675 ft / -1,200 ft

Brighton to Point Supreme is the highest point on the course — 10,462 ft at mile 72.25 via Catherine Pass. You climb 1,675 feet in under three miles at hour 25+ of the race. It is brutal and it is beautiful. The views of the Wasatch backcountry at sunrise from Point Supreme are the best in the race.

From Point Supreme, the course descends through Ant Knolls (8,926 ft) and the traverse to Pole Line Pass (8,936 ft) — a 10:45 AM cutoff. Rock Springs at mile 81.2 sits at 9,459 ft. This is the high point of the final quarter.

How to race it: Catherine Pass and Point Supreme are a hike. Full stop. Your pacer's job here is calorie enforcement and moving your feet forward. The Pole Line Pass cutoff (10:45 AM) gives you 3.25 hours for 7.8 miles from Brighton — tight on tired legs at altitude. Don't leave Brighton without a realistic pace plan for Pole Line.

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Segment 5: Rock Springs → Finish (Miles 81.2–100) | The Plunge and home

Effort: Push | Terrain: Technical Descent (The Plunge) + Road to Finish | Elevation: -3,700 ft

From Rock Springs, the course descends via The Plunge and Red Pine Creek to Little Deer Creek at 7,151 ft — 2,300 feet of loss in 7.1 miles on technical trail. At mile 83, after 83 miles of racing. Your quads will be discussing retirement.

Little Deer Creek has a 2:30 PM cutoff. From there, Top of the Wall (6,722 ft) and Decker Canyon (5,704 ft) lead to the paved Deer Creek Pkwy and Parkway Trailhead — the last 5 miles into Soldier Hollow.

The finish at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah is net downhill and runnable. After 95 miles it will not feel that way. Run anyway.

How to race it: Manage The Plunge carefully — controlled stride, poles planted, quads not wrecked. If you arrive at Little Deer Creek (88.3) before 2:00 PM with legs that still work, you will finish. The final 11.7 miles are manageable if you haven't blown up your quads in the descent.

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What This Race Demands You Get Right

Night running preparation. The most technical sections of Wasatch happen in the dark — the opening climb, the Bear Bottom / Desolation section at midnight, and the high ridge above 9,000 ft at 3 AM. Headlamp quality and battery management matter here more than most 100s.

Cutoff math. Do the math before race day. For each cutoff station, know what pace you need to hold, how much buffer you want, and what your plan is if you arrive behind. The window between "last person to ever finish" and "mandatory cutoff" is under an hour at every station. There's no coast zone at Wasatch.

Drop bag strategy. Six drop bag stations: Bountiful B (16.6), Big Mountain (31.9), Lambs Canyon (47.5), Scotts Peak (65.3), Brighton (69.3), Pole Line Pass (77.2), Little Deer Creek (88.3). Each has a different function — night gear at Lambs, warmth at Brighton, fresh shoes at Pole Line if needed. Build each bag for the section ahead, not the section you just finished.

Crew logistics. Big Mountain and Lambs Canyon get extremely crowded. The race issues parking passes based on predicted runner arrival time — your crew stages at Washington Park and gets passes when your runner is close. Don't skip this system; runners have been DNF'd for crew access violations. Pacers can start at Big Mountain (31.9).

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Course Records

- Men's CR: Jared Campbell — 18:56:17 (2012)
- Women's CR: Darcy Piceu — 21:35:10 (2011)

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Logistics

Start: Kaysville, Utah (Davis County Fairgrounds area)

Finish: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Midway, Utah

Race Date: Second weekend of September (September 2026)

Start Time: 6:00 AM Friday

Cutoff: 36 hours — 6:00 PM Saturday

Entry: Lottery-based; applications open each January

Camping: Available near Soldier Hollow finish

Crew Staging: Washington Park — crew is issued parking passes from here for Big Mountain and Lambs Canyon

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HARDN's course recon tools let you load any GPX file, visualize the elevation profile, and build a segment-by-segment race execution plan with your nutrition, crew, and pacing strategy mapped to each aid station. [Try it at hardn.app →](https://hardn.app)