2023 Registration
Immerse yourself in a true Colorado backcountry MTB experience at the 2023 Vapor Trail 125. Field limit is 100. Register today!
THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!
To be brutally honest, this event is unique and really hard. You've never done anything like the Vapor Trail 125 before. You will be riding technical singletrack at extreme elevations, much of which will be in the dark of the night. You will encounter temperatures from sub-freezing to 80º, gnarly sections of trail and you will be deep in the Colorado backcountry. You MUST BE self-sufficient and be able to have the ability to get back to town if you decide to drop out from the event. If you have any doubts about whether you can complete this event, this probably isn't your year. The Vapor Trail 125 is difficult for the most seasoned mountain bikers and racers. We are not going to sugar coat it - make sure you aren't biting off more than you can chew.
Course Description and DOWNLOAD
VIEW & DOWNLOAD THE VT125 COURSE
Start to Aid #1
The race starts at 10 PM on the F Street Bridge in Downtown Salida and heads out of town via Poncha Boulevard and County Road 140. After crossing Hwy 285, you will continue on CR 140 to CR 250, where you turn right and begin the first gravel section on your way up to the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail is the first section of singletrack, which will have you headed north towards Mount Princeton. After an amazing section of the Colorado Trail, which is traversed at night, you will turn left onto CR 290 and pedal for 0.4 miles to Aid Station #1 (Cascade) at 26.5 miles.
Aid #1 to Aid #2
Leaving Aid #1 you then climb the old railroad grade and turn left (West) on CR 162. Your next turn is South onto CR 295 and head towards the Hancock townsite. Next you will turn West onto CR 299 and go over the not-so-fun Hancock Pass, a burly 4x4 jeep road with plenty of hike-a-bike for most mortals. After descending Hancock Pass, turn left (South) onto Tomichi Pass Rd. This is a much smoother section of road then Hancock Pass, but will still be difficult at this point in the night. After crossing over Tomichi Pass, you will ONLY DESCEND for 0.25 miles, where you will then turn right on to the infamous Canyon Creek Trail. The ascent of Canyon Creek Trail is just shy of 1-mile long, however, 98% of it is a hike-a-bike and takes you to the high point of the race at 12,600 feet. The descent is 8.5 miles long, it is the most technical descent of the race, and nearly all racers will tackle this in the dark. There is a short climb after this amazing descent, which will then have you drop down to USFS Road 888 (Tomichi Pass Road). Turn left onto the road and an immediate right into Snowblind Campground, which is Aid Station #2 (56.4 miles).
Aid #2 to Aid #3
From Aid Station #2, you will proceed south on USFS Road 888 for ~ 4 miles to the bottom of Old Monarch Pass Road, where you will turn left. Old Monarch Pass Road, while not steep, is a long and tedious climb. After cresting Old Monarch Pass you will descend for less than 0.2 miles and take a right onto singletrack which will bring you to Hwy 50. Take care crossing the highway and turn left (North) to reach the Monarch Gift Shop and Aid Station #3 (70.5 miles). Aid Station #2 to Aid Station #3 is 14 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing. Aid Station #3 is well stocked and here you will have access to your drop bag. Aid Station #3 is also a great place to decide how much you have left in the tank, as you will still have 55 miles to ride with 35 miles of it being singletrack.
Aid #3 to Aid #4
From Aid #3, you will take the glorious Monarch Crest Trail to Marshall Pass, Aid Station #4 (80.9 miles). Aid Station #3 to Aid Station #4 is 11 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing.
Aid #4 to Aid #5
Aid Station #4 is also Aid Station #5 as you will pass through it twice. From Aid Station #4, you will ride a sweet little section of the Colorado Trail to the Starvation Creek Trail intersection, where you will turn left and descend Starvation Creek. At the bottom of Starvation Creek Trail you will turn left onto Poncha Creek Road, which is a 4.5 mile climb and for many past racers it is the cracking point, as it is usually in the heat of the day. You will then hit Marshall Pass again, which is Aid Station #5 (92.1 miles). Aid Station #4 back to Aid Station #4/5 will have you covering 11.5 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing.
Aid #5 to Finish
You will then ride the same section of single track back to the Starvation Creek Trail intersection, but this time you will turn right and stay on the Colorado Trail. Stay on the Colorado Trail until the Silver Creek Trail, where you will turn left. Enjoy the amazing descent down to the Rainbow Trail, but remember that the very last section of single track on Silver Creek is privately owned by Steve Miller (not "fly like an eagle" Steve Miller) and he has granted us permission to cross this section of his land. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL of this, as without his permission we'd be SOL! Then jump on the Rainbow Trail, and savor the last fun, but cruel joke, Vapor will play on you. The Rainbow Trailhead to town is about 20 miles with ~ 1,000 feet of climbing. The Rainbow Trail has a few power climbs (HAHA) and then finishes with a fun descent to Hwy 285. The last road section of the course is Hwy 285 to County Road 120 (turn right on CR 120) after going through Poncha Springs. CR 120 is 95% DOWNHILL to the finish line at Absolute Bikes!